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The BiKeWriTer | The Ark Encounter

By
Judy
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0

Do the zipline they said. It’ll be fun they said. So I saved it for last at The Ark Encounter in WIlliamstown, KY.

Tuesday was a hot day to pull into the Ark. My tires felt like they were melting. I wished for a little rain and thought what an oxymoron that would be considering what was ahead.

For those not familiar, The Ark is a 5-story replica of the biblical Noah’s Ark. It is on the edge of Williamstown, KY and was built by Ken Ham and “constructed by Amish builders using traditional timber framing techniques.”


You could see The Ark from the highway. More than massive and according to one of the info tidbits it was larger than a 747.

Families flood into the Ark (pun intended). It is a multi-cultural experience with people coming from across the US.

Walk up the wooden ramp and into the lower level of the vessel and you’re hit with a barnyard aroma and growls and squeals to match.

Bamboo cages are stacked 3 and 4 levels high with a pair of animals or birds in each. They sounded hungry…

Into the bow of the boat you hear the powerful storm and the creaking of the timbers as the vessel rocks and pitches against the waves.

The overall feeling is how much thought, time and creativity went into this production.

The displays, especially the dioramas, are vivid and evoke feelings of fear, greed and hate.

There are obvious liberties taken with the some of the storytelling and images but each section wraps up with a Biblical message or artifact of discovery.

There is a strong balance of fun material for children and thought-provoking information for adults.

Impressive overall is the size of the structure and its surroundings which include fantastic foliage, an interactive zoo, a theatre with live performances and the zip line.

I didn’t think much about the zip line, other than it came highly recommended. I didn’t think about the height or signing a waiver … or flying over treetops… Not until I was getting gear on and standing next to the little girl in my group.

Dayanara V. was 15. She weighed a smidge more than the 75-pound minimum to go on ”the ride.”

“I’m afraid of heights.” she said.

Which was the first I had really thought about the height factor.

Our 19-year-old instructors, Jonathan and Julie, gave us confidence and made sure our harnesses were, most importantly, secure.

It was an interesting dynamic to watch how comfortable Julie and Jonathan climbed the 3-story spiral staircases and jumped with enthusiasm off the platform while trusting the cable.

Dayanara had nothing to worry about as her feather-light frame glided over the treetops.

I, on the other hand, clung to every cable and railing thinking a spasm would throw me violently over the edge at any moment.

“Just lean back into your harness and tuck your legs up into your chest,” advised Julie.

“The oldest person we’ve had do this is 95,” she said.

Odd, I wasn’t thinking of this as an age thing but since a 15-year-old who, admittedly scared of heights, was already on platform No. 2 … there was only one thing to do and that was to trust the line and step off.

Scared, but reveling in surviving the 5 zip line towers, that entire experience made The Ark Encounter one of the best tours. Highly recommend it.

Now to start the pedal home.

If the way that somebody lives pleases the Lord, the Lord will lead him into good things. Psalm 37:23 Easy English Bible

The 2022 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible. Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2022.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation. Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095 Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432 You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE. Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

TheBiKeWriTer | Joining the family in Fairmount, IN

By
Judy
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0

Exploring row after row of headstones in Park Cemetery in Fairmount, IN, the childhood home of legendary actor James Dean.

Wouldn’t you know it, the only one I wanted to see and someone was already sitting in front of it. Pam and her nephew Eric scooted across town in a golf cart. Eric was visiting for the holiday and that was their excitement for the evening… until they discovered they weren’t alone.

“You scared me,” said Pam, as I rolled up through the grassy lot behind them.

“Are you biking cross country? My husband loves that. You should come home with us and spend the night.”

I took the obligatory photo of myself and James Dean and made my way to my host’s house on First Street.

Pedaling slowly down a Mayberryesque road I saw a man sitting on his front porch reading a history book about the Hindenburg. He glanced up slightly looking over the top of his glasses and without saying a work pointed to the porch. A subtle indication that this was the place.

There was no wind that night as Dennis, Pam and I sat on the front porch and chatted. Conversation came easily as lightning bugs lit up the streets and neighbors colored the skies with fireworks.

Retired, Dennis had worked for General Motors, and Pam in a dental office. Married 50 years they settled in their home in Fairmount four years ago.

“I drove past this house every day going to work in 2016. The Amish were building it,” said Pam. ”One day I stopped and told the owner I was going to live there. We just made it happen.”

Pam was fiery and full of faith and common sense. “When I saw you in that cemetery I knew I was going to bring you home,” she said.

I liked Pam. She was confident and said what was on her mind. She also was a wonderful decorator and collector of old things including Fiesta dish ware.

Not to be outdone, Dennis was a collector, too. Model cars was his gig. His floor-to-ceiling collection was stored in a building out back.

Organized and with an eye for detail, Dennis had his man cave set up where he could tinker with his models, watch TV, or read a book.

Dennis was also a seasoned biker. ”In my younger days,” he said. A black Trek was stored in the garage but Dennis said it had been on a lot of cross country adventures when he and his buddies would knock off 50 miles after work.

Eric joined us on the front porch. He had been inside watching the baseball game. A proud Cubs fan, he could have been a baseball announcer in another life.

We chased down the rabbit trail of baseball history noting the change in physique of Mark McGwire, the unique pitching style of Fernando Valenzuela, and there was a debate about how Prince Fielder could run.

“Would you like some banana bread?” said Eric.

An avid baker of banana bread, Eric rushed inside to get a slice.

“It’s his form of ministry,” said Pam. ”He hands out banana bread to people all the time.”

Within moments I was holding a thick slice of buttered banana bread that was heaped full of walnuts.

The bread was perfect and reminded me of banana bread made by Isabelle Muckerheide of Kewaskum. Homemade banana bread and she sold it for $1 a loaf at the Kewaskum farmers’ market. She’d sell out within the first minute of the market. If you wanted to guaranty yourself a loaf you would have to ask her the week before to set one aside.

We talked on that front porch late into the night as the cicadas buzzed and fireworks exploded.

Pam greeted me in the morning with coffee and conversation. It was such a comfortable family setting in a home that could have been featured in Better Homes & Gardens.

Leaving was difficult as my muscles are sore and hard fatigue is setting in.

Leaving down First Street I explored a bit of the charming downtown Fairmount.


If the way that somebody lives pleases the Lord, the Lord will lead him into good things. Psalm 37:23 Easy English Bible

The 2022 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible. Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2022.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation. Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095 Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432 You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE. Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.


TheBiKeWriTer | Quick nightcap

By
Judy
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0

Wrapped up a hot day on the road with 88 miles; just 4 miles short of getting into Oxford, OH. But I was losing my light and people were heavy into fireworks and it just felt like it was time to be done for the day at 8 p.m.

Stopped at a church in West College Corner, IN and left a message for the pastor.

Then saw a B&B and figured I deserved it. Called and the owner came over.

It’s The Doctor’s Inn. The owner asked about the tour. I told him churches were helping.

Said I stopped down the street and left a message. Turns out he and his wife are the pastors and they also run the B&B. His mother-in-law has Alzheimer’s so he comped me the room and I have the historic home to myself.

The owners don’t live here, but they will stop tomorrow and make me breakfast and chat.

Historic home built in 1878. Pretty cozy and a nice reward at the end of a long day

If the way that somebody lives pleases the Lord, the Lord will lead him into good things. Psalm 37:23 Easy English Bible

The 2022 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible. Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2022.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation. Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095 Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432 You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE. Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

TheBiKeWriTer | Clicking off miles in Indiana

By
Judy
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0

Indiana is a deceptively long state and I decided it was time to buckle down and grind out some miles… and then a maintenance issue hit and became priority No. 1.

My tire pump is wonky, which means I need a new one. I have presta valves, and my best bet is a bike store and it is the July 4 weekend so good luck, Steffes.

Burnettsville, with its cute sign at the entrance to the community, was about 10 miles from Logansport, which had a bike store.

It was a wonderful hazy morning ride through the country where sunbeams split the clouds.

Happened to roll into the Saturday morning farmers market in Logansport which was cozy and very vendor specific. One vendor had a tub of giant radishes… and that was it. She misted them with a spraybottle of water so they glistened in the sun.

Another vendor had unique mushrooms.

And, of course, there were dazzling jars of rich honey and the kind gentleman who told me Logansports bike shop had gone out of business years ago.

But never fear, people at the farmers market started jumping on their phones and networking to contact avid bikers in the community.

“Try Black Dog Coffee House, the owner there is a biker,” said one young farmer.

Sure enough, worked a couple more phone trees and my new favorite Doug came to the rescue and got me moving along to the next town where I managed to pick up a pump and help secure my future on the road.

Clipped off 82 miles into Fairmount, IN which is the birthplace of actor James Dean.

Did the normal James Dean stuff like finding his headstone in the local cemetery.

It was not an over-the-top type of grave site for someone so young and famous.

Someone else riding in a golf cart was there too, snapping a couple of photos for their scrapbook.

“Oh, you scarrd me,” said the woman behind the wheel.

It was Pam. She was tooling about town with her nephew Eric. ”You need a place to stay tonight,” she asked. ”You can come home with me.”

And that was a much better option than sleeping outdoors at the church camp down the road.

Coming up Pam, Dennis and Eric are my new foster family in Fairmount, IN

If the way that somebody lives pleases the Lord, the Lord will lead him into good things. Psalm 37:23 Easy English Bible

The 2022 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible. Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2022.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation. Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095 Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432 You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE. Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

TheBiKeWriTer | Adopted for the night in Indiana

By
Judy
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0

Mother Nature was definitely in charge Thursday as a strong northerly wind punched me in the face as I pedaled south out of Hammond, IN on the Erie Lackawanna Trail.

The trail was paved and extremely well marked as it kept me off busy roads for about 17 miles before dropping me in Crown Point which was a throwback town that featured a couple of wonderful dated signs.

A bit of history on the Erie Lackawanna Rail Trail – It was originally part of the right of way of the Chicago and Atlantic railway which was completed between Marion, Ohio and the state line near Hammond in June 1880.

In the 20th century the route became famous for its fast-freight trains between Chicago and the East Coast. Because the Erie railroad avoided the congestion of most big cities it moved freight faster than many rival railroads.

From 1960 to 1968, having fallen on hard times, the railroad changed ownership frequently, but after several attempts failed to independently revive the western end of the line it was sold primarily to scrappers who dismantled the railroad beginning in 1979.

Small portions of the one-time Chicago and Atlantic railway in Indiana and Ohio survived in the original business as Shortline railroads.

Stopped at a church in DeMotte, IN hoping to lay the groundwork for a place to stay about 20 miles down the road and crossed paths with Zach Stanberry.

A large man with a salt-and-pepper beard, Zach took up the torch on my behalf and made a bunch of phone calls. I pushed along with confidence something would happen, and it did.

Within a half mile I ran into a familiar face standing at the side of the road. ”I called my wife and you’re coming home with me,” said Zach.

“You’re sure your wife knows,” I asked.

And with that I was adopted by Zach and Tabitha Stanberry and their seven kids.

The couple lived in Wheatfield, IN in a large home down a gravel road.

Five of the seven kids were home; the two oldest were at camp

Josephine, 11, was a reader and jumped on my webpage quickly to do a background check on their overnight guest.

“It’s a dinosaur,” she said. I knew she found the page.

Hadassah, 9, also know as Birdie, was inquisitive and an eager athlete. ”I ran 5 miles in an hour during a fundraising event,” she said. “I bet I can bike a long way, too.”

A lot of bikes and scooters came out during my visit. Zach toured me around the property which included chicken coop with a variety of birds, an old Cannondale bike in a large storage container and a story about their 400-pound pig they eventually slaughtered.

Back in the house a couple more kids took time out of their play schedule for introductions.


Tobin, 6, was the lone boy with six sisters. Tobin was missing his two front teeth and spoke proudly about his swimming accomplishments and his apprehension at starting first grade.


Aleezah and Sadie were the 5-year-old twins. A bit of a surprise to mom, Tabitha; she knew she was having one and when she called Zach at work to tell him the good news his response was less shock and more, ”I done good,” he said.

The family treated me like a longtime friend who just happened to pedal in for a visit. Conversation came easy.

Sitting in the shade on the back porch I heard stories about their move from Woodstock, IL, how they met 21 years ago when they were both counselors at a camp for kids with special needs.

Both went to school for education. Zach was skilled in American Sign Language and Tabitha worked with kids with disabilities.

The pair dated a year, got engaged and married. They knew they wanted a large family.

Zach worked for the local union with a focus on heating and cooling systems. Tabitha, who sported long dreadlocks and spectacularly colorful outfits, was a stay-at-home mom who homeschooled for 11 years. She then got her CDL and drives school bus.

Both work catering jobs as a side hustle.

Their faith was inspirational and supper was fantastic with newfound friends.

High carbs were on the menu for the evening; noodles with tomato sauce, ground beef and broccoli flowerets.

It was quite fascinating to watch the routine as four plates were doled out for ”the littles.” The youngest took their plates and went to sit at the table on the back deck.

By the time the rest of us joined them they were just sitting and waiting patiently.

I grew up in a family of seven kids as well; I don’t recall that we were that well behaved.

After a thoughtful prayer we explored as many topics as the evening would allow.

Tabitha was a foodie who desired authentic experiences. During her last vacation with her best friend, they stayed in a yurt in Missouri.

“What is that thing on your glasses,” asked a curious Tobin.

It is my rear view mirror so I can see cars approaching when I bike. That set off an event where every sibling stood in line to give it a try.

Tabitha made faces behind their backs as they tried to frame her in the mirror. More difficult than anticipated the shine wore off that game quickly and they were off to play in the yard which included a hill and carts they took turns riding down the hill.

As bedtime approached the kids got into their pajamas and said good night.

It was an extremely special evening and the best experience of my tour so far.

If the way that somebody lives pleases the Lord, the Lord will lead him into good things. Psalm 37:23 Easy English Bible

The 2022 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community,
a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.

Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.
Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

TheBiKeWriTer | VIDEO | Headed towards Indiana; meeting Jesus and his dog

By
Judy
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0

It was the coyote fight that woke me at 4:30 a.m. It was loud and very West Side Story. The Jets would strike and the Sharks would lunge. It was the push-you-out-of-the-sack and start-the-day inspiration I needed to get moving.


Spent the night at Illinois Beach State Park. It’s the south park that allows camping, not the north end. ”You can cross through to the south,” said the Warden when I asked where the campsite was. ”Oh no, wait, you can’t, because of the nuclear power plant,” she said. ”It’s about three miles.”

The night went off without a hitch until 1:20 a.m. and winds kicked in. Checked the radar and a big storm was incoming.

I managed to get my gear stuffed into my micro tent and slept through a storm that must have dissipated.

Left the campground during a beautiful sunrise as steam rose from the swamp and blended with the horizon in Zion, IL.

It was a slow roll out to the road as the 74.24 miles from the day before left a mark and I cranked out some kinks in my giddy-up.

I heard the music before seeing what appeared to be Jesus pushing a baby stroller and walking alongside Lassie.

“Spreading the good word are ya, brother,” was how I greeted the man.

Swaddled in a blue blanket in his stroller was a big boom box blaring the news of salvation.

“They call me Papa,” said the man with a big white beard and clothing to match. His dog, named Son, pulled at the leash.

Papa said he had six kids in his first life. Now with a slew of grandkids he said he was ”trying to do things right.”

Pulled into the McDonalds down the road for coffee and unexpected conversation with a man named Joe Jackson.

“Ooooh wee, Julie, you need some tread on those tires,” said Joe. ”Come on, Julie.”

Joe was a fantastic new best friend. He said it like it was. Dressed in a blue gingham shirt with two pens in the left pocket, black jeans and sandals.

“I always liked biking,” he said. ”Had a 10-speed.”

Joe said he was athletic and played basketball. ”Were you a shooting guard?,” I asked.

“No, I played center. Always center,” said Joe, who was about 5’7-1/2″.

Joe had four kids and did factory work most of his life. ”Own my own construction business now,” he said, handing over a card that read J&D Builder, Inc., Joe Jackson, President.  

“I’ve enjoyed life. I enjoy seeing people take advantage of life.  You have to keep in mind things that motivate you. Don’t listen to people with negative vibes that tap into your spirit.”

A great way to start the day. On to Indiana.

If the way that somebody lives pleases the Lord, the Lord will lead him into good things. Psalm 37:23 Easy English Bible

The 2022 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community,
a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.

Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.
Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

TheBiKeWriTer | Drifting into Indiana

By
Judy
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0

Chicago you are definitely a butt burner. Wove my way from Zion, IL through Chicago and drifted into Indiana in such a stealth fashion I didn’t even know I crossed the state line.

A couple highlights on the day…

  • Got into the Windy City on some fabulous bike paths. A majority were well paved and well marked and the others weren”t. But a met a lot of helpful young moms pushing baby strollers. Impressive that they knew how to give directions – both by street names and landmarks. ”Take a left on Sheridan and you’ll see a Starbucks and Jewel Osco…”
  • There is a phenomenal path that runs parallel to the passenger rail line. The train stops are well marked with cute depots surrounded by lovely architecture including church steeples, trendy shops and, most encouraging, bike racks packed with the 2-wheelers of commuters who hopped the train to head to work.
  • Spent most of the day on the popular Lakeshore Trail. It’s a good 20+ miles of direct south with a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and popular attractions like Navy Pier, the Shed Aquarium, and local artwork.
  • Oh poop. Found a bubbler to fill my water bottle and I must say it is chalk full of chemicals that have really cleaned me out. It was also warm… like hose water. But if I had my druthers I prefer the latter.
  • Stopped to help Sue who was standing on the trail examining her bike like a rookie mechanic. ”It’s making an odd noise,” she said. ”Could it be that bungee cord strap on the back bike rack rubbing against the tire?” said I. And it was. Sue and I pedaled and chatted. She worked from home 30 hours a week and found it challenging to find the time to bike. But she did know her local trails. ”If you take this south it will bring you around Wolf Lake,” she said. ”Will this take me into Indiana?” I asked. ”You’re already standing in it,” she said. ”We”re on State Line Road and this side of the road is Indiana.”
  • Without a lot of fan fair or picture taking… I made it to Indiana.
  • Mark me down for a 75 mile day from Zion, IL to Hammond, IN. Such a long sweaty day in the saddle I had to double up on my biker shorts for extra padding.

If the way that somebody lives pleases the Lord, the Lord will lead him into good things. Psalm 37:23 Easy English Bible

The 2022 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible. Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2022.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation. Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095 Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432 You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE. Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

TheBiKeWriTer | Crossing into Illinois

By
Judy
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0

Long day but making progress and working to find my groove. Highlights from Tuesday’s 75-mile spin from Thiensville, WI to Zion, Illinois are below.

  • Left camp at 5:20 a.m. BTW the birds are up at 3:30 a.m.
  • Found a couple fabulous trails including the Oak Leaf Trail and Ozaukee County Interurban Trail. Both were well paved and helped to steer clear of busy traffic.
  • Heard an inspirational speaker talk about how people slow down to see tragic situations but rarely slow down to appreciate the beauty in the world.
  • Found a lovely collection of roadside art on Cedarburg Road just south of Thiensville.
  • The Oak Leaf Trail provided a seamless connection through Whitefish Bay to the lakefront.
  • Headed south on a dedicated route of Hwy 32 through Walkers Point, Bay View, St. Francis, South Milwaukee and Cudahy.
  • It was the pink Cadillac aka “The Cadillac House” buried in the front lawn at Armour and Lake Drive in Cudahy that initially captured my attention. Richard Serocki is the local artist. ”I went to Cudahy High School and everything in art I was A+++. I didn’t care too much about the rest.”
  • Richard’s home has been featured on TV and he’s done radio interviews as his unique collection is part of the fabric of the community.
  • Lowest price for gas I managed to find today is just outside Bay View. Illinois is $5.69 for a gallon of regular unleaded.
  • Sunny skies, good roads and warm temps helped me land at a campground in Zion, Illinois for the night.

If the way that somebody lives pleases the Lord, the Lord will lead him into good things. Psalm 37:23 Easy English Bible

The 2022 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.

Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2022.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.

Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095

Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432

You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.

Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

VIDEO | Metal menagerie on Cedarburg Road

By
Judy
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0

There’s a garden of metal art off of Bradley Road and Cedarburg Road just to the east of the Oakleaf Trail and the artist is phenomenal.  There’s a barnyard feel combined with a flair of museum mixed with menagerie.

It’s the cleverness of creating a fish with wrenches and a bird with a hedge clipper for a nose.

There’s a bumblebee made of a black and yellow painted cast iron pan with a pointed handle. The head is cleverly made out of industrial bristles from a monster circular brush.  

There’s a dragonfly and the tail is made of a number of links from a chain.

Gas tanks are used for the bodies of beetles and birds. Incredibly large animals include a stoic moose, roaring hippo, 10-foot tall giraffe, a majestic horse and a dinosaur that looks ready to battle Godzilla.

One of the more unique things is a bug made with an old brown electric insulator as the head and the tail is a wooden baseball bat.

There’s a big dragon family and a barnyard with sheep and goats and chickens. Very entertaining roadside art. 


I would have loved to have camped in this jungle last night under the grizzly teeth of the dinosaur. 

If the way that somebody lives pleases the Lord, the Lord will lead him into good things. Psalm 37:23 Easy English Bible

The 2022 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.

Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.

Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community Foundation” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095

Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432

You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.

Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

Hitting the road to Kentucky

By
Judy
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0

Packed with some urgency and a goal of hitting the road at 5 p.m. after work. It would stay light until 8:30 p.m. was my guess and I could at least get out of town.

“Where are you going again,” asked a friend who I talk to daily but obviously he hasn’t been listening. ”Do you need a ride to the airport? Are you bringing your bike?”

Yes to the bike. No to the airport. Pedaling to Kentucky to visit The Ark Encounter; a man made, 3-story replica of Noah’s Ark.

“Never heard of it,” he said.

“It’s very popular,” I told him.

“You’re not going alone… are you?”

Again… we talk just about every day. Yes, I am going alone. And the normal followup is, ”Aren’t you scared?”

Well, there is a certain nervous anticipation … but generally no I am not scared.

People I meet along the way take care of me.

I made it about 20 miles out of town to the metropolis of Thiensville.

“Do you want me to come pick you up? You can come here. Sleep in a bed and then I’lll return you to that spot in the morning.”

I wonder if Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer had this much help on their adventures.

The answer was no. Plus my tent was already set up.

“But you hate camping,” he said.

I don’t hate it. It’s not my favorite thing and I might have aged out of it but it is part of the adventure.

“Have fun with the mosquitoes and hard ground. I can be there in five minutes…”

Up since 4 a.m. I figured a 20 mile day is a good start and I should cross into Illinois by Tuesday with sights set on making it south of Chicago.

Stay tuned.

PS – Camping next to the river in Thiensville. I left the Ozaukee Interurban Trail to look at the old fire tower on Main Street and Bret was taking out the trash at a duplex across the road. ”Mind if I throw a tent on your grass over there? I’ll be gone in the morning,” I said.

“Yeah. I don’t care,” he said. And walked in his house.

Simple as that and safe for the night.

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