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Where's my bike? August 21, 2008Leave a comment  View More Images Gee, I know I left that thing around here somewhere... oh yeah, at the bike shop getting some tender loving care! Funny, the first place I pedal into when I reach Lewiston is the local bike shop. For those of us that are die hard bikers (no, not the Harley types) we all have a local bike shop, or more affectionately, our LBS (the NASA acronym user coming out in me again). Brad took my bike and is giving it a good going over. The aero bars will allow me to rest my forearms on the handlebars and keep me from doing any more damage to my hands. I'm surprised at how numb my left hand has become and it makes it difficult to do something as simple as change a tire or handle a wrench. This is not good and I need to take care of it. I went to the shop today and found out that my rear brake pads have almost completely worn down. It will be nice to leave the area in a couple of days knowing full well that my bike is in tip top shape and ready for the next few hundred miles. Thanks to Brad and TNT! My day was meticulously organized by Kay Kiddder and expertly executed by Margo Aragon. Margo has been fantastic getting me to and from each appearance and handling all of the details that arise. Margo is a writer and has co-authored a book with Horace Axtell called A Little Bit of Wisdom. I purchased this book and presented it to my mom when she was recovering from surgery following a diagnosis of breast cancer back in the 1990's. It is a gem of a book and I highly recommend it. I had no idea I would eventually meet the author! She's an awesome cook too and makes a mean enchilada! This morning she spirited me off to attend a program where the Nimíipuu/Nez Perce tribe was distributing cash awards to local schools to support education programs in the community. The tribe presented nearly $1.4 million dollars and they do this biannually! In attendance where educators and administrators from the surrounding area and ran programs ranging for K-12th grade. I was impressed with the tribe's commitment and I wonder if the state of Idaho does the same. What a great benefit to local students! From there we attended the 10th anniversary celebration of the Lapwai Boy's and Girl's Club. Lapwai is derived from the Nimíipuu word Tlaptlap meaning the place of the butterflies. Tlaptlap is the word the Nimíipuu believe a butterfly would make as it sat near the water, opening and closing it's wings. The weather played a bit of havoc with us as it rained off and on, but finally settled out and the sun began to shine. It was great to share the story of spaceflight with students in the open air surrounded by the towering hills on either side of the valley. The remainder of the afternoon I took a break and passed out on the couch while waiting for our evening event at the National Park Service Nez Perce National Historical Park in Spalding, ID. I had the opportunity to meet with the rangers and view some tremendous art work by a local artist, Nakia Williamson Cloud. There were also historical photos dating back to the 1870's. What was fascinating was talking with Horace and he pointed out a picture of his great grandfather, Timlpusmin, who was killed at the Battle of Bear Paw in October of 1877. I gave a presentation for the local community and answered questions as long as people wanted to stay. I had a fabulous time and fielded questions on a variety of topics from my personal perspectives on where the space program is headed to aliens and education. What a fabulous time! Part of the purpose behind this journey for me is to share my experiences with people that may never have the opportunity to speak with someone from NASA or someone that has flown in space. I believe I have a personal responsibility to share the joy of space flight but also encourage others to achieve dreams that they may have. I have been blessed with the opportunity to fly in space, but I know I would not have been able to if certain people had not encouraged me to do my very best and seek out opportunities in life. This is my chance to give back to others for what others have given to me. So, where's the math problem for the day? How about instead, we try some science... In my discussions with Charlie the biker/agricultural man of answers (B/AMOA) we talked about the amount of potash dumped on the Yakima area following the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens, back in 1980. Since the northwestern United States is a highly active geological area, do you know what type of volcanoes dominate this area and how do they differ from the ones in Hawaii? I know it's not math, but this is about science too! We will get to the technology and engineering stuff later! More Images:             6 Comments
Aug 22, 2008 7:57 pm - Sue and ED wrote : Met you at the Native American Symposium in Tahlequah, OK in April 2008. Thoroughly enjoyed the presentation..and now look forward to following your journey across the USA from a "down to earth" perspective. Good luck, good cycling and smooth clear roads ahead. Sue and Ed from Skiatook, OK!
Aug 22, 2008 5:47 pm - Rev Hans Myors wrote : Hi John, I came across your ride and website through a thread on BikeJournal. Good luck with the rest of your ride. I'll have to check out your website every once in a while to see how things are going. I'm on a bicycle tour right now myself. I left Americus, GA March 03rd and I rode out to the Pacific Northwest. I made it to Portland, OR June 02nd and then I rode up to Seattle, WA a total of 3869 miles . I left Seattle, WA June 08th and made it to Washington, D.C. August 19th 4,023 miles in 62 days of cycling . I'm now on the return leg back to Americus, GA. I've been touring on a short-wheelbase recumbent. My ministry is called Pedal Prayers and I've pedaled almost 186,000 miles since 1993. The website is www.pedalprayers.org
Aug 22, 2008 5:07 pm - Christelle Edmo wrote : Pishayu Yongona Good Evening I happened across an article in Nez Perce's Ta'c Tito'oqan News that spoke about you and your trek across Indian Country. Although you will not be traveling through the beautiful plains of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Fort Hall southeast Idaho , I want you to know that I am one proud Sho-Ban that wishes you well. I will keep you and yours in my thoughts and prayers as you soar along your journey. Many blessings.
Aug 22, 2008 11:14 am - Yvette Whitman wrote : Good morning John, First of all, thank you for your time and great inspirational words towards our community members and the children of the Boys and Girls Club. I became a mentor that day, how do you say no to a child who asks you to do so?! I'm asking permission to use the photo of you and Horace for the article I'm writing about your visit!? Have a great journey John and good luck... Yvette
Aug 22, 2008 12:09 am - Jeff Rowe wrote : Hey John, this is jeff. I'm the kid you sat next to on the flight to atlanta. I'm real intrested in what you do now. I just wanted you give the heads up that i'm tracking you, and hoping that all goes well. It was great meeting you! looking forward to running into you in the future. Best of luck to ya -Jeff Rowe Add a comment: |
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Keep up the effort. We are the sister and niece of Ernie Antonio - Richland,WA. My uncle sent mommy the email to tell us about your adventure. I attend Laguna Elementary in Laguna,NM. On Monday I will be sharing your adventure with my classmates. Uncle Ernie included pictures. He the one you ate breakfast with yesterday.I am in 2nd grade my teacher is Mrs. Ray.Mommy is the Education/Disabilities Coordinator at Laguna Head Start. I too will also be sharing your story with our pre-k classrooms Mommy said we will be with you on your travel across the USA. Mommy said "huszatamea" that be means may the Creator be with you. good night.