What a following....

                                                                          

I was with my dad at the Holy Angels rummage sale over the weekend. We looked through tools and old record albums. Came across this little cycle and decided to get it for my 2-year-old nephew. I was standing in line, carrying the trike and searching for a couple dollars when someone behind me said, "Hey..."  I turned around and the guy said, "I don't think you're going to make it back from Nova Scotia on THAT."

Funny......

Seth Rogen fights for Alzheimer's research

300 military pushups a day

Phase II of workout - weights and walking

That's a birds-eye view of my cryptic workout journal. Push ups on the left. The gadget on the right is a pedometer courtesy ThedaCare. I'm part of their media team recruited to knock off 10,000 steps a day. It's the second year they're using media to try and set an example and encourage people to make exercise a part of their daily routine.

I'll be the first to chime in - it ain't easy.

I've been pretty consistent with the push ups and curling my 15-pound girly hand weights but you can obviously see things veered off course when aerobics came into the mix.

I'm calling it 'ME TIME' .... but that means the dishes are stacked a little higher, along with the laundry and the dust bunnies are now herding under the bed.

I've got my steps in for the day and I'm half way through the push ups. (My promise of 10,000 before I leave was a good motivator.) I should have 3,000 on the books before the day is out.

Finally, a might big THANKS to American Metal & Paper for a nice donation to the tour!

A quick list of upcoming speaking engagements - if you're in the area stop on by:

 - March 15 at the Trenton Town Hall - 1071 Wisconsin 33 just east of West Bend
 - March 27 at Cedar Ridge for the Foundation Social at 3:30 p.m.
                                                                            

Let the training begin

I never think I'm doing enough for the people who sponsor the tour - so this year I pledged 10,000 push ups before I leave in June for Nova Scotia.
                                                                             

No, I wasn't drunk when I made the pledge. This is to help me get in shape for the 1,700-plus miles that lie ahead. At least that's what I'm telling myself

Training is pretty basic. Turn on WISN and Mark Belling at 3 p.m. Listen to the podcast on my computer while completing 10 sets of 20 military push ups. Throw in some arm curls with my sand-filled Flintstone weights, maybe a set of dip off a chair (those are tough), some random cleaning during set recovery to spice things up and by 6 p.m. I've got the first phase of my winter workout complete and the house isn't as messy.

I'm sure this scenario is similar to how Vin Diesel trains.

I scratch notches in my daily diary. Stay consistent - which is the secret anyway, right? Reviewing my stats from 2009 are incredible; my God I was sculpted. Knocking down 250 push ups a day with my toes on a step in an attempt to ramp up the level of difficulty.

Starting over now and completing 100 push ups on my knees was a harsh reality check. I watched YouTube videos of guys doing push ups just to get inspired. Three weeks before the announcement I managed to complete 1,900 push ups on my knees so I could be ready to go with a full military routine once the pledge was in place.

I'm at a 'little pink girl' stage of training but I'm making progress. As of today I've completed a total of 880 push ups with 142 days left before I leave.

Things like this note from Natalie that I received while biking in Alaska keep me focused.

Judy  Wow! What an accomplishment. I enjoyed following you every step of the way. You inspire me.  In the midst of struggling with my training this summer you have put my mind in a different place to move forward. Thank you for that. Your perseverance has motivated me beyond what my mind is telling me I can do right now.  You are a blessing to many, that is apparent.  So many qualities. You have found your gift and are using it with purpose.  Be Epic  Natalie :-)

This is me working to 'Be Epic.' Next week I start my program with ThedaCare. They've selected members of the media to participate in a pedometer challenge. Walk/run 10,000 steps a day. They supplied me with a $15 pedometer. I also had to find a training buddy. I put a shout out and a man named Mark said he'd be game.

Mark is 53 years old..... he's also a mailman and walks 10 miles a day. That'll push me!

I'll close today with another favorite note from a guy named Mike. He followed my last tour in Alaska.

"I am happy and relieved that you are back home safely..... It is amazing to me that you manage to make it through these trips without getting raped, mugged, or just plain run over...... When you are gone it takes up a lot of my time just praying for you......"

-Sincerely, Mike

Steve McQueen, an Alaskan legacy?

One of the best photos at the Alaskan State Trooper Museum in Anchorage; actor Steve McQueen arrested in 1972 for reckless driving.  Love how he has a busted nose and is giving the peace sign in his mug shot....

Made it! Over 850 miles logged! Flying home tonight....

Made it to Anchorage!  Ride2Remember has been a total of over 850 miles on bike in the great state of Alaska!

These are some of the flowers I saw along the way.

 Busy day as I pack my gear and fly back home....    THANKS to all who followed along!  Hope you had as much fun as I did!

I leave tonight, land in Denver and hit Milwaukee on Saturday afternoon, then trying to pedal home.

I'll keep you posted.  C'mon back!

Wasilla Radio Station - Country Legends 100.9 "Well, Hello Dolly!"

Yep, that's me!

Stopped at Country Legends 100.9 in Wasilla on my way to Palmer.

Heading into the Home Stretch

Willow to Wasilla.....

Made it 32 miles from Willow to Wasilla on Wednesday 

and finally found the "Welcome" sign.

Heading to Palmer today, and then Anchorage.  Fly out Friday!

Wasilla Farmer's Market

Stopped at a mid-week farmer's market in Wasilla and bought a couple of cookies from Marissa (12), who was raising money to go to softball camp. "I know they don't look that good, but it's for a good cause," she said.

Other vendors were selling Alaskan fireweed honey, homemade crafts, jams and jellies.  Followed the market for 2 blocks, which ended at the Wasilla Historic Museum.

Can You Say "Scooby Snack?"

I would totally sleep in here.

(Just outside Wasilla, AK)

On the road to Wasilla and..What's That I Hear?

Sunny and mid-70s as I make my way to Wasilla and the famed Iditarod Museum.

Yup - Houston, Alaska.

Betcha didn't know that.

Had to climb up a hill through tall grass to get to the sign.  

Thought nothing of the rough path, but now with branches breaking in the nearby woods, I'm rethinking the warning sign for moose and I'm outta h.................................................

Fun with Bob and Jayne (and a little inspiration, too!)

I was resting comfortably at 6 p.m. at a church Sunday in Cantwell, AK when a man came in and offered to take me home. It was Bob Hempstead. "You'll be more comfortable at my house and my wife Jayne is making dinner; you're welcome to join us."

Bob Hempstead

Bob, 56, was an elder at the church; the pastor explained to me that Bob and his wife often adopted travelers.

I had heard about Bob while in Fairbanks. Someone at Fred Meyer grocery mentioned I should look him up because he participated in the Iditarod sled-dog race.

"That was in 2000 and I came in 56th," said Bob, acknowledging he finished toward the back of the pack. "Lack of sleep is probably the toughest part of the 1,049-mile race. You're trying to sleep and people are stepping over you and talking."

Bob, it turns out, had quite the Alaskan resume. He summitted Mount McKinley. "I made it to the top on my third try," he said. The first expedition he was called back because of a family emergency. "The second time we ran out of food ,and this last time I made it. Actually, I've completed seven summits," he said, having returned a couple weeks ago from summiting Mt. Everest in Nepal.

Bob was fit; a high-energy wood chopper kinda guy disguised behind a very mild-mannered demeanor. Unique to his summits - he did rope tricks when he got to the top.

Originally from Nebraska, Bob relocated while in the Army and stayed in Alaska. For the past 23 years he's worked on the slope in Prudhoe Bay for BP as an instrument technician.

"So you race sled dogs, climb mountains, work for BP and run the vet clinic," I asked referencing the sign, Cantwell VeterinaryService, at the entrance to the driveway.

"No, Jayne is the doctor - that's her clinic," said Bob.

Jayne was originally from West Virginia. She graduated from the University of Georgia, lived in Soldotna, Alaska but fell in love with Cantwell and built a home.

"I'm going to apologize for the size of our bathroom - when we were designing the home I didn't realize it would be this big but I love it," she said.

Jayne had short reddish hair and a homesteaders efficiency that was on display as she made dinner, got me settled, and contacted a friend so I'd have a place to stop for water and a rest the next day.

My comfortable upstairs bedroom was filled with books on Alaska and posters commemorating past Iditarod races.

"Bob never wanted sled dogs," said Jayne, standing in a perched yoga position with the sole of her right foot resting against her left knee . "He said it would be like having dairy cattle with the commitment and amount of work.".

However, looking outside my bedroom window the lot in back was full of 13 dogs; huskies all chained to their individual raised sleeping quarters.

 Home Sweet Home (nap time!)

Luke was Jayne's special dog. A hearty white-and-black husky that liked to nuzzle. (more below)

(Me, Luke and Jayne)

"If you're up before me just hit the coffee button, and then, if you want, you can ride along while I run the dogs," said Bob.

Early the next morning, dressed in insulated overalls, a winter jacket, knee-high rubber boots and a red knit hat, I watched Jayne and Bob perform a well-rehearsed dance getting nine dogs ready for their daily exercise.

The two managed a cat's cradle of ropes and harnesses, hitches and clasps. The dogs eagerly cooperated, answered to their names and showing their personalities... nudging, jumping and squirming to be picked as the lead.

Howl = Let's get going!

Jayne's dog, Luke, stayed behind.

We climbed aboard an ATV, the dogs were already tugging and lunging at the line. Jayne fired up the engine and we were off down a rocky trail through the woods. The dogs were in their element.

Loving it!

They pulled and ran and loved it; following a familiar 5-mile trail that led us over hills and through streams. Jayne killed the engine as the dogs laid down and lapped at the water.

"If we don't stop, they'll overheat," she said adding, "This was the area where Sean Penn shot that movie "Into the Wild."

Jayne said they had a replica of the Magic Bus just up the road. "Only a couple businesses really made out financially - many Alaskans didn't actually like how the main character was framed because he just didn't know enough to live through a winter in Alaska."

We chatted a bit more about the movie and then I asked about Luke.

Jayne said she got a call one night from the State Troopers to come euthanize a dog that had been tied to the back bumper of a pickup with a yellow tow rope.

"The guy was drunk and I'm sure he just forgot he was back there," she said.

"The guy never made it home; wrecked his pickup. The troopers said the dog had been dragged 17 miles."

Jayne went to look at the animal but was adamant with the troopers. "I didn't even want to see the owner," she said, with a tone that still carried back to that horrible day.

"That poor dog. I drafted papers to put him down and had to wait a day before anyone got back to me. I couldn't believe that dog was still alive the next day and I just thought - he's tough, and he's fighting to live so I'm going to help him."

Jayne's coworkers thought she was nuts. "He needed tons of medical attention. He was recovering for three months and in that time withered to just 35 pounds."

Today, Luke is like a gentle giant. He has icy-blue eyes and can't get close enough for Jayne's affectionate pats and soothing words.

Upon our return, Bob helps untether the team and gives them food and water. Jayne quickly whips up breakfast which is when I learn she has her pilots license, has run a marathon, a triathlon, and run the Alaskan Seward Mountain Marathon eight times.

"That one makes you feel like a kid,"' said Jayne about the 4,600-foot climb overlooking Resurrection Bay. The "up" takes more than an hour; the descent is completed in 10 minutes.

Jayne also summitted mountains and she's a familiar face each March caring for the dogs at the Iditarod.

We were just finishing breakfast at 7:34 a.m. when the dogs started howling. I sat up and took notice, but for Bob and Jayne it was a regular song, like the opening hymn at morning Mass.

Dogs waiting excitedly for an exercise run.

Shooting for Wasilla

 View this morning as I hit the road in Trapper Creek...

Midway point...17 miles in.  Should easily make it to Wasilla today.

Monday - a record-setting day

Got 98 miles in on Monday, which is the most terrain covered on this trip so far - Cantwell to Trapper Creek (see map on left).  Two major climbs and one "odd incident."  Story coming....

In Case You Missed It..... My Fox6 Interview Prior to the Ride2Remember

Alaskan Shout Out to Sponsors

Quick morning "shout out" to my sponsors!  Couldn't be doing this without you...thanks for your support!

PRIMARY SPONSOR:

United States Concealed Carry Association

SPONSORS: 

American Metal & Paper Recycling, Inc.

The Cottages on Golden Pond

CG Schmidt

Martin Jewellers

Wiedmeyer Express

Time Investment Company

Black Bear Coffee Shop - Denali National Park

Black Bear Coffee House

At Black Bear Coffee House debating my plan for today.

Cantwell is my target destination, but it's only another 30 miles or so.  I'd like to go further, but accommodations are uncertain.  Revisiting plan of attack at Cantwell....

Jamin

Denali Adventure tour guide, Jamin, helped me research my options.  He says there's nothing ahead past Cantwell.  Guess I'd better go to the bathroom here then.

Forward, Steffes!

It's Not Too Late to Donate.....

52 miles on the road brought me to Healy on Saturday.

That's a total of 550 miles in 16 days of "Ride 2 Remember."

It's not too late to add your donation 

in support of Ride 2 Remember! 

100% of your donation will go directly to Alzheimer's programs which could positively impact the life of your family or friends.

Click HERE to make a donation!

Alaskan Street Gangs

Truth.

Up next...Fairbanks to Anchorage - 367 miles and counting

Day 1: Making my way 367 miles from Fairbanks to Anchorage.  I'm riding the Parks Highway; it has a good shoulder; the same route takes about six hours by car.

Today was the "hilly" day according to the locals, and they were right - it was a chain stretcher.  I covered 59 miles starting at 11 a.m. and pulled into Nenana just after 5 p.m.

The most interesting place en route was Skinny Dick's Halfway Inn - a local tavern located midway between Fairbanks and Nenana - a pretty racy atmosphere.  I refilled my water bottles, bought some postcards for 25 cents apiece, and pushed along....

I also met another bike tourist, Jan.  Jan was from the Netherlands, and had been on the road for more than a year.  He was fully loaded with gear and supplies.