Hurrying home to my "bubbler"

A photo gallery of my spin back across the threshold of the Midwest. Donald at Car Mart in Kirksville, Missouri stepped up and donated a Missouri license plate to my collection. "Bet you can't wait to get back home to your bubbler," he said. 

I thought that was hilarious. Usually people say something about sleeping in my own bed. 

Met Ellen during a break in Greentop, Mo. She ran a quilt shop with her daughter in law. "This building has a lot of history," she said. "It used to be a motel, a grocery, a barbershop...."

Ellen talked about the changes in quilting and how 'machine quilting' provided so many more options and designs.

She had some of the most expensive equipment in the county. 

Ellen also talked about her in laws who both had memory-care issues. "It takes a lot out of someone who is the caregiver," she said. 

So much to do so little time

Two weeks into the tour and I'm reluctantly starting to accept reality. I've pedaled from Albuquerque, N.M. to Oklahoma City, OK but I'm pathetically slow and have a lot of territory to accomplish in the next seven days. 

So, on to Plan B! With severe heat warnings in northeastern Oklahoma I've rented a car for a day to get me at least up to the Midwest. 

The brilliant decision affords me a couple luxuries, including a visit to the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City. 

I saw the museum on July 4 as I was pedaling around Bricktown. 

The museum is in a former candy cane factory on Sheridan Avenue. 

There are over 400 banjos on display, including this one (below) with Wisconsin ties. 

Les Paul of Waukesha started his career playing the banjo. "He actually bought the banjo, took it apart and electrified it," said Dustin Pyeatt, museum development manager (photo below).

Pyeatt leads me on an exclusive tour of the two-story museum pointing out some of the highlights and sharing the history of minstrels and jazz, blue grass and the amazing talents of Steve Martin. 

Martin got his start in music and magic at 10 years old working at Disneyland. As far as the banjo was concerned he said, "As a beginner you can't practice the banjo or violin around anybody as they'll go insane, so I would sit in my car and roll up the windows even on the hottest summer days -and struggle to learn the banjo."

Photos courtesy the American Banjo Museum.

Behind the scenes: The updated tour now looks like this,,,,

To get home in the scheduled three weeks I'm hoping to leave the excessive heat behind me and resume pedaling this afternoon from Columbia, Missouri. 

A bit happy to have a vehicle since this is how my morning looks before the day gets under way. 

Uplift Capitol of the World

Molly McDowell was the wonderful neighbor to First Lutheran Church. She had been the janitor at the church for 30 years. 

"When I was a sophomore in high school I worked at the local bra factory," she said. "That was a big employer for women in those days. 

Molly is 76. She was soft spoken and talked about family and McLean. 

"My grandfather, Cal Fraser, would sell eggs to the cafes in town," she said. "That was way before the government got involved." 

The bra factory lent itself to the town's current handle of the "Uplift Capitol of the World."

"I was in the cutting department," said Molly. "The bras were cotton back then and if you were sewing you had to be fast." 

Today the Devils Rope/Route 66 Museum is housed in the very building that used to be the bra factory. 

A View From the Road, and a Little Bit More

Above: Route 66 frontage road; I-40 traffic is to the right

Clouds were a big help while biking. It was hot with a lot of hills.

After 60 miles, my feet started to cramp so I drank more water.

(photos above: Another brief stop on Route 66.

The dog at this station thought me to be very threatening...  :-/

Guido and Michela were from Italy.

They flew to Chicago, rented a Harley, and were motorcycling Route 66.

Photo above: Overlooking I-40

Photo above: Cattle grating on Route 66 drove me nuts.

I had to stop and walk over them.

Photo above: Sadly, one of the first hotels I see when I pull into Tucumcari.

SIDE NOTES:

I wash my shorts every day; it's so hot in New Mexico that I strap them to the top of my gear to dry. So far, the number of guys it's attracted have been...

• I've purchased a few more inner tubes and now have 5 spares. I've also patched three others.
• I plan on pedaling into Texas on Wednesday. It's about 120 miles to the next big city.;
• When the locals say there's no water ahead for 50 miles, they MEAN it.
• A jackrabbit ran in front of me the other day and I didn't really know what it was.

Mary Lou and Antonio

Made one 20-minute stop at the Cuervo Gas station. It was one of the originals on Route 66. 

Mary Lou married the owner of the gas station when she was 17 and he was 20. They just celebrated their 53rd anniversary.  

She sold me a Gatorade and talked about the changes on Route 66. She proudly bragged about her daughter who became the principal at the elementary school in Santa Rosa and she confessed she was about ready to sell the gas station and move on. 

Antionio at his station. We were talking about the mounted rattler on the opposite wall.

My goal on the 2015 tour is to make this happen in West Bend

The folks at Cedar Community gave me the privilege of seeing this documentary, Alive Inside, at the Milwaukee Film Festival. It inspired me. My goal in the 2015 Italy tour is to raise enough money to provide iPods and music for folks that suffer Alzheimer's and dementia in West Bend and Washington County.

Sponsorship proposal to be released shortly.

3, 2, 1.... I'm OFF!

The Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's is underway!

My friend Lisa picked me up on schedule and we made it to the airport in record time. Air Canada generously waived the $50 fee to fly my bike when I explained the tour as I checked in. 

Trying to get some sleep before my 7:30 flight. Happy to report my host family in Halifax and Truro have both checked in. 

Below: Neighbor Peachie Keehn photo-bombs my departure photo.

Big THANKS to West Bend Noon Rotary

                                                                               

A great turnout this week as the West Bend Noon Rotary held its meeting at Jumbo's Frozen Custard and featured ME as their guest speaker.  The primary topic was the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's and the upcoming tour bicycling from Nova Scotia to West Bend.

Talked about the sponsors, the miles, the goal to raise money for activities for residents with Alzheimer's at Cedar Community. Announced the West Bend radio AM 1470 WBKV will be carrying live tour updates on the morning show. I'll phone in a couple times a week and speak with show host Bob Bonefant and bring everyone up to speed on my mileage, my whereabouts and the latest adventure.

I showed everyone at the meeting the photo of me and my dad and my sister on the Steffes 'baby-seat bike' from 1965 and told the story about my dad getting pulled over by the cops in Shorewood. "You can't do that," said the officer to my father.  My dad pushed off the curb and said, "Arrest me."

I know my father, who has Alzheimer's, doesn't remember the story but he laughed the hardest when he heard it!
                                                                          

                That little red-headed one up front that looks like a boy is me.

Thanks for the support!

Received a nice donation today from Patrick Madden of the Madden Vanderloop Law Firm S.C. To date I've raised a little over $25,000 for Alzheimer's activities at Cedar Community. Other primary donors include USCCA, Wiedmeyer Trucking, Helen Reinke and Thrivent Financial. There are still two sponsorship spaces left to fill on this year's jersey -- and time is running out as we should go to layout and print before the end of March. Give a shout if you'd like to join in the effort on this year's Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's as I bicycle from Nova Scotia to Wisconsin.

Below is one of my favorite photos from my Germany tour in 2008.

                                                                               

                                                                         

Next tour - on the moon?

When I was touring in Germany in 2008 I stayed with a woman who lived in Prien am Chiemsee - about 65 miles outside Munich. She pulled me out of a cemetery as I was setting up my tent for the night. Christiane was a former flight attendant - back when stewardesses wore hats and white gloves and you could smoke on the plane. I remember she set me up with a flat in Munich a day before I flew out - it was her grandfather's place, overlooking the Englischer Garten. Christiane said, "If I ever hear of someone bicycling on the moon - I'll know it's you."

                                                                              

Spring training run - Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes

Sunny skies and temps in the 50s today and FINALLY able to get a nice day of training outside!  Had this song in my head during my 5. 3-mile training run. Also a BIG sponsorship thanks to Thrivent Financial.

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.
                                                                            

Highlighting caregivers

New to the tour this year will be a video series focusing on Alzheimer's caregivers. These will be short segments of personal stories of faith and hope and coping with 'the adventure' of Alzheimer's.

                                                                           
Beverly Vogel credits her faith with helping her take care of her husband who has Alzheimer's.

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

It's official: Nova Scotia to Wisconsin

Hundreds in attendance today at Cedar Ridge for big announcement.
                                                                               

Me and my dad, Al Steffes, posing with the tour logo and primary sponsor for this year's Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's. Behind the scenes my mother is taking the picture with my iPhone. I told her to take several shots. After the first she stopped and looked at the camera. "How do I wind it forward?"  Isn't it fun when grandma learns newfangled stuff.

                                                                       

A HUGE thanks to Helen Reinke, a 20-year resident at Cedar Ridge. She donated $10,000 to the tour. Sooooooooo GENEROUS! Helen hoped her gift would encourage others to support the ride. I told Helen I'd knock out 10,000 military push ups before I left and I'd dedicate them to her. Helen was touched. "You're crazy - but do what you want."

Big announcement - 2014 tour details coming next week

There's a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes as I prep for my 2014 three-week bicycle tour.
                                                                             

Coming up Thursday more details will be announced for this year's Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's. Sponsor letters are going out as we speak. A list of sponsor levels is posted below.

And take a look at this year's biking logo - created and donated by the extremely talented Michael Albiero. There is a clue in the graphic regarding this year's destination. Can you figure it out before next week?

My goal in the next 7 days is to find a primary sponsor for the front and back of this year's jersey. There's already a generous donation of a $10,000 match on the table. It would be great to unveil YOUR company logo along with the tour logo on the same day. My contact info is below.

Spread the word - - the big day is drawing near!

                                                                      

                                                                               

Sponsorship Opportunities

All proceeds benefit the Memory Care Program at Cedar Community

$10,000 +                     Yellow Jersey  Top prize at Tour de France

ŸCorporate logo on front and back of bicycling jersey ŸOfficial website with “Photo of the Day” and link to sponsors’ websiteŸEvent posters, press releases and email blastsŸOpportunity to provide company promotional banner for display during public appearancesŸPromotional mention during media interviews and announcementsŸRecognition in newspaper/radio/social media thanking all sponsorsŸWeekly personal postcard from the roadŸMotivational speaking engagement at your business or organization before and after the rideŸComplimentary Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's bicycling jerseyŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

$7,500 - $9,999             Wheelie  Lifting the front wheel of the bicycle in the air

ŸCorporate logo on bicycling jersey ŸWeekly personal postcard from the roadŸMotivational speaking engagement at your business and organization before and after the rideŸComplimentary Ride 2 Remember bicycling jerseyŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

$5,000 - $7,499             Cadence  Pace at which you ride – general steadiness

ŸCorporate logo on bicycling jersey ŸWeekly personal postcard from the roadŸMotivational speaking engagement at your business or organization before and after the rideŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

 $2,500 - $4,999            Wheel and Sprocket  Primary gears and parts of a bike  

ŸCorporate logo on bicycling jersey ŸWeekly personal postcard from the roadŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

 $1,000 - $2,499             Chain Gang   Repair crew

ŸCorporate logo on bicycling jerseyŸPersonal postcard from the roadŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

$500 - $999                   Pelaton   The large main group in a bicycle road race

ŸPersonal postcard from the roadŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

$100 - $499                   Fans 

ŸPersonal thank you letter.

Contact Judy Steffes for more information at 262-334-4526 or judyharley@yahoo.com

Ground blessing for new memory-care complex

WEST BEND - Jim Williams, Director of Operations at Cedar Community, mixes soil from each of the Cedar Community campuses during a blessing of the ground ceremony held this week at the Paul Ducharme farm. 

The half-hour, outdoor ceremony marked the beginning of the development of Cottages at Cedar Run, a 60 apartment assisted living memory-care complex located south of Cedar Ridge and bordered by Ridge Run County Park. 

Rev. Kathryn Kuhn gave the Prayer of Blessing and then members of Cedar Community and the Foundation offered words about the soils from Cedar Landing that invite us “to trust and persevere” and the good earth from the grounds of Cedar Crossing that “yield greater good to all.”

Some in attendance included Cedar Community resident Marilyn Zimmerman, Dale Pauls – President of Cedar Community Corporate Board of Directors, Dan Davis with C.G. Schmidt, and Honorary Chairpersons Doug and Sharon Ziegler.

“This is one of the best things that’s happened in a long time,” said Sharon Ziegler, praising the development.  “This memory-loss facility puts us up on the next tier as a community,” she said. “It’s a beautiful setting, people will have sun rooms and they’ll be able to look out onto nature. The Cedar Community Foundation Board is a class act with all the research they’ve done on what these people will need.”

Debra Meinert’s family knows firsthand the demands of caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s. Her mother is 88 years old and a resident at Cedar Community’s Friendship House, an Alzheimer’s-Dementia unit on Highway Z.

 “My mother lived in the big six bedroom farmhouse for 68 years and it was very hard for us to move her there but the stimulation, love and care she receives is just wonderful,” said Meinert.

“Our prayer now is when the Cottages open mom can be part of that.”

Construction of the Cottages at Cedar Run will be in two phases with a pair of 20-unit buildings completed in summer 2014; the final 20-unit building will be finished depending on market demand.

                                                      Cottages at Cedar Run

The general contractor is CG Schmidt of Milwaukee and the architect is Plunkett Raysich of Milwaukee. The estimated cost of the project is $13 million; a philanthropy campaign is underway to raise approximately $3.7 million for programming.