We had a great time building with Habitat for Humanity in Tulsa, Oklahoma - we built two sheds from the ground up and finished up a few final touches on two houses that are to be dedicated sometime this week.
The next day we had a pretty relaxing 70 mile ride to Chandler (although it's worth noting that the bank thermometer read 115 degrees when we got in, confirming my suspicion that it was hot) and after that we rode for another 70 into Yukon. Yesterday we rode for 86 into Cordell and today, well today we made it to Texas.
The highlight of all of these days seems to be the people. In Chandler, I talked with a guy about what I want to do with my life, and he called me young and idealistic, much like I have heard over and over again from many people. Except that this man, instead of telling me that I would come to realize my idealism and give it up, urged me to hold onto it. So thank you to Oklahoma, and here's to keeping my idealism and continuing to work towards my goals. In Cogar, the head of the Fire Department let us come in to have lunch and tour the facility. Later on that day, a mechanic at an auto shop let us come in for AC and water. Some old folks were waiting in the shop and amused us greatly with old folk banter about the weather, fishing, and who the heck these bikers in the shop were. One of them called us his kids to the other and said, pointing at me "look at the legs on that one there - he looks like a fullback! Yep, a great big old runnin' back!". I have been waiting for the day I get called a fullback! One of the two mechanics then asked if he were to want to donate, who to give it to. We gratefully said that any of us would give it to our leaders, and he casually handed us a hundred dollar bill, smiled, wished us luck, and walked out the door. Sometimes the people with the least to give are the most giving people.
Finally, the folks in Wheeler, TX are amazing also. They are having a tough time with the drought (1 inch of rain so far this year) and are having to sell off cattle, but they sure are in high spirits nonetheless!
The next day we had a pretty relaxing 70 mile ride to Chandler (although it's worth noting that the bank thermometer read 115 degrees when we got in, confirming my suspicion that it was hot) and after that we rode for another 70 into Yukon. Yesterday we rode for 86 into Cordell and today, well today we made it to Texas.
The highlight of all of these days seems to be the people. In Chandler, I talked with a guy about what I want to do with my life, and he called me young and idealistic, much like I have heard over and over again from many people. Except that this man, instead of telling me that I would come to realize my idealism and give it up, urged me to hold onto it. So thank you to Oklahoma, and here's to keeping my idealism and continuing to work towards my goals. In Cogar, the head of the Fire Department let us come in to have lunch and tour the facility. Later on that day, a mechanic at an auto shop let us come in for AC and water. Some old folks were waiting in the shop and amused us greatly with old folk banter about the weather, fishing, and who the heck these bikers in the shop were. One of them called us his kids to the other and said, pointing at me "look at the legs on that one there - he looks like a fullback! Yep, a great big old runnin' back!". I have been waiting for the day I get called a fullback! One of the two mechanics then asked if he were to want to donate, who to give it to. We gratefully said that any of us would give it to our leaders, and he casually handed us a hundred dollar bill, smiled, wished us luck, and walked out the door. Sometimes the people with the least to give are the most giving people.
Finally, the folks in Wheeler, TX are amazing also. They are having a tough time with the drought (1 inch of rain so far this year) and are having to sell off cattle, but they sure are in high spirits nonetheless!
