Biking Mom checking in!

[nancy sv]

Hi! I never even knew you guys existed! How in the heck have I missed you all this time? Anyway, I am looking forward to joining in the conversations around here - hope you don't mind!

My name is Nancy and I love to tour on my bike! My husband and I recently returned to Idaho after a year on the road with our twin boys. It was a GREAT year and we all enjoyed it a lot. Now we are getting ready to take off again - this time we'll be riding from Alaska to Argentina starting in June. We can't wait to take off!!

[shootingstar]

I'm really impressed by your cycling family and trips!

Your boys will become great guys soon..such experiences will imprint their perspective of the world..under pedal power. Wow!

[Tri Girl]

Welcome to the boards, Nancy! We're excited that you've decided to join us. We'd love to hear more about your recent year long adventure (btw: WOW :eek: ). I'm entertaining the thought of doing some serious touring in the near future, and would love to hear about your trips.

[nancy sv]

Thanks for the welcome! I'm on my way to work right now (it's freezing cold, so I've got about 15 layers on!), but I'll answer any questions later. It was a fabulous trip and we all learned so much, I HIGHLY recommend taking a trip like that - wonderful on so many levels!!!

[Flybye]

Good morning and welcome!! I am from Idaho, too. Glad to have you here, even if for only a bit!
I bet you will be glad to have found this board. Everyone here is helpful, fun, and respectful!
Hope things are a bit warmer where you are. We are a balmy 9 degrees this morning!!! Brrr.

[Tuckervill]

I know lots and lots of traveling families, but most of them travel by RV. Most of the ones I know are doing it to educate their children. What a fine way to do it!

I wish I had known you were coming through Arkansas! So few bike tourists come through Arkansas! If you ever get back to NW Arkansas, pm me!

Karen

[wavedancer]

Welcome and Woo-hoo! What an awesome journey you have planned. I really enjoyed reading about your previous journeys on your website. Remind us again when you are getting ready to leave for your trip in June so that we can continue to read more about your adventures.

[mimitabby]

welcome to TE! Your kids are getting SO MUCH out of this. Thank you!

[maillotpois]

Wow. Amazing!

[nic840]

Nancy I saw something about your trip back when you started it and was following your blog for a while. I think it was some California coastal paper or something...can't remember. Anyways I was captivated by it! It sounded amazing! I am just amazed at how well your boys did! I am sure you are very proud of them.
Looking forward to hearing more about the preparations for your trip to come. Good luck and hope to do something like that with my girls someday!

[nancy sv]

thank you all. Our last trip was such a highlight of our lives - all four of our lives. My boys don't know any different - biking 9300 miles when you are 8/9 is just "life" for them. It will be interesting to see how this affects them once they are grown. I just got an email from a friend this morning and he said,

I have this vision of your sons in a career later in life when somebody expresses some doubt about being able to do something. The response would be "I biked over 7000 miles at age 10 and Alaska to Chile at age 12 and you're
not sure you can do it before you even try?"

I truly hope that is the case - that they learn there is nothing that can stop them! Even though our trip was tough in a lot of ways, the kids learned (and I mean REALLY learned - internalized and all that jazz) that everything works together. We joked about how the journey was "chicken soup" - there are some yucky ingredients int here, but they all work together to make a great big pot of yummy soup. On those tough days, we simply joked about the chicken soup and how those days make the rest even better. The kids reminded us of that on a number of occasions when John and I were down in the dumps. "Daddy! Why are you complaining about hte head wind?? It's just part of the chicken soup!!"

[Tuckervill]

Your kids will definitely be the "can-do" sorts!

I've been reading your journal for the last two days. I just got to the part about Arkansas, where I live. When I saw Perryville, I sure was hoping you had heard about the Heifer Project Ranch that is there. www.heifer.org They have accommodations on the ranch that you might have taken advantage of, and it's a great place to learn about their mission of providing livestock to families in developing countries.

But I am happy to hear that the people of Arkansas were their usual friendly selves!

Karen

[nancy sv]

Dang Karen!! I wish we had heard of the heifer project!! We were always on the lookout for good educational activities for our kids... Arkansas was a GREAT state!! We met so many wonderful people there - we still talk about Kathryn and her whole extended family a lot!!

[Tuckervill]

Maybe by the time you start your next journey Heifer will have the new learning center in California ready!

Karen

[nancy sv]

They better move fast - we are leaving in 5 1/2 months!!

[Chile Pepper]

Wow! Truly amazing. I live in central Chile, so let me know if I can be of help.

Have you seen Anne Dirkse's blog? She's currently in Patagonia (though not with two kids!). The address is http://www.blog.annedirkse.com/blogs/

Another site that might be helpful is Chile's Turistel (www.turistel.cl/v2/secciones/mapas/index.htm). They have the best maps available--not great, but about as good as you'll get. Check out "mapas ruteros" on their site.

[nancy sv]

Thanks for those links Jen!! I'll check those out - and we are ALWAYS on the prowl for great maps!

Nancy

[Mr. Bloom]

Hi! I never even knew you guys existed!

Just to clarify...there's only a couple of token 'guys'...everyone else is a woman!:D :D I think we had a post about that once...:rolleyes:

PS: This 'guy' is jealous of your riding plans!;)

[nancy sv]

OK - criticism accepted. Can I use "guys" in the generic sense??

[Mr. Bloom]

OK - criticism accepted. Can I use "guys" in the generic sense??

Welcome to the club:) No criticism...just a joke :D

You'll find this a very accepting and understanding group

[nancy sv]

I think I already have!! I havne't had much time to hang out here, but I've enjoyed the little bit of itme I do have!