Colville, Washington

New friends that I met in Colville, WA

I thought something was wrong with my bike...the "power train" just wasn't working right...yep!  The propulsion system (me) was out of fuel.  After joining Jim Noonan and Elisa Kruse in a Colville cafe for breakfast, I still did not feel refreshed and my thighs felt like "ground round."  "OK Speer, dig deep and quit being a sissy!"  So on my bike I climb...and to my dismay I find that I have a flat tire!  A sharp stone has penetrated and ruined my back tire.  Good news is that I have been carrying a spare for better than 3000 miles.  Taking this opportunity to visit a local bike shop for a changeout, it was here that I met Wes who had me fixed up in no time. 

Breaks my heart but I actually have to change out the tire. Got a rock and it's a little dangerous to go another  300 or 400 miles with the damage done to the tire. I feel like I'm leaving an old friend behind. Thank you Wes for fitting me in. 

 
Spirits raised but still unrefreshed, I explored around town where I found this beautiful sculpture and a farmers market in progress.  Consuming bushel baskets of cherries, peaches, fresh bread, and meeting some very nice folks...I decide to stay in town and refresh before tackling more passes and forests consumed by fire.

Hummm...where to stay?  I turn to my trusty Adventure Cycling Map and see that there is a bicycling hostel just out of town and STRAIGHT UP HILL for 3 miles.  A quick call to Shelley Bacon and I am assured that they have a place for me to stay...with BEDS!  WASHING FACILITIES!! and COOKING ACCOMMODATIONS!!!  WHAT?  IT’S FREE?!!! Shelley tells me "Wait right there and I will come and get you. "Dear Lord, have I died and gone to Heaven?" 

 

Dr. Barry and Shelley Bacon are those fine people who live their faith by offering kindness to others.  Not even bicyclists themselves, they saw the need for a bicycle hostel and finding themselves on one of the main east/west bicycle routes, they needed to secure access to their property via Hotchkiss Road if their idea were to become a reality.  After "12 1/2 years of asking, consulting, baking cookies, and persistently contacting the folks at the Department of Natural Resources," access was granted and the hostel became a reality...as a service not as a business! 

In addition to maintaining a practice in town, Berry and Shelley are involved in "The Africa Projects."  "In the fall of 2011, Barry and Shelley spent four months in Rwanda where Barry taught family medicine at a residency there, and Shelley taught various subjects at a school for the deaf, a Christian school, and at Imbabazi Orphanage." Both plan "to return to Africa yearly and in 5 years to commit a larger portion of the year on an annual basis teaching in Africa."  Information on this peace project can be accessed at:  www.pokotturkanapeaceinitiative.com. 

Dr. and Mrs. Barry Bacon, my hosts for two days in Colville

Here are people who quietly live their faith through their deeds for others.  I am humbled and enriched in their presence.  Barry and Shelley, like so many that I have met during my travels, have enriched my soul and renewed my belief that we live in a wonderful land enriched by the nobility of its citizens.  Rather than tear down the fabric of our institutions and criticize the political processes and representatives, they simply live their lives with honor and do good where they find the need.  It makes me proud to be an American and prouder yet to be a citizen in the world community.  Thank you to all the gracious, wonderful people who have renewed my belief in the kindness of mankind and helped me to fall in love with America again.