Christina Genco
Boston to SB 2009
Hey all! My name is Christina Genco and I am currently a junior at Boston University in the School of Hospitality. After school I’m hoping to do some kind of party planning or cake decorating. I love graphic design and taking pictures, and am also pursuing a minor in visual arts.
I’m originally from Atlanta, Ga. But, my family and I moved up to Boston about 10 years ago. Since then I have moved over 13 times and lived in just about every town within Boston, but finally settled in Newton Ma, about 4 years ago.
While I love Boston I really need a change of scenery. And what better way to do that them traveling across the county on my bike helping out and educating people along the way. I love traveling, seeing new places, meeting new people, and trying new things. Hopefully I will be able to do all of these things this summer.
All my life I have been extremely active. All throughout high school I played soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. But once I got to college I wasn’t doing anything and felt a little lost. So, I started riding my bike more and more and found that helped me get rid of some energy. I ride my bike every day and everywhere and absolutely love it.
In high school I took a trip down to Louisiana and Mississippi to help out after hurricane Katrina. It was probably one of the most amazing and eye opening experiences ever and I wish I could have stayed longer. Since then I have been looking for a trip to take and when I heard about Bike and Build I knew it was right for me.
I first heard about Bike & Build this past summer from a friend and ever since then could not stop thinking about it. I have had some experience with affordable housing but not much. I am so PUMPED to be able to have the opportunity to take part in Bike & Build and definitely help out learn more about affordable housing and ways to help.
I think that everyone should get involved in community service and help out those in need. It’s such an easy thing to do and really means a lot to people. Hopefully my participation in Bike and Build will inspire others to do something on their own.
I still think about my trip and the great people that I met every single day. I can honestly say that going on that trip was the most amazing decision I have ever made in my life. Not one regret.
I had good days and bad days. But the funny thing is every time I think about my experience I only think about the good times and laugh about the bad times.
My life lately has been filled with nothing but work. I currently have been going for 1 month straight without a day off. Hence the late post! (It's actually 370 days since we pedaled off!) But my vacation is right around the corner!!!!
I am going to share and email with you all that I sent out to my fellow riders on our 1-year anniversary a few days ago.
Last weekend I was away in Baltimore coaching for work and missing B2SB09. But then the best 2 things ever happened that reminded me of everyone.
I am sitting on the bus from the airport and the kids all decide they want to sing along to some music. They all start singing Build Me Up Buttercup. For those of you who don?t know this was the song we sang when we made it to the ocean. So it holds a special place in my heart.
I had 60 kids belting it out at the top of their lungs and couldn't stop smiling. I had a flash back to those last few miles we all rode together, right up to the beach where all of our families were waiting.
That right there just made my day. But then it got better!
We get to the hotel and I am stressing a little trying to get all of the kids into their rooms. I get into the elevator to go up and check on a few kids. The elevator door closes and there is a picture on the inside of it. It is the blue whale!!!! That was the icing on the cake!!! I started laughing to myself and everyone on the elevator looked at me a little funny.
The blue whale is a roadside attraction along rt 66 in Oklahoma. It sits randomly on the side of the road. This large structure is so out of place that it just makes you laugh. One of those things that you will never forget. And myself along with the 31 other riders had the pleasure of experiencing it last summer.
It's funny how life gives you little reminders when you least expect it that just brighten your day.
B2SB09, I miss you all! And hopefully I will be back for round 2 next summer!!!!
Thanks again to everyone who supported me last summer on my trek. I couldn?t have done it without you all!
65 days, 4000 miles, 14 states.
Coast to Coast
Best summer of my life.
Slept in until 7! This morning was so muh fun getting ready. We were all dancing around and taking our time getting ready.
It was super smoggy and cold this morning as we were riding. The wind also picked up about 5 miles in. But since it was only a 35 mile day it wasn't too bad. The mountains were so pretty to ride through. We passed through orange, avacado, lemon, and apple orchards they smelled awesome!
We stopped at a fruit stand and the lady gave us oranges and strawberries to try. They were picked fresh this morning... So good!
A couple miles later we hit a sign that said Santa Barbara 53 miles!!!! Got into town and Alex's mom took us out to a great lunch at a local BBQ place.
We are staying at a church and went to the parishoners houses to shower. I went to one of their ranches. They had kiwi, grape fruit, and peach trees along with this really cool swing they let us use.
Came back and saw mom and joe. Had a great dinner now off to the bar for the leader roast and the boys creepy mustache shaving party.
Short short ride today. Still woke up at 6 though for some reason. The first 10 miles were all uphill. But from then on out it was all downhill. We have finally gotten to the lush green part of California.
We went through this little town during the downhill that was really cute. While we were riding though we kept going through these really weird pockets of cold air.
Got into town and it was only 9:30. We all really wanted In N Out so we stopped at one along the way. But it didn't open until 10:30 so we waited around outside playing cards until it opened.
After our early lunch we headed to the host. Changed really quick and went to the water park for the day. It was so much fun, and nice to see water... A little change from the desert. They had these crazy water slides that were basically a straight drop down. Long story short, I have never had such a bad wedgie in my life. After that we just floated around the lazy river for a while.
Got back to the host, had dinner, decided where we are officially donating our money. Now a little poker game.
We split up into a bunch of different groups. Some people did landscaping, others worked on a driveway, and I helped strip a roof. It was hot up there all day. We were up there with shovels and scrapers taking off all of the old roof. When they redid the roof the last time they didn?t do a very good job. Because, they put the new tiles right over the old ones instead of stripping it to the bare wood.
We got about half of the roof done and then had lunch. Came back and worked for about an hour until an ice cream truck drove by. In which case we were all forced to take a quick snack break. Got back after that and finished the rest of the house. After we left a couple of us went to the pool, while everyone else went back to the host.
Had dinner and then an affordable housing meeting to discuss where we are going to donate all of the money that we raised. Home stretch, only 30 miles tomorrow!
Today was such a fun ride. We got to sleep in this morning. The first 10 or so miles were up hill, but then it was down hill from there. There was and awesome downhill to lunch that I just coasted into. We had lunch at 9 am like usual, which was pretty funny. The ride was really pretty along side the mountains. But the whole time I kept hoping that we didn?t have to turn left into the mountains.
Once we got into town we were hungry again. To my great surprise we saw and In N Out! I was so pumped it since has been over a year since I have had a double double animal style. If you have never indulged in a little In N Out you are really missing out!
We are staying at a vocational school for youth who dropped out of high school. The program is really cool. It started 4 years ago, with 7 students in the back of a church. Now they have over 100 students and just moved into a larger facility.
After we got in we went to the pool to swim for a little and then shower. Came back, had dinner, and then went to a local brewery.
The host gave us an alternate route to avoid a brutal hill. The detour though took us up this super windy long hill. After 1st lunch the wind really set in. I was going downhill pedaling and only going 10 miles an hour. Once we got to the bottom of the hill there was about a 5 mile climb back up to get out of the valley.
It was a long slow ride to second lunch that was at this little gas station. Hung out there for a while to try and cool down from the heat. Almost all of the rest of the ride was downhill. We went into Apple Valley which was the biggest town we had seen in a very long time. Stopped at a sub shop to eat again then went to target just because we could?.
The rest of the ride to the host was ALL uphill though! We got back onto rt 66 and the host site was right off of it. We are staying at a house that the church owns, across the street from the church. 2 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, small living room 32 people. We had dinner at an all you can eat Chinese buffet. And the boys really took advantage of that all you can eat.
All and all it was a pretty hard ride. I spent just as much time on my bike today as I did the day before.
Few so the day started off pretty bad. We woke up at 2:30 and most of us had only gotten about 2 hours of sleep at the most because of the heat. We got everything ready in the dark. Aaron gave an awesome pump up talk to the group and we pedaled off into the sunrise.
We crossed over the river into California and it was still too dark to get state line pictures which was kinda a bummer. There were just rolling hills with mountains around us until 1st lunch.
The ride to second lunch was pretty much the same. But there were a couple cool things on the side of the road. There was a half torn down house that had hundreds of shoes on the fence. Then there was a mailbox on the side of the road which must have been atleast 40 feet in the air. And there was a sign next to it that said air mail.
Sweet downhill to 2nd lunch with great views. After 2nd lunch there was about a 20 miles climb that felt like it never ended. But finally we got to the downhill which lasted for atleast 10 miles right to 3rd lunch.
Yes 3 lunches! 3rd lunch was at mile 100 and we mostly just refilled our water. The van ran out of water so we waited while they drove into town and came back with water for us.
The last miles were the hardest. The wind picked up and we started to feel the heat. Once we got into town we stopped for another snack. Yep count it that's 5 meals so far....
After that we headed to the host had dinner, gave a presentation, and then all split up to sleep at peoples houses. I got a real shower and a real bed!!! The family I stayed with was so nice.
Today was a short ride but we still woke up early to beat the heat. We had a tail wind so we flew. We made it 40 miles in under 2 hours.
Had a quick lunch on the side of the road and head out. Once we got into Parker a bunch of us stopped at subway to eat again.
It was only 10 when we got into town. So to kill some time we stopped at the casino and hung out there for a while. I played 3 dollars on the penny slots.... Which took all of 10 minutes. We tried to DM some rooms to sleep in since we were camping. But no dice.
After enjoying the AC for a couple hours we decided to head out. I walked outside and to my surprise had a flat! We fixed it quickly and pedaled off. The last 8 miles to to site felt like they took forever.
We got to the camp site and headed straight for the colorado river to cool down. There was a floating bar on the river that we all hung out at for a while. We all had so much fun swimming haning around the bar.
We headed back to have dinner and got to bed around 6 since we had a 2:30 am wake up. After dinner we all tried to go to bed. But I have never been so hot in my life. Imagine opening the oven door and the burst of hot air that blows at you. Now imagine that all night long. Long story short after 2 cold showers and lots of tossing and turning I got about 2 hours of sleep.... Who knew the desert was so hot at night!
So since school was in session we had to wake up early to be out by 7 for the kids. Since it was a short day that sorta stunk because we would have slept in.
They cooked us a great breakfast and then we hit the road bright and early. At the cue sheet meeting everyone sang me happy birthday which was really nice.
The first 25 miles were all down hill. I felt really great and Brad and I were cruising, passing everyone. We stopped at a gas station for lunch and hung out there for a while since we didn't have much to do all day. After all it wasn't even 9 yet.
The next 25 miles were all up hill but it wasn't that bad at all. About 10 miles away from the host I saw a golf course and decided to stop. I went into the pro shop and talked to the guys in there for a while. They were super nice and ended up giving me a free bucket of balls to use at the driving range. I was so pumped since I never got a chance to hit the links before I left.
We stayed there for a while then headed to the host. There were these crazy rocks along the side of the road that were so cool looking.
We got into the host and were all starving. So we went to the Prescott Brewery and got beers and burgers.
After lunch we came back to the host since I was on laundry crew. Showered quickly did laundry then dinner. We gave a presentation to the church then headed out to the bar. We only had one round since it is a 4 am wake up tomorrow..... I decided that we will celebrate another night!
This morning was so much fun! We all woke up, got ready, and joked around. Trailer crew cleaned out the entire trailer before they packed it. The people camping next to us were singing and playing guitar.
We headed out and it was so pretty leaving. No one was really up or on the roads. Right outside of the park there must have been a forest fire because it was so smokey.
The first 30 miles were down hill and we flew. We stopped at the gas station that we had stopped at two days ago. Since the canyon was a detour we had to back track.
We had lunch at a horse ranch on the side of the road. The next 20 miles after lunch were so hard. It was all up hill and started to get really hot.
But we made it to this little town that was famous for its pie. We stopped at a diner got some pie and enjoyed the ac. The pie was pretty good and we all felt energized.... And full.
The last 20 miles was all down hill. You could have almost not pedaled. We ended up going down about 2000 feet. Tonight we are staying at a school. When we got here though we found out that today was the kids first day back from summer vacation. So there were kids walking through the halls as we brought our bikes in.
I unpacked and re packed my bag to try and organize things. We had dinner, family meeting, showered and now time for bed pretty soon!
Big day tomorrow!
Man does it get cold at night! It dropped to 40, and we were all bundled up in our sleeping bags. A couple of us woke up at about 4:30, went over to the rim and watched the sun rise. It was really pretty.
I came back and went back to sleep after. Everyone else went and got breakfast. A couple hours later I woke up, and it was still cold out!
Matt Jodi and I were the only ones left at the camp site so we went to breakfast then we went to mass. After mass we walked to the rim and took our time walking along the rim trail. We stopped a bunch sat on the edge and just chatted.
We were all pretty hungry so we got some sandwich stuff at the general store and headed back to the camp site. Ate lunch, cleaned my bike for a while, and just hung around. It sure is nice having nothing to do.
A couple of the guys actually hiked from the rim to river and back. But everyone else decided to save their legs! I for sure want to come back another time and do it though.
Once it got dark we started another fire and made dinner over the fire again. I packed my bag, wrote some post cards and then hit the thermarest. It was a cold night again but we laid and looked up at the stars for a while.
While we were all waiting outside to leave there was a road race starting a block away. They all ran by us and we cheered them all on. Then we headed out. The first 10 miles of the day were all up hill. We reached our highest point of the trip 8046 feet.
Then it was pretty much down hill from there to lunch and about 20 miles away from the canyon. We stopped at a gas station and hung out there for a while looking through the gift shop. Across the street was bedrock city. It was a camp ground with a flinstones theme. We didn't go over but I wish we had.
The last 20 miles we went up 1000 feet. It was so exciting knowing that we were almost at the GRAND CANYON! I got a flat about 5 miles out so we had to stop and change that.
We all met up about 2 miles outside of the park entrance and shuttled in since it was cheaper then each of us biking in. Once we got in we set up the tents and a group of us rode to the rim. It was so pretty!!!! We took lots of pictures.
Came back to the camp site, showered and made hotdogs over a camp fire. For the rest of the night we just hung out around the fire and chatted.
Just a quick note, if you are from Arizona live in Arizona have ever visited or just like Arizona I'm sorry for what I am about to say.....
Arizona BLOWS! I rode sweep today with Caroline and I want to first off thank her for putting up with me. I was not a happy camper at all today. I was just in one of those moods an anyone who knows me knows what that means... Because, for the entire ride we had cross and head winds of 30 to 45 miles per hour. Someone even said there were gusts of up to 60 mph. NOT FUN AT ALL.
I was literally leaning my entire body weight and bike 45 degrees so that I didn't get blown over. I had a lot of scary moments where i thought that I was going to get blown over. I rode white knucked all day holding onto my handle bars. We had a rider actually get blown off of his bike today. A little scratched up but he is ok.
I have never experienced wind like that ever, let alone trying to ride my bike in it. There was one point in the day where we actually had to get off of our bikes and attempt to walk them because the wind was blowing to hard at us to ride.
The shoulder was atleast 4 feet wide which was the only way it was safe to ride in that wind. Because you were getting blown from side to side. If there were cool things to see on the side of the road I clearly missed them because my eyes were glued to the ground.
The day started to look up a little when I ran into a mail man though since I forgot to mail some post cards. We got into Flagstaff and it's a pretty cool town.
We showered at an athletic club which was SO nice. The showers were amazing. Two B2SB alums made us dinner and then we went into town since they are having an art festival and closed off all the streets so people can walk around.
Grand Canyon tomorrow and then a day off!
Ps my birthday is only 4 days away now! Send me some sweet cards people!!!!
So when we woke up in the morning Trey couldn't find his bike. After looking for over an hour we finally came to the conclusion that it had been stolen. There wasn't much anyone could do so we all headed out.
But then around noon we got a call. Terry who was in charge at the fire station had been out looking all morning and found it sitting on someones back porch. She was so amazing she drove all the way here to deliver his bike!
The day was pretty fast, it was pretty much all down hill into Winslow. We had first lunch right near the petrified forest national park.
Second lunch was at a Gas station along 66. We got there before the trailer so we just got subway instead.
After we left the hardest partnof the day set in. We had to ride against 30 mile an hour head and cross winds. There wasnone point where I was leaning almost 45 degrees sideways just so that I didn't get blown over.
But we made it into town and stopped at sonic for a drink. We all got them to go since we were only a mile away from the host. When we got to the host I pilut mine down to take my helmet off and just my luck the wind blew my untouched drink right over!!
Since the van wasnt there yet with our stuff we decided to explore a little. We went to the library and then stood on a corner in Winslow Arizona.... Literally!
Showered had dinner, then just hung around. Finally I have cell phone service!
So there has been sort of a cold going around the group and this morning I officialy woke up with it. I didn't sleep well last night and my head felt like it was going to explode. So I decided not to ride.
The van day was pretty boring and I was bummed that I couldn't ride. But when it hit 95 by 11 am I realized that I made the right choice. A fever in 95 degree heat is not a very good idea.
Tonight we are staying at fire house. Since they only had one shower they decided to get a little bit creative. So everyone got their soap and the sprayed us with the fire hose and a truck! Then they set up a pool for us. Anyone who didn't go in at first was thrown in.
Most of us slept outside since it was cooler then in the fire house. There was a crazy wind storm in the middle of the night. But it cooled us all down which was refreshing.
All the fire fighters and EMTs were so awesome! They made us feel right at home. I have to say that was probably the best host to date.
Welcome to Arizona! Started off the day really well, we all were making really great time. Stopped at a gas station and we saw the most adorable puppy ever. He was only 6 weeks old and his owner had just picked him up last night.
It was sorta hilly on the way to lunch, and the altitude was starting to get some of us. Lunch was on the side of the road at the top of a hill.
After we left lunch as soon as we started to go down the hill I got a flat. I patched it we kept going. After an epic hill I got another flat. After changing my tube and tire we headed off to Arizona.
Right after we crossed over the state line we were greated with 3 HUGE hills. Seeing as New Mexico has been our favorite state so far Arizona didn't do a great job of welcoming us.....
Got to the host, showered, ate, wrote some post cards, then time for the talent show!!! It was so much fun, all of the acts were hillarious! We had poems, plays, songs, dances, you names it. We really are one talented group!
While my groups act didn't win a judges award we did get the audience award.
Phew long day of climbing! Early wake up to beat the heat, then we had an awesome pancake breakfast. It was so cool as we were leaving we all walked our bikes to the street into the sunrise.
The second road we turned on we had to get off our bikes and walk because it was gravel. Again into the sunrise, it was so pretty!
The ride was pretty much uphill all day through the Rockies. In 80 miles we only went through 2 towns. And we had a lunch in each.
The ride between lunches had this 15 miles stretch that was in a valley between mountains. It felt like it went on forever, but it was so pretty! There was this patch of about 40 satelites just in the middle of the field. Apparently it was in some movie recently.
About 3 miles outside of town we passed to continental divide and we are now at our higest elevation of the trip, over 7700 feet!
Tonight we are staying at the toaster house. It is an old log cabin with all of these toasters hanging in the front. It is so cool looking! Most people are sleeping inside but since it's a nice night out I decided to pitch a tent.
Pie Town only has 100 residents and they are all so nice. They cooked us dinner complete with great pies!
Early wake up and out by 7 to try and beat the heat. About 5 miles outside of town we hit the valley of fire which was so cool looking. It is this valley that has all of these lava rocks and crazy looking plants.
The first 30 miles were pretty much all uphill about 1600 feet. We had lunch at a rest stop and hung out for a while. The views were amazing!!!!!!!!
Then the last 48 miles were rolling downhill about 2200 feet. While we were riding in the hills looked like they were a painted backdrop.
We stopped about 10 miles out at the first gas station we had seen all day. Got some snacks and then headed off to the host. It was so hot those last 10 miles.
We are staying at a pastors house which is really nice. Right when we got in he had burgers waiting for us. Around 4 a bunch of us left for the bike shop to have some repairs done. Almost 4 hours later we are still here..... Good thing I had a burger or I would be grumpy!
Had a real bed to sleep in last night.... With a real pillow! Woke up at 4:30 and packed my bags quickly. Grabbed a danish from the buffet and then mom and I drove to the host.
I got there as everyone was waking up and just sat around for a while. Had more breakfast and then we all pedaled off. The head wind was crazy for the first 10 miles. And then it turned into a cross wind.
We rode up and down for a while and had a sweet descent into first lunch at a gas station. I had a little wipe out in some gravel, I'm ok though just a little scratched up.
On the ride to second lunch we passed through the town Billy the kid was from. It was pretty cool. After that we started to notice the altitude change. We went up 3400 feet and maxed out at about 7000 feet total. My legs weren't tired, but we were all out of breath.
Had second lunch at a little grocery store. The rest of the ride was all downhill from there. It was so pretty going down and looking back at all of the mountains that we climbed today.
Tongiht we are staying in a tiny tiny town at the high school.
We walked around town for a little and went into a few shops. Then we went to the UFO museum. Personally I think all of this UFO stuff is really weird. The whole town is obsessed with aliens, crop circles and government conspiracies.
After a couple hours I was hungry again. Big surprise right? We got a bite to eat and then continued our search for another restaurant. We ran into a bunch of B&Bers so we shuttled them back to the host and I picked up my bike.
We came back to the hotel and I did a few bike repairs. Then we went to picked up some stuff for breakfast tomorrow and headed to the host to pick people up for dinner. We had dinner at this truck stop diner that all of the locals suggested.
The food was pretty good, but once again people underestimate how much we eat! The owner Charlie was super nice and gave us all of this extra food to take with us.
Since my mom isn?t going to be with me on my birthday she got me a cake to celebrate with today. It was chocolate with raspberry. Delicious.
It was really nice to see my mom, a little taste of home. But I was sorta bummed that there wasn?t much to do or see in Roswell. But I think we just enjoyed each other?s company.
Last day of July AHHHHHHH! That means 2 things. First my birthday is 11 days away, and second we only have 20 days left. This summer is flying by!
Then some of us took a tour of the local habitat house that had just been finished. It was really nice, its cool to see the different types of houses as we move farther west. On our way back to the host there was this crazy lightning storm that we all watched.
Ok so back to today. We woke up and packed all of our stuff then rode over to the church for breakfast. After breakfast we headed out. And to our surprise the city of Portales had a police escort for us out of the city. So for the first few miles we all rode out of town behind a police car. It was SO cool!
We had a tail wind all day which was amazing. It was also pretty flat which means that we flew. We made it to first lunch by 9:30. It was at an old abandoned bar along the side of the road. It was pretty much the only building we saw since we left in the morning.
The rest of the ride was beautiful. We passed through the desert and these awesome rolling hills. It really was nothing but us and the open road. Miles and miles of the open road. Every time I looked around it was just desert straight to the horizon.
At first lunch we finished tallying all of the flats that people had gotten so far on the trip. And as karma would have it I got another right after.
Second lunch was just on the side of the road, since there was nothing else around. We ate pretty quick and then headed out. We made it into town by 2 and just took a little tour of the city. We stopped at the library, the UFO museum, got a snack, and then finally went to the host site.
Everyone is staying at Eastern New Mexico University for the next 2 days. But my mom is coming to visit so I get a real bed, and a real shower!!!!
After we got into the host we all went swimming and then Megan?s parents took us out to dinner. We ate at this cute little Mexican place. After dinner this huge storm came through town. We waited it out at the restaurant. But when we did leave it was crazy. All of the streets were flooded, windows were broken, roofs were off of houses. Apparently they haven?t had a storm like this in forever, the wind got up to 80!
Mom and I headed back to the hotel and I fell right asleep!
We were on 60 again today and it was just as bumpy as yesterday. They pave the shoulder with gravel and oil which is not comfortable to ride on at all. Made it to first lunch at a gas station and hung around for a little.
About 10 miles after we left we hit New Mexico! We were all relieved that they pave their roads better. We took some pictures at a state signs and then stopped at a gas station for some energy drinks.
We hit the road again and then stopped at Joes Boot Shop on Rt 60. The sign said that they had 10,000 hats 16,000 boots and a lot of belts. Let me tell you that store was HUGE! We tried on cowboy boots and hats for a while. Then the owner?s grandson taught me how to rope a cow. I think I could cut it as a cow girl.
He also convinced me to buy a cowboy hat. After trying a bunch on he told me that I could get a custom one. So I picked my size and the hat maker hand bent my hat, it was so cool to watch.
After my hat was done a bunch of other riders came in with Joe the owner. Apparently he took them all out to lunch in his limo complete with bull horns on the hood.
After we all got over the fact that we missed out on the free Mexican food we headed off to second lunch. We didn?t stop to eat, I just threw my hat in the van. Brad and I made it the last 18 miles to the host in under an hour.
Tonight we are staying at Eastern New Mexico University. We are staying in the dorms which means BEDS!
Also big news, I saw a cactus today?..
Woke up at 6 and all took our time getting ready since it was such a short day. Finally headed out around 8:30.
We rode through the city for a while and then got out to what looked like the desert. There were all these cows in a pasture that only had one patch of grass. We rode down into this little canyon that was so cool looking. Then we rode out of it, I looked back and the view was amazing.
There was an optional 20 mile detour right after that to another canyon. It is the second largest canyon in the US. I opted out of it to give my legs a rest.
We had lunch at picnic area, but didn't stay for long. We were told the the last 10 miles into town we awful because of the smell. It is full of cattle feed lots which stink!
Last year a bunch of people got sick on the road because of the smell. I wore a bandana over my face to try and block the smell. But since it was cool out today it wasnt that bad.
Got into town pretty eat which was nice. Showered, cleaned my bike finally, and laid out my prom outfit then had dinner.
After dinner we all got ready for prom which was so much fun! We were able to get flowers and a moon bounce all donated. We danced the night away but will probably all be sore in the morning....
Interesting fact, Hereford is the beef capital of the world.
It was SO much fun! Even though he didn?t finish he got a sweet shirt. The Big Texan is actually a really famous restaurant that has been featured on the Food Network and a couple other channels. I helped orchestrate free limo service to and from the restaurant.
Back to today though. So we woke up and walked over to the Habitat site which was less then a ¼ mile away. There was just the shell of the house. So we put up all of the roof trusses. To put them up we had to balance on top of the framing for the walls. I did some serious work with the nail gun... It was so much fun and at the end of the day we were able to again step back and see that real progress had been made.
After building we all headed over to the Salvation Army to get outfits for prom. Yes prom, we a having a little B2SB prom tomorrow. Get pumped for some really really great outfits and a possible fro?.
Came back to the host location and had an AMAZING BBQ! Annie?s parents drove all the way up here from Austin with their 2000 pound smoker and treated us to some real Texas BBQ. Probably going to clean my bike tonight, but the thought of a little extra sleep is tempting?.
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Jul 9 - Bloomington, IN
Jul 17 - Springfield, MO
Jul 21 - Tulsa, OK
Jul 27 - Amarillo, TX
Aug 17 - Palmdale, CA