Madonna, MD to Patuxent River St Pk, MD $13 :: breakfast, map 61.50 mi :: 5.05 hr :: 36.1 mph :: 12.0 mph :: 7127 mi Heavy rain through the night, but it lets up before morning. A short ride into a small town, I stop to buy a Virginia map, and grin at my…

Lancaster, PA to Madonna, MD $0 :: no purchases 61.74 mi :: 5.14 hr :: 44.1 mph :: 11.7 mph :: 7066 mi Grandma Leenie made french toast for my last breakfast with her. She also gave me a book, The Case for Christ. I had already read a bit of it (the conclusions) out…

Lancaster, PA $31 :: dinner, present for Leenie, pie for Pete, postage This morning I breach the topic of religion. I explain that I’m not in a position to understand many of the Christian messages that I receive because I don’t have the background for it. I do think, however, that in my experiences I’ve…

Lancaster, PA I get to know Eileen better as we work together fixing computer troubles, doing laundry, making breakfast, exploring the web, picking up her friend’s car, running errands, and talking nonstop the entire time. Leenie tries to convince me to visit New Zealand, showing me her book of photos from her visits there. I…

Lancaster, PA During breakfast we begin browsing some of Eileen’s photo collections together. She is an impeccable organizer: all her travel and family photos are organized into carefully grouped and labeled books. She is currently “downsizing,” she claims, to make sure everything is easy to distribute when at last her failing eyesight requires her to…

Souderton, PA to Lancaster, PA $3 :: coffee and muffin 83.12 mi :: 6.32 hr :: 35.2 mph :: 12.7 mph :: 7004 mi Earl takes me to his Christian Businessmen’s Coalition breakfast. We sit with two engineers. When asked what they do they say, “We build weapons of mass destruction!” Specifically, electronic guidance systems.…

Souderton, PA The reading from Daily Bread this morning is hard for me to deal with. In compact form: accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior is the one and only way to go to heaven. Earl places it in front of me when he’s done, as if to emphasize its importance. The nicest response…

Souderton, PA We’re up early for breakfast. Earl reads from a little booklet called “Daily Bread” in the morning. Today’s message is about appreciating God through nature. I mention that I like it. Then comes a very thorough prayer, which I am comfortable enough with. I can tell Earl is curious about my religious convictions,…

Souderton, PA I was conflicted about going to church. I wanted to learn about this part of Hadie and Earl’s life, but I had no idea how to dress or behave. I was afraid I’d reflect poorly on them. Mustering my courage, I decided to give it a try. Somehow Hadie washed and pressed my…

Maplewood, NJ to Souderton, PA $5 :: coffee, snacks 102.02 mi :: 8.16 hr :: 34.5 mph :: 12.3 mph :: 6921 mi After breakfast with Rowland I call Grandma Ruth, get Hadie and Earl’s correct phone number, and call them. It turns out htat their schedule works best if I can arrive today. It’s…