I apologize for my silence on what my plans are, but after receiving the terrible news about Donita’s accident I went numb and have been in a state of shock and disbelief.  I have had a myriad of thoughts running through my head ever since… Do I continue to do what Donita and I set out to do but do it alone? Do I go home and be with my family now, so I can see my youngest son, Aidan, play his last summer of travel baseball? Is there a way to still fulfill both the mission I was setting out to do and still be able to enjoy some of my son’s last summer playing ball?  How can I bear the financial responsibility of the whole 8 week trip on my own without hurting my family financially? I’ve had to remind myself of all that is important to not just me but to my family and those who are supporting me on my journey. I’ve taken a few days to get clear about what matters and why I was doing this journey in the first place. I wanted to push myself to do something bigger than myself and also raise awareness for a cause for which I believed. How can I reinvent myself and change gears when something tragic like this occurs and still fulfill both purposes?

When I named this “The Wandering Project!” little did I know at the time the true depth that name would come to have for me. Originally I named it that in an attempt to explain that we were wandering from place to place across the US for a project called Homes for Our Troops. Now it has such a deeper meaning. As we are wandering through this journey called life there are many twists and turns. It’s not flat roads like we would experience in Kansas and some of the Midwest states. In life you don’t get to see for miles and miles knowing what’s up ahead easily able to spot potential danger and make necessary adjustments to keep the ride safe and smooth. No, life is full of the unexpected, the twists, the turns, the adventure. As my mother-in-law used to say, “you’ve gotta be flexible in every situation.” It’s time for me to let go of the “maps” and the “plan” and go coast to coast in a revised fashion.

As of today we have collectively raised $4,041 of our original $3,800 goal. Thank you all for that amazing support and helping us already achieve that goal! Even though I will be doing a revised coast to coast trip we will still be raising awareness as well as funds for HFOT while we are traveling. The average cost to build one room is approximately $5,000. It would be awesome for us to say that we raised enough money to build 1 room for someone’s home through The Wandering Project.

The plan…Sorry I threw it out. I can give you an overview and you’ll just have to follow my adventure on the website and Facebook to see how the day unfolds. How’s that for living life on the edge? 😉

Donita and I were traveling through 10 states. California-Nevada-Utah-Colorado-Kansas-Missouri-Illinois-Kentucky-Virginia-North Carolina. As motivation for Donita’s quick and full recovery we are going to save the original coast to coast trip plan for a few years out when Donita has made her full recovery. Postponing it for a season will allow us to fulfill a very challenging dream together. As for this coast to coast trip, I will be wandering with my sister from state to state as we visit various places by bike and by car. In order for me to feel a personal sense of accomplishment, each day I ride I will be setting challenging goals for myself such as: tackling a ride through the Rockies and maybe even ride across a whole state. My goal is to be home to watch my son, Aidan, play ball the month of July. Kelly and I are excited about visiting places our parents took us to when we were younger as well as seeing new places across the US.  We will be taking lots of pictures along the way.  I hope you will still follow me and my sister’s journey from CA to NC even though I will no long be doing the original full coast to coast riding.

I thank you from the bottom of my heat for your love, concern, text and Facebook messages, phone calls, emails, support and prayers. Wow, I truly am overwhelmed with your love and concern for both Donita and me and belief in us. Please keep my travels in your prayers but mainly pray for my sweet friend, Donita’s road to recovery.  I am so thankful she is alive!

Due to taking a few days to clear my head I will now start the revised 2016 Wandering Project June 1st.

We talked to Donita today and though she is healing she is dealing with quite a bit of pain. One can all only imagine. She has been able to sit up 4 times which has been a good accomplishment though it causes her much pain. They decided neck surgery wasn’t needed. She has a few more accomplishments to do before they move her to the rehab hospital where she is expected to be for a month. Please continue to keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

Keep Donita in your prayers today please. She had surgery on her pelvis yesterday and had two pins put in. Today they will sit her up for the first time and determine if she will need neck surgery. She is in good spirits and even though she is fighting this uphill climb of recovery she is thinking of those around her. She is an incredible woman! Thanks for your prayers and support. She told me yesterday she will fight hard and get back on her bike and ride across the country as soon as she is able. I like her style! Keep fighting Donita! Here is a news article from WTHR.

As of late last night, Donita was alert . She can move all limbs, no numbness, possible broken thumb, has 2 breaks in her pelvis and has a broken neck. It will be determined sometime today if she will need to have neck surgery or not. Thank you for the continued prayers and support. I will be in Yellowstone all day today so won’t be able to respond to any questions. Will update as soon as I can. Thanks again for your prayers for Donita! Here is an article from the Kokomo Tribune.