Delightfully Uneventful

I left this morning at 5:30 (thank you Beth Ann and Rebecca) for the airport in Indy and got on the flight without incidence. Some people thought I might have problems with security getting on a plane without any checked baggage, a one way ticket and, apparently with my new look, looking like a terrorist. The only mildly uncomfortable experience was being delayed in Chicago for an hour because there was a problem with the engine. Once in the air, the trip  was delightfully uneventful. I arrived in San Diego (weather in the upper 50s and wet) and met my nephew, who is an outreach pastor in a huge church (7000) that is pastored by Miles McPherson, a popular evangelical conference speaker. He showed me his church - impressive!

Now, for meeting the group. I am, without question, one of the youngest riders on the trip. Many are veterans of previous Wheels coast to coast trips. I would say the average age appears to be mid 60s. It will be very interesting when we start riding tomorrow to see what kind of riders they are. They are from all over the country - two from Alaska, one from California, two from Arizona, one from Ottawa, Ontario and two ladies all the way from Christchurch, New Zealand! Yes, I did say ladies. Of the roster of 36 on the trip, 13 of them are women. I am not sure how many will be riding the entire distance since some of them are support staff. My bike survived the drive out nicely and I am chomping at the bit to get started.Tomorrow is a short 23 mile "shakedown ride" to help establish pacing averages to begin dividing the group into smaller riding groups.

Devotional Thought: 

Today was overcast and rather dreary beneath the layer of clouds almost all the way. But it was an entirely different story as our plane cruised high over the layer of clouds. It was bright and shiny and just beautiful. It was nice to keep the contrast in perspective. As a follower of Christ, do I live beneath the clouds and allow it to negatively impact my life or do I practice living above the clouds as I remind myself that life in Christ can put a much more positive face on life? Food for thought. Lord willing, talk to you tomorrow.