Update #40 - November 23, 2004
Leeds, AL - 11,830.2 miles (18,928.3 kms.)



There was a lot of changes of plans along the way. Once in S. Oklahoma, I headed eastward towards Arkansas because at the time there were threats of snow flurries near Oklahoma City. The ride eastward went okay and I had stops in Durant, Hugo, and Idabell, OK. Churches in those towns hosted me. Across Arkansas, I made stops in DeQueen, Nashville, Caddo Valley, Sheridan, Altheimer, Claredon, and W. Helena. The United Methodist Church in Nashville was the 58th church that I spoke at this year. This was during the Alpha Class (Beginning Christianity) on a Thursday night.

The ride across Mississippi had stops in Clarksdale, Batesville, Oxford, Pontotoc, and Amory. The stop in Oxford was a long one because I had bike problems. About 8 miles out of Oxford, I was ran off the road. I had a minor wreck which didn't cause any personal injuries but the front wheel was destroyed. The Episcopal and Methodist churches helped me out with lodging while an angel in North Carolina offered to contact the bike company in California to have a new front wheel and tire sent to me overnight. I did need some time off the road but I wished that it could have been a little bit shorter.

The past three days here in Alabama have been really wet. It rained pretty well all day. I had stops in Winfield, Jasper, and N. Birmingham. I was the guest of the Methodist Church in Winfield, the First Baptist Church in Jasper, and the Church of Christ in Adamsville. Today, it rained a little bit in the morning so that I didn't have too much trouble riding through Birmingham.

I'm on the way to Benson, North Carolina south of Raleigh. The Angel who helped me out in Oxford, MS has offered a place to stay for a few months. Kathy and her husband, Luke, will be my hosts. I'm very much looking forward to meeting them in person and having some time off the road. I really do not like riding through Winter. Maybe, I'll have some time to start writing the book that everybody wants me to. I figuere that I have at least two more weeks on the road this year.