Planes, trains and automobiles, but mostly bikes

Hello to all of Average Frank’s supporters. I have spent about 75 days in the last 11 or 12 months alone in a tent or riding my bicycle down that long road into the heart of America and I thank the Lord for putting me there!

There have been many hardships and experiences along the way. Because of you America, I have embraced this mission and its tribulation with great honor. I used to report funny things along the way and it was good!!!

As many know, I recently wrapped up another very long bike ride across, or into the great country of ours. This latest ride had, once again, a profound impact on me and the way I see the world; I am ever changing, and am always a work in progress.

This part of my blog is not about where I rode, to or form, nor is it about how many miles I’ve gone in my beloved son’s name and in the name of our courageous Wounded Warriors, because all know that I am committed to both!

This epic adventure has become about you, all whom I have met, all of whom my story and words have touched, all those who have stepped up to help me reach out to America, all those who have touched my heart in such a magnificent way, and last but not least, to those who have given in some way to show your support of our nations Freedom Fighters.

Some folks may call me Average Frank, but I’m just a guy on the bike! The amazing truth is that we are all an idea, a passion, and a calling named average Frank. I am the voice of that graciousness. I go forth as your voice, the voice of the average American, to shout from the roof tops to our soldiers, past and present that we care, we are proud of you, and we support you! You do serve a grateful nation. I hope I have served you all well!

That being said, I chose to start talking about you all and what you all mean to me, the guy on the bike. As I speak of you on occasion, it will be through tear filled eyes, ‘cause as tough as I am I still gets a little emotional about “this country of mine”.

They are not tears of pain or sorrow, or of anger, however, they are tears of exceedingly, great joy and pride in all of us who proudly say, “I am an American.”, and do something good for her! God bless the U.S.A.

It will take some time to get to all of you, but I will!

The only place I can start is with my Go Frank friends and family in Tucson, AZ. Dianne, Stephen, Alysia, Tyler, thanks for putting up with me for so long.

Ben: my sailor son and greatest inspiration. The way you have lived your life has, in many ways, saved mine. I thank you for that and I hope you know how much you mean to me.

Sean Furrier: Here is a man who owns a special place in my heart. From day one, this man truly believed in me and took a chance on me when I first said that I would ride across the nation at 45 years of age, to serve our wounded. He never once wavered in this belief in me. I know I have asked a lot of him and his family, yet he has never let me down. That also holds true to Rick and Jack Furrier. It was that support and tender mercies that has helped me reach for the stars. Without which none of this would be possible. These guys take no credit for their actions on my behalf because they are to humble and have taught me the meaning of humility and charity. Because of them, I know the road to happiness through love and charity! That is the gift they gave me, Thank you!

John Ranney: I would be hard pressed to find a better or more loyal and committed friend than him! There is nothing this man would not do for me, nor I for him. This is a guy who has worked hard all his life and has great pride in his country. We share minds in many ways! He is an ardent patriot and has taught what it means to be proud of what I have accomplished and to never take a back seat to anybody. Thanks John.

Jennifer Campbell & Judy Foutz: I am blessed to have my girls. They are the tender hearted ones who have taught me that it is okay for a man to cry, just not everyday! You love all the world and all its creatures. Your hearts are good; I am honored to know you.

To the rest of my Tucson team: My hat is off to you guys, who keep putting up with me, every time I walk in your doors. I know I’m a royal pain in the butt and have asked a lot of you all as well. You guys always understand the fact that I ask not for myself, but for what and who I believe in. Thanks for always being there for me!
Guys @AZ Complete Auto Glass
Dan & Angela @ Dan’s Toy Shop
Vince & Ann @ Mario’s Pizza
Eric & Jonath @ Myrmo’s
Tracy & Frank @ Big D’s
The Gang @ Alpha Graphics - Jesse & Keith
John Armstrong @ Tucson Automotive
Everybody @ Jack Furrier’s Western Tire
Mike @ Alltel
Brian @ Len’s Auto
Roger Battles
Mark @ musselman’s Honda
Fred @ Best Mattress
Sam @ Kelly’s Coffee
Dwayne @ bargain Basement Bikes
The Folks @ McGuire’s Jewelers

UPR.com & Jack Furrier's Donate Jeff Gordon Race Suit to WWP Auction

Wow! this is a big auction item - an actual Jeff Gordon's Sparco Driving Suit for Nascar.
It was incredible just seeing the suit when the pictures were taken. Join us August 3rd for our Silent Auction & Dinner & Live Music event at the Maverick in Tucson.



Thanks so much to the Furrier's, UPR.com, Jack Furrier's Tire & Auto Care for this great addition to our silent auction.

Even More Auction items for "The First Ever Event"

More fantastic silent auction items - you may walk out with a pair of Aaron Tippin's personalized autographed Levi's - or something else from your favorite artist including Toby Keith, Dwight Yoakam, The Bellamy Brothers, and of course the fiddle from Charlie Daniels.

These are very special personally signed items sent to Frank to support the fundraiser - each artist supports our troops and provided a part of themselves to make our little event a little bit better.

For you automotive nuts

Don't worry - we've got the gifts for gearheads too, thanks to the Furrier's and Jack Furrier's Tire & Auto Care will have Nascar Race Tickets and NHRA Winternational Tickets for these upcoming events.

For information on the August 3rd Dinner Live Music, and Silent Auction - call Frank at 520 240 7988. 1 Ticket $20 or two for $30

The Event - and My Ride with Jack Furrier

The First Ever Silent Auction and Dinner
Keep August 3 available - you won't be dissapointed if you spend the afternoon at a great event - two people $30 - you'll be fed, and entertained at the Maverick on E. Tanque Verde. We will have lots of great silent auction items including our first item - donated by Charlie Daniels himself. We have lots more cool stuff on the way - including for you Nascar fans - an autographed driving suit from Jeff Gordon, lots of other signed memorobilia.

Cost is just $20 or $30 for two and all proceeds go to Wounded Warrior Project and my friends in San Antonio - the Warrior and Family Support Center.

July 4th - riding with Jack Furrier

L: interview with event emcee - Richard Debernardis
Below: Our "Warrior Booth" - Rowdy Johnson sells T-shirts

Bottom: Nephew Cody pictured as he pulls out to quick start!

July 4th started early at the Jack Furrier's Tour for Tucson's Children - where over 1,000 riders lined up on Church street down town and beat the heat with a 6:00am start for the 27 mile fun ride - followed by a shorter kids ride (see Cody). It was the 15th year of what the biking community considers their star spangled wake up call on July 4th. It is a great event and we were able to talk to a lot of people about the Wounded Warrior Project and the upcoming charity event on August 3rd - one of our favorite entertainers - Rowdy Johnson - got up early to work the warrior tent while I was off riding!

Frank hit by average car today

Somewhere between Lordsburg and Deming NM today, Frank was hit by a car.

No, he was not riding his bike. Instead, he fell victim to a teenage driver backing out of the convenience store Frank was leaving. I would tell you the name of the town, but it was so small Frank wasn't sure it had one. He left his campspot east of Lordsburg, NM this morning - so guess about 40 miles further and stick a pin in the map.

The driver was a 16 year old boy who was shaking after seeing what had happened. Frank had to calm him down. Recounting his own teen years and the minefield of mistakes that get made, Frank let the young driver know that it was not the end of the 16 year olds world - it was "ok" .

The police and paramedics were called to the scene. Frank was hit by a Toyota Corolla. I told him I would say it was a Ford Superduty because the Corolla was hardly enough car to take him down. But, according to Frank, it happened very fast (i guess a Corolla could be pretty stealthy and slight). Frank never saw the car, he only felt the punch into his upper back as he was whipped around then thrown to the ground (on elbow) where he managed to roll out of the way and avoiding being run over completely. Check back - i will post a scan of the police report to verify the details.

The paramedics wanted Frank to get in the ambulance and get checked out at the clinic. Frank knew that his bike would not fit inside with him, so with the wind was howling, Frank refused their offer and chose to set up his tent instead and rest.

At about 4 pm Frank's sister Connie was on her way from Benson, AZ. Frank decided (after a few hours) that getting checked out at the hospital might not be a bad idea.

As for the trip to El Paso, it will have to wait - for at least a day. Stay tuned for an update.

Past Lordsburg to San Simon

1/2 way between Willcox, Arizona and Lordsburg, NM is San Simon.

The population of San Simon - zip code 85632 is 831 people - and covers about the same number of square miles - so you can ride a while without seeing anyone which Frank did today.

Then he rode some more and got through Lordsburg, NM and camped outside the city's eastern edge last night.

The Road To El Paso

Frank was pedaling and the wind was howling along Interstae 10 when Frank called in with his daily update. After the week delay on his trip back to El Paso, Frank was finally on his bike and on his way up 7 Mile Hill.

Yesterday, Frank made if from his interview with Tucson’s ABC Channel 9 and made it down to J-Six Road in Benson, Arizona by Sunday night where he stayed with his sister Connie.

As he was pedaling towards 7 mile hill, Frank outlined his riding plan for the day (long term planning by Frank’s standard) which included coasting down the other side of 7 mile and making it to Dragoon, Arizona and the Triangle T Guest Ranch where Frank plans on having lunch with the proprietor – Cali. After lunch it is another 30 miles to Willcox where Frank plans to camp tonight

Spider Bite Delays Ride To El Paso

Frank was slowed but not stopped completely by a non-life threatening spider bite. As he was preparing to leave, he felt something crawling on his neck, reflexes took over and he slapped hard and killed a spider. A few minutes later the bite on his neck was swelling a little bit.

Somewhat concerned I asked, “Did you save the spider?” thinking it would be evidence needed to deternime just how sick he was about to get.

“Nothing left of him” Frank replied.

Hmmm…I thought for a second, most people would want to know if a bite that close to the brain stem would turn out to be dangerous. But who am I kidding? Frank has eaten more dangerous things than this spider and he has already survived a brown recluse bite. So put a little Neosporin on it, get an anti-biotic from the clinic – and wait 48 hrs to see if you can still walk and talk. If so, you are ready to ride.

Another day in the life of Frank – and this trip has not even begun. What’s next? Tune in to find out. The trip has been delayed for one week.

Frank’s Ride Epilouge:

To Donate

Link to Wounded Warrior Project (Kintera) donation page built for Frank click here

In Arizona donate at any Jack Furriers Tire & Auto Care

Frank’s Ride Epilouge:

Frank made it to Jacksonville and he toured the Sacrifice Center at the Wounded Warrior Project office with Dana and Catherine and the rest of their staff. They presented him with a plaque commemorating his ride. There will be a display in the center which includes the “DONATE” T-shirt – one of four in existence and the helmet (which as it turns out Frank never wore, but it was strapped to the bicycle from San Antonio to Jacksonville). Frank was whisked off to the airport where he spent a couple hours greeting soldiers returning home for the holidays.

He arrived at Tucson International Airport Thurdsday night to a hero’s welcome. Nearly twenty of Frank’s supporters were there cheering him as he exited the gate 25 security walkway. “I get the first hug” could be heard above the noise as Diane made her way for a much awaited embrace. Digital cameras were flashing. This time there was no TV coverage – the early trip back was arranged by the Furrier’s at Frank’s request two days ahead of the scheduled Saturday arrival.

After handshakes, hugs and congratulations, Frank set down an armful of flowers onto the floor. He summoned his crowd of supporters together, “everybody, everybody will you get in a circle”. Right there at the bottom of the escalator, in the midst of hurried travelers, baggage retrievers and families being reunited for Christmas and other holidays there was a silence. Frank started to pray in the midst of this crowd a prayer of thanksgiving “Dear Jesus, thank you, for all of these people who you brought into my life, thank you for brining me safely through this journey”.

As the prayer ended, the noise of footsteps and bags falling and voices returned to a normal airport roar. Franks family was beaming with pride, he did what he said he would do, and now he was home and he mentioned something about Portland...

p.s. the total fundraising for the nationwide solo cycling adventure is over $6,500. Not a bad total for a guy who was riding his daughters bike a couple of months ago.

Day 31: The Last Mile

A little over a month ago, an average guy who didn't own a bike, who had never ridden further than the city limits set a goal to ride across the entire nation alone to raise money and awareness for WWP. He rode for his son and your son's and daughters to let them know we remember the sacrifices so many have made to ensure the freedom we enjoy. Tomorrow Frank is scheduled to visit the Sacrifice Center at the Wounded Warrior Project in Jacksonville, Florida.

Mission accomplished.

Send Frank an email message: averagefrank@gmail.com
If you have been following Frank, maybe you met him during the ride, or you were raising money for him, or you just found out about him and something in this story means something to you - send him an email. He would love to hear from you as he spends a few days recovering from the ride. Stay tuned, you never know what "average" frank will do next.

The last hours of the ride: Day 31
Frank made good time this morning after mailing what turned out to be 29 pounds of gear from the post office. The bike was light under him but his hip was still very stiff. "My lungs are great, my legs are unbelievably strong and my hip is really hurting" Frank told me about his hip the first week after the Ft. Davis, TX.

By late morning, he had ridden around 35 miles, the Florida sun was shining and it was perfect for riding, but his hip was now getting really painful again. For short intervals Frank was riding then getting off to walk and repeating the cycle before he stopped along a rural roadside in some pain. The last day was not going to be easy.

A man came out from his house and asked if Frank was ok. He said "no". A few minutes later Frank was inside the house with a heating pad on his hip. This is where I caught up to Frank this afternoon - being treated to the kindness of another stranger. In another 10 minutes Frank was back on the road grinding out some more miles. He needed to get another 20 miles to meet Dana from Jacksonville's Wounded Warrior Project, so he gave the bike one last push.

True to her promise, Dana met Frank as darkness fell over Florida and Frank's riding was now over. After one month, 2,000 miles, and too many stories to count, Frank was on his way to a Motel 6 in Jacksonville.

My phone rang around 10 pm eastern. "You'll never guess where I am" he said.
"in a bathtub?" I replied. "No, at a chinese buffet"
The perfect ending to the day and the adventure - an all you can eat superchinesebuffet!

Day 31: The Last Morning

Location: Mideast Florida, outiside Madison

This morning, Frank prepared for his last full day of riding toward Jacksonville.

The explorer [Cortez?] fully committed himself and his crew to their exploration of Mexico when he sank his own ships in the harbor. They had a single option. Frank unloaded every piece of gear possible from the bike this morning, boxed it up, and mailed it from the Post office. He took 29lbs from the bike hoping to provide his legs much needed relief and some freedom over the pedals. After his stop at the post office, he will have to ride just over 80 miles.

He did not mention it to me, but today is Frank's son's birthday - maybe just another coincidence, maybe just one more reason to get there today.

Last Night
Frank set up the tent for the final night under the stars. This time behind a veterinary clinic. The owners at the chinese buffet told frank about the place at dinner time and gave him the owners phone number to make sure it was ok to sleep there. Once again we joked "or you'll get arrested for trespassing, but at least you will get a real bed and a free meal".

Day 30: So close and so far away

Get out your map of the United States. Take a look at the top of Florida then put your thumb on the right edge of the state. You are now covering what is left of Frank's ride to Jacksonville. It seems so very close relatively speaking, but what remains will likely be the toughest segment of all.

He started early today and by the time we spoke he had put in a couple hours of riding. The temperature is still in the low 30's and drains energy as Frank's body tries to maintain it's temperature. Whatever was stored up in his 140 pound frame a month ago has been spend along the highways. No longer feeling like he can just "pedal out" at will, he is now envoking his will over the pedals. By car, Central Florida must seem relatively flat, but on a bicycle you notice every degree of incline. Frank has riddent long uphills and what seem to be shorter downhills this morning. He will not be coasting in the last 150 miles.

After our first conversation, Frank called me back "Hey, I wasn't feeling that good this morning, I'm not sure I remembered why I was out here but I ran into this old guy wearing Korean War hat and shirt. The guy was a veteran. I told him "Thank you for your service" and we began to talk. "

By the end of the conversation the Verteran had tears in his eyes and thanked Frank for remembering and for riding. Though the old veteran could not restore the physical energy to Frank's body, he lifted his spirits and reminded him again just exactly why he was out there, which was exactly what Frank needed to keep going. By the end of our conversation Frank commented "the sun just came out, it's getting better". I told him I was hoping it was on his back all day long.

You can find Frank's story at the bottom of Wounded Warrior Project's home page

For the donation page they built for Frank click here
In Arizona donate at any Jack Furriers Tire & Auto Care

Day 28: Making up for a tornado

Pensacola Florida
Low Temperature: 39 aprox
Wind: 17 MPH NW

It was after 11pm, Sunday night. Frank had been riding since early in the day trying to make up time the tornado warning stole yesterday. Riding in high winds he made his way to Highway 90 paralleling I-10 and fought the winds until 1pm when as Frank said “the wind stopped, it was totally calm”. Frank took this as a good sign and rode as hard as he could as long as he could. Equipped with a new headlight he stayed on task until 11 pm. His bike was now skipping between gears because the derailleur was so far out of adjustment which made for frustrating riding. Frank stopped to regroup and shake the cold off at a convenience store.

Maybe it was the 17 mph breeze from earlier in the day that blew Donald across Frank’s path. The young marine saw Frank’s Wounded Warrior Project t-shirt after the blue and gold windbreaker came off. “Are you riding tonight?” Donald asked seemingly concerned and disbelieving that anyone would be riding in the cold at this late hour.
“I think I might be walking it from here” Frank half joked and the two began to talk.

Donald was not going to take no for an answer. The question was – “you are not going to keep riding tonight are you?” Desperate to keep pace and persuaded by the young Marine’s generosity, Frank rode with him for about an hour. They talked about Frank’s journey and why he was out there riding and where he was going. Somewhere outside of Quincy, Floriday the young Marine and Frank exchanged thank yous and goodbyes. It was an hour by car, or about 60 miles or about a single days ride that Donald took Frank. This encounter was not on the biking schedule, but like so many other unplanned events along this journey, there certainly was a reason, even if it remains a mystery right now.

At about midnight, Frank began to ride again, fighting the gears which were constantly skipping up and down up and down. He slowly made another 10 miles and stopped around 1 am at Motel 6 outside of Tallahassee. There are only 3 days left before Frank is scheduled to arrive in Jacksonville. Frank needs to find a bike shop today to adjust his gears.

Day 27 – Survive and Advance

Pensacola, FL.

Since leaving Frank has encountered the best and worst mother nature has to offer including, snowy mountain roads, icy bridges, swamp fog and today you can add a tornado warning to the list. Frank packed up camp beach and began to ride as clouds thickened and breezes rolled up. The ABC news reported scheduled to interview Frank called, he had just been diverted to cover a tornado in the area.

Disappointed about the lost time and the 20 – 30 miles of progress missed, Frank continued to test the weather. A few miles later frank hit “a wall of rain” making even his rain gear useless. Discouraged, Frank turned back for shelter in Pensacola. After seeing the weather channel, he realized he was through for the day.

To read the Pensacola News Journal account of the day's weather go to "Severe Winds".

Sunday in the Sunshine State

Today it is cloudy and colder with NW winds reported at 17mph. Bad news because Frank mailed back most of his cold weather once he passed through Louisiana. After a quick stop into a church to say a prayer for safety, he stopped at BigLots and picked up a thin windbreaker and beanie. Frank hit the road again today to make up lost time.

Day 26: White Sand

End Pensacola, FL.

Friday Update: Frank's goal was to reach Pensacola by Friday night. He made it then turned West and rode well after dark to set up his tent inside the Perdido State Park. This morning he was collecting sea shells and a bag of white sand for his daughter. The excitement of camping at the beach in Florida was tempered by the solitude of camping alone. Frank imagined what it would be like to be standing there with all his family and all the friends he has made along the way. Perhaps another trip someday, Frank is already talking about riding after this trip ends in Jacksonville.

This roller coaster ride had once again turned again to the better. Frank will be pedaling out of his beachside domicile after ABC Pensacola interviews him.

Visa update: Yesterday I spoke with Darrick from Puerto Rico and His supervisor Noel in Panama – after faxing, calling, checking in, begging, arguing, explaining – Visa still cannot resolve the card lock problem. Frank was blessed to have stuffed the last two pieces of pizza into his panier bags before riding out Friday morning. Visa (www.gift2go.net)– simply said, Visa's process....worthless. In fact, I fully expect nothing to be done now until someone gets back into the office next week, if at all.

Western Union to the rescue! Don't worry, Frank won't starve!

Back Wall update
Keeping a promise to two soldiers, Frank inked two more names on his memorial back wall. He is especially grateful to Danny Boy at Studio 51 in Pensacola for his fantastic work.

KY: will name enter shortly
ID: Damon LeGrande

Day 25: Visa Vent , Mobile Angels

Donate to Wounded Warrior Project online click here
In Arizona donate at any Jack Furriers Tire & Auto Care

Day 25: Mobile, AL

1,400 miles of riding, 13 pounds of lost weight, and one evening on the sidewalk, priceless, for everything else there’s……..

Frank left Tucson nearly a month ago with a little bit of cash and some visa gift cards. In the last couple days, Frank had been uneasy about running out of money (see unexpected expense days 1 thru 24), so a friend credited one of his cards and later verified the new higher balance with Visa – all was well again. Unfortunately, a computerized review matrix threw the card into fraud status and locked the card (which is understandable). However, it is a mystery that Visa the worlds largest processor who spends 400 million dollars advertising how convenient they are, has absolutely no process in place – nor any human being among 10,000+ employees who can resolve a security problem after 5 pm Eastern. Mind boggling! To complicate matters, Visa, has outsourced it’s primary point of customer contact to Panama, Puerto Rico and the four corners of the earth. The passive voice of Visa emanates from powerless cogs reading scripted messages halfway around the world. "I am very sorry, there is nothing that can be done"

1,400 miles from home, Frank was penniless and pondered his situation on a sidewalk in Mobile, Alabama. It is difficult to find a camping spot inside the city limits, so he just sat down on on the sidewalk and thought about the irony of the day and the miles away from the joy he felt just this morning. Frank remembered an envelope that his son had given him when they met the day before. “He told me to open it if I got discouraged.” The letter read “$40”. It was two $20 bills (Frank told me his son was a man of few words). The $40 was just exactly what Frank needed to get a room down the road. The desk clerk contributed the remaining $2.79 out of his own pocket giving Frank a place to rest and time to figure out how to get something to eat. Later on, another friend 4 states away called and had a pizza delivered to Frank.

Mobile Angels

Angel#1 - Mr.Dixon - you didn't have to stop. You pulled over today when you noticed Frank standing with his bike appearing to be lost. You provided help navigating the complicated map through Mobile, Alabama and reset Frank to his course.

It is this type of unprovoked kindness that Frank has found at so many points along the way. “They are out there, there are good people all over and I am being blessed as I encounter them.”

Stuck in Mobile

On Friday morning before leaving the Motel 6, Franked charted his course for the day and realized he would have to ride an extra 40 miles unless he could get through a tunnel which he found out prohibited foot or bicycle traffic. We spoke and decided a taxi through the tunnel was the best choice. Frank, instinctively had already spoken with the Motel 6 desk clerk earlier in the morning who refunded him $20 of the cash Frank had given them the night before. This was more than enough for a cab ride through the George Wallace Tunnel. Now all he needed was a driver.

Mobile Angel #2 Kyle. You are a good guy, Frank knows just how hard you are working to build a successful taxi business. I don't have all the details yet of your encounter with Frank other than we needed to recognize your all of your help and try to encourage others to seek you out in Mobile - so call Kyle (nnn) nnn-nnnn for a ride- he is one of the good guys!

note from ed: If you are unhappy with the way Visa handled this situation, tell them to donate to Wounded Warrior Project.

Day 24: Moving towards Florida

Donate to Wounded Warrior Project online click here
In Arizona donate at any Jack Furriers Tire & Auto Care

After the visit
I caught up to Frank this afternoon on his way toward Mobile, AL. He was feeling energized having seen his son who returned from Iraq just two days ago. The father and son spend just a few hours together before Frank continued on his journey. Frank was filled with gratitude for His son's service and safe return and again for all the soldiers he met just a week ago at the Warrior and Family Support Center at the Powless Guest House on Fort Sam Houston

Frank said “besides the day he was born, this was probably one of the finest days of my life, it was all the medicine I needed”

This was definitely the best part of his trip through Louisiana, and by tomorrow, Frank will have crossed into the pan handle of Florida, his seventh and final state of this nationwide odyssey. Frank is looking forward to riding alongside the Gulf, seeing, smelling and feeling the ocean before heading inland across the state toward Jacksonville.

The Back Wall
Last night Frank finished the seventh name of fifty that will be inked in forever on his back as a memorial to soldiers lost in recent years. Seven soldiers from seven states so far.

AZ: S Huff TX: M C Taylor NM: T L Gray LA: M A Kain
MS: J C Burge AL: J Foshee FL: T Padgett

p.s. if the artist who finished this last night has a photo - please email to averagefrank@gmail.com

Day 22: Ben's call & River Crossing

Donate to Wounded Warrior Project online click here
In Arizona donate at any Jack Furriers Tire & Auto Care

Today’s Ride: 75 miles and over Mississippi River
Temperature: 81 degrees

End: Baton Rouge, LA.

Ben's Call
Frank’s phone rang early this morning, it was Frank’s son Ben and he was calling his dad to let him know he was now back on American soil. There are no words to describe how a father must feel when he hears his son’s voice and knows he has returned safely home from war. It has been over 5 months since Frank’s son Ben was sent to Iraq and Frank has been anticipating seeing every minute since then. Over the past three weeks Frank has been inching his way East towards seeing his son. Now, over 1,200 miles from Arizona, Frank has just a single day's between Him and his son.

‘dat craw dad Boat
It was an old beat up pickup truck with an older flat bottom fishing boat hanging over the rear bumper. The driver leaned into the railing looking toward the river. “Going fishing?” Frank asked the weathered old man. “Naw, can't go, don' have 'da gas to get across 'dat bridge and back. The “bridge” crossed the Mississippi – where East meets West, but in this case – East was where Frank needed to be and Frank had been warned that crossing this bridge on a bicycle was dangerous. You remember Frank doesn’t get scared too easily (he did just spend the last two nights camped in swampland), but it looked dangerous enough for Frank to strike a deal with the gas poor fisherman. Within a few minutes, Frank was wedged into the back of the old pickup with his bike and the craw dad boat on there way East across the Mississippi. As they crossed the bridge, and this is no exaggeration, the truck ran out of gas and coasted to a stop in the gas station. Frank paid for the gas he promised to the fisherman to get him home again tonight.


Baton Rouge
Frank had made it safely into a less safe area of Baton Rouge and with a little navigational help from stranger at McDonalds, he made his way to a motel near Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport where he met the reporter from ABC Channel 2, it was a quick interview and Frank went to sit down. “I’m 45 and I’m tired” he told me after a 75+ mile ride today.

Hopefully, Frank has a room away from the airport runway side of the motel, He is a pretty light sleeper.

ABC Channel 2 News Baton Rouge

Day 21.5: Frank Calls In

Monday night
6 miles east of Eunice, LA near Hwy 190
Elevation 59 feet.
Next big city: Opelusas

Catching up from yesterday’s blog
You remember Frank started his trip into Louisiana by dancing across the state line, left foot Texas, right foot Lousiana, left, right, left, right, then he rode a little deeper into the swamp where he set camp under cloudy skies. Frank survived the first night and the only wild animal encounter was a frog that wound up in his tent. “it was kind of lonely out there, so I didn’t mind the company, I'll send you the picture”

Frank is camping out under the fog again tonight. His first choice was an RV park, but it seems the manager would not lower his standards and allow a tent camper into the RV’s – so he turned Frank out after 80+ miles of riding. Frank was pretty tired and disappointed. It was good news when Dwayne from Bargain Basement Bikes called to make a connection for Frank tomorrow with a cousin who would be meeting Frank somewhere near the Mississippi river.

One encouraging story
While Frank was stopped today, he met a father and daughter. Naturally they knew all about Frank’s journey after just a few minutes. As it turns out, the Father had just lost his job. Convinced by the cause, he pulled $8 from his pocket and handed it to Frank. “it’s not much, but I hope it helps”.

They are good people and they are from Louisiana.