Reality: in a budget motel room getting @rob.lea rehydrated while applying ointment to some painful saddle sores from a lot of miles on the bike this week. There are many different ways you can express your love. But you don’t want to see that ugly truth so I leave you with this lovely photo taken by @thehearnes. #climbforequality #triforequality
What I love about being on a bike is that when you’re riding, it’s the only thing you’re doing. You can’t be scrolling. You have to keep your eyes on the road and do one task only. I love the singular focus of it. Today was a better day. We stayed at the cutest B and B, Ruby Creek Lodge, in Cusick , WA. It was decorated with ducks and birds and reminded me of my childhood. The owners, two women from Minnesota, were so kind and made us the best huckleberry French toast for breakfast. When we told them about the plan for the day, they offered to drive our car to the next town so I could do a 40 mile ride with @rob.lea instead of the 10-15 mile out and backs rides I’ve been doing so I can get back to the car and drive it to the next spot. Rob has made it to Idaho and completed almost 500 miles in 6 days with a lot of climbing! I’ve rode almost 200 miles! We loved our trip through Washington but we are excited to cross state lines and enter Idaho. I only have a few more days and I’m already dreading saying goodbye. #climbforequality #triforequality
Happy National Wildlife Day! Today is a day we focus on endangered species, preservation and conservation efforts around the world. •It’s easy to focus on the bigger animals, but let’s not forget the important insects – the pollinators. Without pollinators, like butterflies and bees, a lot of our favorite foods would cease to exist, as pollinators spread pollen from one flower to another, fertilizing the plants. Working with @gaiaherbs, I’m stoked by their commitment to protecting them and growing 100% organic as one of the biggest threats to pollinators is the use of pesticides. So today, to celebrate #nationalwildlife day, go on a wildlife walk and take time to appreciate the insects, especially the pollinators. •#sponsored #gaiaherbspartner #gaiaherbs #protectthepollinators #pollinators #nationalwildlifeday #connectingplantsandpeople
It’s been a bit of a challenging day. The long few first days have caught up with Rob and he is exhausted. We are both beginning to realize how long and difficult his ride across the USA will be. I think are also feeling some cumulative fatigue from the events of the last year. I have a few more days with him then I’m heading back to Utah, then onto Washington DC to do some climate lobbying with @protectourwinters (I am so excited!). I feel guilty leaving Rob, but that was always the plan. What we’ve learned about love is that you can’t abandon yourself in the relationship. As brutal as it sounds to leave him on the side of the road, it would be equally brutal for me to give up an opportunity that means so much. True love is honoring yourself and each other, setting boundaries and figuring out compromises that work. Originally, when I was going to leave, Rob was going to go on self supported, hence the reason he has the bags on his bike. But he is quickly realizing that if he wants to stick to any semblance of his time plan, he will need a support vehicle. His mom graciously offered to come up and take over for a chunk of time until I can come rejoin him. I’m glad we found a solution and I hope he can recover from the first five days! He’s got a lot of miles ahead. Let’s continue giving him support and encouragement. Photo: a moment of celebrating partnership on the Devil’s Castle traverse in winter captured by @acpictures
The hardest part about crewing on the start of this adventure is worrying about @rob.lea on the road when I’m not with him. I worry that I’ll come around a corner to a scene of a few cars and him splattered across the pavement, or he will go over a guardrail into oblivion. I fear that this part of his Ultimate World Triathlon is the most dangerous. He almost took a bad spill over a guardrail this morning, somehow pulled it together but his ankle hit the guard rail hard. And later, he almost got taken out by a truck with trailer. What helps me deal with my fear is thinking about when my mom officiated our wedding. She shared a quote that she loves about parenting: "There are two lasting things we give our children. One is roots and the other is wings."It’s the same with your significant other. I can give him the support, the “roots” each day I’m here with food, water and love and then, I trust him to fly with those wings. #climbforequality #triforequality Photo: a moment of playing tourist today at the Diablo Lake overlook in the North Cascades.