Packed up and bikes loaded, we got an early morning start.
We drove to Cumberland MD which will be the end of our ride on the Great Allegheny Passage.
It is sooo hot. A “heat dome” is sitting over most of the country. We walked a few blocks to downtown and found a place for a cool drink. We sat only for a few minutes before going inside. 
We unloaded only what we would carry for the next week
and met our shuttle connection. Billie made sure the bikes were properly secured.
We were ready to roll … except the left side door wouldn’t close. Four guys from the bike shop tried to push it closed, but instead broke it completely. They got the other van out. An hour and 10 minutes later, we were finally on the road.
Checking into the hotel, our bikes went to the room with us:
We walked to a Mediterranean cafe called the Casbah for dinner.
Billie and I sang the chorus of “Rock the Casbah” by The Clash for Donna, but for some reason, she didn’t recognize the song. Our singing perhaps?
Getting ready for a bike riding adventure
The basement in Billie’s house could be a used bike shop. We were looking for gear I could use since I didn’t bring any and Billie and JD have lots of extra stuff.
There are 10 bicycle seats on the table. Lots of jerseys on the wall to the right. Many wheels on the floor. At the other end of the basement: bicycles not used any longer and onto the resale market soon. Need a bike anyone?
We’ll leave on our trip in a clean car.
A trip to the Cardinal Bicycles to pick up my Surly Troll – I was so lucky to get this bike because it was impossible to buy one anywhere. One of the guys at the bike shop wanted to sell his Surly Troll (his wife insisted he sell one bike in order to buy the next bike). My good fortune.
Donna is going with us. She came over last night for a tutorial on how to properly clean a bike – Billie’s an expert.
This morning, I rode the Roanoke River Greenway with JD. This was the first ride for the first volunteer Greenway Ambassador – JD. About 15 people were recently trained on how to do this job and received their identifying bright yellow vests.
Tomorrow we leave!
To Roanoke VA
Before going on vacation, some people have to figure out what do to with their pets, mail, etc. Me? Who’s going to agitate my Nocino? I strapped her in and took her to Thais’s house. 
My flight didn’t leave until the evening so I had all day to pack. I wanted to compare the before- and after-vacation looks of the annuals Justin recently planted, so I took a few pictures.
A butterfly was quite active, fluttering everywhere, challenging me to take a good closeup.
Justin took me to the airport.
I ate carefully all day so I could have dinner at the airport before leaving.
The original Squeeze Inn in downtown Sacramento only had about 10 seats at a counter. They were forced to find a new location to comply with the persons with disabilities act. It is a very good burger but it’s the cheese that makes it unique. 
Oh my! That was filling. And delicious!
RLEHS Sunday Social
Barbara Longo welcomed everyone to the July Sunday Social at the Dry Creek Ranch House.
The speaker was beekeeper Ernie Buda.
The Throwdown key ingredients were apricots (gathered from a tree on the DCRH property) and honey (donated by The Natomas Farm). The entries: in addition to my Honey Flakes and Apricot Breakfast Crisp, there were Apricot Thumbprint Cookies, Honey Apricot Cake, and Mini Honey Muffins.
Faithful Throwdown participants: Allie Brown and Catherine Green. I won … twice – 1st and 2nd place. 
It’s been a busy day and an action-packed week. Whew! I need a vacation!
Church on Sunday
We met in the Social Hall because brunch was served in the middle of the service.
Every Pre-K through 6th grader participated in the story from last Monday, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We had lots of lambs (and a little chaos) for this performance.
Everything went well. Even the mistakes and sparks of silliness were appreciated by the audience. This is the entire adult crew (except for the picture-taker) that made this year’s Vacation Bible School a huge success.
All day in the kitchen
While Justin spring-cleaned his garage,
I got ready for tomorrow.
Starting at the top going clockwise: Honey Flakes/RLEHS Throwdown, Apricot Breakfast Crisp/RLEHS Throwdown, Cucumber Salad/RLEHS potluck, Cheesy Sausage Egg Casserole/Calvary brunch.
Sophia and Avery
VBS was only 4 hours/day (although my mind was occupied with thoughts or preparations for many more hours), so there was still plenty of time to watch Sophia and Avery on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. Avery built a transformer Lego with wheels and wings. He demonstrated all its many functions.
Carson is now able to roll over! 
Sophia created this sign so you don’t have to lock the bathroom door. When you go in, just pull in the sign with you. It hangs outside when no one is inside. 
Barnyard Roundup – day 5
Jesus Appears to Mary in the Garden. Mary discovered the rock no longer covered the entrance to the tomb.
Mary went to tell John the Apostle and Simon Peter. John arrived at the tomb first,
looked in and saw the cloths that wrapped Jesus’ body but didn’t go inside.
Simon Peter arrived,
went inside the tomb and found the folded cloth that covered Jesus’ face.
When Mary went inside the tomb, she saw two angels who spoke to her.
Mary spoke to a man she thought was the gardener until he spoke her name, then she knew He is risen!
This week was so busy and a lot of work, but turned out quite well. I heard later that one of the youngest children who participated acted out this story with her Barbie’s at home in the evening. Cool!
Barnyard Roundup – day 4
Yesterday’s story was Jesus Tells about a Sower. We sowed seeds in a path where people walked but birds ate the seed, rocky ground (rocks laying on a dark brown towel), ground that also grew vines, and finally good soil. Managing all the birds, seeds, vines, and plants must have been overwhelming – I took no pictures.
Today’s story was Jesus Tells about a Lost Son. Note: two boys wanted to be the wayward son, so we had two sons. Here the father is giving his sons money to go out into the world:
The sons spent the money foolishly including buying pizza and soda for two party girls:
The sons are hungry and desperate and find work on a farm. One son took care of the pigs while the other intently raked the green grass.
The father welcomes home his lost son:
A few pictures from the other groups I worked with:
Thinking about eating the pig food:
The older brother was unhappy as the father greeted the son:
Isabella and the horse became immediate and fast friends. She named him Hot Cocoa and gave him a hug before she left each day.
As a little break from storytelling/acting, we used the props from the party scene to take group photos.
Lunch served by the lunch crew. Deena Nickel (at right taking a picture) organized Vacation Bible School this year.
Barnyard Roundup – day 2
Tu – Day 2: Jesus feeds 5000 people. 
The miracle produced small cups of goldfish crackers and wheat thins (bread) for snacking. Then everyone took different parts, we did the 15-minute skit again, and we had a little snack. Repeat.
From Psalm 23: He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters.
arletelouise 