Better late than never

I finally got some pictures from dad. Out of 500 pictures (yes, that's right...500), I had to pick and choose a few to post here. Some are a bit old, but they're better late than never, right?

This is Jack and Jane VanZytveld from Denver, CO. They are friends of mom and dad's when we lived in Denver and he stayed with them during his weekend stop there.Here is dad with his Uncle Henry and Aunt Anita Van Maanen and his neice, Jennie Feenstra, who all live in Iowa.

Only 5 more days to go!

Heading east

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to be at 5/3rd Ballpark for the celebration rally because of a sick child, but my two brothers and their families were able to attend. Here's dad with the rest of the family.

My brother, Dave, lives in Lansing so they got another chance to visit with him during his stay at Sleepy Hollow Park. Like I mentioned earlier, he can't pass up an ice cream opportunity. Here, he's enjoying some ice cream with his granddaughters (and Dave).

Nice tan lines, dad!

Only two more weeks to go. My mom is heading out to New York this week to visit family and see dad again next weekend. She's then going to pick him up in New Jersey. I can't believe we're reaching the end.

An Eastmanville welcome

On Saturday, the tour came through Eastmanville on their way to Grand Rapids. The Feenstra family set up a cheering squad in front of dad's sister, Jan Everman's, house. My cousin, Janet, sent me some pictures to post.

Here's dad with his parents, John and Joyce Feenstra

Dad's cousin, LaVonne Koedam, is the head cook for the Sea to Sea tour. She stopped to say hi to the family as well.

Dad and Clarence Doornbos (also from LaGrave).

This weekend, dad is resting up at home and getting ready for the final 2 weeks on the tour. Another bicyclist, Hans Van Dooyeweert, has also been staying at his house. I got a chance to talk with him a bit. It turns out he lives quite close to my brother/sister-in-law in the Vancouver area.

It was nice to see dad again and listen to his and Hans' stories and encounters on the road. He said it hasn't quite sunk in yet that he has just biked 3,000 miles. He has lost some weight, despite the fact that every picture I see of him in other biker's blogs, he's either standing in the food line or has a plate of food in his hand. :) I'm told by other bikers that he has not been able to pass an ice cream stand without stopping. Somehow, that doesn't surprise me.

I got some pictures from dad (500 of them to be exact). I still have to upload them and I'll post some of them as soon as I can. Stay tuned!

A little behind

Wow, I've been a little behind in updating dad's blog. Sorry about that. So far, dad's updates include that "everything's going fine." While he's starting to get a bit tired, he's still doing great and biking every mile. Yesterday in Woodstock, my cousins, Bonnie and Eric, surprised him with a visit and brought him one of his favorite food items - chocolate chips. She sent me a picture to prove he's still alive (and eating).

He received some more mail and care packages. A big thank you to all who sent him something! The next mail stop is in St. Catharines, ON and needs to be there by August 23.

This week they'll be arriving in Grand Rapids. It turns out the bike route goes less than 1/2 mile from his house in Allendale. We'll be along side the road cheering them all on. Some friends of ours, Jim Reiffer, Jason Reiffer, and Dave & Jenny Wenger, are joining the bike tour on Saturday for the day. We wish them the best! Hope you guys can keep up with them! (Just kidding).

Until next time...