I'm leaving on a jet plane...

From a week of biking now to the air I go. Just got on the plane getting ready to head to El Salvador for a Fuller Center Global Builders trip. Looking forward to the week of building, fellowship, and helping a family in need!

60 miles and feeling good!

Today was a nice flat ride. At the beginning I was a little worried about keepin up and for the first 20 I kept up with the group averaging 16.5 miles per hours. The second 20 was going good until I was pulling the group and the wind started to increase. I decided to back it down a little and fell back into a lower pace. Later in the morning I began to hear some noises in my front wheel and figured I loosen a spoke. The last 8 miles was hard and my legs really were feeling the pain from the long fast miles earlier in the day but I was determined to finish strong and kept going. Once I made it in my spoke made the final pop and Allen help fix it. It is a temporary fix and tomorrow I will try to find a bicycle shop to get it all fixed up. Tomorrow we are heading into GA and will be another nice short ride at only 57 miles. I'm liking these shorter days. Well it's bed time so to bed I go. Goodnight and until we meet again God bless.

Ready or not...

The weeks have quickly past and yesterday I arrived in Charleston, SC greeted by some great old friends and many more new ones. Today was an off day so we spent the morning relaxing, attending church, and exploring the town. Tomorrow is my first ride day of the 2012 FCBA and I am really excited to get on the road. Each day is a new day on the road but it's so much more. Getting out biking and riding for families in so much need. This last year I have gotten to travel to some of the poorest places in the world and see first hand families living in conditions I would never wish upon anyone. My trip to Peru was one of the hardest and the families really touched my heart. That is why for this year I am riding to raise money for two families. Families which daily face challenges to find food, to provide a roof over there head, or even clean water to drink. So each mile I will think about those families, their suffering and the daily trials they face. So join me this week and help me help families have a simple, decent and affordable place to call home.

Back to the Bike...

After two year "Where in the World is Hailey" is BACK for the 2012 Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure! 

Can't you see the excitement in my face! 

Come join me on the journey and check back to learn more about my upcoming adventures! 

Shoshone National Forest

Our first day back we rode through Shoshone National Forest on the way to Jackson, WY.

On the way up the mountain the road was closed so we had to take the pilot car up the mountain. Here is Sarah in the back of the pick-up truck.

 At the top of the mountain there was this most AMAZING lake with a perfect view. It totally seemed unreal.

After the lake we saw the best sign of the trip. A 6% down grade for 17 miles!!!

At the bottom we came out to the valley. Here is a view of the Tetons! The next day we climbed these! That's right.

Chadron Clean-up

While waiting for the bus trip to St. Louis we stayed in Chadron, NE. We were hit with a tornado so we decided to help the town out and clean up the community. All 29 of us set out and helped about 30 homeowners across the town. It was an amazing experience and I know Paige would of loved it.

South Dakota

So I have finally been able to upload some photos. Here is the beautiful South Dakota landscape. This photo was taken shortly before the accident. The peacefulness of this photo reminds me of the good times we had in South Dakota.

Tetons baby

Bike & Build has been truly amazing. The other day we passed over the great Tetons. I have never seen them before but it was something I will never forget. Once we get Internet other then phone service I will post some pictures. Thanks again for everything. Your support really makes this possible.

Road Trip For Paige

Yesterday we began our road trip to St. Louis to pay honor to Paige and her family. Last night we stopped in Lincoln our half way mark to rest up for the other half of our journey today. My parents blessed us with warm meals, clean towels, and most of all a home to rest our weary bodies. Just north of their home is a park and we were able to strenght our legs and play frisbee. For me of course it was great to be with both my family and Bike & Build family together. Today we will continue to St. Louis for the viewing and memorial tomorrow. I am very greatful for everyone who has made it possible for the P2S10 family to travel all the way to St. Louis. We are truley blessed because of it. I know these next couple of days will be hard and seeing Paige again will bring back memories of the accident. But together we will make it through.

To the one and only...

Paige Hicks 

(Fearless Leader)

The one and only Paige. I will forever miss you!

-Keep on Keepin on

Riding in the Wheat Field!!

Welcome To South Dakota

Wake-Up

With a 4:00 a.m. wake-up we are able to begin our ride with a beautiful sunrise. This totally makes it worth it.

On the search for the Lost Nation

On our way through Iowa we kept finding signs for a town called 'Lost Nation.' Over and over again we wondered if we would ever find it. As well as if it is lost why does it has a distance. We have a good time joking around so once we came to this booming town we had to take a photo.

This day I was sweeping with Brittney. Shortly after this photo we took a rest stop at a gas station. Which for any other person would be a good experience. However with me I always choose the worst places. At first instance it looked like a nice place. Then after coming out I smelled like poo. After searching around for awhile I found poo all over me. It was so bad I wanted to cry but I kept it together, cleaned myself up, and continued traveling. It ended up that I placed my camel back in poo on the ground and then when I put my bag on it got all over me. Let just say I was thankful for the showers at the end of the day. Even if it was freezing cold.

Open Road...

On the trip we have been blessed with many open roads. This is a common sight as we went across the mid-west. Now in South Dakota the landscape is changing and the fields of wheat are increasing by the day. It's amazing to see God's creation as we travel from sea to sea.

Mohawks

So in Bike & Build we have a lot of time to think and sometimes do crazy things. Lately the guys one by one have been appearing with Mohawks. Here is Hassan and Sam showing off the official haircut of P2S10. I think at the last count we had I believe 6 men supporting the new look. These photos are for all the mothers out there wondering what there sons are up to. Don't worry they are all sweethearts and they take care of us ladies.

Requests!

So the trip is coming along and of course I have lots of stories to share. I want this blog to be more interactive so I am asking for requests. Is there a picture you would like to see? Are you wanting more photos or stories? Let me know and I will provide the best of my ability. Also make sure to send along encouragement. On our trip we have an encouragement box and it always makes my day when I get one. So make sure to post a comment on this entry.

South Dakota Here We Come!

I'm learning more and more about why Nebraskans don't like Iowa. I always told people it was because of their speed limit and taking forever to get across. But now I am learning about the fields of endless corn, the gravel roads, and the countless hills. Wait, I forgot about the heat. Never the more I do have to say it reminds me more and more of Nebraska and the miles of openness.  Yesterday as we were riding 100+ miles another rider made a comment about the greenness of everything. We had the beautiful blue skys with the green field covered hills and the random trees throughout the landscape in front of us. It was a peaceful moment as the pain of miles and heat kicked in. I'm sad to see Iowa go but I am looking forward to what South Dakota has to offer. It seems like yesterday we began our journey and it is in South Dakota we hit our half way mark. Now when we tell people where we came from we get crazy looks. Before it was more of where we were going. So ready or not here we come South Dakota.

Iowa where the corn never ends.

So growing up in Nebraska I have seen my share of corn fields. But I am finding out that Iowa by far has more then I ever thought. I guess that is why Iowa is like the number one corn producer in the United States. So far we have seen corn, corn, and some more corn. I do have to say that it is quite beautiful and I am loving it. Today I was in the van driving. It was somewhat of a crazy day with a detour half way through the day making it over 100 miles. Then right after the first group arrived we heard the rain coming. Now that is crazy. Within seconds the rain was pouring and everyone there jumped into the van. We thought the storm would pass over quickly but it hang around more of the afternoon. It would come and go but overall it poured the whole afternoon making for a very cold and wet afternoon. Once people started arriving at the host we welcomed them with towels and hot chocolate to warm them up. I don't remember which host gave us hot chocolate but today it was a life saver and I want to thank you for that!!!!!! Well tomorrow is a short day and I am so ready for bed so I am calling it an early night. Hope all is well where ever you are and I send blessings your way.

Pontiac, IL News

Today on the way into Pontiac, IL we were meet with the news. They took this amazing photo of the group at our lunch stop, which was under the only tree in the area. I was driving but was also able to get into the photo. As a leader we drive every fourth day so we are able to get our gear from location to location. It's been interesting learning how to drive a trailer around and I will have many funny stories to share with you some day. Once we arrived into Pontiac we went to a local diner and had some amazing food. Olivia and I then went for a little walk around town to pick up some local information. On the way there we saw a radio station and decided we needed to see if we could get a spot on the air. Within minutes we were back in the studio talking about the trip. I couldn't believe how nice everyone was and how opened they were to helping in any way. Tomorrow is our day off here and many people are finding ways to get to Chicago. I'm just going to hang out around town, get some good rest, and maybe cook some Chinese food.  Just depends on what I can find.