8/21/08 The Rolling Buffet and Welcome Mat

Today we woke up at 5:50am to start the day. We packed up our gear and enjoyed breakfast of eggs and ham along with toast. We headed out for our 75 mile venture. It was a bit brisk in the morning, so we started out in jackets. We rode with Stephanie Webb from Hamilton again, as well as John from Holland and Suzie Wiegers from New Jersey. About 50 miles in we stopped for lunch at Hope CRC for a huge feeding including roast beef sandwiches, salad, fruit, and an assortment of other great things. This was in Mount Brydges, Ontario. The people were very kind and enthusiastic about us coming through. We thne headed off after lunch with a group of about 8 riders. We were really moving, going between 22-25 mph. for about 10 miles. It must have been the great roast beef that got us all fired up.
We arrived into the city of London to again be met by fan fare from the local people. Again the Canadians rolled out the welcome mat. We are being hosted at London Christian School. They are providing us with camping space, showers, dinner, and internet access. They also had a list of families that would allow us to use their homes for laundry. We decided to choose the one with a pool and a hottub. They were wonderful. Their pool had only been in for a week and half, and they were already sharing it with complete strangers.
Tommorrow we head off to the Hamilton area. Our Canadian friends are already warning us that the hospitality will be escalating. I am not sure how much higher it can go, but we are being blessed through their giving hearts.
We also got a "text page" from the girls. They will be going to Seabreeze amusement park with the Astifans on Friday. They too are experiencing the blessing of others.