On Sunday morning we got a slow start from our rest area campsite just north of Delevan, NY. It should have been an early start, really, since I woke up at about 4:30 to the sounds of an incoming storm and insisted we get up and pack up the tent before the downpour. We loaded up all the gear and hit the road before 6 a.m., planning to take shelter at Burger King and use their free wi-fi. Unfortunately, they open at 7 on Sundays, so we spent time at the gas station next door until it got light out and we could guess what the weather would do. By the time we cooked and ate breakfast and packed up again, it was after 8 a.m. Plus, I started having some sniffles, which slowed me down as we rode. We made our way south, planning to be out of New York in about 45 miles.

We stopped to check directions in the small town of Belfast where there was an obvious after-church crowd gathered round a swing set. We talked to a couple who were there with their kids, and after they helped us get our route settled, they started asking questions about our trip. This led to them inviting us to stay at their house for the night.

This was a tricky situation for us. Our dilemma was that we had only been 25 miles at that point in the day, and our planned mileage was around 70. We stood at our bikes and debated, and were ready to say no, that we needed to move on and get some more distance. Then they mentioned that they were planning to head to the lake that afternoon for some fun. That pushed Dave over the edge. We decided to do it. I believe this was a critical moment in our trip… it was the first time we had to choose to sacrifice riding time for a divine appointment that God had put in front of us.

Hans & Joy, Dietrich & Hope with us before we took off Monday morning

Our time with the Hinterkopfs (Hans & Joy, Dietrich & Hope) was such a blessed time of refreshment for us. First of all, we learned so much from them and their nutritional whole foods lifestyle. We did our laundry with their homemade laundry soap, ate vegetables and spices fresh from their garden, and even had freshly butchered chicken for dinner! (See pictures below!) They are devoted followers of the GAPS lifestyle. We are certain the three meals we ate with them are the healthiest we’ve had yet in our travels! We enjoyed getting a tour of their family farm where they raise or grow most of the food they eat.

Dave helps pluck the chicken we ate for dinner

It was also a blessing for us to have fellowship with other believers for one restful afternoon. We knew when we made the decision to stay with them that we were going to be behind on our mileage (this puts us officially two days behind schedule), but we’re OK with that. Because this trip is not about mileage, or how far we get or how many cool sights we see along the way—this trip is about enjoying the people that we meet and learning from them and building relationships. We are so glad we did not miss this divine appointment!

A view from the Hinterkopfs' porch--beautiful!