Day Three (108 miles, 324 so far)

The Chicago skyline in the background as we followed the Lake Shore Trail

Today took us from Valpo through the  University of Chicago and all the way to my dad's good friend John Syverson's house. Unfortunately, like yesterday, today was no walk in the park. Three centuries in three days has been something of a challenge, and today has been about as difficult as one might expect three consecutive centuries to be, but the support of all you followers has been unbelievable. I've seen so many of your prayers and encouragement on Facebook and my blog, and it helps me so much. 

We made it within five miles of our final destination tonight and I just had nothing left, couldn't push the last five miles. We called the Syversons who very kindly came to pick us up, and brought us to their lovely home. At the moment we are sitting around the dining room table eating garlic bread at midnight, but dad and I intend to head back to the place we had to call it quits tonight and begin again, so we shan't skip out on any mileage! 

Now I know it's a short post tonight, but I have to get some sleep.

Thank you so much for all you do, 

Bethany

PS - Yellow Car: Dad 40 (+1 tiebreaker), Bethany 38 (+3) I'm totally closing the gap! 

PPS - This is Dan, Bethany's Dad. Bethany was exhausted and has turned in for the evening, but she asked me to add a photo, so I did, but as we wait for her to apply her unique voice to today's adventures when she has a bit more time, I want to share a moment from today that she probably won't tell:

Tonight as we approached 10 pm, in complete darkness with one surviving headlight between us, I suggested that we should take John up on the offer of a rescue. Although she was in significant physical pain, Bethany choked back tears and said, "I just don't want to ruin Bethanywhere."

At first I couldn't understand, but I believe that Bethany is making this story as a gift -- to other kids trying to overcome their own difficulties, to her family and her friends. She's writing it for you and she wants it to be authentic, so to give in, even a little, cost her something. She insists that we start tomorrow exactly where we left off, so she'll be pedaling every last inch of the journey, not for the sake of the miles, but for the sake of the story.

My Dad (Bethany's Grandpa) posted a couple of lines from a song from Man of La Mancha this morning, "To try when your arms are too weary, to reach the unreachable star." I'm certain that Bethany will keep trying, and reaching: Her impossible dream is bigger than the miles she's riding; it's the story she's writing.