Posts tagged ‘mailbag monday’

Mar 12

3 Comments

Mailbag Monday #14

Today_we_continue our Mailbag Monday series…

We’ve had a ton of fun chatting with our pen pals, and here is the final letter, unless we get more…

Dear Nathan,

My name is Shane. I like video games. What do you like to eat?

Your friend,

Shane

Rainy climbs in Ecuador

Hello Shane,

I’ve been known to play video games every once and a while. My brothers and have been on a pretty significant drought, although I did beat the Angry Birds game on my brothers iPhone. I was thinking about hanging up video games since I hit the pinnacle of my career, but I figure I should keep my skills sharp in case something more difficult comes along.

Lately, the bakeries in South America sell pineapple pastries that are impossible to resist. If there was one type of food that I miss currently, I would have to say a good sandwich. It has been several months of tacos, rice, and now chicken. It’s going to be an adjustment to come home to a kitchen with all the fixings. The simplicity of this trip has been an eye-opening experience; I won’t soon forget the convenience of a permanent home.

Thanks for writing!

Nathan

Feb 27

2 Comments

Mailbag Monday #13

Today_we_continue our Mailbag Monday series…

Dear David,

How is your trip? I love to ride bike. I take piano lessons. I am realy good at my Chrimas songs. How many miles do you ride every day? I am in the 3rd grade in the Hazelton School in North Dakota. I have a farm. I have kittens at my farm. They are about 6 weeks old. What kinds of things do you like? What is the state you are in now?

From,

Summer

Tunnel silhouettes near Quito

Dear Summer,

Our trip is going very well. Ecuador is wonderful. The people are very kind and the views are spectacular – we are beginning to see snow-capped peaks again! It’s great that you enjoy riding your bike. It is something you can enjoy for many years to come. Piano is a wonderful instrument to learn. I took lessons for a few years but took up other instruments as a I grew older. On average, we ride about 120 kilometers, or 70 miles, a day. It varies depending on the terrain and our overall health.

My family has a farm, too! In addition to many kittens, we also have horses, cows, and dogs. I like many things. I have always enjoyed playing sports, namely soccer and basketball. I also enjoy camping and exploring. Last summer, I went backpacking in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming with three friends. Photography, reading, music, and serving others are a few other interests I really enjoy. Currently, we are in the Cotopaxi province of Ecuador. Its area surrounds Cotopaxi, an enormous volcano that soars close to 20,000 feet above sea level. Thanks for your letter!

Sincerely,

David

Feb 20

3 Comments

Mailbag Monday #12

Today_we_continue our Mailbag Monday series…

Dear Nathan,

How are you doing? I’m doing great in school. Do you ever feel like you are in danger? How the scenery? Are they cool awesome? How long are you going in miles? It will be great if you can answer the questions but if you can’t, it’s ok.

Sincerely,

Matthew

Hey Matthew,

I’m doing great! We just started the South American portion of our journey and the mountains are already kicking our butts. Each of the last four or five days we’ve had to climb a mountain, or a series of them. It has been a ton of work. Each day we tackle several four to six hour climbs on terrain that varies between gravel and a mixture of rocks and mud. I’m glad you are having a good time in school, I have many silly memories from school. On warm days in wintertime we would try to make super-snowmen. Typically recess would end with massive snowballs that no one was capable of lifting.

To have an adventure atop a bicycle saddle comes with much danger. Some days, we travel on the shoulders of busy highways. Couple that with threats of bears and bandits, and there is plenty to make a person concerned. We do our best to be safe on the roads and use good judgement, and pray that others look out for us in the same way. It’s hard to worry about it when we find ourselves in the middle of such beauty. The Andes of South America have made my jaw drop on several occasions. The trip will end up at around sixteen thousand miles which sounds massive, but it’s amazing to think we are already over half done.

Thanks for writing Matthew!

Nathan

Feb 6

2 Comments

Mailbag Monday #11

Today_we_continue our Mailbag Monday series…

Dear David,

Hi. My name is Kristi. I like that you are trying to raise money to build homes for the poor. It is very kind to help others. Ms. Stoltz is my teacher. She told us about you. I hope you have a safe trip. Thank you for helping others.

Sincerely,

Kristi

Black and white image of Lago de Atitlán

Dear Kristi,

It’s wonderful to hear from you. You are absolutely right about helping others. Leading a virtuous life through service and leadership is incredibly important. Before this trip, I learned much about myself and how to best help others during my involvement in various high school activities. Students Today Leaders Forever and Fill the Dome were two of these, and are two great examples of how students can become engaged in servant leadership.

I encourage you to find ways to lead and serve throughout your life. You will grow and prosper as an individual, student, and citizen. I know I have.

Thanks for your letter!

Sincerely,

David

Jan 30

7 Comments

Mailbag Monday #10

Today_we_continue our Mailbag Monday series…

Dear Isaiah,

How are you doing? is it fun working with your brothers? How long have you been doing this? My name is Marissa im in 3rd grade my favriote color is pink.

Sincerely,

Obviously, only amateur cyclists are prohibited from this highway stretch.

Dear Marissa,

I’m doing very well, thank you! Doing this with my brothers is quite amazing to tell you the truth; it isn’t always easy and fun, but there is nobody else I would rather have with me on this adventure. We’re outside the border between Mexico and Guatemala right now, which is very exciting because it seems like just yesterday we entered Mexico from San Diego, California. This journey is going by very fast, that is for sure; we left from Alaska on our bicycles on August 11th, 2011. Five and a half months later, here we are! We have some big plans in the works; next week we will fly to Colombia to continue our journey on the South American continent. We will finish at the southern tip of Argentina in the city of Ushuaia at the end of May. I may have written this before, but the Argentinian flag is blue and white, and blue happens to be my favorite color (with green a close second)! Enjoy the rest of your 3rd grade year, Marissa! My 3rd grade teacher was Mrs. Jamsa, and I have always thought she was pretty awesome. I kind of miss 3rd grade, especially recess.

Sincerely,

Isaiah

Jan 23

6 Comments

Mailbag Monday #9

Today_we_continue our Mailbag Monday series…

Dear Nathan,

I’m Tara. I live on a farm. I love, love, love to ride horse. Do you like to ride bike? I sort of like to ride bike. Do you live on a farm?

Sincerely,

Tara

Roadside spectators

Hey Tara,

I had the privilege of growing up on a farm and have learned and seen so many things I wouldn’t have even dreamed of growing up in a different setting. The only pain was that it was difficult to get to town to hang with the city kids, so I had to play with my brothers and sister. My family grows a wide variety of crops including wheat, barley, and sunflowers. We’ve also had beef cattle over the years, which have lead to some pretty interesting school nights. We plan on having the cattle give birth to calves starting in February so it won’t conflict with farming in the summer. The majority of the cows tend to give birth during the day, but occasionally there are a few who miss the memo and wait till well after midnight to get to work. Since it is so cold about this time, as you probably know, we have to bring the calves in to dry them off and make sure they get their first drink of milk. It’s crucial for their immune systems to be fed within hours of being born. We usually bring the calves into the barn in a sleigh that we pull by hand, although I bet we could use our horses if we really needed an extra hand, or hoof.

I enjoyed riding horse when I was back home as a kid and still ride when I get the chance. Occasionally I’ll have friends and family come out to the farm to try to tame our feisty beasts. There is a mutual satisfaction between the rider and the horse. The rider gets a ride and the horse its oats. Riding a bike and riding a horse are two completely different thrills, and I love them both. Stick with the bike and you never know where you might end up, and it won’t need any oats either.

Sincerely,

Nathan

Jan 16

3 Comments

Mailbag Monday #8

Today_we_continue our Mailbag Monday series…

Dear Isaiah,

My name is Halley I just love to ride bike. Wat are you doing this for? Probly for something good. Wat is your faveret food? Wat’s your favert coler? Do you like to ride bike? Do you get exhausted? I get exhausted sumtimes when i ride bike around the block.

Your frend,

Halley

Greetings on a cobblestone road in Mexico

Dear Halley,

I am so glad to hear that you love riding your bicycle. I hope you love bicycles for the rest of your life; I know I will! My brothers and I are riding our bicycles to Argentina on behalf of Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. We want to build a home for a needy family. I think that’s something good, and I hope you agree.

My favorite color is blue (though green is a close second) and I like riding bike a lot. I would be crazy to do this if I didn’t. Sometimes I get tired, but I’ve got my brothers with me so I can always push through. When I was your age I remember riding a bicycle around a 10-mile loop at Itasca State Park in Minnesota with my family. It is hard to imagine it now, but at the time I felt superhuman for completing that ride. Keep pushing your limits, Halley, and you will amaze yourself someday.

Your friend,

Isaiah

Jan 9

3 Comments

Mailbag Monday #7

Today_we_continue our Mailbag Monday series…

Dear David,

Hi my name is Delons. I am 10 years old and I in 4th grade. I was wondering do you ever get tired. Do you ever miss home? Are you excited to go to new places?

Sincerely,

Delons

Pyramids behind, looking out over Lake Patzcuaro with our host, Bruno

Dear Delons,

Great to hear from you! I do get tired. We all do. Abundant food and rest usually rejuvenates my energy store and alleviates my sore muscles. Sometimes that isn’t enough, however. I recently became afflicted with some food poisoning (prime suspect: beef tacos from a few days) and it takes much more rest and some medicine to feel well again.

I do miss home and times like this cause me to miss home the most; a comfy bed and a mother’s love always seem to be the best remedy when fighting illness. While home and a North Dakota summer often occupy my mind, I always look forward to what is ahead. Here in Mexico, we have met incredible people and families, seen volcanoes, pyramids, and butterfly sanctuaries, and experienced an entirely new culture. No matter how nauseous I feel, my appetite and thirst for the road ahead is always perked when I think about lies ahead.

Thanks for your message! We are currently staying with a family in Valle de Bravo. By tomorrow, I should be well and ready to hit the road!

Sincerely,

David

Dec 26

4 Comments

Mailbag Monday #6

Today_we_continue our Mailbag Monday series…

Dear Nathan,

How are you? I am good. I have a walking brace on. I had an infection. Will you send back? I hope so! I love dogs! What is your favorite animal? I like all animals. Are you having fun? I hope you are! Do you ride 100 miles a day? Well, I can walk 1/2 mile already. That is to my mailbox and back! Well, have a safe trip!

Your friend,

Elle

Mountains on the mainland

Dear Elle,

I’m doing pretty well, just had a hard day biking mostly up hill yesterday and my legs are a little stiff. My brother had to wear a walking brace for a while after he hurt his back in a soccer injury. Glad to hear that you don’t mind having a brace on for the time being. We have two dogs back home that I miss from time to time, and I don’t dare strapping a dog to my bike rack to replace them.

I’m having an amazing journey so far, but I wouldn’t mind some cooler weather. Some of the long mountain climbs in the Mexican heat can get to you. The other day we had a climb that went on for thirty or forty minutes in the sun. We haven’t done a hundred mile day since we were in the states. We tend to average around 75 miles a day, the effort varies with the terrain. That’s a long walk to the mailbox! I bet you bring your dog on those adventures. Thanks for the letter!

Your friend,

Nathan

Dec 19

8 Comments

Mailbag Monday #5

Today_we_continue our Mailbag Monday series…

Dear David,

How are you doing? Do you like riding so far? my name is Gavin. I like to drive 4 wheeler. It’s awesome! I like to drive fast on the 4 wheeler. Where do you live?

Sincerely,

Gavin

Pasture fences forced us to camp under this highway bridge near El Cien north of La Paz.

Dear Gavin,

I am doing very well. After a 14 hour ferry ride across the Sea of Cortez, we are on mainland Mexico in the city of Mazatlan. We left La Paz on a massive cargo ship. Hundreds of people, along with their vehicles (a majority of which were loaded semi trucks) rode with us. Accommodations were limited, so many people slept on the open deck. Aside from the fact that we pitched our tent near the railing on the port side of the ship, it was an ordinary night for us (except when the wind and waves would rock the boat!). Many were envious of our accommodations, which rarely happens!

I like to drive 4 wheeler, too! Sometimes I wish my bike had a motor and throttle. Descending hills and catching a tail wind are exhilarating. They often fulfill my need for speed, too! Before leaving on this trip, I lived at home where I grew up outside of Starkweather, ND. Now, I live as a nomad on the road. Most nights are spent in our tent off the road in pastureland or local’s yards, and some are spent in homes when we are invited. After countless nights in a tent on a small air mattress, I will always be thankful for the comforts of a bed in the shelter of a home. Thank you for your letter, Gavin and have a wonderful Christmas!

Sincerely,

David Berg