Our PALM application was filled out and sent by my niece in SD. We knew it arrived on Jan 14 around 10:30 AM. PALM filled in one day this year, but we didn't know if we are in or not. What we know is that PALM is at smaller schools this year, this means less flexibility on how many riders, over the usual 750 riders, would be accepted. Last year anyone who had their application postmarked on the day after the apps were available was in, we weren't sure that was the situation this year. It's possible they could even look at the postmark times, to see who gets in.
Meanwhile, the Lord provided us with a driver for the camper. So grateful for this, it will make things so much easier. A fellow who we know through another friend is willing to pull the camper from school to school. Our trailer only sleeps 4, and we have 4 riders, so he will borrow our tent and one of our cots. We are splitting the cost of paying him with my niece.
The camper can't be at the next school before noon each day, and the drivers will go on a separate route from the riders. We plan to have Roger, our driver, have the trailer parked, and set up when we get in. Hopefully it won't be as hot as last year, but if it is, he can open the windows and run the fan to cool it down. We won't have any place to plug in, so not sure if we will use the fridge, it is not a 3 way, just electric. In looking at the riding route, I think there is at least 1 day that there will be no place to stop for lunch. We will have food with us, so we can pack our lunch that day. Also no concerns about packing up a wet tent, or getting flooded out, no gear to haul twice a day. Life will be easier, for sure.
Hopefully our son-in-law will help us get the bikes to Norton shores. Not sure yet, how we will get them back from Luna Pier. Our trailer has no place to put a bike holder and our trike wouldn't fit in one anyway. We will have our car there, so won't need to take the bus, but we may need to transport the bikes in the truck if no one is available to pick us up. The ride ends on a Friday, so it could be challenging to get someone to come and pick us up, plus it is clear on the other side of the state. If my Niece's hubby comes the last day or 2 he can bring the cargo trailer and pick us up, like he did last year, that worked out great. If we need to use the PALM truck to get our bikes back, we will have to pay the bus fee of $46.00 per person.
So many logistics to work out, but many months to do it.....if we get accepted on the tour.
I'm on my last week of keeping my foot elevated above my heart for 40 minutes of every hour, so lots of time to think about what needs to be done. We are in the grips of winter, with single digit temps predicted the next few days, and it may even get below zero. Some of the Plains states, already are at those frigid temperatures. Fortunately, the cloud cover from Lake Mi insulates us from the worst of bitter winter air, to some degree. Having lived in Bemidji MN, ND, SD, and IA, during my growing up years, I often tell Tony that MI folks don't even know what cold is. I remember many times when it might not get above zero for a week or 2. Some days were too cold for outside recess. We had some cold walks to the bus stop, and we weren't allowed to wear pants or jeans to school. In grade school we would wear pants under our dresses and take them off when we got to school. Of course no one did that in high school. Mini skirts might have looked cute, but did nothing to keep legs warm. What a price to pay for fashion. I'm far too practical to do that now.
An friend in WA that we know through an online biking forum, along with many others, is also hoping to ride PALM. Each year 200-300 riders don't make it, we are hoping that we will not be among them.
Yesterday our anticipation ended. We found out that all applications postmarked Jan 14, 2013 are accepted. Praise the Lord! With God's help, we will be riding PALM. We are very excited. Spring, please come soon, well as soon as my feet are ready to ride.
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