Videos From The Trip

On Their Way Home

They left Yuma, AZ around 8:00 this morning to head back north! They are planning to ride to Phoenix, Flagstaff, St. George, Boise, Lewiston. When Ken called around 8:40 a.m., it was already 96 degrees F and Yuma was forecast to have 108 today. They are glad to be leaving.
12:20 Ken called - of course, I was away from my desk, but wanted to update everyone that it was 106 degrees F and they are on the north side of Phoenix heading for Flagstaff. I hope it cools down for them as they climb up into the mountains! I will add entries as I can and we'll upload any photos after he gets home (he's hoping at least by Friday).
8:00 p.m. Ken & Father Caleb have stopped for the night in St. George, UT. They rode the north ridge of the Grand Canyon and while they ran into a bit of weather, they had a little bit cooler day at least while in the mountains. It is only 86 degrees F currently in St. George so hopefully it will cool down even more this evening. Not sure if I'll get any photos tonight but we'll get more posted this weekend for sure.

Pictures from the Trip....Enjoy

First, here is the URL for the 2nd video that Ken's partner in crime put together this afternoon It's pretty cool - make sure to like it on YouTube.

Now, without further adieu, here are the photos that Ken took on their trip:

 

THEY MADE IT!!

2:40 p.m. Ken Ellis and Father Caleb Vogel have crossed into Mexico with over 2 hours to spare!! Congratulations to them both. It is 103 degrees right now and they are going to find the first hotel with wifi and air conditioning. I am so proud of them and happy that they MADE IT - no worse for the wear!!
3:00 p.m. And they are back on U.S. soil!!

Day #2 - Afternoon

1:25 p.m. They stopped for fuel in Blythe, CA and am assuming a bite to eat since they have been there for a lot longer than normal for a fuel stop (unless Ken forgot his cell phone there!). I have not had any contact with them this afternoon but they are just 90 miles from Yuma (and the border crossing is just right there). I will keep you apprised as they get ever closer to their amazing goal! It is currently 97 degrees F in Blythe, CA and 98 degrees F in Yuma, AZ so they better be hydrating like crazy and if Ken isn't using his chiller vest today I will be very upset with him.
1:35 p.m. Called Ken and they were just heading out of Blythe. The GPS is taking them on a CA-78 to Ogliby Road and then hooking up with I-8. I wanted them to take 95 the rest of the way. I will let you know as soon as I know when they arrive in Yuma. I'm sure they will be fine as the GPS has been routing them around road construction and other "hazards" all day. I have faith in God and I am asking him to guide them - the GPS is just an electronic device! Keep the prayers coming for just a little over an hour longer! Thanks for all the support, faith, and prayers.

Day #2 - Another Early Start

5:09 a.m. When I woke up just before 5:00, the guys were already on the road. After spending the night in an "old" place with no wifi (Ken had said he would upload the videos he took yesterday) but it did have AC and beds - which, I am assuming was their biggest criteria for a room! No pictures/videos today; however, hopefully I will get some tonight and get them embedded here.
As for today, they are once again heading south and should be in Las Vegas within a few hours (does Vegas have a rush hour?). They should hit the Mexican border in plenty of time to make their 5:15 p.m. deadline today. More as it comes in - praying for nice weather for today.
6:45 a.m. Ken sent a text simply saying they were just over 100 miles from Vegas. Less than 2 hours (probably a little over an hour) and they will be arriving in "sin city". LOL....they will probably get fuel and be on their merry way!! More as I get it. Have a great day.
7:15 As of right now, 10 hours and counting!
9:15 a.m. Ken called from North Vegas and I talked to him as they started through town. They have less than 300 miles to (294 from Vegas toYuma) and 8 hours to drive it. No worries there. We are having a few issues current sending and receiving texts from one another - as he sent me a photo of their breakfast spot (my fav Dunkin' Donuts!!) which I have yet to receive and the text message I sent with the gas stops and other information won't send (or so it says!). Isn't the electronic age just amazing!? They will be using State Hwy 95 from just outside of Henderson all the way. And they only ran into rain once this morning and it wasn't bad but Ken said he could tell that they have had a ton of rain recently! Can we say flash floods!? Thanks for the prayers - they are helping. Until the next update.
11:00 a.m. They have arrived in Needles, CA and will stop to get fuel and hopefully drink lots of water. 184 miles to go and 6 hours to do it in. Woohoo! They are going to make it!! I never had any doubt! Did you?

Evening Details

6:05 p.m. And they are on the road again. They are just leaving Jerome now and will be heading south to Jackpot, NV. My biggest concern is gas. The highway they are taking, while a beautiful route, doesn't have a lot of towns dotting the map. So my hope is there are lots of truck stops along this road and they have no problems finding fuel. Other than that, they are rocking this adventure!
8:45 p.m. Ken called a while ago from Wells, NV where they fueled up ("sucking fumes" as Ken so aptly put it). They are going only as far as Ely, NV because we are not sure if there is gas to be had after that city. There are many hotels there so they will get a room, sleep for a bit, and hit the road again in hopes that gas stations will be opened and available when they need them. Hopefully on the return trip they will use more well-traveled roads so that gas stations are not an issue. Good night, sweet dreams, and I'll see you tomorrow.