The day has come and we're off. Our goal today was Bay City, WI, on the north shore of Lake Pepin. Because of a late start and the sudden summer temperatures (86F, with a pavement temperature of 96F!), we arrived much later than anticipated, pulling in to our secluded campsite at Bay City campground at around 5:30. Throughout the whole brilliant, exhilarating ride, our senses were refreshed with the beauty and fragrance of the apple blossoms and lilacs. The spring floods have done their work again, with submerged tree bases and shrubs surrounding us. The first of our friendly encounters with other cyclists was Rob, who approached and asked, "So, tell me all about your trip." He proceeded to explain that he and his wife often tour around Europe, and plan to go to France with a one-way ticket this September. _____________ As we prepared to leave home for this adventure, friends would exclaim, "All the way to Maine? How are you going to do that?" My answer: "One day at a time." Recently chatting with a friend and a relative with severe diagnoses, my heart echoed those words as I lifted them before the Father today. They're learning this lesson in a painful way, a lesson we all need to embrace - life is lived to the full one day at a time, one moment of thanks to the next moment, all in the Father's presence. Enjoy the gift of this day!