Cold and Snowy

The first cold air of the season has hit Prescott National Forest. Snow levels hit 4800 feet. My tent has been set up at about 5800 feet. Water has been freezing at the camp site the last few days. I had a dusting of snow which did melt at the camp site. A couple I've met has kindly offered to let me use their spare room/den to sleep in, they've been concerned about me being out in the cold. They want me to look for work, and the husband has been escorting me around town trying to guide me in the process. It gets frustrating at times. I thought I had found a part time construction job, but it didn't work out.
It's difficult for me to make the decision to try to settle down, but I've been praying for the opportunity to get back into society, so this might be it. Prescott is a pretty community, and I've met many nice people, like most places work is hard to come by, I do pray God will open the door He wants opened, and close any that are not in His will. If you read this, please pray that God will work in my heart to be sensitive to His leading, and that He will open a clear door of opportunity that I would enjoy and thrive at. Like always, if you have any prayer requests, please feel free to write at daniel.gibbs@yahoo.com

Camping in the Southern Rockies

Hi All,
What a beautiful day. I was dead set on going straight down I-10 through Phoenix, and Tuscan, and skip over this part of the country. What a mistake that would have been. It is so pleasant here. I've met some real nice people, and I have learned about an Arizona that I've never experienced. My ex pastor used to rave about his hunting experiences in Arizona, I can see why he missed it down here so much.
I was preparing to have a little coffee at he camp site when this woman came down the side of the mountain with her dog Jackie. What a shock to see her come down the side of the mountain in the middle of the forest. I offered her some coffee, and we chatted about God's love. She invited me to her house where me, her, Jackie, and her husband enjoyed the afternoon talking and sharing our faith. That evening several other family members arrived for the wedding of her daughter Kelly. They let me do a little work around their home to earn a little bit of cash, and I returned to my tent. Its so neat to meet different people from different parts of the country. I just received an email from a friend Luis from New Mexico, Luis had spent a morning driving me around his city a year and half ago, I praise God for the body of believers I've met during my journeys. Some are more spiritual than others, some have great knowledge, some have great Love, it's neat to see how God is working in their hearts. Thank you for checking the site, and please pray that God will open the doors He would have open, and close the ones he would want closed, Please feel free to email me at daniel.gibbs@yahoo.com any time, yours in Christ, Daniel

Still in Prescott

I spent the better part of the morning in a place called Quixote's Garage. Across the nation I've seen sign after sign,(No loitering, no trespassing, ect.) Chris, the manager of the place, has a card that states" loitering allowed." She lets homeless people get mail, eat, drink coffee, phone calls or even sleep on her living room furniture. When I arrived she learned of my trip and by God's grace some one had dropped off a WalMart kids tent. This is the tent I usually buy, being a great value at around $20.00 new, very light weight, and easy to put up. She was more than happy to give me the tent, and let me know where to get a better sleeping bag. This small city has such a refreshing attitude. Quite a few people have suggested I stick around here, There's a good climate, plenty of food, and some real nice people. The state even offers health insurance for homeless men, this is unheard of!

I was surfing the net and I came across a site where my journey had been discussed. I had no idea this had taken place over a year and a half ago. My mission statement states that my goal is to touch hearts for God, not just survive. The idea of going back down the mountain into a place where I have no idea where I'll be able to sleep or eat isn't necessarily appealing, but I am convinced that God will provide. I pray He will be use the sign, or my stupid bike ride to touch a few more hearts. I'll probably leave in the next couple of days.

Prayer works, please pray that God will work in my heart to do what He would have me do, and as always, please contact me a daniel.gibbs@yahoo.com if you have any prayer concerns, thanks for checking the site, and God bless, Daniel

Up in the mountains

Greetings from Prescott. What a neat city. People are friendly and it's such a pretty community. The library is modern, and I've met some real nice people. I visited a United Methodist Church where a kind lady invited me to lunch. Two couples and the single lady that invited me shared their lives and whats going around in the community and their church. As I told them, I enjoy so much getting to know people in the local communities I visit.
A very strong wind has come up, so I may suspend my journey for a day or two. There is a shelter that is allowing me to spend up to 14 nights. There seems to be plenty of places to eat. I still have some ham and buns form the church 20 miles back. I may have to have some ham tonight so it doesn't go bad. There's a lot homeless people in the area and the community seems to treat them with respect and offers them plenty of resources, praise God. I may post before I go, I'm still in prayer about the route I'm going to go, I'm leaning toward a more southern route to avoid temperatures in the 20's(at night) Elevation plays such a role with the temps. Thanks for stopping by the site, and God bless you, yours in Christ, Daniel

Cooler weather helps ride

Hi All,
Last night I was actually cool. I was riding through a town called Hope and I saw a church that had a 6:00 bible study, so I waited an hour and sat in on there meeting. There was about a dozen folks. There are not that many permanent residence around here, so 12 in a good attendance. The snow birds will be showing up now that October is here. Pastor Ron and his wife allowed me to sleep on the church porch, and gave me money for breakfast.
The cross wind which has, at times, helped me turned today and was fighting my progress. The strong North wind has cooled it off 15 degrees or so. It only in the low 90's today. I'm at the junction of my turn directly north in to the wind. I'm not looking forward to the struggle the next 80 miles or so. I'll will be going up 3000 more feet against the wind. It is going to cut in to my miles per hour a lot.
Thank you for praying about my tent. I stopped at a garage sale and bought a used tent. The zippers are froze up, and it is larger and heavier than I would like, but for 10.00 I had to try. I was able to find a Napa repair station which allowed me to use their dw40 on the zippers, I hope it will work. I've heard thunder storms are for casted for the Prescott area. I heard they have a mission where I might be able to take a much needed shower.
I must go now, I only get 30 minutes on the computer here, thanks for checking the site, and have a wonderful day, yours in Christ, Daniel

Its Hot in the Dessert

Dan's top ten list

The top ten indications that you may be in a dessert:
10 The only birds you see are dead
09 You see water that's really not there
08 You see a "Sand drifts next 7 mile" sign
07 Kind motorist stops and gives you water while you rest in the shade
06 Board border patrol ask you what in the world your doing
05 Storm drains are for sand
04 Sign states "Off the road capital of the world"
03 You drink 2 gallons of water in 3 hours
02 Gas and beer is cheaper than water
01 Price for a gallon of water is $ 4.35

On a serious note, I want to thank God and the generous people that enabled me to get this current bicycle. I also want to thank James at Holy Rollers for the large range gears, and new bearings. Along with saddle bags and other needed extras, I wouldn't want to be out here with out them.
God is so faithful. A bike and supplies are provided, the supplies are stolen, and God provides replacement. Thank you God for supplying all my needs. I'm convinced some one was praying for me when a couple stopped and gave me water yesterday. They had just bicycled across the pass, and almost ran out of water themselves and were sensitive to my need. Thank you for your prayers. Currently my zipper on my tent is not working and I'm getting bit up my dessert insects. Please pray the duct tape I'm about to buy will hold the door up at night, until I can get a new tent.
Like always, please email me at daniel.gibbs@yahoo.com with any prayer concerns.
The message for today is "Prayer changes things", thanks for visiting the site, God bless Daniel

Going in to the dessert

I've been here in Alpine for around13 days or so. A heat wave has settled in. While waiting for the weather to break, I helped out at Holy Rollers Bicycle shop. I helped land scape the yard and put up a couple of fences. I washed some bicycles and changed some tubes. The owner, James, has graciously shared his life and home with me. James put some new gears on my bike and has donated many speciality items. His room renter, Lorrie, has gave me a tour of the town, bought me lunch, and has taken me to numerous church meetings. God is good. Thank you God for my new found friendships.
Its time to move out now. I'm planning on making my way through the dessert and up to northern Arizona. Due to high temperatures and a kind offer, my bicycle is going to hitch a ride with my friend James up the road a few thousand feet. I debated if I should take the ride, but 3,000 feet in this heat(over 100 degrees) might be a better start before going down in to the dessert for 4 or 5 days.(maybe) I'll try to post when I can, pray that God will bring people He would have in my life my way, if you have any prayer concerns, please email me at daniel.gibbs@yahoo.com. Thank you for visiting the site, and God bless, Daniel