However, Muzzie Braun’s song, “The Kitchen,” is playing in the background. “The Kitchen” is one of my favorite songs. Frankly, I think the lyrics present a snapshot of the values we should all hold most dearly in our lives. So I hope you’ll take the time to listen not only to the music, but also to Muzzie’s lyrics. The impressive thing about Joann and Muzzie Braun is that they stay true to the very same values Muzzie espouses in his song. Thanks again for visiting my website folks!
Now that I’m entering the next phase of life, retirement, it’s time to take another bicycle trip. In 2014, I’ll be cycling the Atlantic Coast Route from Boca Raton, FL to Bar Harbor, ME. This route will be much flatter than my 2009 cross-country ride. However, I’m sure to encounter substantially more vehicular traffic and maybe even a little road rage. That’s OK it just means I have to be more cautious while on the bike.
Once again I’m riding to raise memorial funds for both college scholarships and the Idaho Education Association’s Children’s Fund. This time to honor the memory of five friends: John Perkins, Joe Pilch, Ed Helies, Dan Bither, and Cindy Herron. Let me start out by telling you a bit about each of these individuals, all of whom I consider myself privileged to have known:
All five of the above individuals shared exemplary character traits:
The world would indeed be a better place to live if everyone possessed the same character traits as John, Joe, Ed, Dan, and Cindy. I ask that you consider making a contribution to their respective memorial fund. I know John, Joe, Ed, Dan, and Cindy would thank you for doing so, and will smile down upon you, just as they will me, when I ride the Atlantic Coast Route in 2014.
Thank you for taking the time to visit my website, I really do appreciate your interest. And please visit it again in 2014 for daily updates and happenings along the way. Any spelling errors should be attributed to my wife Melanie (my better half), not me. And remember, if you’re in your vehicle and see an old, bearded, bespectacled fart riding a black Trek 520 road bike with a black and yellow Burley Nomad trailer, do me a favor…move over and give me some damn room! You can checkout the Atlantic Coast Route by going to www.adventurecycling.org and clicking on “Routes and Maps.” See you in Bar Harbor…
Sincerely,
Bob (since 1951)
* I wish to acknowledge and thank the following: Muzzie Braun “The Kitchen”, John Prine (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.) “Please Don’t Bury Me”, Grateful Dead (Ice Nine Publishing, Inc.) “Box of Rain”, and “Truckin’, Charlie Parr “Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down”, Javier Barerra (my webmaster extraordinaire), my wife Melanie (for putting up with me over the past 35 years), the Boise State Construction Management Program, the W&M HEYFARL Endowment Fund, and the Boise School District (Frank Church High School) for granting me permission to use their respective logos. Last but not least, I’d like to thank my guardian angels John Perkins, Joe Pilch, Ed Helies, Dan Bither, Cindy Herron, and Mildred and George Stohner (my parents) for providing me with the inspiration to undertake another magical bicycle adventure. “What a long strange trip it’s been” and then some. Who knows what other adventures the future may hold?
I ask that you consider making a contribution to my cause. All contributions are tax deductible, and go directly to the "George S. Stohner Public Policy Endowment" account allocation #2111. You can either: 1) send a check payable to "The College of W&M Foundation", noting on the memo line of your check "Alloc #2111" by printing off and mailing your check with the attached form, or 2) go to the link www.wm.edu to make a contribution on the College's secure website. Should you choose option #2 please follow the directions given to the right.
If you are unable to make a contribution, that's OK. A simple word of encouragement, or even a comment such as, "You must be out of your &#%*^@g mind!" will suffice to motivate and ultimately propel my 58 year old body across America. The fact that you're even reading this website is encouraging in and of itself. One more "trip around the sun" and I'll be truckin' across America…I can't wait. I, my father, my mother, my entire family, and some future deserving William and Mary students thank you for your generous support!
Sincerely, Bob Stohner William and Mary, Class of 1973
