7/3 ~ Friends & Madison WI

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Pictorial Ride)
Post #33: 
It was a pleasant, though very warm, ride through Northern Illinois, into Wisconsin, along the shoreline.  Before heading deep into WI, we camped in Sturtevant, at a location now closed, but as usual, we met some great folks.  (Each picture has more details.)

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Picture #070

Steven McMahan and Joseph Rabe were fellow campers, who joined us for one of Carl Lebman's great campfires; and stories of the road. To reciprocate, they had gone to a local grocery store, overnight, to purchase breakfast fixings, (eggs, bacon, grits & pan-fried biscuits), because they wanted me to have a healthy start to the day. What you cannot see is that Steven, the cook, was blind, and had one good arm and leg. Joseph was his closest friend, who obviously was dedicating his life in assisting Steven. We never had a sense that they were gay, but their bond seemed more like a marriage. We could tell they didn't have much, except faith and good attitudes. I suspected they were homeless, and working the camp to pay for their stay. Joseph did tell me that Steven went through his pockets to find enough money to make us breakfast; because he "needed" to help others. They wouldn't even accept a tee shirt for their kindness. We had no way of keeping in touch with these fellows, but I remember carrying them in my heart, the rest of my ride, along with so many people who touched my soul. It was one of the tougher goodbyes, knowing our paths may never cross again. (Picture taken by Carl on July 2, 1995)
with Steven McMahan, Sturtevant and Joseph Rabe, Sturtevant

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Picture #068

Our 2nd WI stop was Madison. We were getting ready to celebrate July 4th, thus my wearing of the flag. The Madison AIDS Network actually supported most of Wisconsin with direct services, education, testing, outreach and client advocacy. We challenged corporations to mileage sponsorship, both on TV and in local papers, across the state. *Article and picture courtesy of Capital Times, July 3, 1995)

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Picture #069

 
This is the rest of the Capital Times article. Also, from my scrapbook, I have a note from the local Chinese take-out place, called Golden Wok, in Whitewater. Well wishers did a lot to keep me going, when the road felt too long on many days. (Article courtesy of Capital Times, July 3, 1995)