6/24 ~ Harrison Lake

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(Re-told through Pictures)
Post #25:
Each day, I show pictures corresponding to the prior day, 20 years ago, but to squeeze in more story from David's House, I had to stretch it over two days. In fact, I already bicycled another 60+ miles from Toledo, to Harrison Lake State Park on June 22nd; then we crossed over into Indiana on June 23rd, camping that night at Happy Acres RV Park in Angola. (Each picture has more story details.)

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Picture #049

Wade and Jean Hastings (from Florida) were Senior Citizen volunteers at Harrison Lake State Park, Ohio, and it was their job to make sure campers were comfortable, forgetting to warn us about something. After showers, while standing by our campfire, I notice two bright eyes, near Carl's feet. It was a smiling raccoon. Carl Lebman scrambled so fast, he actually ran out of his shoes. It was like a comedy scene, but I didn't get the last laugh. Not sure if it was the potato chips or my big toe that attracted the rascal, but my morning wake-up call was with another critter scratching the tent, by my foot. I will not repeat the expletives used! After breaking camp, we headed into Indiana, tenting again, this time at Happy Acres RV Park. We were the only tent campers, but were thankful for a flat pad to set up on. It rained, no, actually poured, like a monsoon, yet we stayed high and dry in our little tent, we called 'home'. (Picture from June 23, 1995)
— with Wade Hastings, Volunteer and Jean Hastings, Volunteer

 ~~~
Picture # 045

Before departing Toledo, earlier that week, Barbara Horwitz, a Journalist for Toledo Blade caught up with me, as I was stretching, preparing for an early ride. She mailed a copy of her article to Carl toward the end of the month, along with a separate note, I plan to show later, when there are more miles than stories. We were looking forward to entering our fourth state, not only because we were winding up the first full month of biking, but also because Indiana was my original home state. I often claim Buffalo, NY as my hometown city and state of choice, but I am in fact a native Hoosier, and I have many loved ones there. (Picture and Article from Toledo Blade June 23, 1995)

Nancy K. Sorensen I didn't realize that you were older. Geez, that in itself is a real amazing feat. For 44, you sure looked good ( still do I may add ). Love love all the pictures. I have to go back and catch up on some days I missed due to work. Love ya.

6/23 ~ At the Car Wash

1995 USAIDS 5,000
Post #24:
Our mission talked so much about persons living with AIDS "staying productive"; it was essential, in part, to beating the odds. I would be departing David's House, heading west, but I will show you ways two residents of David's House are occupying their time. (Each picture has more details.)

~~~

Picture # 043

His name is Nerean, and like many, he lost his job when getting sick. He set up a car-wash on the back parking lot of David's House of Compassion. It gave him something productive to do on these summer days, and he donated most of the earnings, back to the house. It gave them a slush fund for things like cable TV and snacks. (Picture from June 22, 1995)
with Nerean of David's HoC

Nancy K. Sorensen I loved that you never wavered or lost hope.

~~~

Picture #044

Chico Caldron lost not only a job, but six weeks before meeting him, he lost his spouse. Yet, he stayed productive, helping with chores around the house, assisting with Nerean's Car wash; and he was writing poetry, and short stores. This poem speaks for itself. (Picture and Poem from June, 1995)
— with Chico Caldron, David's HoC

Sue Fleming beautiful
Nancy K. Sorensen " sigh "
 

6/22 ~ Dining at David's

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20 Year Anniversary Pictorial Story Re-Creation)
Post #23: 
I've had a number of private messages, in the last 3 weeks, where newer friends never realized how extensive and intense this historic bicycle ride actually was. By 1995, AIDS Rides (big fundraisers) were widely known, but our mission was different. (When you click onto each picture, there is more story, and you'll begin to understand why USAIDS 5,000 was so unique.)

~~~

Picture #041

All of the fun times, all of the hot bicycling days, all of the publicity and fundraising and newspaper stories amounted to this picture, the one I call "Dining at David's", because this is what our mission was about. This was David's House of Compassion, Toledo, Ohio, and one of the rare opportunities where Carl Lebman and I got to meet, mingle and share meals with men like me, folks trying to outlive AIDS. Even rarer, we were permitted to photograph parts of the house, and the residents willing to step forward, to tell us their own stories. Here, I am with Peter and Chico, two of several residents, men who have lost everything, except hope, and even it was fading. Peter had hopes of starting a 'men of color' support group in Toledo, while Chico, whose wife recently had succumbed to AIDS, aspired to be a writer. (Picture from June 22, 1995)
with Peter, David's HoC, Lebman Carl and Chico, David's HoC

Nancy K. Sorensen Jesus, you were hot....
Jim Petretta It was 95f; what do you expect? lol
Nancy K. Sorensen Not that kind of hot, silly 

~~~

Picture #042

I don't want us to forget! So, if you are one of the people reading my posts, please tell someone else you trust to follow them, asking them to do the same. Every city had one or more refuge homes for persons living with AIDS, and they represented only a fraction of the countless folks struggling for life, at the time. The staff were requested to notify one resident, named Edward, of my arrival. Edward had given up already, but wanted to meet this crazy bicyclist. He had not gotten out of bed in nearly a week, except to use the bathroom, and sometimes, not even then. I remember needing to be strong, physically and verbally with Edward. "Oh no you don't! You do not give up hope. Get out of bed, get washed up, and get your butt down to the kitchen. Let's have dinner, because I didn't come all this way to cry at your bedside. Now, get up." He did, and it was the first time he smiled, reportedly, in a long, long time. I could tell how emaciated Edward was, and he probably had not long to live, but giving up was not in my nature; I had to offer hope. (Picture is of a flyer, from June 1995)

Nancy K. Sorensen Can't read this without sobbing like a baby....those days were so harrowing

6/21 ~ Paradise Acres

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20 Year Anniversary Re-Creation)
Post #22: 
We are beginning our 4th week on the road, and were lucky to be guests at Paradise Acres RV Park (and Campgrounds) in Oak Harbor, Ohio. It was June 21; so what about Mayflies? (Each picture has more details.)

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Picture #039

I cannot find her name, anywhere, but this is likely the owner or manager (let's call her Betty) of Paradise Acres RV Park. It was obviously hot; in fact, the ride across Ohio had consistently topped 90f each day. Yet, I always paused for photos with local folks. I believe we were the only tent campers at this Lake Erie fishing resort. Setting up camp, I couldn't help but think how beautiful Northern Ohio is, and I never knew it. (Picture from last day of Spring, 1995)
— with Betty, Paradise Acres

~~~

Picture #040

Now you know why we were the only folks in a tent, lol! These critters are called Mayflies, and they appear along the shores of Lake Erie from May through Early July. They arrive, each evening, at dusk, and are usually dead by dawn. Having never heard of them, I totally freaked out, because they were just as bad, on the toilets and every surface. By morning, there was a carpet of the bugs to walk across. I am such an obsessive creature, myself, I vividly recall taking an extra hour to pack, to make sure not a single bug went along for the ride.  I have since learned that Mayflies are valued for trout fishing; and are part of the shore of Lake Erie heritage. Residents quickly sweep them up, each morning, then go back about their business. People like me would never guess, on a sunny afternoon, what creatures of night await us. Welcome to Summer! I found some online pictures, far worse than this one Carl Lebman took for posterity. (Picture from June 22, first day of Summer, 1995)

Sue Fleming EWWWW. that is all

6/20 ~ Miles to Toledo

1995 USAIDS 5,000
Post #21: 
Some days involved only biking, eating, biking, resting, and biking more. As Robert Frost said, " . . . and miles to go before I sleep." (Each picture has more details.)

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Picture #037

I often suffer from a restaurant back injury (involving a walk-in-freezer and several hundred pounds of frozen, toppled T-Bone steaks), to say nothing of genetic disc disintegration. So, I often wear a back brace, especially on long bike rides. This picture of my rear-side was taken by Carl Lebman, somewhere between Lorain and Toledo, likely in Sandusky County. We actually were on the road two days, that stretch, spending the night at Paradise Acres Campground. I will show those pics, tomorrow. (Picture from June 20 or 21, 1995)

~~~

Picture #038

This still of Caveman Carl Lebman was taken at a rest stop prior to our Lorain visit, but I'm trying to limit these pics to 2 per day, maximum. Next up will be Paradise Acres; and you have to see it to believe it, lol. Trust me, you'll see it in picture form. (Picture from June 18, 1995)
— with Lebman Carl

6/19 ~ Ohio's Finest

1995 USAIDS 5,000
Post #20:
Heading toward the westward lake shore, on our way to Lorain, I was flagged to pull over by one of Ohio's Finest. Then in Lorain, we met Richard Priebe, who accentuated the meaning of "finest". (Each picture has more details.)

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Picture #035

"Sir, you were going a little too fast for this residential area", was the greeting of this bicycled, patrol officer. He had seen the USAIDS 5,000 sign on the back of the support vehicle, because he obviously didn't read it from my tee shirt. He heard about this journey on the news, that morning, and feeling lucky to have seen us; he wanted to wish me and Carl a safe trip. Likely story. He probably wanted to be in a photo with this reasonably buff 46 yo biker, lol. All kidding aside, he was in far better shape than me, albeit ten years younger. But don't let his good looks fool you; he was prepared for any occurrence requiring an officer of the law. (Picture from June 19, 1995)
— with Bicycled Patrol Officer

~~~

Picture #036

Continuing on to Lorain, that day, we had the privilege of meeting Richard Priebe, who hosted us at the Gay and Lesbian Service Center. Richard, a retired nurse, volunteered his time, without additional help, to locate and serve PLWAs, mostly moms and their babies. Without imparting names, he shared very real stories of finding pregnant girls, living in abandoned buildings, who were kicked out of their homes, because they had AIDS. He provided temporary shelter and subsistence, until the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland could find more permanent support for these sickly and demoralized girls. Carl Lebman has a soft spot for children and people who care for them. He would agree that Richard brought new meaning to "Ohio's Finest". (Picture from June 19, 1995)
— with Lebman Carl and Richard Priebe, Volunteer at Lorain County Gay and Lesbian Service Center

Sue Fleming God Bless him. Jim that this pic of you doesn't even look like you.
Jim Petretta LOL, I'm not in this one. It's tagged, so run you arrow over the faces to see who it is. [ smile emoticon]
Sue Fleming lol omg he sotra looks like you if you look close.
 

6/18 ~ Cleveland AIDS Taskforce

1995 USAIDS 5,000
Post #19: 
Traveling from Erie, PA to Cleveland, headed for AIDS Taskforce, we went through the town of Madison, Ohio, stopping for lunch provided by Wendy's, my favorite Burger place. A 17 y.o. employee named Tom Connett, just finishing his shift, and being on his school track team, decided to run along side me, for a good distance, in lieu of bicycling. Good people are everywhere, but special people like Tom lift the spirits of those around them. (Each picture has more details.)

Rose Marie Kelsey Way to go...u r looking good..
Jim Petretta You do understand, that was 20 years ago, right? LOL A phrase I used several places in my book..."If only . . ." haha!
 

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Picture #033

After a good night's rest at Super 8 Motels, our corporate sponsor, Carl and I headed for a short visit to AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, an organization dedicated to serving clients throughout Northeastern Ohio. They were busy preparing for their biggest annual fundraiser, "Dancing in the Streets", and were able to tap into local media, covering USAIDS 5,000 for additional publicity. I also called for $5k corporate challenges to support them based on my mileage. Not wanting us to expose clients, Crise France, director, arranged for Carl Lebman and me to have lunch with her and staff. Carl often played photographer; therefore is not in the picture. (Picture from June 19, 1995)
— with Crise Francis, Director, AIDS Taskforce

~~~

Picture #034

This newspaper is Cleveland Plain Dealer, however, I don't see a by-line. The picture is one supplied by VA Western New York Healthcare System. Buffalo, when I was promoting the upcoming bike trip, on World AIDS Day, December 1, 1994. It shows how countless folks were involved in helping this effort. (Article from June 20, 1995)