Completion and Continuation

Sunday, September 7th, 2014, was a special day in our "Pedal the Parks" campaign.  Not only did we complete our challenge, but we were inspired to continue on with another chapter for Meniere's awareness.

The day began with another "great" breakfast at our Okoboji suite. We headed to Fort Defiance under a beautiful blue sky and warm temperatures.  The park was small, but had a nice paved road and all went well.  After completing the mile we headed to the 95th and final park located near Dolliver, Iowa.

Okamanpedan State Park did not disappoint.  It was small, located next to a lake, with only one rough road.  And, it was gravel.  What a fitting way to end this mission.  We have ridden on many types of surfaces, during this park tour, and a little gravel was not going to hinder our day.

While preparing for the ride, Tom and Rene Thiel showed up to celebrate the completion of our last ride.  They had driven over 180 miles (one way) from Carlisle, Iowa to be here for the final ride.  Tom even brought his bicycle so he could fully participate.  They also brought a cooler of "adult beverages" so we could toast the completion of mile number 95. Thanks Tom and Rene!  It was "special" that you took the time and effort to be there.

After departing the park we headed for Clear Lake, Iowa.  Here, we met Bruce and Sandy Davison for introductions and ice cream.  Bruce had contacted us after we started our "Pedal the Parks" campaign.  He has suffered from Meniere's for twenty (20) years, and was looking for better answers to his questions.  We directed him to the University of Iowa Hospitals.  After many tests and evaluations, Bruce was scheduled to have a Cochlear Implant.  After his surgery, on June 4th, he seems to be doing fine.  He feels Patty and her experiences, are highly responsible for given him  a "new" lease on life. Our time, with the Davison's, was quite enjoyable.  It was also quite humbling to see how our efforts have made a difference.

Our drive back to Altoona was filled with several reminiscing stories about the last several months.
It has been very challenging and rewarding.  Many of the ninety-five (95) parks were beautiful, many were in dis-repair. Some had very nice paved roadways and trails, others had gravel, dirt, grass, or weeded trails.  Some had NO roads, trails, or even picnic tables or benches.  A few were never found, and a few were very hard to find.  Several parks were located by lakes, rivers, or streams.  Many had rentable cabins.  Most had campgrounds. 

The people we met were very friendly and helpful.  Some donated money. Others sent in donations or used the website.  Some people knew someone who had Meniere's, others had never heard of it.  A few people claimed to know how to ride a unicycle. No one demonstrated.  Most people liked Patty's trike and thought it "looked like fun and was the way to go."

We started this adventure on March 17th.  We completed it September 7th.  Since I am working full time, most parks were ridden on the weekends. Over the six (6) month period, we rode a park or parks on twenty-seven (27) days, averaging 3.5 parks a day.  A few days I only rode in one (1) park.  The best day I completed seven (7) miles.  The worst day I fell and seriously sprained my wrist, but finished six (6) parks anyway.  The justification was that "I didn't need to use my hand to ride a unicycle." This was poor judgment, since I used the same hand to break a fall in the sixth park that day, which did more damage.  Our van has acquired an additional 6,510 miles as well.  The four (4) corners of  Iowa, are not that close to our home.

All in all, it has been a wonderful experience.  We will continue to raise money for Meniere's research in hopes to one day find a cure.  Our "Pedal the Parks" experience has given us a springboard to expand on what we have started.  Hopefully, people will continue to support these efforts by logging on to our website at www.givetoiowa.org/burkey  Thanks for sharing in our rides!

Estherville, Iowa

Park #95 in Dolliver, Iowa

Sharing the ride with Tom Thiel

Time to Celebrate the Completion

"WE DID IT!!!!"

Bruce Davison and Patty -- Meniere's Sufferers

Please Continue to Support our Vision for a Meniere's Cure

Iowa Great Lakes

After several weeks off and fully recovered from our Grand Canyon excursion, we set our sights on completing our mission in Northern Iowa.  Friends, Mary and Charlie Reeves, offered wonderful accommodations in the Iowa Great Lakes area. It proved much better than any B & B I've ever encountered, and came with gourmet food, drink, and a beautiful view of East Okoboji.  We were able to ride two (2) of the parks on Friday evening, in route to our weekend resort.  Saturday, after a hearty breakfast, we headed out for six (6) area destinations.  It was great having so many parks concentrated in a small area. The Iowa Great Lakes provides many options for the outdoor enthusiast, with hundreds of miles of shoreline and many parks and recreational areas.  All six (6) parks had paved roads and beautiful views of the lakes.  Elinor Bedell is the newest State Park and very well maintained.  Mini Waken sets on the Minnesota/Iowa state line and I managed to ride into the state of Minnesota to complete my required mile.  Pillsbury Point was a very small park located in a residential area of cottages, apartments, condos, and townhomes.  It was a challenge riding a mile here, but the street, sidewalks, and alleys provided smooth sailing.

We completed the six (6) parks and only drove sixty-eight (68) miles getting to and from.  This was a huge record, and provided extra time to visit some sites in the area.  Arnolds Park was a seldom visited childhood destination for both Patty and me.  Walking amongst the "wooden" roller coaster, arcade, dock, "Fun House and Roof Garden" area, and sharing a "nutty bar" and lemonade brought back lots of memories.  We also visited the Marine Museum and observed several families creating their "own" lifetime stories.

After completing the 93rd park, we are close to wrapping this challenge up.  The day ended with "happy hour," another gourmet meal, enjoying the lake view, and a comfy bed.

Milford, Iowa

Milford, Iowa

Beautiful Park in Milford, Iowa

Spirit Lake, Iowa

Lake Park, Iowa

The newest State Park in Spirit Lake, Iowa

Spirit Lake, Iowa

On Minnesota/Iowa State Line in Sprit Lake, Iowa

Small Residential State park in Arnolds Park, Iowa

Patty's Recovery Challenge

Three (3) weeks after falling and injuring my right wrist, I feel fully recovered.  Our break, from "pedaling the parks" has not been without excitement however.

Prior to Patty's Vestibular Neurectomy (cutting the balance nerves) surgery, on December 20th, 2013, she challenged herself.  She wanted, to recovery well enough, to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  Since room reservations, at the bottom of the Canyon, needed to be made thirteen (13) months in advance, we were put on a timetable.  This fulfilled one of the first rules of goal making: "set a start and completion date." 

The surgery eliminated all balance nerves on the right side of her body.  Consequently, after surgery, Patty was unable to walk on her own.  This fulfilled an additional rule of goal making: "make it challenging."

Another rule of goal making is to: "always reach beyond your grasp."  Well this too was on our score card.  Until June of this year, we had never hiked more than a mile or two at one time.

Last week, August 17th - 19th, she completed her challenge.  I attended for moral support and to help record the event.  It was not without many trials and tribulations however.

The hike down started Sunday morning at 6:30 A.M. We anticipated the seven (7) mile hike to take six (6) hours.  We were carrying packs that contained our clothes, food, and water.  The beginning of the trail was a gradual descent, with ample shade and cool temperatures.  Once the sun peaked over the canyon, the hike became a "survival in a furnace."  There was NO visible shade, NO water stations, and the temperature peaked above 115 degrees.  What shade we did find, was in crevices of rocks, under over-hanging rocks, or under an outhouse ramp. The hike took ten and a half hours, and we ran short of water.  We both had visions of flies attacking our eyes and buzzards circling above.

Once we reached the bottom, all was well.  There was a soothing shower, cold water, cold beer, and a comfy bed. There was even a fast flowing stream to sit in and rest our sore, tired, broken down bodies.  Our stay at the Phantom Ranch was two (2) nights, one (1) day, and very relaxing.

Hiking, out of the canyon, began at 5:30 A.M. on Tuesday morning.  It also began well.  The ten (10) mile hike was slated to take 6 - 8 hours.  Although longer, it was a more gentle grade, with plenty of shade and several water stops.  The first two (2) hours were quite easy, then the rain started.  It was gentle and quite refreshing at first, but it picked up steam and continued for six (6) hours.  Once the rain settled in, we were hiking in mud and slippery conditions.  The rain not only soaked us but our packs as well, which gained much weight as we ascended the canyon.

Despite the challenges, we were both quite pleased when we reached the top.  Accessing our aches and pains, Patty stated that this was probably a "one and done" adventure. She also stated that "hiking the Canyon was the best, bad thing she had ever done."

Suffering through Patty's Meniere's Disease has challenged us mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Setting and accomplishing a goal, such as this, has strengthened all of these elements.  It is good to see her once again, enjoying life to its fullest and taking a few risks along the way.

Hopefully, a cure can be found for this devastating disease so that others do not have to take medical detours to enjoy what life has to offer.  Please go to the website at www.givetoiowa.org/burkey and give what you can.

Beginning the Hike Down



Patty "early on" in Happy Hiking Mode

Note the Abundance of Shade in Crevice

Resting under Outhouse at 115 Degrees

Waiting for a Cool Down

These Outhouse Visitors Had "Extra" Water

We crossed the Colorado River on this Hanging Bridge

Finally Down - Resting before Phantom Ranch

Cooling in the Stream with Pamela and Randall

Chilling on the "Silver" Exit Bridge

Smart Way to Travel

Waiting out the Rain with Tony and Suzanne

Back on Top - Wet but Alive

What's to See at the Bottom????

Part of Trails - Why go Down????

I-29 Corridor

After my injury, I was a little "gun shy" about attempting any rides for a while.  If all goes as planned, the left wrist is not necessarily needed.  But, if another fall takes place, the hand would be a better "contact point" than a shoulder or head. Neither would be good.

Driving South on I-29, from South Dakota, I decided to check out Stone State Park in Riverside, Iowa.  "If the road was smooth and somewhat flat, maybe I would venture a trial run."  Well, it was and I did.  I rode three (3) more parks that day, and completed the I-29 Corridor.  I was able to find smooth and somewhat flat in each of the parks, and I proceeded with extra caution.  Both Patty and I were relieved, after completing the rides, and decided to take a couple weeks off to let the injury heal.  Two (2) weeks after the fall, the wrist is still badly bruised. 

Preparation Canyon State Park, the last of these four (4) rides, took special patience to find.  It was quite isolated, and the main road to get there was closed.  Getting directions from several people, all of which were different, took us down several gravel roads, some more than once.  Upon arrival, however, it appeared worth it.  The park was rather small, but nestled in the Loess Hill, with trees everywhere. 

Completing these last four (4) miles puts the total parks completed at eighty-five(85), only ten (10) to go.  The last parks are located near the Okoboji Lake area, and may require only one more weekend to complete. We will attempt to complete this initial mission in two (2) weeks.  Hopefully, this will be after my wrist heals and before Labor Day.

Riverside, Iowa

Salix, Iowa

"Flat and Somewhat Smooth"

Onawa, Iowa

Note the Wrist Guards, the left is doubled

Moorhead, Iowa

Being extra cautious!!!!!!

Loess Hills in Preparation Canyon

First Casualty

Saturday, July 22nd, was a beautiful day.  Patty and I decided to make an extended loop around Southwest Iowa and ride in the six (6) parks that were remaining in that area.  The first park, Lake of Three Fires in Bedford, appeared to be a good ride.  However, my foot slipped from the pedal while attempting a turn on a downhill.  The result was a quick fall to "Mother Earth," and a very painful injury to my left wrist.  After a quick evaluation of all other extremities and a bleeding leg, I decided to continue, since the fall took place only a quarter mile into the ride.  The rest of the ride was successful, so we decided to proceed with our original plan.

The next three (3) rides went very well, and we were able to view some very nice State Parks, and log several miles on our van.   Because of the regular rains and the mild temperatures, Iowa is presently covered in very lush green fields of alfalfa, beans, and corn, which made the drive more enjoyable.  We also made a stop to pick up ice packs for my wrist.

The fifth park of the day was closed.  Recent flooding of the nearby Missouri River and high winds have made Wilson Island "off limits."  Fortunately, it was located adjacent  to a National Wildlife Refuge, and we were able to log our mile on a very nice paved road.  The road ventured into Nebraska at one point, so we recorded this mile using two (2) states.

The sixth ride of the day was going very well until 200 yards from the finish.  My unicycle caught on a large rock and threw me to the ground.  Once again, I landed on the previously injured left wrist.  Now the injury became more painful.  But being determined, I finished the last 200 yards before accessing the damage.  The wrist was quite sore, and I was glad that we had completed our intended rides.

With ice on my wrist, Patty and I made our way back to Des Moines.  The plan for the day was a complete success, but the injury was a bit of a downer.  After logging nearly 500 miles on the van, six (6) miles on the unicycle and trike, and completing the 81st park, we were hoping the wrist wasn't broken.  After calling in a radiologist, the wrist had no fractures, but was extremely sprained.  Hopefully, this will not hold up the rides for long.  With only fourteen (14) parks left, we are getting anxious to complete this first step in our mission.



Bedford, Iowa

Beginning of fall - not good!



Not a happy landing!

Post fall --- looking good!!!! And a nice lake!



Stanton, Iowa



Sydney. Iowa



Just like the Pied Piper!!!!



Council Bluffs, Iowa

Missouri Valley, Iowa



Result of recent flooding and high winds!

Substitute Mile - Desota National Wildlife Refuge 



Lewis, Iowa

Sharing the road before the last fall!!!!!

I'm glad I didn't fall from this!!!!