3,816 miles for Habitat for Humanity

Today's Daily Herald carries an article about two men who are biking coast-to-coast to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Mike Logunetz, 25, of Libertyville, and his cousin, Jim Boge, 29, of Lake Zurich, have been on the road since May 10, when they left San Francisco.

A photo with the article shows them in Kinsley, Kans. on June 1. If you've ever driven across Kansas, you wonder if you'll ever "get there." Same with Texas and Nebraska. Can you imagine what it would be like on a bike? With a headwind?

Their goal is to raise $20,000 for Habitat for Humanity, and the article said they have raised $4,100 and feel a little behind the pace.

You can help by visiting http://www.bikeforhomes.com/, where you can see their itinerary and read their journals. You already know about Habitat for Humanity, so why not kick in $25 now (or whatever you want, more or less (more is better))? There is a donation link near the top of the home page.

On Tuesday they will be in Kirksville, Mo., where I lived in 1992-93 and studied hypnotherapy. Then they will be in Clayton, Missouri for a fundraiser Thursday night. (I know right where Clayton is, since I grew up in University City. The family rumor was that my grandfather had owned "half of Clayton", until the Great Depression wiped him out.) And on Sunday, June 12, they will arrive in Champaign.

Be sure to check out their Packlists. How do you pack for a long-distance trip? Not that way, I'll bet. My plan? I put everything I'm going to take on the bed. Then I put what I'm going to take it in, on the floor. Then I put everything on the bed in what's on the floor, and then I put that in the car (or on the motorcycle). The packing by Mike and Jim takes packing to a whole new level.

I recall reading a book by a backpacker. He took one shoelace (whoever breaks both shoelaces!) and he cut the handle off his toothbrush to save weight. I always take too much with me; this summer I'll cut down, thanks to Mike and Jim.