Welcome to our web site! We hope you can use this site as a way to stay connected to our World Tour adventures. We update as much as possible from the road whenever we can find internet access. We also upload pictures to our Shutterfly account: garthsontour.shutterfly.com
Feel free to comment on posts here, or send us an e-mail (garthsontour@gmail.com). We hope you’ll stay in touch!
A quick intro…
Dave: Dave grew up in Nashville, Tenn., and went to college at UT Knoxville. He studied mechanical engineering. After graduating in 2003, he took a summer to ride his bike from Seattle to Boston with his older brother John. When he got home, he started grad school at Georgia Tech. After finishing with his Masters in mechanical engineering, Dave moved to Auburn to take a job with Neptune Technology Group in Tallassee (a nearby small town).
Bethany: Bethany grew up in Abbeville, Ala., and attended college at Auburn University to study journalism. When she was about to graduate, she planned to go to seminary in LA, but through a series of divine appointments ended up staying in Auburn to help with a church plant called Converge. She took a job at Women’s Hope Medical Clinic, a small non-profit where she did publicity and events planning.
How we met: Dave and Bethany met at Converge (a church in Auburn) when it was first getting started in the summer of 2007. We won’t go into details here, but let’s just say it was not love at first sight! Bethany thought Dave was a little odd (although she did think it was cool that he had ridden his bike across the country), and Dave overdid it the first time he asked her out (which was an invitation to his brother’s wedding… in DENVER). Fortunately, Dave was persistent and Bethany saw the light. We started dating in January 2008, and Dave bought a house in May. This launched us into a season of constant renovations on the house. We got engaged in August, worked like crazy to make our house livable, and got married in March 2009. Since then, we’ve still been renovating… but we’ve always had the World Tour plans on the table! Since day one, we’ve been living frugally and saving diligently to make this dream a reality!
We believe that this is more than just a cool trip. We know we are blessed beyond measure to be living out a dream that God has placed in both of our hearts. Some people think it’s crazy… others think it’s awesome. We are mostly just excited! We don’t know what the journey holds, but we know a few things:
1—We’re going to meet some amazing people and learn more about cultures than we would if we traveled by more traditional means;
2—There’s a lot of risk involved… which is an opportunity to build our faith;
3—We won’t be the same when it’s over.
10 comments
Emily Johnson says:
Jul 8, 2011
I think that this is the BEST thing you can ever do- it is inspiring. Y’all are awesome- definitely not crazy!!
Whitney Nall says:
Sep 21, 2011
AMEN!! You definitely won’t be the same!!! – And just for the record, I think what you two are doing is t-totally awesome!!!!! So proud of yall for trusting in the LORD with ALL your heart and following your dreams!! SO glad you have each other
P Pom, Ning, Jai, Sem says:
Feb 11, 2012
Hi Dave & Bethany!!! Sawatdee ka, sawatdee kub from Thailand!!! These are P’ Pom, Ning, Jai, and Sem!! We’re looking forward to seeing both of you if you ever get to come to Thailand! We will be praying for both of you. Hope you two have a great journey together. You both are AWESOME! We love you…be safe! God bless you!
Colleen says:
Mar 18, 2012
Bethany!!!!!! OMG, I just saw your post about this on FB..I am INSANELY jealous! Such an awesome experience for you guys…Like a wonderfully long honeymoon on steriods! I pray you guys have the time of your life!
Jeff Barganier says:
Apr 6, 2012
Bethany, Where were you when I was 24? My kind of girl! U 2 be careful. Wish I was there!
–Megan’s dad.
Nita Bynum says:
Jul 29, 2012
Glad I found your page! It is wonderful to see folks follow the Lord on such a wonderful world adventure. May He keep you safe as you explore the world He lays out before you
Nita Bynum
Giannis says:
Nov 26, 2012
Hi Dave and Bethany.I’m Giannis (John) from Greece who met you at Apollonia (near Thessaloniki) with my school. I wish you a very good and safe trip and if you ever come back to Greece, I’m waiting for you to meet each other again!!!
Phil Bradbury says:
Feb 11, 2013
You two are awesome. It was great to meet you and chat after our cookery class. We didn’t even get to full introductions but you helped to make it a special and memorable day. Love and best of luck with the rest of your tour from Alison and Phil, London UK.
Ong Ah Sun says:
Apr 14, 2013
Hi Dave and Bethany. I am proud that both of you have made this brave decision to go on a bike tour around the world. It take lots of courage to do this. I am glad to have met both of you. Hope that you like the seafood dinner at the seaside restaurant. Should you make another trip to Malaysia again, I shall be waiting to meet you again. Best of luck with the rest of your journey and please take care.
Ong Ah Sun from Taiping, Perak, Malaysia
rivern says:
Apr 24, 2013
It’s great knowing you two. It was really by chance. I was so stressed with my work that I took leave to cycle. I ask my buddy Meng and he said he’s sending off an American touring couple. So here I am. Though it’s for a couple of hours, I glad I met you two. God bless your tour. Rivern, Malaysia.