Thursday, May 2, 2013

We end as we began.....



On the beach, in the rain.

We had a delightful ride this morning - 40 miles to the St. John's fire station - it was cool and misty, everything we saw was lush and green.  Some of the road ran along the St. John's River.

The fire station was a great place to meet up and we took full advantage of the opportunity to take pictures.  I don't know if it was specifically allowed, but we climbed all over the fire truck like a bunch of 8 year olds.  Pictures as soon as I  can load them.

Eventually everyone was ready, riders, guides and police escort.  The seven mile ride was increasingly wet and rainy.  It was quite a thrill - even for old ladies - to be accompanied across town with lights and sirens.  We DID it!  As we crossed the bridge to the beach I was thinking that Nancy would have loved this.  And I was a little sad that there would be no one there to meet me.

It was quite a walk to the beach and the rain got harder and harder.  But when I turned around after dipping my tire, there was Emily and of course, where Emily is, Nancy will not be far away.  Now I had "family" too.  It was the perfect end to the tour.  After a picnic lunch, we got into various vehicles and made our soggy way to the hotel.  

Tonight will be the farewell banquet for the riders and tomorrow I will fly home.  It is over.  There will be much retrospection and introspection before I figure out what all this means to me and how, exactly, it has changed me.  That will be interesting, I am sure.

7 comments:

Janice in GA said...

Well done. Well DONE!

I'll be really interested to hear your thoughts after you've had time to digest the experience.

Were you happy with your bike? What would you change with it?

I'm glad you made it safely. The trip is an accomplishment to be proud of. :)

Lisa S_CT said...

Bravo!!

ken said...

AWESOME!!! Congratulations on crossing the USA. See you back on the daily mile!

Anonymous said...

Did you come in First?

tombetz said...

Congratulations on your epic ride. I'm back from Columbia (the Country) and missed you when you past my neck of the woods (Panama City). Wish the timing was different. Regardless- WTG!

Evelyn said...

Congratulations ! I just read the article in the Quill here in West Plains. Must be a wonderful feeling to have accomplished this. You have much to be proud of.

Judi said...

THanks Evelyn, it was a monumental journey and I am SO glad I took it.