What's Next?

Dear All
First I would like to say - I'M HERE - I DID IT!!!!!! Whoever said a journey of a thousand miles is begun with but a single footstep was right.

When I was leaving Independence the first day, I only got 20 miles and my hip and knees were bleeding from falls. I was very discouraged and I called Colleen to tell her that perhaps this was too much for me. She said to see how I felt in the morning - and in the morning I decided to go ahead for that day anyway. Every day after that I just coped with the challenges that day brought.

First I lacked much biking knowledge, then my physical condition was inadequate (that issue never conpletely resolved), then I wanted to recreate in a modern sense the life of the settlers as they travelled across the country by camping and cooking as much as possible (which added nuances of difficulty).

Knowing I was meeting Neil in Casper helped get me through some hard times in Nebraska, and when he arrived the company was most welcome. Troubles shared are troubles halved (and he carried some of my stuff too).

I got discouraged or maybe bored in Nevada by myself but Colleen called every night without fail and cheered me on. Sometimes she must have had difficulty imagining my situation - but always she called.

The last bit was great. Coming down 8600 feet through beautiful lush California. Even today when I left Hangtown (Placerville) I took Green Valley to Folsom but there discovered a bike path which ran along the American River 31 winding lovely miles right into downtown Sacramento (5 blocks from the Hostel where I am staying). How nice was that.

I would like to thank all of you for your support. You can't imagine how I looked forward to reading your comments and writing with you in mind.

I would also like to thank those people I met on the road who helped in a myriad of ways from putting us up to lending me a shower to just a friendly wave or honk in passing (I think the honks were friendly).

Lastly I would like to thank the thousands of people who made an effort to swing wide when passing me, really it is amazing how generous of heart people are (except for the evil RVers with their truck envy - and why do they have to cart all that stuff around anyway?).

I'll be in Vancouver day after tomorrow and then home next week - ah home - I started with Dorothy in a Kansas of tornados and now I finish with Dorothy in Oz - saying - there's no place like home.

Love
Laurence
Sacramento, California
September 30, 2009

ps ACDC thanks for the schedule and the route (which I pretty much took) Thanks for all the support - you were great and we look forward to seeing you before too long.
ps Lee tell the girls Poppa will see them next Friday
ps John, that's terrific
ps Grignons - all of you - thanks
l