Three months ago I think we would have deemed a 5-day car trip a long one, too. But after 99 days, 12,400 miles, 50 different beds, at age 65 in a mini van with a bike in the back, well I guess we have redefined "a long car trip" at least from our perspective.
It's been a grand ride: returned to places near and dear; seen new places that have been on our "we gotta go there someday" list; visited friends we haven't seen in 20, 30, 40, 50 years, and others who we just said good-bye to 6 months ago who moved from our good friend, Chicago.
Kirk still has his 20-year perfect attendance at Rotary making up meetings weekly along the way; his Bally Fitness membership allowed him to go to the gym at least once a week; and despite breaking my foot and being off the bike for 5-1/2 weeks I still rode 1,600 miles and rode in 8 new states.
I think one of the ingredients to a successful odyssey such as this is to know what your anchors are that keep you spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally healthy and then figure out a way to make that happen on the journey.
Certainly having the benefit of an electronic world made keeping up with the administrative end of household life pretty easy: electronic banking, being able to drop ship "stuff" up the road, faxing from hotel lobbies, GPS on the iPhone, etc.
Kirk has never been fond of my Nissan Quest, said it ran like a truck, had a wide turning radius, and wasn't impressive when it came to fuel economy. All of that is true. But, he has a new respect for our now only car (first time we've been a one car family since 1974) that gave us not a wink of worry for those 12,400 miles and still looks like new.
It's time to land, to set some new roots, for sure. We are all roamed out. Ready to see some clothes other than the 3 pairs of shorts and 5 T-shirts we've seen for 100 days. Ready to have our reusable Trade Joe Grocery Sacks we carry from hotel to hotel full of items beyond apples, cereal, and microwaveables that don't require refrigeration. Ready to build some more lasting relationships in Rotary, church, the neighborhood beyond those at the local convenient store where we bought our daily paper.
We're feeling deep fondness and gratitude to the friends and family who welcomed us along the way, the professionals who have become friends--Nelson, who helped us find our townhouse in February, 2010 and who shepherded us all along the way; Ginny, who managed our property as a rental unit until September 30, 2011 when we took possession; Liz who took the empty shell of a unit designed a place of color, hospitality, and comfort. Next week she will be orchestrating the make-over artists who will, hopefully, be finished by October 10th when our furniture, that has been in storage since June 24th, will arrive.
And so, we say thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, and your support. This will be the last blog entry for the 99 Day Trek To Tucson. Se acabó. Do let us know if you'll be coming our way. We'd love to welcome you to Tucson with the same warmth (LOL) as we have been welcomed.
Bentwanderings is a good place to continue following my cycling journey.
 |
| Saguaro on the hillside |
