Last Full Day of Riding!

Palatka, FL

WOW! I've been thinking and saying that a lot lately. Wow! See, even when I am blogging I'm thinking it. Over 3,000 miles we have traveled.!!! I wish I had a camera for every time we talked to someone on the road, in a store, or at a gas station about our trip just to capture the jaw-dropping that we have seen along the way. Today, I needed a pick-me- up so my beverage of choice is a cold bottle of chocolate milk. The lady behind the counter was talking to four young men that had walked in and said something about the warm temperatures of the day already. One of the guys said something like not as hot as riding a bike like this lady. When I told him that I wasn't hot, just really tired today as we get down to our LAST 100 miles. He and his buddies stared in disbelief when they heard the details of starting out in San Diego on March 6th and arriving in this part of Florida at that store today around 3,000 miles later.

The same thing happened down the road at mile 55. We saw this cute grocery store set back off the main road and stopped to get another drink and take another break. (I think we were very thirsty today because of two over 70 mile days in a row.) We had such a wonderful time talking to the store owner. She took OUR picture as she was so impressed by our accomplishments so far. Then another lady came in that lived nearby, a Mrs. Love, who started talking and oops, there it was again, the jaw drop, measurable and predictable....

I have to say that today's ride was a bit of a struggle for me. In some ways I wanted it to be just over. My knee was a bit grumpy today and I felt a little tired. And, in another ways it means the beginning of the end of what we have been doing the last eight weeks together and knowing that this experience as we know it will be ending and I have loved being out of doors for most of the day and don't want it to end.

We started counted down the mileage. Only 120 miles left of the whole trip, 100 miles left, 60 miles, left, under 50 miles left of the whole trip., etc. It was kind of trippy. Susan gave me a hug this morning and we both shared that we so enjoyed having each other on this journey. After all, we are the Bag Balm Babes and have been pedaling pals since day two of the trip. We both had to walk away from each other after the hug because we both knew if we started to cry now, it would never end.

Many family member and friends are starting to trickle in to share the big day tomorrow. Once we get to St. Augustine, we get a police escort on the highway several miles down to the beach for tire dipping and a picnic. I'm sure it will be a very special ending to a very special trip.

Coming over the bridge in Palatka today we saw "Welcome Woman Tours" on the hotel marquis. Kind of Cool!

Coming home soon!
Love,
Robin