August 13,
2001. Wenatchee, Washington
Home
again.
Yesterday
we spent the day driving back to Wenatchee. It was a long car trip, and the
smog and traffic were heavy through the Columbia Gorge. I found myself constantly checking on the
condition of the bike lane and imagining the experience from a bicycle as we
sped through the landscape in the car. We were still traveling by bicycle in
our minds.
When we finally arrived home, we
had another welcome. Colin had made a Welcome Home poster for us, and Mike's
parents had left a bouquet of flowers and a refrigerator full of food: steaks,
fruit, potato salad, pastries, and a homemade peach pie for our return! Wow!
We fired up the BBQ and celebrated. Then we faced a pile of mail to sort and a
growing list of things needing our attention after being gone so long. I
looked at our journal on the big computer screen for the first time, as
well as the photos as slides that we had mailed home for development along the
way. I hope to scan these to add them to the journal. This process helps bring back hundreds of
memories of what was an awesome trip.
Two days ago when we ended our bike
trip at the Pacific Ocean, I was asked if it felt good to get off the bike and
ride in the car for a change. My answer was no. I miss the satisfaction of
propelling myself on my trusty blue bike. I miss the richness of the
experience that we have by bicycle touring.
In particular, I remember
straddling my bike by the side of the road, in the middle of one of Montana's
big valleys, under Montana's big sky, and marveling as we had so many times,
that "we are really out here", we have the whole view, 360
degrees, no steel nor glass between us and the world, the wind, the fragrance
of the pines, the sage, the honeysuckle, the rain, or the sun. In a world
where people travel to a National Park in speeding vehicles, and "experience the Park" in an IMAX theater, bicycle travel may seem
crazy. But who is crazy?
Our trip has made us strong and
fit, we have made many new friends, we have learned more about this country
than we ever knew, we have experienced the diversity of this great continent's
landscape intimately, we have become wiser, and we have tested our strengths.
No matter how discouraging and arduous bicycling might be at times, I would
never trade this bicycle trip for the same in a car. As I reflect back over
the last three months, I am grateful that we were able to accomplish this
dream and create memories like these that nourish our souls.
And now, some words from Mike
(But I didn't put him up to this!)
At no time throughout this trip
have I had second thoughts. Every morning I looked forward to the day of
exploring and enjoying the surroundings. Even when the rain held us in Elkhorn
City, six consecutive days of headwinds in Wyoming, or facing a 33 degree
morning clad only in warm weather bike gear, I did not want to be somewhere
else or doing something else. Though frequently amazed, I was never
disappointed with what I found each day.
The best part of this trip was
Marilyn. Her strength and courage were demonstrated with every hardship, and I
was impressed with her capability and determination. I feel truly blessed to
be able to share this once in a lifetime experience with her.
