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Home Sweet Home

Today is May 1, 2013; Jeff’s 50th birthday and two days after we completed our cross country bicycle journey after 52 days. “Re-entry” has been a bit surreal. In a half-awake state during the night, I thought I was in our tent. When I went to get dressed this morning, it was as if I did not recognize my own clothes in my closet, I had forgotten all about half of them. I had decided to get back on the bike as soon as we got home and settled, but getting on the single bike after riding the tandem felt so unfamiliar and unsteady, I had to step off and really make myself get back on. I did get back on and did not ride far, but just enough to gain some confidence (with the constant mantra in my head, “You’ve biked across the country, you can do this!”).


The trip was an amazing experience. Every part of the country we biked through was beautiful; some places you had to search a little more, but we were never left unrewarded. The mountains were difficult right off the bat, but the downhills were thrilling. The deserts of Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas were dry and desolate, but offered a unique, almost other-worldly landscape of cacti of all shapes and sizes with some like the prickly pear with the irony of the most beautiful blooming flowers among the harsh thorns.


The Texas hill country began to give us our first glimpses of green grass, full grown leafy trees and the most gorgeous wildflowers. We finally began to see creeks and rivers that actually contained water in Louisiana and Mississippi where they were spared the horrible unending drought that Texas has endured.  We had the most wonderful conversations with local residents every time we pulled up on our tandem at any gas station across the south. The beauty of Dauphin Island, AL, was a welcome day off and entering the lush and humid west Florida we felt as if we were being let in on a secret and serene landscape that visitors to larger cities like Orlando and Daytona Beach never get to see.

Hitting the limits of the historic St Augustine and making it to the Holy Grail of St Augustine Beach is hard to put into words, but we all rode to the beach together as a group just as we had started off from San Diego’s Dog Beach 52 days earlier and in much more favorable weather conditions. We all took our bikes into the tide and lifted them up to the sky in triumph among laughs and tears and hugs and champagne.



Along the way, we met so many good people. Some areas had been hit hard by the economy, either recent or decades ago, harsh weather or even progress that made highways that passed by their towns or towns that were unfortunate enough to be caught up in the immigration debate merely because of their location and are fighting small “wars” daily that most of us never hear about. The trip solidified my belief that most people are good. Some towns that had very little to offer gave us their goodwill and we took it appreciatively. We listened to stories of history and legends. We talked to US Border Patrol agents who seem to be trying to plug a flood with a Band-Aid, yet are upbeat and professional and respectful. We heard and tasted the local flavor of Cajun country in Louisiana.

There was Ms Pritchard from Greensville, FL, who came to talk to us about growing up black in the south during segregation, as well as some inside stories of her childhood friend, “RC,” better known as Ray Charles. Ms Pritchard went to college after raising 5 children and completed her Master’s degree against all odds. She taught school and retired at age 72, served as mayor of her city for several years and is still involved in civic organizations. She was instrumental in getting a lovely memorial statue commissioned in Greenville of Ray Charles.
It was our honor to meet her!

 

There were times my resolve was tested in the most unexpected ways; though it is my belief that times of adversity always end up teaching you something important. There was the day we began our ride in 34-degree weather and even with 2 pairs of gloves and wind pants and shoe covers on, my hands and feet were so cold, I pedaled with tears of pain and frustration rolling down my cheeks. It made me sympathize more with people who have no choice but to live on the streets and how they must endure the extremes of cold and heat and here I was with a choice about it and it helped me deal with it more constructively.

There were also the many dogs we saw. I do not want to indict an entire area of the country, but there seemed to be an overabundance of loose dogs in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. I saw way too many female dogs who showed the telltale underbelly of having recently given birth and with the number of dogs running at large, it made me wish there was a better campaign to educate owners and make it easier for them to get dogs spayed and neutered. There was the inevitable outcome of this problem made sickeningly clear when we rode up on a young dog panting on the center line of a country road in Mamou, Louisiana, and then we saw why; he was lying vigil close by a fallen companion who was obviously deceased. As I said, it was the saddest sight I ever hope to have to witness. After trying in vane to locate and call a local humane society or animal control, I again rode away with tears in my eyes. I wish people had a better appreciation for how important animals are and maybe they would treat them with more respect and humanity.


There was the yellow lab pup that almost went unnoticed as I went behind a store to get a better look at a horse and colt standing near a fence. The pup was sleeping under an RV that had obviously been parked for the winter. No home or owner were anywhere in sight. The pup came out happily when she saw me and was stopped by the end of her 4 foot rope tether. The rope was not tight and she did wear a collar that also fit her comfortably. I was able to spend a little time with her and return her affection before I had to leave but I still think about her and hope someone just tied her there temporarily and that she has someone who loves her. She was a good and healthy weight, had a good coat and clear eyes and obviously was used to people, so those were good signs that someone, though not taking care of her the way I would do it, was caring for her.

Riding this bike journey was supposed to raise needed funds for Custom Canines and specifically to raise enough funds to get all the puppies trained and placed for the children currently on the waiting list for an autism service dog so that they would not have to wait any longer than was reasonably necessary. Any of us who have done this training have seen the amazing symbiotic relationship between dogs and children and how much good can come from this.


I believe things happen for a reason and there was a reason we were compelled to take this journey.

We disappointingly did not meet our goal of raising $30,000 for Custom Canines,but we did spread their message to a whole new group of good folks and maybe some generous corporate sponsor will be compelled to help this worthy organization. Our hearts were always warmed to see fellow riders with the Pedal 4 Paws jersey on or the staff wearing their P4P t-shirts that Bubba made sure they all had, and we have wonderful photos of family sporting these same t-shirts, and we are still taking orders.

We are looking forward to meeting our new puppy in training eventually,but for now are getting our own dog Monte settled in after his extended vacation at Jeff’s parents’ house. Like a child after spending time with more indulgent grandparents, Monte is having a reality check being back home with different rules! We are incredibly grateful he was able to stay with family who loved him like he was their own while we were away.


Not sure where the journey will take us, but we have some wonderful memories, learned a lot about ourselves and hope we did some good for Custom Canines. We will be blogging about our new puppy when we get him/her. We hope to see y’all down the road!

Day 52: Mission Accomplished

Long day, not riding – ceremonies and packing, more tomorrow …
















We will have plenty of time at the airports.

Day 51: Almost There

The ride from High Springs to Palatka was our last real day of riding. The long day yesterday made today’s eighty miles a little tougher – back to back long rides. We biked most of the route on tree lined roads and trails that created a canopy shielding us from the wind and sun.

Like the Tour de France our last day will be an easy riding day, only forty-three miles with plenty of pomp and circumstance. The festivities begin a mile from the ocean where our group will assemble and ride the last mile together. We will be led by our elder statesman, Lee (71).

Our thoughts off the bike have turned to packing and returning home as opposed to weather forecasts and mileage. Hoping for a good night’s sleep as mattress issues continue to plague us. We received a brand new mattress which proceeded to deflate. Fortunately the crew was able to replace the replacement with another brand new mattress - 10pm no testing.

Highlights: one rider saw an alligator in the wild, we saw turtles nesting and one crossing the road, each member of a pace line ran over a white object in the road that the leader failed to point out.

Day 50: Funny Business

Today we said good-bye to our tents; we will not need them any longer. They have been our personal space and refuge from cold and rain and darkness for 49 nights. Farewell Kelty #T7! 

Today we pedaled 86 miles’ our 2nd longest day of the trip, to High Springs, FL. Bubba said it best about the scenery, “Texas has nothing on north Florida when it comes to wildflowers.” So true, the picture does not do justice to the vibrant pinks, fuscias, lavender and purple and every shade in between of wild phlox that grew in huge patches along the road side.

On our way to our camp, we made a stop at 9:30 AM at Dixie Grille for the “best bread pudding around,” although it might have been a bit too early for that much bourbon in their famous sticky sauce!


With our days together drawing to an end,we seem to find more reasons to laugh together. Tonight at dessert time, Mickey (“Snowflake”) provided the comic relief. It is usually Bubba pulling a fast one on one of us, but tonight the only person who could get away with it pummeled her dear one with a plate full of whipped cream! Ever the detective, Bubba caught on a split second before the dairy smash as he saw 1 too many cell phone camera
pointed his way! Unfortunately, Bubba was able to return the prank on Mickey, and the picture is now one of my favorites and will make me smile every time I see it for many days to come! We love you guys!!

Day 49: Real Rest Day

Since we rode twenty miles on the last rest day, we have been on our bike for 16 straight days. A true rest day was prescribed. I only bikes a quarter mile around camp to perform a cursory check on the installation of the new saddle. The rest of the day was spent reading, chatting, and napping.

Lisa hitched a ride to Valdosta, Georgia, the closest movie theater, with some fellow cyclists for a movie (42) and pizza. That means Lisa has been in 9 states this trip and Jeff has been in 8.

Tonight will be our last night sleeping in a tent Truly on the home stretch.




We had the honor of hearing from a special guest tonight, Ms Elesta Pritchard, 83 years young, and born and raised in Greenville, FL. She was a school teacher in Greenville for 38 years, and was mayor of her town for many, many years and is still active in her community government.

She is a proud but soft spoken black woman who shared with us many stories of the civil rights movement that she saw oftentimes too first hand. Her own life story is memorable enough, putting herself through college AFTER her 5 children were born, even though this meant long bus rides and switching buses daily. She even went on to get her master’s degree and retired after she was in her 70s.

 
To top this off, she was a childhood playmate to none other than Greenville’s famous son, Ray Charles, to her he will always be “RC.” She told us little known facts about him that only a childhood friend would know.

Thank you Ms Pritchard for sharing your time with us! You are a remarkable woman!

Day 48: Biking to Madison

That is Madison, Florida.

It was a short day due to a snafu yesterday; only 55 miles today. That combined with a hotel stay and having lost an hour, as we entered the Eastern time zone, resulted in a late start from Tallahassee. At this point we savor every luxury: towels, bed, air conditioning/heat, short walk to private bathroom, multiple electric outlets, and refrigerator. We didn’t depart until 8:15.

Although rain threatened all day, we managed to complete the hilly ride to Greenville, FL (home of Ray Charles) and a flat, fast, wind-aided ride into Madison, FL without any precipitation.

In celebration of Madison County’s favorite son, we watched the movie “Ray” before bed. Long film, I didn’t get to bed until after eleven. We have a rest day tomorrow!




A quick review of our bike this afternoon revealed an issue. My favorite seat was damaged or worn. The leather was torn and was potentially the cause or at least a contributing factor to some irritations. Thankfully I wwas able to reinstall the seat that we began the ride on as I was forced to discard my “old friend”, Selle Italia ti. We have spent many hours together and traveled thousands of miles.




This evening’s meal was provided by our hosts for the next two nights. The baptist church arranged a potluck dinner. Southern fried chicken, perfectly prepared, was accompanied by every Southern comfort food imaginable with peach cobbler for dessert. After dinner a guest shared some history of Madison County and we were each asked to tell our reason for riding and our favorite part of the trip. Impromptu my reply was satisfactory, but after further thought, the best part of this experience has been gaining an appreciation for living simply and living in the moment.