Day 15: Now That It's All Over

I'm still decompressing.  It still hasn't really sunk in that I rode across America.  This is a different feeling from what I experienced when riding up the length of the Mississippi.  I don't know if it's because that was done all in one shot or if it's something else.

I'm still feeling numb.  Literally.  My fingers on my left hand are still tingling.  That will, hopefully, go away in a couple of days as I'm no longer compressing my hands against my handlebars for hours on end.  By butt will feel better soon (yes, this go 'round, I didn't regale you in stories of saddle sores or other ailments.  Happy now?).

As always, there are so many people to thank that I will simply offer a collective "Thank You All" to the many out there who have supported me both emotionally and spiritually for this journey.  You have been there in words and actions and I have appreciated it all.  You helped me through the rains, the heat, the hills and the headwinds.  You have helped me in days when I just wondered what the hell I was out there doing.  Your comments on my blog were words of encouragement and I was very happy to share what I had seen, heard and experienced along the way.  I hope that, in some small way, you all got a sense, through my words and pictures, of what a fascinating country we live in.  And how, if you don't stop to sample a moment of it along the way, what interesting sensations you'd fail to realize are there as you travel across America.

I spoke to my son Jesse this morning.  He's about to complete the first year of the foster kids academy he's helped to set up in Southern New Jersey.  He's still overwhelmed by it all, but he reminded me of what I told him a few weeks back.  "When it's all over, just sit by yourself for half an hour and reflect on just how much you've accomplished over this past year.  Be very proud of yourself and your actions.  Then get up and get on with your life.  Figure out how you're going to make it an even better year for your kids this next year."  As he told me that, he reminded me to do the same thing for myself.

Sound advice.

I'll leave you all with one last thought…The only thing standing between you and your dreams is yourself.  No challenge is too big.  No mountain is too high or too steep.

Just get on your bike and ride.