We got started from Groveland. I got there about 10AM. I wasn't even out of my car yet when a biker rode up the hill. I waved and didn't think anything about it until he headed toward me and skidded to a stop. Lo and behold, it was my coach from Dallas, Larry Hart. You can't know how I felt when I saw him there. That got the ride off to a great start. He had been setting this up with my boys for a few days and it was a complete surprise.
Larry, Matt, Josh and I took a quick trip into Newburyport where we met up with Jack MacSwan, another buddy who rode with us the rest of the way to Plum Island. We stopped in the 'port and took our time because several friends were running late and we wanted them there when we dipped the bike in the ocean. Everyone got there and we had the ceremony, followed by a pull on the bubbly.
After we were through at Plum Island (Damn, that water was cold!!), we went back to Michael's Harborside restaurant where we spent the next several hours with a raft of friends. Yes, we partied pretty hard and well into the night.
It is great to be done, but the re-entry has been a shocker. I have kept busy. On Monday we cleaned out the van, our home for 4 months. It was a bittersweet farewell. I will trade it in sometime next week
I plan on getting out on the bike for the first time today. am very stiff and sore, I think my body misses the bike. It should be fun to actually ride a loop today rather than a straight line from point A to point B. I'll let you know how it goes.
Sorry I haven't updated the blog with the news of the finish. I have been somewhat confused how to do this. What do I say? My reflections of the trip have barely begun. I found no secrets to the meaning of life along the way.
I need to thank you all for your support. I know I couldn't have done it alone. Thanks to one and all.
Where do we go from here? I wish I knew. I will have to become gainfully employed soon. I'll let you know what I will be when I grow up. If I decide not to grow up, I'll let you know where the next adventure will take place.
Till then...
