Final Thoughts

Well, Here I am rested and enjoying the sun (finally caught him here in Florida!). I have had plenty of time to reflect both during and after this trek about...well about things. So here they are...

People are basically nice
So much of our culture/media portray people in a negative light. Sure there are people out there that fulfill that image, but I have found on my east coast journey that the masses are basically nice! They are helpful and go out of their way to be a help to you. I experienced so many people that helped me find my way back when I was lost, donate to the missionaries when they heard, offer to meet me along my journey, feed me when I was out of food, offer me water/drinks on hot days, etc, etc, etc.

Sometimes its all about the goal
This trip began with a personal dream, was encouraged by my wife when I wavered, but toward the end of my journey it became all about the missionaries. 6 weeks is a long time to be alone with your thoughts, with your bike and with the "4H's" (Hills, Heat, Headwinds and Hateful chasing dogs). So toward the end it became all about helping the missionaries fulfill their calling on the various fields that the Lord has called them to.

Pursue your dreams
I have dreamed of doing a long trip like this for over 10 years. However, at my age and station of life it seemed like something that I would always just think and talk about. But I never gave up. About 6 months ago I almost gave up on this trip, but my wife encouraged me saying that my kids would look back on this and it would inspire them to attempt great things in their lives. That was all I needed to hear! I was all in after that...thank you my wife!

Silence is good
If you know me at all, you know that I am a people person. My wife at times gets a little exasperated with me because I invite people over without consulting her. I can understand her position, but I find that I cannot help it (not an excuse, just admitting a personality disorder). But early on in my trip someone commented that since I was doing this alone, I was sort of on a silent retreat. Wow! That put a different spin on this time alone, which I knew was going to be hard for me. So I thought...about ministry, family, my wonderful wife, the past, the future. I prayed...for my congregation, my family, my sanctification. I meditated...on Scripture. In a world that barely gives you a moment alone anymore, this silence was good for my soul.

Independence is not all it's cracked up to be
Many people do things like this to prove their independence, their self-sufficiency, that they are indeed an island. I would say that this trip proved to me that being dependent on people is OK. I got to the point that I loved when people offered their help. I loved when people asked if they could ride a day or two with me as Lou and Adrian did (thank you!). I loved when friends offered their time, homes and encouragement to me along the way (Thank you James family, my parents, Kathy, Walt, and Jesse, Scott Jenkins, the Gordon family, Beryl, Dick Donohoe, Ben and Jackie and the Zielinski family!) I was taken care of in royal fashion as I treked down the coast.

This country is amazing!
Even though I only saw the east coast of America, a relatively small section of our country, it is simply amazing. From the rocky, pine-peppered coast of Maine, to the beautiful hills (and yes mountians!) of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. From the gorgeous Delaware Valley to the open air vistas of the Chesapeake. From the American history steeped in Virginia and the Carolinas to the pristine Outer Banks. From the deep, rich culture of Charleston, Savannah and St Augustine to new vitality of Naples. This country is amazing!

My heavenly Father took good care of me!
When I think of all the miles I rode and all the days on the road, there could have been so many things that could have happened to me (I'll let you imagineation take over here since the list is long). But nothing happened! Not a flat tire, not a breakdown along the road, no theft of equipment! I never had a physical issue. My legs never agve out, I didn't pull anything. I always got to the end of the day and had a campsite and/or motel with room, and the dogs never caught me. In short, nothing bad happened to me on the entire 6 week journey! Thank you and praise you heavenly Father. You are GOOD!

THE END

Final Day

Miles: 27.2
Final...Final Destination: Naples, FL
Well, this is it!
I woke up at Fort Meyers beach in the "lovely" Tahitian Inn and got on the road. I rode over the bridge (pictured) onto Estero Road which winds its way down to Naples. I had a very stiff wind headwind which was a little discouraging, but the distance was not as far as I thought. Before I knew it I was riding into North Naples.
I truly could not believe that I was on the last leg of my trip. It always seemed as if I was so far away with so many pedal strokes to go. But here I was!
As I entered my parent's gated community (they're all gated down here), I saw her in the distance taking pictures and holding up welcome signs (pictured) that my family had made. It was bitter sweet to ride up knowing that I was a day ahead and my dear Carrie, Avie, Jack and Finnegan were not going to greet me. But it was so wonderful to have my dear mother cheering me in.
So I made it. 2,328 miles, a few short of my 2,600 estimation, but still I feel good about it.
Tomorrow I will post my final post regarding my east coast bike trip with reflections on the trip as a whole, so stay tuned...
Til Tomorrow...

Overal statistics of my bike trip:

Total miles: 2,328
Average miles per day: 68.47
Average speed: 12.13 mph
Average calories burned per day: 4,222
Average time in the saddle (pedaling) each day: 5:32 hrs
Estimated pedal revolutions: 1,000,000

Day 33 - Saturday 10/23

Miles: 94.7
Final Destination: Fort Meyers, FL
Had my "wing man" that as been with me the whole time riding alongside this morning (pictured.) He and I have grown quite close. It's amazing the conversations we have had. If this trip lasted a little longer, he might have even started talking back!
It was an easy morning in the saddle as the wind was at my back. Wended my way through farmland and orange groves again.
After lunch the wing changed direction and was a pretty hefty headwind off my left shoulder. Had to stop more frequently and rest/eat. As I was riding I saw my first "Naples" sign (pictured). Hurray!!
Made it to Fort Meyers, my last night of the bike trip. I am staying in the Tahitian Inn. However, there is not a trace of anything South Pacific...interesting.
Tomorrow I have an easy day (35 miles or so) from here to snapping that finish line in Naples.
Looks like my trip will be a little shy of the 2,600 billed at the beginning, but I think that 2,300 and change is good 'nough.
Til Tomorrow...

Day 32 – Friday 10/22

Final Destination: Wauchula, FL
Not much to report today. The day started out nice and tranquil (see picture of golf course). I was apparently in orange grove country because as far as the eye could see there were orange trees, orange trees and more orange trees (pictured). I got some encouragement in the form of a sign by the side of the road which read “Keep Going” (see picture) It was quite literally in the middle of nowhere and had no relation to anything else in the area. I think it was from God.
I thought about shortening my trip by hopping on a train (pictured), but then I thought about the missionaries and God’s encouragement earlier and decided to keep on peddling.
Got chased by another crazed loose dog today, but I was ready this time!! Got him with some of my ‘Halt!’ pepper spray (My new best friend, pictured).
Til Tomorrow...
Also pictured:
- Jack and Fin, look at the humungous crane I passed today. It is just like on those videos we watch “I dig dirt”
- Churches look very different from classic New England down here!

Day 31 -Thursday 10/21

Miles: 56.2
Final Destination: Pierson, FL
Just in case anyone thinks I am staying in the lap of luxury when I stay in a motel along the way, check out the sign in my lastest stay (pictured). That sign could have been hung in my room as well!
Today was a H2 day, Heat and Hills. The lakes region has nice rolling hills which is nice to be in again, but the heat was intense, high 80's. early in the day I finally saw the crop that Florida is famous for...oranges (pictured)! Before it had been all horses and beef cattle (and a mystery crop under some shading, pictured), but here they are. Not quite ready for consumption, but nice.
Got lost a couple of times today, just not paying attention to the map. I stopped at a lonely grocery store to get some directions and there was an older gentleman at the counter talking to the cashier. After I got straightened out, he asked me what I was doing and why. After I told him about the missionary support, he paused and then said, "Go get yourself a couple of gatorades on me." These are the kinds of people that I have met on this trip. Americans are good people.
OK, I forgot to tell you about a Hitchcockian experience I had a couple of days ago. I rode up to a 4-way intersection in a desolate part of Florida. It was hot and so I stopped to take a breather. A minute later a truck whirred past and off into the distance, then silence again. A moment later I began to hear the engine noise of a prop plane in the distance. What movie was I living in? (answer at bottom)
Til Tomorrow...
Also pictured:
- Alpha is alive in the south as well!
- Don't forget to share the road!
- Beautiful spanish influenced churches down here
- "Ages gone by" An old orange farm overgrown and abandoned

Answer: North by Norhtest

Day 30 - Tuesday 10/20

Miles: 98.2
Final Destination: Mount Dora, FL
Left St Augustine and road parallel to the coast for about an hour before I turned inland. Goodbye Atlantic Ocean...hello Gulf of Mexico (soon). The first thing that I noticed almost immediately is that inland Florida is full of horse farms and beef cattle ranches. Who knew! There were "Beef: It's what's for dinner" signs and banners everywhere. It seemed so strange to see cattle grazing among palm fronds! (pictured).
Another thing I did not expect in Florida was hills! It was rolling hills for most of the day and even saw a sign that I had not seen in over 1,000 miles, a warning for trucks of a steep hill (pictured). I actually got up to 38 miles and hour down that one! But all bikers know the saying, "What goes down, must go up" and it was the first time since Pennsylvania I got up out of my saddle and stood up to climb a hill. It felt good!
Another inportant milestone today...I reached 2,000 miles since leaving Maine (pictured). Not bad for a little Connecticutian!
I decided to go a little further than planned today because my legs felt so good and almost did a century (100 miles in a day) 98.2 is close enough so between you and me I did a century.
On to Disney World manyana.
Til Tomorrow...
Also pictured:
- Bullet holes in road signs. I don;t think there had been one road sign without them since entering Virginia. Crazy's south of the mason-Dixon.
- A local baptist church. Hmmm, do you think it was built in the 60's?

Rest Day in St Augustine

Miles: 0
Took a day of rest in the oldest city in the US...St Augustine! Spent the morning doing laundry, organizing and visiting with Christa (Brian's wife) and their two darling little girls (Caitlyn and Kalea (spellng?)). I am so staved for my three wonderful children that I just wanted to interact with them constantly. Had great conversations with Caitlyn, she expresses herself extremely well for a 4 year old.
In the afternoon I went with Brian to see the house that they are building (pictured). It is beautiful and in a development that is more like a vacation destination than a permanent settlement. It boasts pools, water slides, boche courts, soccer fields, and even an outdoor movie theater!
When we returned to St Augustine I convinced Brian to take one of those touristy tour with me (pictured waiting for the trolley studying our maps). It was a very informative tour. Whether you like it or not, the best way to get to know a new place is to take one of these cheezy tours...they tell you the essentials.
This one was great. So much to see and absorb. St Augustine is really amazing. (various pictures). St Augustine was developed by Henry Flagler in the late 19th century and his buildings, churches, etc are all over. He was a partner with Rockefeller in Standard Oil and was endlessly wealthy. To give an example, his daughter died and he wanted a church built in her honor but he insisted that it be completed before the first anniversary of her death. He brought in thousands of laborers who worked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It was completed in 321 day and is quite an amazing edifice complete with Tiffany stained glass windows!
Well after our tour Brian and Christa took me out to a spanish feast for dinner (pictured). It was delicious and again thank you so much!
Afterward we walked the ancient streets while eating ice cream. The things dreams are made of...
Til Tomorrow...
Also pictured:
- Me posing as a spanish conquistidor (Factoid: the average height of men in the 16th century in St Augustine was 4'9''. You can see the evidence of this in the door heights and window levels...Wow!

Day 29 - Monday 10/18

A beautiful moring to ride! Mid-60's, sunny, quiet. Made my way out of amelia Island through the parks. Had to take a ferry across the river to the mainland when I got to the proverbial "end of the road."
I had to stop and get something at CVS and while I was waiting in line there was a gentleman that looked in his 60's checking out ahead of me. The woman told him that his total was "1929" and he looked at her with a smile and pounded his chest and said, "That gets me right here." The girl behind the counter did not know what he was referring to so I piped in, "That was the year of the crash and the start of the great depression, right?" The man and I talked for a while outside and it turns out that he was 96 years old! He was 15 when the crash happened! He was in the Navy and fought in WWII, Korea and Vietnam! What and intersting man. As he was leaving he told me that he was headed out tonight to got dancing! He was a very affable and down to earth man. That's how I want to be when I am his age!
Rode next to the ocean for much of the day (Pictured). Had my ipod playing some of my favorite beach music...it was idyllic. Stopped for a rest and a slurpee (that's what they called them in Pittsburgh anyway...pictured) at a roadside store. It was refreshing and re-energizing. After that it was on to St Augustine (pictured)
I miscalculated how far St Augustine and Brian and Christa's house was so I had a 90+ mile day, my longest so far. Brian came out to greet me about 6 miles from their house on his bike. We rode together and talked the last 45 minutes or so. Thanks Brian!
After spending some time catching up, Brian and I headed out to watch Monday Night Football and get some wings. Nothing like that combo!
I am a day ahead of schedule, so I am going to stay here two nights and visit St Augustine tomorrow, billed as America's oldest city.
Til Tomorrow...

Day 28 – Sunday 10/17

Well, today started out COLD! I think I heard it was 48 degrees when I started biking. As you can see, there was a little frost on the side of the road (pictured).
I was biking on the north end of the Okefenokee Swamp all morning (pictured). It was literally 24 miles of straight road. As far as the eye could see (pictured)...a little boring.
I made it to a little town of St. George just in time to worship at a Baptist church (pictured). It was wonderful to be in the Lord’s presence once again. I felt kind of strange being at church in my spandex bike shorts. Maybe I will bring that fashion trend back the SWHCC with me.
I entered my 13th and final state today...Florida! (pictured) Now Florida is a long state so the next 6 days will be getting from here to Naples...whew!
I decided to take a rest day in St. Augustine just south of San Fernandina where I am staying tonight. Some good friends, Brian and Christa, just moved there with their two kids this year from CT and I will stay with them and see what the city has to offer.
The campground I am staying in tonight Fort Clinch) is apparently very highly rated and coveted (you have to make your reservations almost a year in advance!). The park ranger told me he was giving me a very nice site right on the water since I was only staying one night and what a site it is! It overlooks the water (picture) and people kept coming over and asking how I, with a little single tent, got such a prized site! Thank you, Lord.
Well, I enjoyed the sunset (pictured) and settled into my “prized” campsite for the night.
Til Tomorrow...
Also Pictured:
- I had a little Armadillo wandering in and out of my camp all night. Such strange looking animals!

Day 27 - Saturday 10/17

Miles: 66.6
Final Destination: Folkston, GA
Well, there’s another city that we need to visit again. I know I just touched the tip of the iceburg of what Savannah has to offer.
Today, my brother in law Ben took me outside the city to roads more appropriate for a bike. As I was getting ready to get on the bike I went in and bought some water as Ben took a quick ride on my bike. When I came out and was walking up toward him, he tossed me his car keys and said, “I’ll see you in Florida.” I think he wishes he was going with me.
I rode for a few miles with a man from Poland who was biking from New York to Jacksonville, FL and then west to Phoenix, AZ where he was boarding a jet to Hawaii. He was on holiday and was seeing a part of America he had never seen. We talked about touring and camping and how nice people are in general.
I met another biker (TC) a little further down the road. She was a local and was doing her daily 40 miles over and back again on the Jekyll Island bridge (pictured). Thanks for taking the picture, TC!
I met my parents at a McDonalds just off I-95 as they were headed to Florida (pictured). It was wonderful to see them and spend some time with family.
Til Tomorrow...

Also Pictured:
- Another old little outcropping of God's family along the road