South Bend, Indiana, Tuesday, September 5

I have uploaded my photos from Michigan to Maine, and added a link to them.

I expect this to be my final post on this blog.

I have been home for a week catching up on things. I have driven a car, attended a Purdue football game, cleaned and repaired my bike/camping gear, mowed the lawn, cooked on a real stove, slept in a soft bed, and done all the things a normal retired man of leisure might expect to do.

I frequently count my blessings, especially when it rains and I realize that I don’t have to break camp in a wet tent today; I throw my dirty dishes in the dish washer; I close the bedroom window when it gets cold at night; I sit in a soft leather easy-chair and read the news paper; I log on to the internet without worry that I only have 30 minutes before being asked to relinquish my seat; I simply open the refrigerator door to grab a cold one. I could go on, but you get the idea.

I re-read my postings today, and there are a few things I would like to add in summary.

I didn’t mention Pablocito (Spanish for cute little Paul), although I have a couple of photos of him. He is a teddy bear with a story behind him; a gift from my fellow travelers. I will treasure him always.

If you look closely at the photos of my bike, you will note that there was an American flag attached. I am proud that I have an American flag that has gone from one American coast to the other on a bicycle.

Three months ago I was thrown in with 5 strangers. We had nothing in common, except that we liked to travel by bicycle. I lived with those 5 people for 3 months, through some very difficult, and some very wonderful times. We formed relationships which we will never forget. The trip was deeply rewarding. I would recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure.