Mixed feelings

October 29th/09 - Key West, FL
Double Tree Hotel
Mileage: 80 km
Total mileage: 6,730 km

We left Marathon south bound on our very last leg of the journey. Sunny skies and the wind behind us, just as brother Greg had wished for us when we visited back in Bay City, Texas. Record high temperatures for this time of year. I think it was 90 degrees or something like that. All the Floridians are complaining but Deby and I find it quite comfortable...strange, eh.

Hwy 1 immediately took us over the seven mile bridge to Bahia Honda, our tires whining as we travelled easily in high gear. The palm branches chased us as we passed by, sailing down the road. Through Big Pine Key, Ramrod and Summerland Key, just to name a few. Then mysteriously and without conversation, we began to slow. Both Deby and I began to loose our expression of elation and we began to doddle. Slower and slower we rode. At one point we stopped to watch several iguanas at the roadside and at another point we stopped on a bridge for some time to watch a shark lazily swimming in the emerald waters. We talked and realized that neither of us wanted this trip to end. What was supposed to be a victorious occasion was now an occasion that we approached with mixed feelings.

We continued on through Sugarloaf Key, Boca Chica and finally to Key West. Immediately we rode to the monument marking the Southern most point of Continental USA for a photo shoot. We somewhat forced a smile and had another tourist take a photo of us. Again, mixed feelings.

This trip has been long, but it feels like we started it yesterday. This trip has been ripe with hardship, challenges and even pain, which all seems to have happened a thousand years ago...all forgotten (well mostly!). This trip has been full of beauty, oneness with nature, friendship and memories that will last forever.

There is no medication for our mixed feelings, nothing that can remedy those pangs. The only hope we have is to cycle from Alaska to Grand Forks next spring to complete the trip, north to south. Too bad I didn't think of that before we started. (Jury is still out if I'm going along on that leg, but there is a very strong possibility!).

Calypso, my bike, has been retired. I gave the 25 year old bike to the owner of the bicycle shop here...'Fixed Gears'. He said he knows a tall hippie that could use him. Calypso will spend his final years rolling through the sea breezes under the palms. Couldn't be a finer retirement for a machine that has served me so well.

October 31st we fly home to Grand Forks. Thank you all for coming along with us. It has meant a lot to us to keep our friends and family informed of our adventure, and we thank you for the many comments of encouragement along the way. May all your adventures be as wonderful!!