Day 82
We ate at Perkins for breakfast, gulped down two pots of coffee between Mike and I, applied sunscreen, and set out for the day. Today, the roads were not that secluded, rather busy, a lot of traffic, and loud. We had to ride single-file and it wasn't until about half-way into the day that we found the peace and quiet, country roads we all prefer so much more! It was a hot day and we stopped for a cold beverage at a gas station. Mike came to the table wearing a leather doo-rag and goggles and we couldn't help but crack up.
We made it to Cannon City about mid-day where we had planned to meet up with a few Kiwanis members from the Yorktown Chapter. Mike had been in contact with the group since the start of the trip and they wanted to ride with him for the last 40 miles or so. We met Bill, a former president of the group, Claire, and Jack. They were ready to go and Bill set the pace. I was having trouble keeping up with his 15 mph pace, so although he was 70, he could still definitely get those legs going! They took us on a very scenic tour on the route to Williamsburg, where we had planned on staying for the night. We rode on the Colonial Parkway which was built during the Depression to create more jobs...it's still the same road! It was a bit bumpy but very pretty! As all 8 of us rode into the city, I felt like a celebrity or something. Everyone was looking at us and pointing, we pulled up to the Hospitality House Hotel, which was absolutely beautiful! The Kiwanis graciously set Mike up with a suite in the nicest hotel I had possibly ever seen! They said we were welcome to stay with him as the suite was two rooms, equipped with a kitchen and large restroom! We were so excited! They told us to get cleaned up and meet them at the Green Room Cafe next door where we enjoyed a nice tasty brew and some juicy burgers that were half off!!
We enjoyed their company and to my surprise my great Uncle Stole, Aunt Jan, and second cousin Jeff took time out of their evening to meet me there as well! We visited and it was so neat to have a part of my family there, so far away from home!It had been a great day and we were so close to finishing, we all couldnt help having a lovely time!
Day 83
Today was it, the last day of biking across the country, day #83! We met Bill out front of the hotel at 9:00 sharp and there were some people there taking our pictures and interviewing Mike. We again felt like celebrities, an awesome way to finish our adventure! We had a total of 13 miles to ride and Bill led us through Colonial Williamsburg as well as on the Colonial Parkway once again right next to the York River where we could smell the salty goodness! It was a lovely morning and we made it to the statue mid morning! We took some photos, hip hip hoorayed, and quickly rode our bikes down the hill, so they could taste the Atlantic. We dipped our wheels in and then jumped in helmets and all to bask in our glory! It was a moment to remember thats for sure!
After, Bill and his wife made room for our bikes and gear in their cars and drove us to have lunch with the Kiwani's at their weekly meeting! We arrived at Joe & Mimma's Italian Restaurant where the entire backroom was reserved for the Kiwani Club. As we walked into the room, spandex and all, we were applauded for just biking across the country. As you could imagine we were all a bit suprised and did not expect such a nice welcome! The president introduced Mike and he stood up in front of the club explaining the inns and outs of the camp he was raising money for that was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club in Oregon. They then invited us up to talk about Invisible Children as well as Rob and Dan to talk about Cyclists Fighting Cancer. We realized that between the five of us we had raised close to $20,000, all for organizations dedicated to helping children. It was such an awesome way to finish the tour, I mean to be greeted by all these people who were so eager to find out how they could help and wanting to be there to congratulate us, complete strangers at that. As well as finishing as a group, we had become a family, and bringing it back to the reason that we all decided to do this in the first place; it truly couldn't have been a better ending to a trip of memories that will last a lifetime.
Mark and I have decided that we are each going to write a reflection entry. I'm not sure if anyone will read it because the trips over now, but I have learned alot this summer and have a few final thoughts that I would like to write down, to have to look at in the future. So you all have Kristen's words of wisdom to look forward to! ha Take care and thanks so much for all your support over the last few months, we truly would'nt have been able to do it without all of you! So thank you!!! We've done it!!!!
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