I returned to Tucson late this past Friday night after two days of travel that were filled with lengthy delays. In-as-much-as "it's all about me" (Marcie, I will send you a royalty check for using your line), I found it quite inconsiderate of these national transportation companies (Amtrak and U.S. Air) to cause me to sit idle for hours on end. Even though my Google calendar reminds me daily that I do not have any items scheduled, I felt quite slighted by their (Amtrak and U.S. Air) inability to control things completely outside of their control (pedestrian suicide and weather).
Let's see, where was I? Oh yes ... got home late Friday evening, slept the sleep of babies and awoke to a weekend of getting my "Tucson" life in order.
I have been repeatedly asked how I feel about the ride I just finished. Given my unhappy feelings offered up in my most recent postings, it is clear to me that I had reached a point where bike touring (or rather the thought of bike touring) was not high on my list of "things I enjoy". In the final month of riding I was faced with strong head winds on an almost daily basis, which was extremely discouraging. But I find as the days go by, and those immediate emotions ebb, I am able to begin to gather my thoughts on the overall outing. More and more I am remembering events and locations that brought me joy.
Quick summary: Days on the road ... 137; total miles ... 6,542; number of flat tires ... 5 or 6 (note: the last flat was on final day of riding ... sheesh); total cost ... OUCH!!
So here I am ... grateful and most happy to be home; grateful and most happy to be in good health; grateful and most happy to be surrounded by such wonderful friends; grateful and most happy.
The floppy-eared guy (in the mural below) is quite representative of me, this past weekend, as I was "getting my "Tucson" life in order" whilst ridin' my couch.
Welcome home, Randy! Relish your couch for now, and maybe we'll get to ride together again next year. :)
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