DonGar

I suppose I started this with a number of ideas in mind what it would be like.

In part, it was to do something hard just because I wanted too. I can’t say it was a really hard trip, but it certainly wasn’t easy either. So, I’d say I achieved part of what I wanted.

In another part, it was to visit places I’d never been and meet people I’d never meet otherwise. I’d have to say that I’ve accomplished this as well, even if it’s true that I haven’t made any new friends that I’ll keep in touch with, or even know how to reach again. That’s just as well, I’m not very good at keeping in touch.

There was another idea in my head about the romance of the road. I’ve made road trips before, but this was “The Big Trip”. There was no big enlightenment, no beautiful women dragging me off to their homes (unless you count Wendy, but she only took me to her guest room), no single life shaping events. Of course, I’ve never had many life shaping events. I do have the occasional Ah Ha moments, but those are usually pieces falling into place, pieces that have been building up for years. I guess that part didn’t exactly work out.

Still, there were moments when I laughed out loud while riding down the road, just because I was where I wanted to be, and doing what I wanted to do.

I’ll certainly be heading back out again, and not to far in the future, if I can help it.

The final day on the way home was the longest day yet, about 570 miles.

It was a straight forward ride down I 40, through a few connecting highways, then up I 5, then across some more connecting highways (passing Casa de Fruita, where I had breakfast with the Brunners on the first day), then 101 to home.

I did sleep in and start a little late, then stopped for a long breakfast, and along dinner later on. This meant that I didn’t finish until fairly late (10:30 PM). This is the first time I’ve kept going so long after dark, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop when I was so close to done.

The final mileage came out to about 5,060 miles, and total road costs (including new tires) appear to be about $1,500.

This morning, I got up, and headed out pretty quickly. The pack up and go routine is getting much more polished with practice.

I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon before, and I have to admit. Images an pictures really don’t capture it at all. My jaw just dropped. I spent time traveling around to various parts of the park taking pictures and gaping at the scenery. However, I didn’t do any hiking other than short stints along the rim trail. On the way out, I stopped to see the IMAX movie, which was more than worth the effort.

After that, I started to head straight for home, and kept going until I reached Kingman, AZ. However, I spent most of the day at the park, and so didn’t make that many miles. As it stands, I have 562 until home if I take the shortest route. This means that I can be home tomorrow night, though that would make tomorrow the longest day I’ve done so far by a short margin. Since the saddle problems have gone away, I can make a lot of miles a lot more comfortably, so I may just do that.

Night all!