Dartmouth, MA

After 45 days on the road, it's hard to believe that I slept in my own bed last night. The first few minutes of snuggling into my own sheets and covers I was in heaven: listening to the sounds of home through my open window, actually wearing pajamas, and having a real pillow. But fifteen mintes later I wasn't asleep, and, as cliche as it might sound, I felt a void.

I've been thinking about getting to Maine and arriving at home for almost seven weeks (it got me to the top of Washington Pass on day two, a day I will never forget), but what I forgot was how much I was going to miss the group dynamic, constant companionship, and being completely exhausted from the days activities. I know that last one may sound a little weird, but there was nothing better than arriving at the campsite/church/hotel every night, knowing that you had just eaten away at part of the country and enlarged your thunder thighs. Although it was a little chaotic with constantly changing scenery, I loved the sense of adventure (admittantly it took a bit of time to grow accustomed to it) and accomplishment.

What annoyed the group most in the beginning was my complaining about being left alone in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone, no map, and no one. I would demand that they had to wait for everyone at a turn to make sure no one was left behind (after a, what I thought, terrifying incident in Riverside) as the weeks progressed my hissy fits diminished and I was pretty confident that even if I lost the group I would still be able to find the camp site, or perhaps I just didn't feel the group would leave me in the dust anymore. But who knows whether it was trust or personal growth, I will take away a sense of independence from this trip.

Another peice of me gained from this trip is the heightened ability to "go with the flow", as Parker would say. Constantly arriving in a foreign environment forced us to be able to expect the unexpected and think on our feet. Perhaps the post seated Upper commonroom won't seem so daunting.

All in all I wouldn't have changed a thing about the trip. The people, the towns, and the lodging were unforgettable. The Elliphone during the pacelines which kept things entertaining, Sarah's explosions (completing her first century long before everybody else), Renzo's giggle which always seemed to pacify the situation, Parker's grab bag of phrases, Brendon's constant encouragement (even if it wasn't on purpose), and Ellen's ability to incorporate a game into every ride. This summer will live with me forever, and perhaps even the tan lines too. Thanks to everyone who was involved for the best seven weeks I have ever had.