Team Awesome has reached the Atlantic!

  

  

We did it! (the bikes too!)

 Our Great American Bike Ride finished off the coast of Savannah on Tybee Island Georgia Wednesday, June the 27th. We arrived late in the afternoon and plunged into the warm ocean, ecstatic and fulfilled to meet our goal of reaching the Atlantic. In the end we had pedaled through 8 states, traveled over 3100 miles, climbed huge mountains and mesas, endured chilling cold and extreme heat and humidity and lightning and thunder and crazy winds and hail and snow and downpours.We met and experienced amazing and beautiful people most everywhere we traveled and were treated to a cornucopia of majestic and awe inspiring scenery that defines the American landscape. We camped out 65 nights, and relied on ourselves to carry all of the supplies and gear that were necessary to sustain us and ensure a safe passage as we made our way across America. Having now completed our journey, it would not be an overstatement to say that Our Great American Bike Ride was absolutely AWESOME!

Team Awesome reaches the Atlantic... Yay!

 I believe initially we each had different reasons for starting the trip, and in the end we are all grateful for the individual blessings our journey has given to each of us. I cannot speak for Shogan or Dave but I have personally gained invaluable insight into myself. Our journey forced me to challenge myself both physically and mentally in ways I would have never dreamed, facing fears and the unknown each day over the course of our ride. Early on I was made aware of my own biases and perhaps some incorrect perceptions of people and of places i'd never visited. Another revelation, I might benefit from working on more effective forms of communicating my needs in times of stress... So many lessons I can take with me into my day to day life back home!

Mrs. Wilkes House is a Savannah institution! 

A plethora of southern dishes which to name a few included: collard greens, melt in your mouth cabbage, fried chicken, pork and beef stew, cornbread, creamed yams, okra, black eyed peas, banana pudding, peach cobbler, sweet iced tea...  Served family style inside the old boarding house, this was and authentic and special final day meal for Team Awesome.

Free Lunch! They picked up the tab and thanked us for coming to visit them!  

The hospitality we have experienced has been incredible!

So many choices!

A Gothic Temple in downtown Savannah, and home to the second oldest Jewish worship house in the nation. Very interesting indeed...

A Hallmark throughout the south, giant statues erected to honor civil war heroes.  

Disk golfers from Macomb Georgia befriended us at the Spirit of Suwanee Music Park.  They've inspired  me to give it a try back in Eugene.

Apparently an estimated 280,000 bats live in the box pictured behind Dave. At sunset they emerge to feast and as a group can cover hundreds of miles during their nights outing. Yes, the bats are definitely our friends!

"Eat beef! The west wasn't won on salads." People are funny...

Tropical Storm Debby poured for three days straight.  We  rode 36 miles in a downpour  only to be stranded  in a motel for three nights as we waited out the storm.

John Campineli gave us a lift to escape the floodwater aftermath of the storm. 

People are always willing to help out with directions, which often leads to interesting conversations! 

A quick stop on the Inter Coastal Waterway, beautiful! Apparently  this stretch of water extends along  a  long portion of the east coast and is awesome to Kayak. Another activity I would like to spend more time with!

Veggie sammies at Ipanima in Richmond VA.  It's nice to be back in civilization with regard to culinary options.  Also more excellent ideas for sandwiches back home.

Enjoying a meal with Mary (Momma B) and Russell Clem. Yay! The Do's meeting the parents was a treat!

Dave and Momma B enjoying each others company.

Turns out Momma B has a 20 X 40 ft pool, Team Awesome has spent some time here as part of our R&R,

A civil war cannon at the site of the Battle of Sailors Creek.

Gina Beeskers on the porch of the cabin that Mel and Reef (Dave's brother and Sis-In law) constructed this past year. Extremely well designed and finished, it was our cozy home for a couple nights.

and Jupiter Jenkins...

Enjoying the sights of Richmond with Dave as our tour guide.

Richmond has recently been the benefactor of an urban renewal campaign which includes many murals throughout the city.

I thought this one was interesting although I'm not quite clear what the message is behind it?

a suspension bridge on our way to Bell island... not too high... just right...

"Give me liberty or give me death", or maybe we can find some lunch?

Dave and Shogs enjoying the day!

A last dinner with Davey C and the Richmond crew.

Reef (Dave's Awesome Bro) and Mel (also Awesome ) hosted us upon our return to Richmond. Their home has been a beautiful and comfortable place to unwind and decompress from our travels as we prepare to return to Eugene. Far right is Tammy, Dave's and Reef's (Awesome) Amelia friend from back in the day. Tammy drove us from Tybee to VA and we were all very grateful! 

Upon returning to Eugene I will write a final blog entry. For now I can only say a big THANK YOU again to everyone who helped along the way!

Team Awesome loves YOU!

~Michelle