I've had such a great time over the past 2 months.
By and large, people out there in this country are incredibly nice.
Texans, are without question, the kindest people that I've met so far, but everywhere I've gone, I've had good conversations with interesting people from all over the world.
Ms. X and I talked to some really nice Swedes (or where they Norwegian?) down in the Grand Canyon. I had drinks with a newlywed couple from Canada, while I was in Seattle.
I met a really adventurous German girl in a Starbucks in California, who was heading to Las Vegas, and then New Zealand. In San Francisco, I met a bartender that was finishing school and then heading to Australia, and then a magazine editor in Berkeley offered me my first writing job that I've been working on since Portland.
In Biloxi, I met a guy who had also survived brain cancer while going thru a divorce and trying to maintain his self employment. In Ft. Stockton I was towed into Odessa by a woman who shares both my name and my lineage.
I was prayed for in Converse by a woman who owned a coffee house where I had set up shop (she also came around the counter to give me a hug).
A Jehovaw's Witness tried to convert me Bodega Bay, and more showed up this morning in Bellingham.
My cousin Anne and her husband Jerry, opened their home to me, as did my Godparents, Mike and Lorraine. My cousin-brother Ron and I had a fantastic time in Austin, where I met so many nice folks of all ages, and from all walks of life, that I lost track of them all.
My brother Joey and his girlfriend Pam put me up for over a week while we watched the water rise in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Shannon and Michelle put me up in absolute luxury, within view of Mt. Baker, here in Washington.
"El Duece" and "Pinky Tuscadero" met me in San Francisco and we walked down Pier 39 together.
I saw my old friend Beth, after losing touch nearly 20 years ago.
Her little boy gave me a hug and a kiss.
I spent the night with my Great Aunt and Uncle in San Jose.
On my birthday, I had a meeting in a beautiful house in Beverly Hills to talk about a job for a famous singer.
Auntie M and cousin Steph met me at the Space Needle in Seattle and we walked thru Pikes Market together.
I've seen sunrises and sunsets, the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River, the continental divide, the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Coast Highway, Big Sur, The Avenue of Giants, mountains of snow, the Chandler Tree, the desert, elephant seals, tarantulas, rattlesnakes, deer of all sizes, and even a couple buffalo, AND Canada from across the water.
But, now it's time to go home.
Tomorrow is exactly 2 months since I left Atlanta.
You know that feeling you get the last couple days you're at the beach for a week?
You've had a great time, but you're ready to be back in your bed, and watch your tv, and see your friends and neighbors and family?
That's how I feel now.
I've been feeling a bit tired this last week or so, and debating whether or not to make the right turn and start out towards Mt. Rushmore, but not really looking forward to it with quite the same enthusiasm that I started out with. To do it right, I think I would need another month or two, at least, on the road, and work and my energy level right now, won't allow.
That's kind of what I had been going over in my head for the last few days.
And then, this morning, I got a call from a fairly large museum, in a major U.S. city, about a pretty big job, and that clinched it for me.
Tomorrow I'll ride down to Seattle and ship the bike home, and then board a plane to head back to Atlanta.
I'm not sad about it all. I've put over 5,000 miles on the Harley. More than most guys do in a year.
I've had a wonderful time and I intend to go out again soon, and to continue writing.
(The psychic Arlene told me I had too.)
Thanks so very to much everyone who opened their home to me or offered words of encouragement or who just called or wrote to check in. And to everyone that I've met along the way. I hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you all for coming with me.
I'm looking forward to seeing Ms. X, and mom, and Mike (the dog), and all my friends in Atlanta.
It'll be good to sit down at The Family Dog with a cold Guinness and tell you all about it in person.
XOXO,
EPPdF
