Final Thoughts From Mike, Judy and Mia

Mike

It has been an amazing, incredible journey.  Spanning nearly four months since our departure on Wednesday December 1, 2010, to our return on Saturday March 26, 2011.  We have seen and done so much that if I hadn't been witness to it all, I'm not sure I would believe it.

We have been truly blessed to be able to do this.  I have to thank God for these opportunities and especially for my wife, Judy.  If it were not for her, none of this would have been possible, or frankly, worth it.  Including her suggestion and encouragement in the creation and continuation of this blog.

From the time we left the driveway until the time we put the rig back, the motor home performed nearly flawlessly over 5,850 miles of our country's highways and byways.  From each of our stop overs, the Harleys took us over hundreds of additional miles adding a thrill that can only be achieved in the saddle of a rumbling motorcycle.  The cruise ship carried us another 6,000 miles across the Pacific, further west than we have ever been.  These vehicles transported us to locations we learned about in school, or saw in the movies, or heard about from friends.  Many surprises were found along the way.  Places from which we expected little, but got so much.  There were a few disappointments as well, but none that consumed our thoughts.

We had the pleasure of experiencing the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of so many venues.  The best were those locations that gave you a sampling of all four, like Memphis and New Orleans.  Such an array of things to see, hear, breath and taste.  All along the way it continued...the pleasant surprise that was San Antonio, recommended by a friend...the friendly, warm feeling projected by the people of Mexico...the excitement of Hollywood and the laid back attitude of Southern California...the thrill of riding the Santa Monica canyons and nostalgia of riding on Route 66... reuniting with distant family...the total indulgence of a two week cruise...and the beauty and romance of the Hawaiian Islands where we renewed our wedding vows in celebration of our twentieth anniversary.  There is so much to digest and for which to be grateful.

Demetri

Still, it's good to be home.  There are things you miss...some very important things like family, particularly Mr. D, the grandson.  We can't wait to take him with us on one of these trips.  We missed friends, especially those with whom we ride.  Every time we rounded a curve or crested a hill on the bikes, we wished they were there to share it.  I missed some dumb things too...like a dishwasher!  The motor home has a washer and dryer...it needs a dishwasher!  The one thing I didn't miss was the cold...17 degrees this morning.  I think we came back a little too soon.

I would be remiss if I did not express my sincere gratitude to the wonderful Doctors, Nurses and staff at Scripps Mercy Hospital of Chula Vista (San Diego) for bringing Judy back from the edge of death; primarily Dr. Johnson and Dr. Hinojosa.  Not only did they save her life, but they got her back on the road, allowing us to complete our adventure.

I would also like to thank those who followed along with this blog.  You helped motivate me to write and made it fun.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
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A word about the blog itself...I was amazed at how the blog spread, how people accessed it and from where.

• 75% accessed through Internet Explorer
• 18% accessed through Firefox

• 94% used Windows
• 2% used Mac

• 97% of viewers were from the United States
• 0.9% from Croatia...(Croatia??? Really???)
• 0.7% from Malasia
• 0.6% from Denmark
• 0.4% from France
• 0.3% from Canada
• 0.1% each from Italy and Russia (disappointed that Italy came in last)

• Most referrals came from Facebook

• Friday December 10 had the most viewers (everybody must have been bored that day)
• Several days tied for the fewest viewers at "0" (everybody had something better to do those days)

Thanks again to all for everything!

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Judy

This trip celebrated twenty years of life together as husband and wife.  What better way to celebrate than to explore America, and all the beauty that the Creator has put before us?

I am always amazed at the amount of planning Mike puts into a trip.  He is mindful of the smallest details; this has allowed us to live this lifestyle with few arguments and little strife.

One of my favorite places during this trip was New Orleans, with the architecture, spirit of the people and FOOD.  The cooking class was something we had never done as a couple prior to this.  The church services were spiritually renewing.

A pearl of a city was San Antonio, full of history and romance.  I thought the river walk was a very clever way to capitalize on a much needed flood control system.  I absolutely enjoyed dining alfresco in December.

I was a bit disappointed that the bats had gone further south than we had at Carlsbad, New Mexico!  This is a fascinating State and should be explored in depth, so we returned later in the northern return trip.

One of the really special nights on this trip was the night we spent camping on the beach, having a great fire, wine, and a beautiful moon in San Diego.   I also met some really great doctors in San Diego, spent over $50,000.00 and did not get to see the city.  I am grateful that I am still alive, to continue on the journey of our life together.  The sea lions in La Jolla were a welcome sight on the day of discharge.

Ventura Beach is a community I could see myself living in, if I could afford to do so!  Temperatures are moderate and there is a bit of something for everyone.  You can even choose to go to an old fashioned mission church or a modern church facility.  Surprisingly the modern facility was a more welcoming and inclusive environment than the old mission style facility.  I enjoyed the beach, shopping and the motorcycle rides.  I believe Mike might have mentioned the Rock Shop a few times and the mountains that provide for great rides.

My least favorite part of completing the quest to have visited all fifty States was the cruise to Hawaii.  I really would have liked to have spent more time in the State than on the water.  It was a paradise that merits a lot of time.  We renewed our vows there and I cannot think of a more majestic place to recommit to the love of my life.

Seeing Mike’s relatives was a delightful experience and I am so glad we stopped to visit them.  The trip home was long; it always seems longer coming home than getting somewhere.  Remember when we were kids-"Are we there yet?"

Mia and I enjoyed our walks and talks but we were surprised at the lack of wildlife.  She and I have decided that our favorite part of the United States is the North West.

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Mia

First, let me say that I'm willing to go anywhere.  As long as they pack my food, I'm ready.

I had the opportunity to leave my DNA samples in some pretty interesting places this winter.  I really liked the grass and warm temperatures of California.  I also got to spend two weeks with Vera and Marc while my people went to Hawaii.  Pretty nice place.  Lots of people to scratch me and they let me sleep in the bed with them.  Sorry Marc, but I take no blame for your love life!

I didn't care much for New Mexico or Arizona.  All they have to poop on is sand.  I like grass!  Texas was O.K., but you have to watch out for those burrs that get caught between your toes.  I think New Orleans was my favorite.  The doggie bags they brought back from the restaurants were to die for!

I made some new friends along the way, but I'm sure they won't keep in touch...dogs are like that.  Cousin Dom's dog, Lucky, was a nut case!  All he wanted to do was sniff my butt!  I finally had enough and let him know what's what.  He left me alone after that.  Just because he out weighed me by a hundred pounds does not give him carte blanche!  I even met something called GOATS!  Their people were taking them for a walk on the beach in Ventura.  They had a very strange bark.

There were only a couple of embarrassing moments like posing in front of the teepee.  Thank goodness they didn't bring a grass skirt home for me from Hawaii!

Anyway, I had fun running along side the bicycle, sniffing weird things on the ground, and sunning myself on the back of the sofa.  Thanks for the ride!