Thanks

Sometime back in May and somewhere in the middle of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, I set a personal expectation that I would record the events of each day of my trip in my journal. Even though I made this vow I usually dreaded the prospect of having to actually do it and a deep-down nagging feeling would settle in if I let the blog go for more than a day or two without an update. But as soon I as sat down to type each entry in earnest, I was so happy. I discovered that I like to write. Each time I considered the prospect of viewing, sorting and labeling my pictures, I felt like I was five years old again – and it was Christmas. The flash card was always full of fun surprises.

Even more than those positive feelings, the fuel that really kept the fire (rather, my laptop computer screen) burning was all of the positive feedback and encouragement I received from my friends and family during my trip.

So THANK YOU to everyone that has supported me, given me destination suggestions, and read my blog along the way. Though I was so far away, thank you for keeping in touch with the emails and the calls. Jill, Scott, Matt, Dawn, Jay, Emily, and Matthias; it was great to see you all along the way. I am glad you could join me (or I could join you.)

Briefly, a few numbers:

74 days
~ 13,000 miles
8 states
3 provinces
4 time zones
11 national parks
2 national monuments
2 oil changes & 2 haircuts

I consider myself to be very lucky to have been able to do this. Also, I consider it to be a warm-up drive for my next adventure when I drive to Patagonia (at the southern tip of Argentina.) But first, I’ll need to get back to work.

Talk to you soon...

Leif