Day 91Wallace NC to Bluffton SC

September 16, 2023

It was 51° when we got up this morning. I knew I wouldn’t have to bundle up as we rented another UHaul truck to get us back to Bluffton. Fear. Ot as we did bike from the UHaul place to our house which made this the 14th state to bike in. The roads have been really bad for biking and in some spots unsafe also. We decided that we did not want to bike these roads for the next 300+ miles to get home. I felt we had done what we set out to do and that was go from Seattle Washington to Boston Massachusetts. Everything after that was icing on the cake. We let our friends up north know last night that we rented the truck and they were so thankful that we did it. They worried about us every day. We got to see different parts of North Carolina that we knew we would never come back to. Even though we were in a vehicle we could still feel the bumps in the road. Somer worse tha on the bikes. There wasn’t any real beauty in this part of the state. Actually there wasn’t much to see. No stores, few gas stations and No restaurants. I thought maybe we could drop all our stuff at home and then return the UHaul but Hubs wanted to end our adventure on our bikes so we drove to the drop off site first. I knew it wouldn’t be bad riding home as we would have been on the paved bike lane all the way into Sun City. I didn’t get any pictures today as we were not biking but our daughter took pictures when we arrived. Our neighbors, Bruce and Nancy met us at the restaurant for celebratory drinks and dinner.Nancy said she read our blog every morning just to make sure we were still alive. I am very thankful that we made it without getting hurt. It took much coaxing to get our friend Muriel to the restaurant as we wanted to surprise her that we are home. She brought Jean Jackson with her which was great as she was supposed to be moving but has put it off until after the new year. It was a fun night and now we will be back to our everyday life. Tomorrow

Our Gary salute to show we made it home safely

Our celebratory drinks and dinner with great friends

Our final mileage total. Not bad for a 77 year old Fart and his 71 year old loving wife. 🥰

I will take the time to thank everyone we have met and have made our adventure what it is.

Today's ride: 10 miles (16 km)
Total: 10 miles (16 km)

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Mike Aylingl enjoyed your journal. 3.7 k miles was a big achievement!
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7 months ago

Phil/Ann DettwilerWe are happy you are home and safe. So happy. We consider our meeting one of the most wonderful events of our lives—who would think 4 old farts could meet and click the way we did?? And then we spent the next day and dinner together like we had known each other for years— a gift.
The Bird and the Eagle will make us giggle — and just maybe our paths will cross again. Enjoy your family, your friends, your own beds (!), grocery shopping and all that other everyday part of living. You have both earned Gold Stars!! ❤️❤️
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7 months ago

Lois AlexanderTo Phil/Ann DettwilerThanks Ann. It was such a pleasure meeting you and Phil. Yes, we tell people about you two all the time and how easy we clicked together. It was fate. it is weird that we are home and doesn't feel like we ever went. The best part was meeting all the wonderful people. There are so many real good people in this country and it would be awesome if we could all meet each other.
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7 months ago

Lois AlexanderTo Mike AylingThank you. It is funny as when I start out riding in the morning I tell myself I need to remember this and that as the day goes by. By night time I forget have the things. It was a great trip. A bit harder than the one we did 6 years ago but we got through by meeting all the fabulous people. That is truly what makes the adventure worth while. Now I can sit back and start enjoying other riders journals.
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7 months ago

Phil/Ann DettwilerTo Phil/Ann DettwilerYour adventure is to be celebrated: a most fabulous achievement!!

We can't imagine doing what you have done. Be proud, puff up, and flap those Eagle wings!!

You two are amazing!

Ann and Phil
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7 months ago