Today I woke up feeling like a million bucks! As expected, my body is adjusting to bicycle touring again.

I booked a room in North Palm Beach. I checked the weather, noting a very cold and blustery forecast in the coming days.

I departed before the hotel became active. I reversed the process of getting my bike and panniers down to the hotel entrance–this time with no challenges.

As I rode through the city, I passed through Hialeah and Little Haiti.  The vibe of these neighborhoods reminded me of my own while growing up in Washington, DC.  Customs are similar where passersby are expected to acknowledge others. I frequently smiled, waved, or said “Hey, how’s it going?” and received similar responses.

Google maps routed me on a more direct journey on state roads with decent bike lanes. My legs were very strong and virtually pain free. The winds were not a big factor.

I didn’t stop much during my 80+ mile journey.  But I did take note of this prominent feature on the horizon as I got close to Hollywood, Florida.  It’s the guitar-shaped Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.  I had seen it advertised on television.  But seeing it in person is a sight to behold.

When I arrived at my hotel, I had plenty of energy. I did laundry and ordered Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti for delivery. This meal from Viva Italian Pizza was superb! And I had leftovers (I ate them for breakfast the next morning).  I mapped out the remainder of my Phase One stops, making adjustments for anticipated weather.

Tally for the day: 87 miles

I woke up with muscle aches and fatigue.  My body told me that I was approaching that fine line between building fitness and tearing it down. My mind said, “Too bad. This is Day 3.  Get over it!”

I took a moment to search for hotels and campsites in the Miami Beach area but was frustrated with the results.  So I decided to head out on the bike and plan where to stay on the fly.

My legs performed well but I was clearly exhausted.

As I approached Miami, I traveled along an extensive network of bike paths and bike lanes.  There was some sidewalk riding as well.

I did encounter a few obstacles.

The first picture shows a low clearance under a bridge.  I had to “strike the American flag” and walk the bike under the bridge while ducking. On the opposite side, I was confronted with steps. I’m an engineer but I cursed those who came up with this design in the middle of an otherwise pleasant bike path.

Also, I am not a big fan of riding on sidewalks but it often is necessary to stay safe.  Most sidewalks provided a reasonably smooth ride. But I encountered sidewalks with those elevated ridges created by tree roots.  To a cyclist, this feels like riding over a series of speed bumps. Every jolt adds to fatigue and hand numbness.

As I approached Miami proper, I passed through familiar neighborhoods such as Coconut Grove. During my Coast Guard career, my family and I spent a glorious 4-1/2 years in Miami.

I then connected to the bike paths that exist under Miami’s Metrorail system.  They’re clearly the best paths I’ve experienced to date (they’re wide and very smooth). Here’s a picture of some of Miami’s skyline from under the Metrorail:

When I stopped to take this picture, I again checked for hotels in Miami Beach. Most of the available places were hostels where I’d have to sleep in a multi-occupant barracks style room. I chose to keep that experience in my distant past so I booked a room at the Miami Hilton.

I enjoyed the challenge of biking through downtown Miami streets. It’s a vibrant city and traffic was congested and the sidewalks were packed with people going about their daily routine.  I encountered numerous delivery robots. As I approached to pass, the robots seemed confused by a bicyclist, often freezing in their path.  They’re simply hilarious!  I snapped this picture:

Congestion allowed me to zip past cars and get to my destination quicker than if I was driving.

When I arrived at the hotel, there were a few high priced cars lined up at the valet station.  I asked the valet if the hotel had a bike rack.  His answer was no.  So I leaned my bike up against a very nice feature wall outside the hotel entrance and walked into the hotel.  Hotel security asked me where I was going and I said that I was checking in.

At check in, the agent asked me if I had a car.  I said that I arrived on a high-priced bike that I needed to bring up to my room because they have no bike racks.  He gave me a confused answer that I liberally interpreted as an authorization. And he gave me a room on the 18th floor.

I went to the room (very nice) and returned to the hotel entrance to carry my panniers up.  I then went to retrieve my bike. Hotel security challenged me again and I told him that registration told me that I could bring my bike to my room.

As I walked my bike towards the elevators, another security agent challenged me. I gave him my room number and told him that I was authorized to bring the bike to my room.  I was polite but firm and he acknowledged my intent. I recognize that I stood out as an anomaly as compared to the other guests. I wasn’t frustrated but I did assert my rights as a paying customer.

My bike enjoyed a stunning view of the city:

Tally for the day: 35 miles

I woke up with aching leg muscles.  Nothing serious–just another aspect of the ordeal.  From my TransAmerica biking experience, I know that the first three days of cycling are the toughest. And then my body adjusts to the punishment of long distance cycling.

Today’s winds were forecast to be challenging. I set out for Florida City and had a relatively uneventful journey.

I used Google maps to navigate while checking beforehand with my printed Adventure Cycling Association route maps.  G-maps is good but it doesn’t reflect realtime conditions. Often enough, I encountered obstructions like this on the trail:

As I biked along, I heard countless creatures rustling in the brush.  Over time, I could distinguish the rustling of small anoles (lizards), larger iguanas, squirrels, and an occasional deer.  I often saw iguanas out in the open but they dashed into the brush with surprising speed as I approached. The exception was a very large (2+ feet long) bright orange iguana that menacingly stood its ground on my bike trail.  I considered stopping to take a picture but chose not to provoke the creature as I rode around it.

Google maps routed me to Card Sound Road as I turned towards the mainland.  I guessed that the excessive traffic on the Overseas Highway was the reason.  In any event, Card Sound Road doesn’t have bike lanes. Fortunately, there was little traffic so I cruised through the 15 miles with minimal effort. As I made the turn towards the north, I was greeted by pushing winds.  I smiled all the way to Florida City.

Tally for the day: 75 miles

I enjoyed a good night’s sleep except for a 2:30 am battle with a tiny spider (I think I won!).

After checking my weather apps, I knew that it would be a challenging day bicycling into the wind. My goal was to bike 100 miles to a campsite in Key Largo but I knew that this was overly aggressive given expected winds.

After loading everything on the bike, I headed out.

First stop was a hardware store to pick up fuel for my mini-stove for camping.

Second stop was the Mile Marker Zero sign:

Third stop was the buoy marking the Southernmost Point in the Continental United States where a kind tourist snapped this photo:

And then I was off to the Overseas Highway.  I enjoyed a smooth ride north until the wind picked up towards noon as forecasted.

Biking along the O’Seas Highway requires keen focus–it’s not a straight shot.  Cyclists must cross the busy highway a few times to connect to pedestrian bridges or bike trails.  This was a bit unnerving even for this experienced cyclist because of heavy traffic, the lack of crosswalks, and the two pedestrian bridges unexpectedly closed for construction.

Some of the bike trails along the route are lined with trees and vegetation that served as a much appreciated wind break.

Here’s a picture of one of the pedestrian bridges, which are very nice, and often populated with individuals fishing (with pelicans perched on the rails as bystanders):

Bicycling the Seven Mile Bridge was a hoot!  Beforehand, I stopped at Veterans Memorial Park for a rest break. As I approached the bridge, I put my head down and keep peddling into the wind.  I suspended any thoughts about “when is this going to end?” Here’s a view from the bridge toward Marathon in the distance:

Before long, I entered Marathon.  By this time, it was mid afternoon and I was tired after biking into the wind. I still had 50 miles to go to my destination.

I decided to stop at Coast Guard Station Marathon to take a break.  After appropriate security challenges, I was granted access and met by the Officer of the Day, Machinery Technician Second Class Karol Fonseca.

We talked about our families and career experiences. I was uplifted by Karol’s leadership, character, professionalism, and dedication. My interaction with him reinforced the main reason why I am fundraising for Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.

Here’s a selfie that Karol took with me:

When I told Karol about my intended destination for the day, he said, “Admiral, I advise you to stay off the roads as dusk approaches.” He talked about recent drunk driving incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists. And I had noticed more than a few roadside memorials as I headed north. He informed me about a resort next door to the station that caters to Coasties.

While I didn’t need a lot of convincing, I heeded Karol’s wise advice and headed off to the resort.  Unfortunately, it was booked up for the night.  So I got on the phone and, after a few online “not available” notices, I found an available resort 15 miles north. I stopped for a fast food dinner. Then I headed off to Duck Key, arriving there with plenty of daylight to spare.

The resort was very nice, and very pricey.  But it was worth it to me to stay safe and get a good night’s rest.  I’m sure I looked out of place walking through the hotel in my cycling attire while carrying my panniers. 

I got cleaned up, revised my itinerary, and turned in for a good night’s sleep.

Tally for the day: 65 miles.

Here’s a photo I took of the view from my room the next morning.  These resorts are really nice but I had miles to go and no time to enjoy the amenities.

Today I flew to Key West with my touring bicycle, a Kona Sutra, and stuff needed to begin the ride north.  Here’s a picture of me at the airport with my carry-on “luggage.” Yes, TSA does allow bike helmets and cleated bike shoes through security!

My flight was delayed so American Airlines gave me the last seat on an earlier flight to Miami, my connecting city.  My checked bag would follow on the delayed flight. I instinctively knew that my checked bag wouldn’t arrive in Key West when I did.

My flight to Key West left on time.  An Airtag showed that my bike had arrived in Miami but wasn’t loaded on my plane. C’est la vie!

The view of the Florida Keys from the air was awesome. Here’s a picture of one of the many bridges in the Overseas Highway:

When I arrived at Key West Airport, I dutifully went to baggage claim hoping that my bike somehow made it to Key West.  The baggage claim area was severely overcrowded.  My bike wasn’t anywhere to be seen. I found a less congested area and filled out the online delayed baggage form.

Afterwards, I went back to baggage claim and found an American Airlines employee at the baggage counter.  I explained my situation to Tracy, who was most helpful. She gave me a forecasted time when my bike would arrive and committed to having it delivered to my hotel soon afterwards.

My original plan was to assemble my bike at the airport and ride to the hotel.  No plan survives first contact!  So Lyft to the hotel it is! I took this picture to illustrate my frustration of not yet knowing what condition my bike would be when it arrived:

I made it to the hotel, ate dinner, and patiently awaited a call from the baggage delivery company. The airline tracking site indicated that the bike could arrive at the hotel as late as after 10 pm–oh my! But just after 6 pm, I received a call from Judy saying that she had my bike and was on her way.

When Judy arrived, she readily noted the glee on my face.  She mentioned that most people complain to her about baggage delays even though she doesn’t work for the airlines. Judy, a Marine veteran, told me that the airline had called her to deliver my bike first.  After opening up the bike case and quickly checking the bike, I thanked her profusely and tipped her well.

I rushed off to my room to get ready for the next day’s mission.  I found a TSA inspection card in my bike case.  Here’s the assembled bike in my room:

Here’s an inspiring picture from my hotel room.  I took it as a good sign:

Even with logistical challenges, my Day Zero successes were enabled by three terrific women: the American agent who didn’t have to switch me to an earlier flight to Miami, and Tracy and Judy who went out of their way to support this disabled veteran by getting me my bike earlier than expected.

Building on my bicycle ride across America in 2017/8, I plan to celebrate my 70th birthday by biking from Key West, Florida, to Bay Harbor, Maine.  This is a distance of 2,200 miles.

Because of how much the U.S. Coast Guard and her people mean to me and my family, I’m using this ride to raise funds for Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA).  CGMA is the official relief society of the Coast Guard.  CGMA provides a way to extend compassion to one another in times of need.

Training is complete. I’ll fly to Key West with my bicycle in February to begin Phase I of the ride to Jacksonville.  Phase II is from Jacksonville to Washington, DC.  Phase III is from DC to Maine.  I hope to be done by the time I celebrate my birthday in July.

This will be the first time that I will check my bike as baggage on the plane. I’ve carefully packed it in a foam-lined soft case. My anxiety about damage from baggage handling will ease once I’ve received and assembled my bike at the airport.

I volunteer with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association and currently serve as chair of the board of directors for the association. In March 2021, I received a text from a fellow alum inviting me to join some of his classmates in a bicycle ride from Alexander HAMilton’s tomb in Manhattan, NY, to HOPley Yeaton’s tomb at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. As the organizer, he named the ride HAMHOP 2021.

Alexander Hamilton founded the Revenue Cutter Service, a pre-curser to the US Coast Guard.  Hopley Yeaton is revered as the first commissioned officer of the Revenue Cutter Service.

I was inspired by the idea and the passion of my fellow alum, Bob Camillucci.  So I decided to join the group and use the challenge of this ride to fuel my training.

The training was grueling but I pushed through the pain, exhaustion and a few minor sports injuries.  I logged over 500 miles in preparation for the ride.

I planned my logistics so I would take Amtrak with the bike from Union Station in Washington, DC, to the station at Newark Liberty airport and then bike to Staten Island to meet the other riders.  We would bike from Staten Island to New London, Connecticut, over three days.  And then I would return home with the bike via Amtrak. I executed this plan to near perfection.

Day 0: DC to Staten Island, NY

On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, I arrived at Union Station in time for a mid-morning Amtrak departure.  This was the first time that I travelled on Amtrak with a bicycle, which cost an extra $20.

I joined the rush of passengers when the departure gate opened.  I walked the bike with panniers (saddle bags) loaded.  Everything was fine until an Amtrak employee notified cyclists that the elevator to the lower platform was broken.  He said that we would be fine to take our bicycles down the escalator.  With some anxiety, I watched two cyclists in front of me negotiate the maneuver. I followed and found that it wasn’t that bad as long as I held firmly to both the front and rear brake levers while leaning back to maintain my balance.

My next challenge was to find a train car with bicycle racks.  I followed the two cyclists in front of me as they entered one train car.  They informed me that their car probably had racks only for their two bikes.  I scurried towards the back of the train and hoisted the bike onto a relatively vacant car.  I found that I had to remove the panniers so that I could maneuver the bike around the tight turn into the car.  I put the panniers on the train first, placing them on a vacant seat.  Then I got off the train to retrieve the bike. I walked the bike through the length of the train car trying to avoid hitting elbows, knees, and feet of fellow passengers!  Fortunately, there was a vacant bike rack.

When I made the reservation, I was told that a conductor would help me load my bike onto the rack.  Fat chance!  As the train began to leave the station, I studied the various moving bars and grates on rack… it looked like a Rube Goldberg contraption.  In the end, I decided to remove the front wheel and hook the back wheel to the contraption.  The bike swung freely with the motion of the train.  I used a strip of velcro I had to secure the front forks to a vertical grate.  That stabilized the bike and I called it good enough. 

Here’s a picture:

It was only about a 3-hour ride to New Jersey.  Before my stop, I tried to figure out which platform doors would open because very few of them had opened before we departed Union Station. It dawned on me that all doors were opening at the smaller stations.  But I also noticed that the stops at the smaller stations were very short.  So by the time we arrived at Newark Liberty Airport station, I had reassembled my bike and pre-staged my panniers by the closest door. I unloaded the bike and scurried back on the train to retrieve my panniers.  One of the train conductors had stepped on the platform and saw me unload the bike. I waved at him before getting back on the train so he knew to wait for me to get off again before signaling for the train to depart. I thanked him as I got off!

Here’s a picture of me on the loading platform in New Jersey as the train pulls away:

My map planning indicated that I should be able to leave the train platform at my station and proceed right out to the street.  Reality suggested otherwise.  I asked a station attendant for guidance and she advised me to take the AirTrain to the airport.  I hopped on the AirTrain but jumped off at the first stop that appeared to provide street access.  

Once on the street, I checked the weather (it had rained heavily before my arrival) and decided that it was sufficiently clear to bike to Staten Island.  I considered a cab or Uber but was looking forward to a bike ride after sitting on that train.  I followed Google Maps to try to find the start of my planned route to Staten Island.  Using Google Maps on a bike can be adventurous. I took a couple of wrong turns and likely added a mile to the journey.  But I eventually connected with the route and was one my way.

During planning, I decided to add 5 miles to my route, which took me through the port of NY-NJ and minimized the amount of city riding I had to do.  Fortunately, there is a generous bike lane through the port.

The ride to Staten Island was generally pleasant.  I only experienced two minor incidents:

1) While biking through the port, one of my panniers ejected off the bike when I hit a patch of rough pavement.  It was probably caused by me not ensuring that pannier was fully clipped in.  A trucker behind me honked his horn and immediately stopped to prevent other truckers from running over the bag.  I also immediately realized what had happened. I laid my bike on the side of the road and ran back to retrieve the bag.  I smiled at the trucker and thanked him with a thumbs up which he politely acknowledged.

2) After riding through the port and crossing into Staten Island, I encountered a lot of car traffic.  Most drivers were courteous to me.  But one driver decided that he needed to accelerate around me as I approached a corner. The car immediately made a right turn.  I slammed on my brakes and stopped short of hitting the car.  Since this has happened to me a few times before, I chose not to say or do anything to provoke the driver. Patience is a virtue!

Here’s a picture of the new Goethals Bridge that connects Elizabeth City, NJ, to Staten Island.  It’s bike lane is awesome!

Here’s a picture of the NYC skyline from the bridge (note the port):

After biking almost 22 miles, I arrived at my destination.  It was a relatively comfortable ride aside from the stress of biking in unfamiliar surroundings.  I drank a lot of water, got cleaned up, and enjoyed pizza for dinner. 

The HAMHOP 2021 group had planned to meet at hotel at 7 pm for an organizational meeting. I met the 17 other riders and the support crew. The ride organizer called an audible and said that we would shift the ride briefing to a local restaurant.  Although I had eaten, I joined the group to take the opportunity to get to know the team better.

Day 1: Staten Island to Manhattan to Centerport, NY 

The plan of the day called for us to gather at the front of the Navy Lodge and bike together to the St. George Ferry Terminal. We’d take the ferry to Manhattan and then bike to Trinity Church where the tomb of Alexander Hamilton is located.  After a photo op, we’d bike to Centerport, NY, on Long Island.

I woke up early (as always) and felt no ill effects from the previous day’s ride. Breakfast and coffee were provided courtesy of the Navy Lodge.

Although I had packed only about 25 pounds of stuff in my panniers (a fairly light load for a touring bike), I decided to stow them in one of the support vehicles. I carried food, essential bike repair supplies, and other items in my handlebar bag.  I had trained with full panniers so I welcomed the chance to ease my load. And I noted that most of the other cyclists were on much lighter racing bikes as compared to my 35 pound touring bike. There were a few on hybrids, and one brave soul rode a mountain bike.

It was a cool morning so I wore a lightweight cycling jacket.

At about 8 am, a representative from Coast Guard Sector New York arrived to greet us and wish us well.

Here’s a photo of the HAMHOP 2021 team:

Here’s a photo of the ride organizer, Bob Camillucci, and Deputy Sector Commander, Captain Marc Sennick, displaying the latest copy of the Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association Bulletin:

After a final safety briefing, we were ready to go.  Because I was flying the American flag on a fiberglass pole on the back of my bike, I was asked to lead the group out of the Navy Lodge parking lot.  We enjoyed a comfortable ride to the ferry terminal.  It was mostly downhill.

When we arrived at the ferry terminal, we were screened one-by-one by law enforcement dogs and corralled into a waiting area.  When given the signal, we walked our bikes onto the ferry.

Here’s a picture of cyclists on the ferry:

Here’s a picture I took while transiting NY Harbor:

When we arrived in New York, we rendezvoused with a fellow rider who was waiting in the city.  We cycled a mile to Trinity Church through surprisingly light city traffic. As expected, navigating by bike computer or cell phone in the city was a bit sporadic and we took a few wrong turns along the way.

At Trinity Church, our coordinator tried to get us into the cemetery so that we could pay homage to Alexander Hamilton at his gravesite.  It didn’t work so we settled on taking this photo from the street with Hamilton’s tomb in the background:

Our plan was to continue biking through the city in 4-5 person pods.  Because of traffic, that didn’t work out so well and we ended up self-organizing by riding pace.  We encountered lots of traffic, pedestrians walking the wrong way on bike paths, traffic stopped by school buses and throngs of school children, etc.

By this time, I was navigating by bike computer.  When my group’s devices provided conflicting directions, we huddled to make a decision about the best way to go.

We cycled over the Brooklyn Bridge and encountered much less pedestrian traffic than anticipated.  I did note individuals speeding towards us in the opposite direction on e-bikes and small motor bikes.

Conventional wisdom suggests that NYC is relatively flat.  From a cyclist’s perspective, that’s a myth as there were significant hills along this ride which presented a challenge to me and several other riders.  I’d stop on occasion to catch my breath but never got off the bike to walk up the rest of the hill.

I enjoyed the scenes of the city and found the bicycling environment much less threatening than anticipated.

We’d stop on occasion to allow slower riders to catch up.  Here’s one of those stops:

As with most city riding, it’s always a challenge to find restrooms and water. Some riders stopped at Starbucks or McDonalds.  My group discovered a porta-potty and water fountain at Upper Highlands Playground in Brooklyn.

Starting at the middle of the ride, I experienced a series of cramps to my hands, calfs, hamstrings, and leg IT bands.  They were very unexpected and I surmised that they were triggered by the numerous hill climbs.  I was able to ride through most of the cramps but decided that I wouldn’t push myself too hard for the rest of the ride. I didn’t experience another episode of major cramps for the remainder of the trip.

We were fortunate that our support team had arranged pre-planned stops at a church and a park where we could refill our water bottles and grab some snacks.  These were much needed breaks for me.  Our support crew were lifesavers!

After bicycling a total of 57 miles, I was one of two riders who were the last to arrive at the hotel.  My colleague and I encouraged each other for the last 15 miles.  The rest of our team was gathered to celebrate our arrival. While my legs were fatigued, I felt pretty good.

My sister, Joye, and her husband, Mark, live within a few miles of Centerport so I planned to have dinner with them.  My sister arranged takeout from Nicky’s Restaurant. She and Mark brought me a healthy portion of penne pasta with marinara sauce.  We enjoyed a nice reunion at the hotel gazebo.  And I consumed the rest of my delicious pasta for breakfast the next morning.

Day 2: Centerport to Riverhead, NY

I woke up feeling reasonably well.  Today’s ride was roughly a straight line along Long Island. 

I joined the first group out. Once again, we experienced a few discrepancies with our electronic mapping but worked through it. I was able to keep my fellow riders within sight for most of the day. Some of the riders who departed after us passed me, but I was comfortable with my pace.

Again, we had a couple of pre-planned stops, one of which allowed some of our riders to take rehydration to a whole new level:

Most of the day’s ride were on some fabulous bike paths. We were often the only individuals on the path.  And, when we got to about the halfway point, the hills were behind us and we were mostly riding downhill.

We rode a total of 50 miles and I wasn’t one of the last to arrive.  

After getting cleaned up, we walked to a local restaurant, Cucina25, and enjoyed a team dinner.  I ordered chicken parmigiana, which came with spaghetti, salad, and bread.  With an easy day of riding left, the mood was very light-hearted as illustrated by this photo:

Day 3: Riverhead, NY, to New London, CT

After waking up, I was first to arrive at the hotel office as the attendant was making coffee.  I ate the remainder of my chicken parm for breakfast.  I felt really good (day 3 always feels better than day 2).

To commemorate the upcoming end of the ride, I added the Coast Guard flag just below the American flag on the bike.  My fellow riders loved this tribute.

Here’s a picture of the group ready to begin the last day’s ride:

As we rode towards the Orient Point Ferry, a fellow rider named Mike disappeared from my rear view mirror.  I doubled back and found him with a flat tire.  Other riders behind us joined in to help with the fix.  Here’s a classic scene shot showing one worker and numerous supervisors:

Much of today’s ride was through rural settings with wineries and vegetable stands along the way.  And it was mostly flat!

After 34 miles of riding, we all ended up at the ferry in time to ride it together.  We had reserved and pre-paid but were surprised to learn that there was an additional fee to take a bike on the ferry.  A few of my resourceful colleagues loaded their bikes in the support vehicles. I did not and chalked it up as the cost of doing business!

The ferry ride to New London was picture perfect.  Here’s a shot of the Barque EAGLE at the New London City Pier:

When we arrived in New London, we staged everyone in a parking lot and then proceeded to ride together to the Coast Guard Academy, a distance of only 1-1/2 miles.  There was one final hill to deal with right before we arrived at the gate.

As we arrived, there was a small group from the Class of 1986 to greet us and cheer us on.

After individually going through screening at the entrance gate to the Academy, we had one more hill to climb to get to the Academy Chapel, where Hopley Yeaton’s tomb is located.  Bob asked me to lead the pack and I attacked the hill with all the vigor I could muster.

At the site of the tomb, we shared a few words of tribute and thanks, and toasted our Service’s first commissioned officer.  Here’s the group picture:

Since everyone in the group was associated with the Class of 1986, they were on a short timeline to get to their hotel and join their 35th reunion activities.  I thanked Bob for his leadership and exchanged final greetings with my fellow cyclists.

I cycled 1 mile to my hotel.  After getting cleaned up, I walked back to the Academy to observe a few of the reunion events. Thanks to the kindness of friends, I had pre-positioned more appropriate attire at the Alumni Center.  After the reunion events, I walked to G’s restaurant for a hearty meal.  I was later joined by an Academy cadet who had previously reached out to me for advice.  He was gracious enough to give me a ride back to my hotel.

On the following morning, I cycled to Union Station to take Amtrak back to DC.  I stopped by to see EAGLE, reflecting on the 10 weeks I spent aboard her as a cadet:

My return to DC was uneventful.  The highlight was being pleasantly surprised when the Amtrak conductor in New London showed me how to properly stow my bicycle in the rack.  I’m properly trained for the next time.

I appreciated the invitation to join HAMHOP 21 and thank Bob and the Class of ’86 for their friendship and exceptional support. Many of the group pictures in this post were taken by other riders or the dedicated members of our support team.

Health permitting, I plan to continue to push the envelope with bicycle trips.  Stay tuned!

Since my last update in March 2019, I dealt with increasingly debilitating symptoms of Smoldering Multiple Myeloma. In April 2019, I entered a clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda. Over the course of 8 months, I endured 48 chemo treatments.

The good news is that these treatments suppressed the disease and most of the symptoms. The NIH team is truly amazing.  The bad news is that the chemo and steroids took a serious toll on my fitness level. Chemo forced me into being more of a couch-potato.

After tallying a total of 3000 miles on the bike in 2018, I only was able to achieve 500 in 2019 (all before chemo treatments), and 375 in 2020. I spent most of 2020 and 2021 rebuilding my strength and stamina.

As I’ve worked to rebuild muscle, strength and stamina, I’ve accepted that my post-chemo fitness will never be as strong as it was before.  Frankly, the drugs weakened my veins, especially in my arms.  And no amount of effort on my part seems to help to restore them. I’m not complaining because, relative to the way I felt pre-chemo, I feel great today!

I returned the the bicycle in early 2021 and, with sustained effort, have achieved strength and stamina that “good enough.” I felt good enough to sign up for a multi-day ride that I’ll cover in my next post.

March 2019 Update

I temporarily relocated to Neptune Beach, Florida, in early January and have averaged 75-100 miles of bicycling per week along sunny and beautiful beachfront routes. While the routes are very flat, the stiff ocean breezes add to the physical challenge (which I like).

At this stage of my cycling life, 75-100 miles per week sustains my cycling fitness.  Without considering touring adventures and an occasional century ride, this totals to about 4000 miles per year. 

As a relatively new “snowbird,” I appreciate the slower pace of life of the Florida beach community.  And I don’t miss the weather up north at all!

Here are some pictures taken along my route:

My interpretation of this sign: Only use authorized restrooms!

Ponta Vedra Beach in winter is perfect for introverts!

My turn-around stop on Highway A1A: Elroy the gator, about 7-8 feet long, was often submerged up to his eyes laying in waiting for a meal, often cranes. On this day, he was out of the water catching some rays.

This post fulfills my longstanding promise to provide a recap of some of the equipment I used during my 2017-2018 TransAmerica ride.  I’ve categorized the equipment as follows:

• the bike,
• me on the bike,
• resting on the road, and
• resting off the road. 

The Bike

THE RIG: 2017 Kona Sutra: http://2017.konaworld.com/sutra.cfm

• I evaluated all major touring bike options and found that the Kona geometry fit me best.  I love this bike!  I am now a fan of the Brooks B17 saddle.  Disc brakes are my newest must have.  Other than a few broken spokes (I was glad that the wheels have 36 spokes-my broken spokes were never disabling), the bike performed magnificently.
• I made 3 modifications:
  • Changed tires to Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Tires 700 x 35: extremely durable; had only 2 flats and both were caused by metal shards. Look for sales on-line.
  • Installed a Tubus Logo Evo Rear Rack and Tubus Tara Front Rack.
  • Installed Deore XT PD-T8000 Pedals (found them on sale for $75 on Amazon).

BIKE BAGS (PANNIERS): Ortlieb Front and Back Sport-Roller Classic Panniers: Ortlieb is as good as most say as to being rugged, waterproof, and functional! Yellow was the right color for me. I also added a Ortlieb Ultimate 6 Classic-M Handlebar Bag; I took it off the bike whenever I needed to leave the bike unattended. Look for sales on-line… I didn’t pay full price!

SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

• SAFETY FLAG: Since the early 1980’s, I’ve found that putting an American flag patch on the back of my backpack while bicycling tends to encourage good behavior from passing motorists.  I searched for a way to apply this concept during the TransAmerica journey where I didn’t intend to wear a backpack.  I found a company, Aditude, that makes a 6 ft lightweight fiberglass whip pole that easily mounts to the bike rack using velcro tabs.  The pole supports various flags and safety pennants.  I chose to fly a 12 inch by 18 inch American flag. For the TransAmerica journey, in addition to making a patriotic statement, this provided added visibility in the mountain passes.  This is now standard equipment on my touring and hybrid bikes.
• MIRROR: D&D Oberlauda Ultralight Bike Mirror: a critical piece of safety gear, especially for anticipating approaching trucks.
• SATELLITE TRACKER: Given the frequent absence of cell coverage along the TransAmerica route, I searched for a way for loved ones to track me.  I chose the GPS Spot Gen3. In addition to tracking and pre-programmed texts, it has a panic button that alerts local law enforcement that you’ve experienced a serious problem. As a solo touring cyclist, I considered the tracker necessary for peace of mind.
• LIGHTS: I used my old reliable Planet Bike front and rear lights.  I used the front light only once during a night ride.  I often used the rear blinking Superflash in the rain and fog.
• BELL: Mirrycle Incredibell Original Bicycle Bell. Great for alerting pedestrians, other cyclists, and animals (especially deer and squirrels) as you approach.
• WEATHER RADIO: I carried a very small NOAA weather radio, the MIDLAND weather alert radio. I kept it in the alert mode.  It alerted several times during the trip giving me warnings about oncoming severe weather.
• Membership in Better World Club: They’re the AAA for bicyclists. Fortunately, I never used them but I did think about calling after my crash in Kansas.

Me on The Bike

• SHOES: This took a lot of research as I wanted a rugged shoe that supported an inset SPD clip. I chose mountain biking shoes: Five Ten Men’s Kestrel Lace Mountain Bike Shoes (Clipless). They were comfortable, rugged, and dry.  For the TransAmerica, they performed superbly as my all-purpose shoe.  The only other shoes that I carried were flip flops.
• SOCKS: I prefer Darn Tough Vermont Men’s 1/4 Merino Wool Sock Light Cushion Athletic Socks and their longer crew socks.
• HELMET: I used a Giro Revel with visor.  Pick what you like but wear a helmet!
• GOGGLES with PRESCRIPTION INSERTS: I require vision correction to see clearly; pretty important on a bike!  Wearing contacts is not advisable while bicycle touring (it’s a dirty and dusty life!).  So I decided to go with this option after looking at prescription googles costing a few hundred dollars.  Through my research, I found a company named 5.11, which at the time sold tactical RAID goggles that could accommodate prescription inserts.  The total setup, including prescription lenses from America’s Best, cost me $180.  This continues to be a fabulous setup for me.  Unfortunately, 5.11 no longer sells these goggles. So, if you desire a similar set up, check out military and law enforcement tactical supply companies such as Revisionmilitary.com (for example, their Stingerhawk spectacles can accommodate an Rx carrier (look under accessories).
• BIKE COMPUTER & SENSORS: In the past, I’ve not advanced beyond a hard-wired CATEYE device. So, I really got out of my comfort zone when I decided to get a GARMIN Edge 820.  Matched with Garmin Speed and Cadence Sensors, it ended up being the perfect choice for me.  I had map connectivity for the entire journey.  I used the slope metrics to plow through the mountains.  And the computer did a terrific job of keeping daily, weekly, and total trip metrics.  I only triggered the automatic crash alert once, but am glad that I had it in the event that I was rendered unconscious.
• HEART RATE MONITOR: Scosche RHYTHM+ HR Monitor Armband. Again, the perfect choice for me!
• PADDED SHORTS: I tried a few but found that the Performance GEL III shorts worked best for me. I purchased them during sales at Performance Bike (online and in the stores).
• OUTER SHELL/RAIN JACKET/RAIN PROTECTION: I opted for the Performance Hooded Jacket.  It kept me dry in driving rain.  It kept me warm as an outer layer in 30+ degree F weather.  It dried quickly and was easy to wash. I also carried Performance Borough Rain Pants, which I occasionally used, and an old pair of neoprene shoe covers, which I used once in an especially drenching rainstorm.  I frequently used rain covers for my helmet and Brooks saddle.
• WATER BOTTLES: I carried three bottles on my bike. Two were Zefal 33 oz (available at Amazon) in the stock bottle holders. I also carried a 24 oz bottle using a SKS-Germany 11313 Anywhere Bicycle Attachment Water Bottle Mount that I installed below the down tube close to the crank.
  

Resting On the Road

• TENT: After a lot of research, I decided that the Eureka Amari Pass Solo Tent was an appropriate balance between cost and weight.  It was the ideal size for me, and allowed me to store my panniers in the vestibule. It performed superbly in all weather conditions, and, more importantly, kept the mosquitos and rain out.  A rain cover is a must!  I found it for $90 on Amazon but note that this particular model has been discontinued.
  
• SLEEPING BAG/AIR PAD: I chose a Slumberjack Sojourn 40 Sleeping Bag and Klymit Inertia O Zone Air Pad, again balancing cost against weight and size.  Both served me well in a variety of conditions and were easy to maintain. Their are lots of lighter options available if you are willing to pay for them.
  
• HEADLAMP: Black Diamond Unisex Spot Light. A headlamp with a red light is a must while camping so you don’t get blinded before you go out to look at the stars.
• BIKE LOCK: NRS Vigilante Cable Lock: Long enough to lock the wheels, frame, and seat. At campsites, I generally locked my bike to a tree or picnic table.
• COOKING STOVE: MSR PocketRocket. A great value!
• WATER FILTER: Sawyer Products SP103 Mini Water Filtration System. I used it more than I thought I would.
• RECHARGING ELECTRONICS:
  
  • ANKER POWERCORE+ 10050: Worth it’s weight in gold!  Was able to charge my phone, bike computer, and heart rate monitor through multiple days of “no electric available” cycling.
  • ANKER 40W/8A 5-port USB Charger: Used it a lot at those campsites that only had one outlet in the restroom.
• INSECT REPELLENT: REPEL with Deet was the most effective against mosquitos.

Resting Off the Road

• LAPTOP: I’m not savvy enough to maintain a blog without a laptop. So, I decided to carry my old 4 pound Macbook Air.  I’m glad I did so that I could maintain connectivity during the one day per week when I stayed in motels.
  
• BIKE MAINTENANCE GEAR: I only want to highlight a few of specialized items that I carried:
  
  • Finish Line Grunge Brush: This was the most used bike maintenance tool during the trip, even more so than a bike pump. A clean drivetrain is a happy drivetrain!  I used the brush and a Dawn/water solution every other day, and performed a deep clean of the bike every week.
  • MINI PUMP: Over the years, I’ve accumulated a collection of mini-pumps but found that the  Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HP ABS Pump performed the best during my TransAmerica experience.  I ran with tire pressures between 80 and 100 psi.  If your tubes have removable valve cores (sometimes you don’t know until the core pops out while unscrewing the pump head), make sure you also have a valve core remover (to tighten them).  You can try to get one for free by asking at you local bike shop.
  • CASSETTE TOOL: I decided to carry a Stern Mini Cassette Lockring Driver on the chance that I needed to remove the cassette. I ended up using the tool twice during spoke replacement.  I now consider this device a must have!  I didn’t try it beforehand because of concerns about breaking something; I did ensure that it would fit my bike.  The instructions are pretty straightforward and using the tool isn’t as dramatic as the instructions might seem. 

My next blog entry will tally my deep appreciation to the many folks who provided assistance to me during my 2017-8 TransAmerica journey.  And I hope to forecast my next adventure as well.

Day 33: Christianburg to Buchanan, VA

Today’s distance goal was influenced by our desire to get as close to Natural Bridge as we could and still have suitable camping opportunities.  That translated to a ride of 65 miles.

I enjoyed a pleasant start to the ride, mostly downhill.  After 11 miles, I unexpectedly caught up with Matthew. Blocking our route was a road barrier, flashing lights, and a sign saying that there was an all-day bridge closure on the road at Mill Creek.

Without expressly saying it to each other, Matthew and I realized that the only detour involved significant climbing.  We had already planned for a relatively challenging ride.  Perhaps the construction crew would let us pass through? Or perhaps we could cross the creek with our bicycles?

A construction crew riding a large truck came towards us from the direction of the closed bridge. One of the workers clearly stated that neither the bridge nor the creek were passable, even by bicyclists.

Matthew and I exchanged one of those “it is what it is” glances.  Because we didn’t have cell coverage, we relied on the Adventure Cycling Map to generally plot our detour, even though the non-route information is less specific. After getting conflicting information from a passing motorist, we guessed on one particular turn hoping that the road wasn’t a dead end. Our guess was correct and we ended up reconnecting with the route using a gravel road with very steep downhill portions.

Once we returned to the planned route, the ride became pleasant again as the terrain followed the course of rivers and streams or adjacent railroad tracks.

Here’s a couple of pictures of the terrain. The second one shows that hills that we had to climb up to detour around the closed bridge:

Because of the detour, Matthew and I rode together more than usual today.  We came across this horse, who seemed a bit skittish upon our arrival.  Matthew produced an apple and proceeded to become the horse’s best friend. The Bristol Biker is a horse whisperer as well!

Within 10 miles of Buchanan, I ran across another bridge closing. Matthew was well ahead of me by now and he alerted me that the construction crew had allowed him to walk his bike across the partially completed new bridge.  I followed suite with an expression of deep appreciation for the workers.

Here’s a shot of the bridge after I crossed it (the main concrete beams were in place but there were large gaps since the decking had not been installed):

We ended up riding 78 miles.  With the rest day, my legs handled the unexpected challenge with relative ease.

Matthew arrived in Buchanan before I did. On the advice of a local resident, Matthew suggested that we camp at the Fairgrounds.  It was a beautiful site situated on the bank of the James River. We had access to water and power.

Here are pictures of the James River and adjacent fairgrounds:

We enjoyed dinner at Burger King (the only open restaurant in town). In anticipation of another challenging day tomorrow, we also stocked up on snacks at the adjacent gas station shop.

During the night, we discovered that the beautiful site had a few serious downfalls.  Across the river (hidden in the trees) was a railroad line. Throughout the night, the echoes of passing trains and train horns were a distraction. The trains came every 3-4 hours like clockwork.

And there was a tower bell that rung every hour on the hour. 

The locals likely were used to these distractions. But for two exhausted cyclists, they contributed to a restless night! At the first train horn of the night, which was very amplified by the characteristics of the river basin, I heard Matthew exclaim, “Bloody Hell.” It sounded like we were sleeping right next to the tracks.  I was too exhausted to care and somehow managed to get enough sleep to attack the next day’s challenge.

Day 34: Buchanan to Love, VA

During the previous evening, Matthew and I confirmed our intention to make a detour to visit Natural Bridge.  We also make the joint decision to tackle Mount Vesuvius, known as the most challenging climb in the entire TransAmerica Trail.

We enjoyed a marvelous ride to Natural Bridge.  I had visited the site several times as a child and once with my wife and sons.  Once surveyed by George Washington and owned by Thomas Jefferson, it’s one of the most iconic natural sites in Virginia. Thomas Jefferson described it as, “The most sublime of Nature’s works.”

Here’s an unspoiled and spoiled shot (the latter courtesy of Matthew Moran):

Please note that I am not wearing my typical biking garb. Because of the upcoming climb, and the fact that it was a hot day, I settled on a tee-shirt and padded biking shorts.  It was a wise decision!

After a lengthy visit to Natural Bridge, Matthew and I proceeded to the town of Vesuvius along a moderate incline. We passed though the town of Lexington, VA, another very picturesque location with lots of history and interesting shops (for a future visit, perhaps).

Here’s a picture of what I began to approach: Vesuvius is off to the right:

As I approached Vesuvius, I planned to stop at a local store to replenish my water before starting the steep climb. I interpreted the map to mean that I would be biking through the town. But, I quickly found that I was approaching the base of Mount Vesuvius.

Imagine my anxiety in not having sufficient water to support me climbing up the most challenging slope in 4,200 miles! As I pondered turning back to find the town (which Matthew later told me required a deviation from the route), I saw a snow cone stand in the yard of a private citizen.  I counted my blessings as I rode up to the stand and rested my bike against a tree. 

A man emerged from the adjacent house and opened up the stand just for me.  His name was Jimmy. He was from New Orleans and was a Marine Corps veteran. 

I enjoyed a large and very delicious New Orleans shaved ice with cherry syrup as Jimmy and I talked.  He sat me in a very comfortable chair in back of the stand. After half an hour or so, Jimmy filled my water bottles with cool water and shared words of encouragement as I started up the mountain. 

Having previously analyzed the specifics of this particular challenge, I knew how many thousands of feet I needed to climb to conquer the mountain.  I broke the challenge into executable segments, wherein I sprinted up the extreme slopes until my heart was pounding or I was out of breath (these were often concurrent experiences). I would stop to catch my breath and let my heartbeat settle, and then repeat. Even though some of the slopes appeared impossible, I never once considered walking the bike. I did stop and wave by the very few cars that passed. And fortunately, most of the climb was shaded by the forest so I never became overheated.

Before I knew it (after almost two hours of climbing), I could see the sunshine breaking through near the top of the summit. I had conquered the biggest challenge of this half of the journey. Here was the sign that signaled the end of this specific ordeal:

When I got to the Blue Ridge Parkway, I caught up with Matthew as we marveled at the vistas (these pictures don’t adequately capture the views):

When we arrived in Love, VA, we initially began setting up camp at a local church, hoping someone would come by so that we could verify our intentions. We were attracted to the site because it didn’t require a substantial detour from the route.

A man named Keith came by to inform us that the church discouraged camping, but that he owned the adjacent resort and we could camp there for a fee. After some discussion, and in consideration (mainly by me) that the church contained a cemetery on the property, we decided to take Keith up on his offer.  He’s the owner of Royal Oaks Resort in Love, VA. 

The site included access to a shower and restroom (in one of his cabins), water, power, a fire pit, and even WiFi.  Keith sweetened his offer by saying that he would open up his deli so that we could order sandwiches for dinner.

Matthew and I set up camp in Keith’s more suitable location. We enjoyed some delicious Italian subs. And even made a fire from wood we collected from around the site.

There were no trains and no church bells. That night, exhausted by the climb up Mount Vesuvius and surrounded by peace and quiet, I enjoyed the most restful night of sleep during this half of the trip.  For the most part, it would be all downhill from here!

Day 35: Love to Palmyra, VA

Matthew and I agreed that we could sleep in today since Mount Vesuvius was behind us and since there were no serious climbs left. We enjoyed camp coffee and made another fire to ward off the morning gnats.  For breakfast, I enjoyed (ok, I tolerated) my last freeze-dried meal of the trip.

After securing camp, we bicycled 62 miles to Palmyra. 

The trip included more phenomenal vistas from the Blue Ridge Parkway:

We stopped in Charlottesville for lunch near the University of Virginia campus.  Along the way, we passed vineyards previously owned by George Washington and James Monroe.

We also biked through Nelson County, VA, where some of my ancestors on my father’s side lived as farmers.  As a child during a few summers, my parents sent me to live with my great Aunt Gertrude, on her farm in Nelson County just a stone’s throw away from the Blue Ridge Parkway. These times provided great adventures for me and my dog, Bernie.  I fondly recall a few of our family reunions during earlier days at that farm with Aunt Gertie and Uncle Sam. This sign triggered recall of some of those fond memories:

As I got closer to Palmyra, I called Cindy from the Palmyra United Methodist Church to arrange to stay at the church.  She referred me to Pastor George, who met us when we arrived at the church. 

Pastor George rolled out the red carpet for us, allowing us to stay in their classroom facility.  We enjoyed kitchen access, including a Keurig coffee maker.  At the Pastor’s suggestion, we hurried off to the grocery store deli before they closed to order dinner. I appreciate Pastor George, Cindy, and the PUMC family for their exceptional kindness.  Here’s a picture of me rolling the bike into the classroom complex:

I enjoyed another very restful night, particularly since I felt more fatigued today likely due to a delayed reaction from the Mount Vesuvius climb.

Day 36: Palmyra to Ashland, VA

Today’s goal was 74 miles since Matthew and I decided to try to hit the remaining distance between Palmyra and Yorktown hard so that we didn’t have significant distances remaining our last two days.  A forecast of thunderstorms over the coming weekend entered into our planning.

“it’s all downhill from here” wasn’t quite the right mindset for the final days of the trip. Matthew and I were surprised by some of the hills and a few extreme slopes we encountered. But my legs remained strong and I found myself powering up the hills with relative ease as compared to earlier in this 1/2 of the journey.

As we approached Lake Anna, I surmised that Matthew would stop for a swim given his penchant to jump into lakes and rivers.  Sure enough, he paused for a dip.  I pressed on. Matthew later informed me that the water was unusually warm, as we later found out that the north end of the lake is the “hot” side of cooling water used by the adjacent nuclear power plant.

On my way to Ashland, I also passed the Scotchtown Patrick Henry Home National Historic Landmark.

For once, I beat Matthew to our destination. We planned on primitive camping (no services) behind Olde Town Cycles in Ashland, VA.  I arrived at the shop an hour before closing and was offered a hot shower and power by the owner, Dan.  

When Matthew arrived, we set up camp behind the store.  We ate at a local sports bar and enjoyed a relatively quiet evening, save a few passing trains and the croaking of bullfrogs from a nearby creek.

Day 37: Ashland to Chickahominy Riverfront Park in Williamsburg, VA

Today’s goal was about 50 miles to Charles City, VA, but we ended up biking 68 miles to locate camping facilities.

After biking through Mechanicsville, we ended up on the Virginia Capital Trail.  This is a most bike friendly trail shared by hikers and bikers.  When we arrived at Charles City, we missed the fact that their boat ramp permits camping by cyclists.  So we decided to extend the journey to Chickahominy Riverfront Park.  This is a fee-based county facility that includes hot showers and a pool.

Once we arrived and set up camp, Matthew decided to bike the estimated 5 miles to the local store.  The journey was more distant than described by the car-loving locals but he returned with a good bottle of wine, Italian subs, and jalapeno potato chips as our last meal together. 

We built a fire and enjoyed a very quiet evening.  I appreciate Matthew for his friendship, expertise, and encouraging support.  We’ve built a very special relationship over the past five weeks that promises to extend well beyond this endeavor.

As I approached my tent for the evening, I noticed a large water turtle laying eggs within yards of my tent.  Earlier that evening, we noticed another large turtle crossing through our campsite.  Matthew and I chose to leave this creature alone but we wondered whether we had put our tents over a turtle nest.

Day 38 and Final: Williamsburg to Yorktown, VA

Matthew and I decided that we could take our time this morning since our final destination for the TransAmerica Trail was only 31 miles away. While it rained a bit overnight, we awoke to relatively dry camping gear.

On the previous evening after I turned in, Matthew had befriended a family camping in an adjacent lot with a camper.  This morning, Susan came over and offered to cook breakfast for us.  We accepted her and her family’s gracious offer.  We enjoyed a family breakfast with Mike, Susan, and their daughter, Chris. I appreciate them for their generosity, and for punctuating the kindness that I’ve experienced from great Americans throughout this journey.

At about 10 am, we headed out to Yorktown. Matthew was gracious enough to allow me to keep up with him on this trip so that we could finish together.  At Jamestown, VA, we transferred to the Colonial Parkway. We took time to stop at the many historical markers along the way. 

At the end of the parkway, we experienced a moment of confusion with the map directions.  We checked GoogleMaps, which indicated (wrongly so) that the Yorktown Victory Monument was just over a mile away straight ahead.

We headed up the hill where, when I cleared the crest, I became jubilant upon seeing my family just a short distance away.  Matthew and I were greeted by the warm embrace of my wife and three sons, and our dear and longstanding friends, Joe and Heather, who drove an hour to join the celebration.

Here’s a few of the celebratory pictures:

 The final thrust for home!

 Me & Bristol Biker in Celebratory Hoist!

 Me, Joe, Heather, and Daisy Mae

  The Brown’s and the Bristol Biker

We enjoyed a celebratory lunch with Joe and Heather and dinner with Matthew Moran.  Matthew chose the dinner location at the Yorktown Pub.  This historic location is steeped in history and includes many Coast Guard artifacts on display.

This mission is complete!  In future posts, I’ll express some words of appreciation, offer a few reflections from the trip, and publish the long-overdue list of critical equipment.  Meanwhile, I plan to rest and begin to work on the next bucket list item: to vastly improve my golf game!

Thanks for sharing this very special journey with me.  You interest, support, and prayers mattered!