Journey’s end

July 19, 2011 by Carl McDonald

Manzanita, Oregon to Astoria, Oregon

Miles: 46

Total count – friendly horn taps: 121

Total count – rude horn honks: 29

Total miles for the journey: 4,769

Perhaps I've captured more in this one frame than all the others

The end of the road! We concluded our journey today, landing in Astoria after a pleasant day of sunshine and warmth for our final day. We even had some challenging hills to keep us humble enough to appreciate a finish. Greeting us in the parking lot of the Maritime Museum was a contingent of supporters, representatives from three law enforcement agencies, and the mayor of Astoria, who presented us with a commemorative plate and a personal check for a donation to MADD.

It was a noticeable transition to go from the inward contemplation that takes place when cycling for all this time to meeting and greeting people, smiling for all the camera shots, and suddenly having four media interviews to be done today stacked in an e-mail I haven’t been able to read yet. Please don’t misunderstand, the experience was quite exciting for us, but it was a sudden entry into another world. I think there will be a lot of that for a good long while.

An inland crossing to Astoria

While working our way through the inland portions of our ride today, we went through sections of forest and farmlands. We discussed how it was sort of a short review of the journey and the places we’ve seen. The coastal sections were breathtaking and the sun light only helped turn up the colors for us, as if to give us a show for our last day.

This journey’s end will take some time to contemplate all that it means from this end now. I know we’ve reached a large number of people through this journal and I am quite pleased with that and grateful for the attention. The word-of-mouth endorsements and the sweeping tide of donations that has been generated has been remarkable. These are the things that can be counted and measured. What may not so easily be accounted for is the effect the journey has on me, my sister Sallie, and most importantly others whose lives may have been touched by our efforts. That’s where the important work is done. Pedaling the bike was easy in comparison.

The blog will continue. We have more funds to raise (I fully intend to reach the $20,000 goal I set), and the donation mechanism will remain active (so tell your friends it’s not too late to donate!). I will however take a break from making daily entries. I need to rest my keyboarding skills and work on getting some sleep for a bit. We have bikes to take apart and gear to ship, planes to catch, and other worlds to return to. The transition will be significant.

I’ve summed up the horn counts at the top of the page. Among other notable items related to the journey, we:

Took 85 days from start to finish
Rode for 80 days — we had 80 dedications completed
Received over 27,000 “views” to the web site
Averaged 59.6 miles per day
Took two days off to rest
Were grounded for three days because of storms, including one for tornadoes
Repaired one broken spoke (my bike)
Replaced Sallie’s crank set and chain
Replaced a worn chain on my bike
Repaired one flat tire on Sallie’s bike

We completed the trip with the original tires we started with, but carried spares just in case. Our packing and preparations were more than adequate, the only thing we did not take that we wished we had was shoe covers for colder weather (we used plastic shopping bags inside our shoes as a replacement). We debated using summer sleeping bags and then having heavier bags shipped to us in the middle of the trip, but decided instead to take the heavier bags (North Face Cat’s Meow 20 degree bags). That was a very sound decision as we experienced more colder weather than warm. We needed the warmer bags in Mississippi of all places!

Right now, as I look over the Columbia River and my fingers search the keyboard for the proper words to put this journey into context, I know it’s not possible. Not right now. I will need to contemplate the changes, the meaning, and the measures of this journey, and that may take a good long while. It is after all, the trip of a lifetime.

Thanks everybody!

Posted in Living the life | 24 Comments

24 Responses

on July 19, 2011 at 1:33 am Lynn Chiotti

Glad to have been part of the final day. MADD in Oregon is proud of what you have done for us.
on July 19, 2011 at 6:09 am sandra terry

INCREDIBLE !!! Well done both of you – what a journey – can’t wait to see you back in Amelia !
on July 19, 2011 at 6:10 am Penny Landregan

So happy, happy for the both of you for completing your dream of a trip. We look forward to seeing you when you get to Amelia Island. To meet Carl for the first time and to see our
Sallie back to us safe and sound. You both were such troopers and accomplished something I could only dream about doing. MADD is very fortunate to have you both so dedicated to their worthy cause.

Hats off to you!
on July 19, 2011 at 6:48 am Fred Gagnon

Thanks for taking us along with you, Carl. … While only a virtual experience of place, it has been a real experience of compassion to “ride” along with you and share your joys, tears and dedication to moving forward and helping others to move forward in a positive way.
Cheers!
on July 19, 2011 at 7:12 am Rob Strassburger

Carl and Sallie —

Congratulations on completing your Trans-Am ride which is so extraordinary in so many dimensions. Unlike Carl’s blog posts, I am not able to express adequately how you have affected me. All I can muster is a sincere and heart felt THANK YOU! for for all that you have done to honor Carlie and all the victims of drunk driving. Your blog posts have taught me a lot and moved me even more. Your efforts, while they make me feel inadequate, are exceptionally motivating.
on July 19, 2011 at 7:34 am Karen Teel

Congratulations to you both, for your stamina, dedication and courage in taking on this endeavor. It’s huge and as you said it’s impact still ripples across our memories. Thank you both. Karen Teel
on July 19, 2011 at 7:54 am Walter Hodges

What an incredible journey of both endurance and emotion. I’ve enjoyed reading your post and you both have been a frequent topic of discussion on the Saturday rides. Congratulations to you both!
on July 19, 2011 at 8:42 am Mary Baker

CONGRATS Carl and Sallie….sat down with my coffee this morning with hesitation and a tear in my eye to read for the last time what has been a morning staple of mine. Some of the photos that you posted are etched in my mind and will stay with me forever. Specifically, you at Carlie’s gravesite. Went to my nephew/brother’s on the weekend and thought about you and the work you have done and will continue to do in Brendan’s name. Thank you for posting his picture and story. May God’s grace shine upon you and Sallie for all of your days. Farewell my friends….Mary
on July 19, 2011 at 9:07 am Vonda Fredette

So proud of both of you on completing this!! CONGRATS to two wonderful people and the goal and mission you both set out to accomplish!! What great memories you will treasure!!
on July 19, 2011 at 9:23 am Amy Voelker

Congratulations on an incredible journey! And thank you for sharing your thoughts along the way. The healing power of shared experiences cannot be underestimated.
on July 19, 2011 at 9:48 am Debbie Taylor - Casper Wyoming

Carl and Sallie – congrats on reaching your goal! I have been inspired by your journey and will miss your daily blogs. Thanks for taking us all on your journey with you! Gods peace and safe journey home!!
on July 19, 2011 at 10:41 am Princess

Awesome job, Carl and Sallie! Shouldn’t there be theme music from Rocky playing in the background?

Keri and I were talking about how you planned on returning home on our little juant this morning. Great accomplishment!

Have a safe trip back to your homes in Florida and Texas. Your GDB buddies are looking forward to seeing and riding with you when you return…
on July 19, 2011 at 11:20 am Anne Pratt

Congratulations Carl and Sallie on completing an amazing journey across our country and in our hearts. Carl, by sharing your precious thoughts and memories, which for many of us are so similar to our own, you have truly helped us to see the value in the distance we have come. My sincerest thanks. Anne
on July 19, 2011 at 11:52 am eryn

Carl and Sallie,

Thank you for blogging your journey with all of us. I only started to really start reading this after you were in Mississippi. The entry that really touched me is one towards the ends about the shoes.

My Auntie has the pair of shoes my cousin was wearing the night he and his friends were struck by the drunk driver. The florist who supplied the flowers for Nick’s funeral used his black and white converse as a plant holder that holds two prayer plants. Along with the plants, you still see the writing Nick wrote on his shoes, to pass the time during his classes, I presume. Although the shoes have the plants, these living organisms, it is empty of the person who’s feet should fill them.

Thank you again for the time it took to accomplish such a feat. All of this has not gone unnoticed and we appreciate you and your sister!

Blessing as you both acclimate back into “normalcy.”
on July 19, 2011 at 1:23 pm Ricky H. Rich

Congratulations Carl and Sallie!!!! I have followed your adventures everyday. I am totally impressed. Thanks for your persistance and for all the lives you touched along your journey. Can’t wait to see you at the next Highway Safety Committee meeting to catch up.
on July 19, 2011 at 1:29 pm PhilipW

What an accomplishment!
Now come on back to Dallas and let’s ride where
the rude horn honks are inversely proportional to your
cross country’s.
on July 19, 2011 at 2:09 pm Angela

Woo hoo. Congratulations. You are both amazing. I hope to see you when you get to Florida.
on July 19, 2011 at 4:18 pm Edie S.

I have but one word. AMAZING!!!
on July 19, 2011 at 5:54 pm Judy

Your journal was amazing. So happy to have met you in Gainesville, Florida and again in Sisters, Oregon. Carl, your journal was interesting, heart breaking and inspiring. I will miss your daily posts. Take care….Judy
on July 19, 2011 at 8:38 pm Helen Penberthy

Sallie and Carl – what a treat it’s been to follow you on this journey! What an amazing trip (and an amazing journal!). Thanks for sharing it all with us! I’m waiting for the next one!!
on July 19, 2011 at 9:35 pm Jessica Weyer Bentley

Carl,

I am so glad you had a beautiful day for your final ride. You would not be able to understand the impact your journey has had on many people including me. My whole family has followed your journey. People from my work asked about it and I always posted your enteries to my facebook to generate more readers. It is individuals like you and your sister that give the rest of us hope that we will win this battle no matter how up hill it may be. Thanks for everything and I just wanted to thank you one more time for making my father one of your dedications. It touched me so dearly. My husband printed it out and had it lamenated for me. Rest now….sleep for a month…and get back to us as soon as you can. God Bless You and Thank You Again!!!

Jessica Bentley
on July 19, 2011 at 10:35 pm Laura Dean Mooney

Congratulations Carl and Sallie…well done indeed! I wish you safe travels as you fly back to TX and FL and most importantly, time to be alone to reflect on this journey and the tribute it brought not only to Carlie, but to many victim/survivors. Can’t wait to read the book 🙂

Laura
on July 20, 2011 at 1:50 am Tom

I like what you have done here. I admire the initiative you have taken to raise awareness to a preventable crime that leaves so many permanent scars. If I had known of your ride I would have been there for you today. I have posted a dedication to your ride on my blog, and can’t wait to write a review of your book when it comes out. Please keep me posted.
on July 20, 2011 at 9:09 am Jaye

thank you for caring, unfortunately we have FAR to go. I see everyday in the ER the fools who will take our next child, mother, father, sister, brother, best friend. DONT STOP what you are trying to do!