Day 98...our last day of riding

Day 98 08/28/22

I must share a couple of thoughts regarding yesterday before we unpack today. We ended up staying at Marble Quarry campground last night. We enjoyed our time dipping in the Potomac, playing Farkle and cooking our final meal. In our last post I mentioned that we hadn't killed any wild life. I spoke to soon. We left Harpers Ferry yesterday on a good 14 mph pace when suddenly out darts a squirrel. I didn't have time to react and held a steady course while feeling the front tire shift. It was a noticeable thud that had occured when Sarah said something just hit her in the ankle. I told her it was a squirrel and I got the same reaction when we narrowly missed a four foot long snake a few weeks ago. But here is the deal. I can now boast of two squirrel hit and runs while using an unmotorized device. Believe it or not I ran over a squirrel while skiing at Keystone resort. I was cruising down a run when up ahead a squirrel ran half way onto the run and suddenly stopped. I kept advancing at a fast rate thinking he will see me and turn back. At the last minute he did see me but decided to get one up on me and that was the last nut he ever ate. I don't know for sure what happened to the squirrel yesterday because we kept on rolling. If he didn't die when the wheel ran over him it might have been when Sarah's pedal clocked him and ejected him into the trees.

Today when Sarah pulled out a banana for breakfast I knew it was time to pedal to the nearest diner.

lt was four miles down the trail at Whites Ferry. While we were there a couple of young women who were also cycling asked us about our trip. We have been astonished at how many people, young and old have told us how we have inspired them. I can't think of to many times that happened after preaching a sermon but who's counting.

The trail getting into DC was packed with cyclists, runners, walkers and dogs. 90 degrees and a good dose of humidity made for a beautiful day as we rode our way to the zero marker (start or finish line) of the C&O trail. It was a rather obscure location on the Potomac that you had to go out of your way to look for but we found it. No fanfare but a deep sense of accomplishment that we made it.

A great surprise awaited us! Our newest friend, Neil, had left us a personal note. He must have finished a few hours before us. There it was at the base of the mile marker. Sarah found it while picking up trash. It was a personal note from him congratulating us. What a nice touch for such an amazing journey.

At last we headed over to the mall to get a few snaps.

Sarah and I truly thank you all for joining us on this journey. Your notes of encouragement were always helpful and just knowing that you were rooting for us kept us going. I enjoyed writing most of the time but when I was wrecked after a long day riding, it got tough. At a minimum I gave you a three month birds eye view into the life of being on the rode. We really hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Thank God for Sarah as she was editor in chief all of the posts. I couldn't slip too much of my weirdness past her. We have been anticipating this day for so long and we are now a little conflicted. We are in great riding shape with no place to go. I'm sure it won't take me long to fix that. Oh well, all good things must come to an end. Tomorrow we plan to pick up a U-Haul and drive to Cumberland where we have rented a minivan. I believe there will be some twists and turns that await us. From there we will head to Tulsa in hopes of seeing a new grandchild. We may not have missed the birth after all. Finally we will arrive in CO on the 5th of September. Please message us and let us know if you enjoyed the trip and we will save you a seat for the next time.

We rode 41 miles today

Keep it rollin,

Scott and Sarah