July 9-Day 53-Mukilteo Bay, Washington!!!!
Oh what a day! To start off, Lisa snapped a picture of the pre-ride meal every morning for the past 53 days: steel cut oatmeal, milk, maple syrup and a handful of blueberries followed by a banana.
Craig said he was tired of oatmeal. I second the motion. Maybe, I will wait a week before I have it again. After a 50 mile ride back to Skykomish from the RV park we lodged at, Avery and the Christopher boys saddled up for the 56 mile ride to Mukilteo Bay.
Four hours later we found ourselves at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo Bay. However, before that there is more to this adventure. On a trip blessed by incredible biking weather most of the way, this day was tops…blue skies, cool in the morning, warm in the afternoon. We had the Cascades behind us and the Olympic Mountains, Mt Baker and Mt Rainier ahead of us. We started at an elevation of about 1200 feet expecting pretty much consistent slope to sea level. After about 19 miles and a break at a pastry shop, we took a back woods detour along the Skykomish River.
This route wound for about ten miles along the river with elevation changes we did not expect. Coming into Everett Washington…..
…..Alan got this idea that we should stop and get a bouquet of roses for our wives. Grand idea! Without their support, this would not have happened. We found a market with beautiful roses, had them cut to fit our water bottles, covered with a plastic grocery bag and then planted them in our back jersey pocket. Transporting them that way worked great. We also had this expectation of a nice leisurely ride the last ten miles to the water. About 8 miles away, we encountered this steep hill. Sure enough, we had to climb a steep grade with about 400 feet of elevation change over about a quarter of a mile. Our legs were burning, my heart was pounding and I am thinking: “I did not ride 3400 miles and climb every obstacle in our path to get to the end and have to walk up a hill. Help me Lord in your strength.” So we pedaled, grunted and gasped for air. LOL now…. we made it up….Incredibly, we had the steepest grade of all the hills across North America, a few miles from our finish. Alan and I compared it to the Star City Hill in our home town of Morgantown that we had practiced on a few times. I did not look at my GPS to see the grade. I was too focused on transmitting every ounce of energy to my legs and turning the crank, but it was surely double digits and more. A few more miles and a few more ups and downs, we saw the Bay through the trees from a bluff above the bay. I let out a yell (found out later Craig and Alan thought something was wrong) and then actually began to tear up for a moment. Then we descended a few hundred feet until the lighthouse park came into view. As we entered the park, we saw balloons and ladies waving and the band playing…(just kidding on the band :)) What a sight!
After enjoying the moment and the incredible scenery for about an hour, we walked over to Ivar’s a fine restaurant by the bay and enjoyed a late lunch to celebrate. We liked it so much we came back for dinner later in the evening and took a shot of the lighthouse at dusk.
The final tally was 3403 miles through 11 states over 53 days. Just realized I like that number 53 for lots of reasons including the fact that I was born back in ’53. 🙂 We generally rode 80-100 miles a day, with the max at 112 miles for a day in Minnesota. I know my top speed was about 45 mph and the slowest was less than 5mph a few times. I will fill you in on elevation change and some other tidbits when we get them sorted out. More importantly, I am grateful for the privilege of taking this journey with my wife Lisa, friends Craig, Dori, and brother Alan and sister-in-law Sheryl and being able to share it with you. Your thoughts and prayers have meant much to us all. Thank you from the depths of my soul!
Sometime in the next few days, I intend to post some video of the ride into Mukilteo Bay and our wives’ reception. I also intend to share some final musings and describe a little of what I have learned on this journey that will change the way I live the remaining days of my life. Stay tuned for the wrap up…….
Integrated Life Mentoring 
I have read every word you have posted…I am so overjoyed for you brother and want to thank you for letting me ride along with you in my mind! 🙂
Thanks David! Looking forward to catching up sometime soon. There is a whole laundry list of fishing locations I can point you too. 🙂
Congratulations to all of you! We are rejoicing with you – balloons and flowers and all 🙂
Looking forward to seeing and hearing more when you return.
Thanks for the continuing encouragement Linda Jo and Gene! I have that Thomas Jefferson Ice Cream party on my “to do list”. 🙂
Congratulations! I’ve enjoyed following along the past 2 months!
Thanks Donna! Hope you all are well!
Congrats!!! I too have enjoyed following along and am looking forward to hearing the wrap up comments! Enjoy.
Congratulations! What an accomplishment! Thanks for taking us with you, so to speak, with the blog. And thanks again for giving us the privilege of spending time with you in Minnesota. It was a great memory for our whole family.
Thanks Herb and our visit with you and Donna and the family was a highlight for us. Lisa says she is planning a trip to Chicago this fall. I guess we may be seeing you sooner than later! 🙂
Way to go! So happy 🙂 what a journey you all experienced, can’t wait to see you all.
Congrats Gary! Amazing journey. Looking forward to your return!
Thanks Jeff! Lunch and Golf soon?
Thanks so much for letting us enjoy the trip with you! What good memories!
Our pleasure and looking forward to catching up!
Congratulations! I’ve enjoyed following you on this journey. You’re such an inspiration Gary!
Glad you enjoyed it Doreen. I have to pinch myself now that we have gotten back that I am not dreaming. 🙂
So glad you accomplished your goal– I honestly did not think it was possible! It’s been neat to see the blend of extreme exercise and beautiful scenery and notes from a hostory buff all mixed together. Hope you 6 have great memories from thsi summer.
Thanks Bev-It was definitely the journey so much more than the goal. I learned a lot from Lewis and Clark’s journals along the way!