Patterns

First, here are my answers to some commonly asked questions:

1. When do you leave? What are your initial plans?

My Dad and I will fly from Minneapolis/St. Paul to San Diego on Wednesday, January 9th. We are going to stay with Mark & Mary Peterson's (North Oaks neighbors) daughter. Since we will be taking our bikes on the plane, we will have them rebuilt on Thursday and will locally tour around to make sure they are structurally sound. On Friday we will likely start our journey by placing our tires in the ocean. From there, we will head east.

2. What will your accommodations be?

We plan to camp and stay in hotels. Numerous variables will influence our decisions.

3. What is your final destination?

St. Augustine, Florida

4. Can I still donate to CES?

YES! DEFINITELY. If you would like to improve the living conditions of the developmentally disabled adults that I serve, please send your checks, payable to CES, to:
PO Box 4259 Jackson, WY 83001 Memo: Dreams on Wheels

Thank you for your donation if you've already given!!

5. Are you ready?

Yes. But really, what else would I say? I have a travel companion, maps, a one-way ticket, a brand new bike and a strong sense of adventure... this is going to be great.

I titled the name of this post "Patterns," because I feel a pattern of my life will repeat itself. Before every major change in my life, I have cried. My parents have reminded me that after every first day of school I cried. Not because it was bad, but because it was change. I am leaving behind my Mom's DELICIOUS food, a real bed, jobs I enjoy, co-workers I adore, a Mom, a Sister, friends, DALE!...the temporary absence of these things is very bittersweet. Ironically, I have always cried at the end of every year of school, job, etc. I'll cry, but this change is something that I want.

6. What have you been up to lately?

Eating. My parents have clearly mastered the art of portion control because they smother their food with copious amounts of butter, cream, etc. They regularly use a full pound butter dish. We've also gone through multiple gallon-size pails of ice cream in the past couple weeks.

Cooking. This is not a shock for anyone that knows my Mom. We have used her oven more times in one day than I use mine in an average month.

Being outside. Cross-country skiing, walking, running, sledding

Organizing. Sorting things for the bike trip. Deciding that I'm not going to haul make-up (darn!- sarcasm). Getting rid of childhood junk.

Talking endlessly with my Mom and Sister. Jill has a big life. My Mom is very wise and gives me heaps of advice about everything. I mean everything.

Watching the news. Minnesota is a great place to live.

Petting Swede, the rotund cat.

Socializing.

Talking to Al, Jill's new boyfriend. He's made a good impression thus far (He's been here for about 10 hours).

Talking to Dale on the phone. It sucks that he went back to Wyoming.

Good night!