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Yesterday was my final push toward home and a safe arrival was the perfect icing on the cake. So a final trip report for the final day.

I woke up, headed downstairs for some breakfast, back up to gather my gear and head outside to load the bike. I see a note tacked on the bike indicating that my bike's original owner was staying in the very same hotel. He was on his way home from a Colorado vacation (in his 5th wheel) and decided to stay in this hotel and saw my bike parked for the night under the awning. I went back inside, asked the front desk to call him and tell him I was loading up. He came down and was happy to see that I still had the bike. I told him about my trip and we chatted for a good half hour. What are the chances of that happening?

OK, out of town, I head north with a nice tail wind which will be nasty later in the day when I turn west. Not 5 minutes out of town, came to a construction stop where we have to follow a pilot car for 5 miles. Wait, wait, wait - for our turn. And there was absolutely nothing going on in the construction zone.

But here is the view of Kansas that occupied most of my day.

It was a long day after I turned west and those strong, southerly gales were whipping. There is no way I could have made this ride nor dealt with those winds on my old bike. I am so glad I made the decision last year to get a bigger bike. Out in the middle of eastern Colorado, there is a whole lot of nothing. I was getting desperate for a place to stop and climb off the bike for a few minutes. This is the "stunning" road side rest area I found in eastern Colorado on US 36.

It was great to finally catch a glimpse of the Rockies on the distant horizon, a  sure sign of getting close. This ride was about seeing a different part of this great land and the real people of these United States. We saw parts of this country most folks never see because they fly along the Interstates and don't venture into the back country. The adventure was awesome and the ability to spend so many days riding with your best friend is an experience most never enjoy. I was blessed!

Both of us thank you for taking the time to follow our adventure and share the experience. We had a blast, 13 consecutive days of riding, just short of 4,000 miles. Another "epic" in the books!

Keep the rubber side down, see ya down the road.