We Did It!
August 6, 2008
Well, the day has finally arrived and our adventure across America has come to an end. We made it to the Atlantic Ocean on the 4th of August at 1200 on a beautiful New Hampshire day. 3,629 miles and Kelli and I are proud to say we biked Every Fantastic Inch! For the last couple of miles we had a police escort and a group of cheering friends and family. The beach was busy with vacationers and locals enjoying the beautiful day. They were all very surprised when 55 cyclist came cheering to the beach with their bikes and cameras, dipping their front wheels in the Atlantic and even going for a swim. It was a great day and I still can’t believe our adventure is over. I still feel the desire to get on my bike and ride, but all great things must come to and end.
I can’t express how much Kelli and I appreciate the support everyone has given us. We couldn’t have done this without the support of all of you and your encouraging words. Some of you have asked what was the best part of our adventure and I can say without hesitation that it was meeting the amazing men and women that biked across America with us. There were so many amazing stories of triumph and tragedy that I feel truly blessed to have met every single one of the staff and riders on this trip. The most beautiful part of the trip for me came when we climbed the Grand Tetons of Western Wyoming. For Kelli, riding through the Black Hills of South Dakota. There were so many special moments on our trip that I can’t pick out just one moment that made the greatest impact. All I can say is that this trip has changed Kelli and me for the rest of our lives.
Semper Fidelis.
August 6, 2008 at 11:01 am
Congratulation!!! It is extrodinary all that you 2 have traveled through together. I admire you for your dedication and strength. Reading your stories daily have inspired me to dust off my bike and start riding.
Thank You,
Karen
P.S. Good luck in starting your life together in Minnesota. I hope to see you next summer when I come out to visit.
August 6, 2008 at 11:46 am
Kelli,
I have been keeping up with your journey through several sources. We are very proud of our new memeber of the WE family. You represent what WE want to accomplish.
Looking forward!
Kevin Powell
August 7, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Dear Nathan and Kelli:
Wow, what an amazing last 50 days that you have had with riding over 3,600 miles across America.
Congratulations!
This event, adventure and journey will be one of those incredible life long memories and moments that you will share over and over again with your loved ones and those that rode along side of you and supported you. I have never meet such great people but you were so blessed in riding with the kindest and most loving people on the face of this earth. They all are gems.
I have never been so proud of you as to see you ride into Wallis State Park with the Portsmouth Police car sirenings blaring and those lights a blazing and seeing all 55 riders coming to the ocean and seeing the tears running down Kelli’s face and you looking so strongly towards the ocean.
You were on a mission to dip that tire into the Atlantic ocean.
It was such a joy to see your accomplishment come full circle as YOU REALLY DID IT. You conguered every hill, every mountain, every bridge, every field, every truck, every car, every friend, every new place and city, every gravel path, every SAG stop, every mile, every different type of weather, every different type of good and bad road surface, every bit of sweat, every bit of determination, and every bit of fear made you achieve a dream come true.
Welcome home and as your family we are proud of you for riding on behalf of injured Marines.
Now you face another journey of getting settled in Minnesota and starting college and work.
It is hard to believe that you are home and starting a new life near your family. We are thrilled!
God Bless and thanks for the great memories that you have shared with so many of us on your travel blog.
Love you. Mom