"What is that feeling when you're driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing?- it's the too-huge world vaulting us, and it's goodbye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies."

-Jack Kerouac

Take-off

I left for Chicago from Tucson April 2nd. My friends Duff and Ruth were there in person to see me off along with many others via virtual reality. I have played this journey in my head many times now here I was waving goodbye to my dear friends as the all too familiar alley would lead me to many more miles of unfamiliar road. I would be lying if I said that what I felt was pure excitement and little fear. I felt both of those things all at once. The first day was long and unforgiving. After riding through mostly hilly terrain most of the day I was getting tired, but I was still feeling strong enough to continue for a another hour or two. I think the biggest challenge for me will not be a physical one. But one of mental endurance that will need to take me over mountains of fear, hesitation, and very possible bouts of loneliness and boredom.

The family who without hesitation let me camp in their back yard then offered a shower and dinner.

First night and the sunset was amazing.