Through the Rear View Mirror- A Wife's Point of View- Day #3

Now that Tim has been gone for 3 days I am getting quite a few things accomplished around the homestead. This trip is taking so much more planning than just packing a bag and filling up the kitty bowels. 12 weeks away from home is a huge, car camping experience. My biggest goal is getting knobs on the vanities and having Anna, our daughter, still love me when I leave. I must admit I am getting a bit testy. This afternoon I got a very broken phone call from Tim and all I could hear was "Look at me, look at me." What the heck? When I finally pieced together what he was trying to say it almost made sense. He wanted me to get on the WA state DOT site because he was standing by the web-camera waving at me! The camera refreshes every few seconds so the next words were, " Can you see me now? I am standing by the sign with my bike and I am going to have my lunch there." Sure enough, in a mater of seconds, there he was. What a lucky wife I am that he thought to call me...even though I know he really wanted to eat his lunch first. When my evening phone call came Tim was at his evenings destination. Once again he called before tearing into his freeze dried beef stroganof dinner. As we were talking he said that he didn't think that his new friend Dave, would make it this far tonight. Lo and behold who should come riding in at that very moment. The camaraderie and the jokes started to fly. Tim wasn't sure if he would be able to post comments about Riverside as the folks that work at Margie's RV and Pottery weren't sure what Wi-Fi was! Well if he did have time on his hands because he couldn't play with his I-pod he could always make some pottery! I am so very glad that Tim is getting some time to enjoy his solitude and the beauty about him and at the same time stepping out of his element and meeting new people. Many of these people may get the privilege of being long time friends with this wonderful man that I call my husband.
Bike ride day 3

Through the Rear View Mirror- A Wife's Point of View Day# 2

When Tim called, this evening, he was so excited about his first, big pass ride. I could tell that he was wound up but exhausted and looking forward to some food and sleep. He had a beautiful, sunny day to ride. Unfortunately, I had to let him know that our little 2 year old, very goofy, kitty had gotten hit by a car. Talk about raining on his parade. I know that he is going to be a bit sad so I hope that he has an amazingly, beautiful and uneventful day tomorrow.

Through the Rear View Mirror- A Wife's Point of View- Day #1

Am I excited for Tim to start this amazing bike journey. You bet. Am I proud of him for being able to retire from a great job, for him being a great husband and father. Oh yes. After having his mind totally focused on retirement, a major unexpected remodel (toilet flood), and this bike ride..I was ready to jump on a bike and ride into the sunrise! When the Rutledge's told me of their surprise visit, to help send Tim on his journey, I was stunned...how very special was that. The hard part wasn't telling Tim but of keeping him awake till 9:00ish! Christopher, Sarah, Anna and I laid across the hotel beds, had the air conditioner turned to "freeze", and had the TV and phones going. Finally Tim kicked us out of the room, put in his earplugs and was snoring within seconds. Not more than 10 minutes later Tom and Ellie arrived. We woke up "Mr. Grumpy Pants" to show him his special visitors. He will never forget that amazing moment. This secret was so worth making him cranky! Because Tim had "the ride" on his mind he was up wandering about the room throughout the night, no less than 5 times and still up at the crack of dawn. With his BOB (Beast Of Burden trailer) hooked to his bike, Tom offered a prayer for safety in this adventure. Brian joined Tim in dipping their bike wheels into the ocean on the west coast and away they rode. The smiles on their faces told the whole story at that moment. Am I glad he is over the first BIG emotional hump? Oh, yes. Am I loving every moment that I see him living out an extraordinary dream? I don't think I even have to answer that question

Anacortes WA. to Bar Harbor Maine

Bike route 812404 - powered by Bikemap 

Week one

This is what the first week looks like. Anacortes to Sand Point Id. 456 miles and more than 31000 of climbing.
Approximate overnight stops are
1. Rockport State Park
2 Mazama
3. Riverside
4. Republic
5. Near Colville
6. Sandpoint ID.

Bike route 806364 - powered by Bikemap