Bike Adventure Wrap Up

Dang, it's been a while!

A little wrap up on my adventure:

Made it to Charles City, IA on June 29th.  I had a lovely ride into town and spotted access to the bike/pedestrian path so decided to keep riding (crazy, huh?).  After a bit I realized I was in the south part of town so I called my mom for directions (I didn't grow up in Charles City).  I was actually very close, about 8 blocks away.  I was casually making my way when I saw a woman running down the street right towards me.  It was my mother!  She was crying and nearly pulled me off my bike when we got to the house and I was able to give her a hug.  Nearly made me cry, too.  She took off and picked up my grandmother and aunt, and had already called other family members, so we had a little 'welcome home' party.  It was so sweet of her to do that!
The next few days were full of sleep, family (my sister, brother and sister-in-law and baby niece arrived the next day), and just relaxing. I really needed that. Seven straight days of riding and my bum was sore.  I had covered SD and IA in those days.
I had a wonderful time hanging out with my family and driving mom nuts.  It was quite a houseful with 6 of us and mom used to being by herself.  Little Kaylynn was so much fun to have around. She's 10 months old and full of smiles and laughs and it's such fun to watch her explore.  Even 'anti-baby' aunt Carmen had fun with her (though she won't admit it, not ever).  Almost makes me want one of my own, but then I remember that they grow up. Sorry mom, don't get your hopes up, I'm happy as an auntie.
Wednesday the 2nd brought a big surprise.  Mid-afternoon the doorbell rang and I received a flower delivery, delivered by Pete!  Apparently, my jaw was dropped for a few hours.  I think my vacation was 'made' that day.  I don't think I could have been happier.  Really.
My last two days in IA were spend getting ready for and partying with Grandma for her 90th birthday.  She can be a pistol when she wants!  I almost had to laugh at her and mom arguing about how grandma wanted her party space set up.  Grandma sure can stamp her cane!
Really, we had a good time.  Kaylynn was in the kids' parade on the 3rd.  My step-sis Debbie drove down from the Twin Cities to party with us. We all gathered to watch the big parade on the 4th. Tractors and cars, tractors and cars.  It's changed a lot from when I was a kid and it was floats and horses. I have photo evidence!
Grandma's party was fun.  I had a great time talking with my cousin Brenda and her husband Frank.  My male cousins were, expectedly, anti-social and non-helpful.  Maybe that's why.  We all expect it anymore.
I, and some of us other 'ladies' modeling some crazy hats in a 'fashion' show my aunt Bonnie put together.  It seemed to entertain everyone.  I think Pete thought we were all entirely off our rockers.  Oh, well.  In a small town you have to find interesting ways to entertain yourself.
I had another big surprise.  My grandpa Clarence (dad's dad) showed up!  I had not seen him in nearly 10 years, and I got to meet his new wife, Lucy.  That was a big treat.  I hadn't realized how much I missed seeing him, even on the rare occasion.
We wrapped up the day with clean up and Pete and I spent time visiting with Grandma and aunt Bonnie and uncle Jack. It was so nice to be able to just sit and have a conversation that grandma could mostly hear and in her own home.  It was very difficult to leave not knowing if I'll see her again, though she's in rather good health and I'll be back next July.
Finished out the day with a long walk, watching fireworks and playing with sparklers then grabbing a nap before Pete and I had to leave for the airport at 1am.  Arrived in Des Moines and saw Pete off at 4am while I waited around until 8am for my flight.  Funny, we arrived in Portland within minutes of each other.
I'm home!
What a ride.
What a vacation.
Was it all a dream?
What does it mean to me?
That's what I ask myself as I try to settle back in to Portland.  If you've ever had an extended time with no schedule, no deadlines, no one asking anything of you, completely self determining what you do, where you go, and how your times goes; then you understand how intensely difficult it is to suddenly be thrust back into noise, schedules, traffic, deadlines, demands, worries and struggles of urban life.  Maybe I don't like it as much as I thought.  I did see an ad for seven developed acres with a bale house in the Black Hills.  I did see lots of beautiful rural riverfront property for sale along the Clearwater river in ID. I did find the nicest small town ever, population 70 and the county seat. Maybe there's something to living small again...