Unexpected Detour
Well, I can now say with confidence, never again. Our planned 400-mile cycling tour (see previous post) was a combination of great cycling, good people, sleepless nights, extremely hot temperatures, and unexpected detours when my husband got sick. These pages aren’t beautiful, but they are an honest snapshot. I found it nearly impossible to record much along the way, but I thought I’d share this anyway to give you an idea of the trip and what a simple travel journal can look like. As always, thanks for following along!
Drawn In 
Sounds like torture, but I am in awe that you could find the time to paint a few things to commemorate the journey in such a delightful way. When I am exhausted physically, my creativity is the first thing to go. I applaud you for enduring and capturing it in paint and pen.
Thanks Cindy. There were many good moments, but the long hot sleepless nights were torture!
Your pages are wonderful amidst the unplanned detour! Wishing you both the best for a speedy recovery and recovered sleep! The journaling can help to process events & emotions.
Thanks. I need all of that!
Wow! Glad you are both ok and home safe and sound.
Thanks. Me too. It was pretty stressful to arrange rides, gear, bikes, etc. Glad to be home!
Dear Jean! Can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought of you during that grueling bike journey! So glad to hear you’re ok and your husband is now fully recovered! What an experience you’ve had. Tough enough accomplishing all of those miles, but to add on impossible heat and humidity.
your journal pages may not be plentiful, but they definitely tell the story, so mission accomplished in the travel journal department. They are awesome pages too.
Rest, rejuvenate, regroup. And thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your kind note and well wishes, Barb! Keep sending those healing vibes my way.
Wow, sounds challenging
Absolutely. I was ready for the cycling challenge, but not the sleepless nights or the urgent care detour. We had many angels along the way!
Jean, I am sure this is the last time, but so glad you made the 100 miles, even with all the complications. Your journal is just fantastic. I read and enjoyed every word and as always you creativity is so inspiring!
MEGeitner@gmail.com
Thanks for following the saga! We are disappointed that things turned out the way they did, but grateful for the support we had and glad to be home. We’re heading to Maine in a few weeks for the real vacation! Fingers crossed for no unexpected detours on that trip.
What a test you set yourself – I’m so glad there were rescuers along the way. Your journal may be short, but it is packed with information and raw experience. Thank you so much for sharing it with us, it makes your story just that much more real. Hope you are catching up on sleep, food (although I was drooling over that fried pie), and the comfort of being among familiar things.
I’m grateful for the many rescuers that got us safely home. Thanks for following the saga. Never walk away from Amish baked goods is an important takeaway!
Oh my…..what an adventure….. The weather gods were not on your side ( and now we know where YOUR illness came from). And thanks for the graphic depiction of your trials and tribulations!
Thanks Barbara– I still feel a bit like I’ve been hit by a truck, but hope to be back to 100% soon.
That is a great synopsis of the trip including the unexpected sidetrips. I love your drawings and maps -sounds grueling! Glad your husband is better and hope you will be soon on the mend! Thanks for sharing the info about your trip it is quite an adventure! Cheers, Georgia
Thanks for following the journey, Georgia. The cycling was great, but the hot, humid sleepless nights were a killer. I discovered that I can no longer take the heat! See you next week!
Oh, my goodness, Jean! I’m hope you and your husband are recovering well. Heat exhaustion is no joke, and it’s no wonder you got a cold with all those sleepless nights. You are sure a trooper! Rest up and feel better SOON.
Blessings, Mary Zehner
Thanks Mary– I appreciate your well wishes! It’s been quite a two week stretch of unexpected detours. See you at Winslow next week!
Wow! What an adventure, and you rolled with it all!
No choice but to keep rolling! Hope your summer has been less eventful!
I love you news.etter. Wh
Sorry your message got cut off– but thanks for the note!
Here’s the original:
I love you news.etter. What a journey! Congratulations on completing a tough ride!
Best,
E.
Good grief, glad all is right
All is well now. It certainly had its challenging moments!
What a challenge you took on and then to have it all fall apart – sleepless nights, heat, illness -Yikes – so much to deal with. Glad to hear you are both home and I expect well now. I am also amazed that you were able to record any of the journey. I struggle to keep my drawing going when on the road in the best of times. I can write but drawing is harder for me. Maybe with time I will find my way as you have to be able to share images along the road as well. Glad you are all safe, well and home!
Thanks for your kind note, Joanne. I spent last week recovering from getting sick myself, so all in all, a tough couple of weeks, with some really nice moments mixed in. I find it hard to sketch, too, which is why these pages are such an odd mix. Sometimes it’s just whatever is in front of me when I happen to have time to sketch.