Jeff,

Thanks … still processing the 50 state completion. Not sure what’s next now though a few ideas do float around.

Greg,
This trip was everything I hoped it would be, and more. Thanks for all the hearts (as if I didn't have enough already)!
I was halfway expecting you to show up to meet me at some point when I passed through Minnesota, but see now you were on a trip of your own. Maybe next time . . .
Jeff

George,
Thanks for the summary of bike woes. That sounds about right. Of course, my cold was the biggest problem, but it all worked out. Thanks for following along and all your comment entries.
Jeff

Kathleen,
Thanks! And thanks for all your comment entries. You never failed to make me smile.
Jeff

Nancy,
You brightened up so many of my days with all your comment entries! Thanks for faithfully following along.
I'm not sure what my next trip will be. This was the longest trip I ever plan to take. We'll see.
Jeff

Rich,
Thanks! It was a great experience for me. But it's also nice to be home. Holding our new grandson was the best!
Thanks for following along and your comment entries along the way.
Jeff

Thanks for your efforts! I know how hard it is to keep up a journal on tour with limited time, limited energy and limited internet, let alone try to dig up IDs! My most recent tour still has lots of stuff without IDs because hitcount dropped to about zero after I finished so it became pointless. That was in 2011 on CGOAB (Heart Attack Comeback). It is probably my last tour also due to deteriorating knees. At 77, I guess I should be glad I can still go up to 20 miles (flat and unloaded).

Your tour journals help scratch my naturalist cycle touring itch. Thanks again!

That's interesting! Didn't know about oils in it. By the way, seed balls are currently dropping onto the bike path in the local park... When I first tried carving it back in the early 90s, a guy who did quite a bit of woodcarving told me he burned up the teeth on his tools trying to carve it because of the high silica. I personally think he just tried to force it, and that in combination with silica wore stuff out.

Scott,
Thanks! This means a lot to me, knowing the world traveler you are.
Jeff

David,
Thanks! Can't help but smile after successfully getting home.
Sorry this reply is so late.
Jeff

Bill,
Thanks for all the plant, critter, and insect information you provided. Your knowledge added a lot to my journal.
Jeff

Just checked out your link... Things changed a lot from the time I left in the mid 80s till 2013! There was no bike trail back when I lived there. And the old metal grate bridge is gone now. A few years back, they put in a new one that took much longer than anticipated, but is a lot nicer according to friends. You passed within about a mile of where I lived. Our youngest daughter was born in Clinton 1983.

Bill,
We experimented some with Osage orange wood where I worked. We extracted oil from it (sawdust) using supercritical fluid carbon dioxide. I knew of the wood's rot-resistance and hardness, but didn't know its hardness was from silica.
Jeff

Jeanna and Kerry,
Thanks for following along - even while you were busy on your own tour!
I'm not surprised I rode through some areas you have ridden - you've been to so many places. Looks like we missed meeting again by less than a month in Williston, North Dakota.
Thanks for the photo posting suggestion.
Jeff

Jeff,
Thanks! I'm glad I was able to do most of the journal "from the road". It was a priority for me to stay on top of journal entries, since details fade if too much time passes. It was fun bicycling those last few days without posting, but all that much harder to write about when I got home.
I am enjoying being home, though it was an adjustment - I'd slept better in the tent than my own bed the first few nights back.
Jeff