Saturday, April 09, 2005
End of the Line
N37 0.51' W78 37.08'
Well it's about time I wrapped up this journal I suppose. Apologies to the loyal fan(s) out there who may have been hanging on my every word. It has been a bit of a challenge to write this as it represents the last entry and therefore the very end of the adventure. Time to let it all go.
The train pulled out of Tucson as promised at 2am beginning the three and a half day trip back to New York. The first day of travel was a strange experience. The train line runs parallel with Interstate 10 for long stretches and I was basically watching my previous several weeks of travel in rewind. First up was the truckstop I was stranded at after the accident, then the accident site itself, then Texas and so on ~ all of which I enjoyed from the observation car.
New Orleans was much as I left it though Keely and John had left town the day before I arrived so I treated myself to an expensive hotel with a broken internet connection. Ahhhh the life of the tourist. The last day of travel saw nine states come and go - SC,NC,VA,DC,MD,DE,PA,NJ & NY - the most I've ever traversed in a single day I think. All of which left me in Penn station waiting for yet another train up to Rhinecliff. A nice ending touch was bumping into Peaches who was also heading back up to Omega. As luck would have it he had a ride waiting at the other end so I finally arrived back at Omega 6 weeks and 4 days after departing.
The train pulled out of Tucson as promised at 2am beginning the three and a half day trip back to New York. The first day of travel was a strange experience. The train line runs parallel with Interstate 10 for long stretches and I was basically watching my previous several weeks of travel in rewind. First up was the truckstop I was stranded at after the accident, then the accident site itself, then Texas and so on ~ all of which I enjoyed from the observation car.
New Orleans was much as I left it though Keely and John had left town the day before I arrived so I treated myself to an expensive hotel with a broken internet connection. Ahhhh the life of the tourist. The last day of travel saw nine states come and go - SC,NC,VA,DC,MD,DE,PA,NJ & NY - the most I've ever traversed in a single day I think. All of which left me in Penn station waiting for yet another train up to Rhinecliff. A nice ending touch was bumping into Peaches who was also heading back up to Omega. As luck would have it he had a ride waiting at the other end so I finally arrived back at Omega 6 weeks and 4 days after departing.
So that's it. A winter of waiting and waiting followed by brief outing topped off with 48 tons of bananas slamming into the van. All in all a great time! Places were visited, sights were seen, people met, pictures taken. Thanks to all those who chipped in to help things along - the cash helped as did the moral support. I can't help but wonder where else I may have ventured given the chance... Though I'm sure it'll all be there the next time I venture forth! I'm happy to be alive and healthy and able to share my tail. Thanks for joining me!
Big thanks and cyber hugs to Wendy whose trust and support made this adventure possible. From a conversation one breakfast time to all you have just read, Wendy made it happen. Sorry about the van by the way...
The journal will now be mothballed for the education and amusement of future generation. Drop by anytime. I'll be adding a few video clips once I get around to editing them so you haven't seen it all yet.
PS: The donation buttons still work! Roll on next year!
andy 2:08 PM