Done with one adventure, ready to start another (Mile 1949 + about 200 miles hitch hiked)

Dipping my front tire in the Mississippi





I made it home! After going 330 miles in 3 days, I arrived and collapsed on the driveway at my parents house in Mendota Heights Minnesota.

I was driven from Minnewauken, ND (an the western side of devils lake) to Fargo by a guy that I found while explaining my situation to some people at the local store. We drove about 200 miles through Grand Forks and he dropped me at a random street corner in the city. After putting my bike back together, I got my bearings and slowly rode to a pretty nice bike shop. Man was I glad that I didn't have to ride further that day. It was close to 100 degrees, extremely humid, and it would have been a very strong headwind. I heard from other riders later on the trip that that was probably the worst day that they rode on the trip.

That night, I had arranged a place to stay with the same family that I stayed with in Williston, but I also had two other strangers offer me a place to stay. One woman actually found this blog when searching the internet and wrote me an Email, telling me that she had read that I was going to be in Fargo that night and that I could stay in her place if I needed somewhere to go.

The next day, I got an early start. I used a pretty decent tail wind and a beautiful day to go 115 miles. I felt really good that day and was ready to continue on after that town, but I figured it would be nice to stay in a city. Plus, when I got there, I saw that the group that I had stayed with in Whitefish was in the same park. That day, I went off the path on a bit of a shortcut which brought me through some small towns in Minnesota. In Rothsay, I stumbled upon a parade for the 125th anniversary of their town.

The following day, I again had the weather on my side. I have noticed throughout the trip, that weather conditions completely affected my mood. With another good day, I went another 115 miles to Milaca where I met my dad.

On my last day, my dad drove ahead of me in his car to help me plot out the way to get back home. This was a great day to end the trip, sunny weather, beautiful path along the river... Even though I started out feeling a little sick, I ended up making it about 95 miles home. I arrived home and collapsed in the driveway, it felt so good. I can't believe that I actually made it. When I was going from the ocean, through the mountains, through the desert and prairies, I was always tempted to give up. I have seen the country. Now I feel like I can do anything!

I think the most surprising aspect of the trip was the conversations that I had with so many different types of people from different backgrounds. I learned how to listen and relate to so many people. I wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped me with encouragement, kindness and generosity along the way.

Now that I'm back, I am getting ready to start medical school. I am finally starting to come to the realization that I am actually going to med school, something I have been working for for such a long time for. I hope that I will be able to succeed. I think that this bike trip was a good way to clear my mind before starting, and to instill confidence in my ability to overcome obstacles.