Day 48: Home is where the Pete is
All things must pass according to George Harrison, and here I am sitting at home in Villa Park for the first time in quite a while. Part of me is wishing I was still on the road headed someplace new, but most of me is happy to be back in the Chicagoland area.
I got in around 8:00PM last night 9/24. 583 miles of highway driving yesterday, much of which was windy Nebraska and Iowa nothingness, I was wrecked. Dylan and I were lucky to find something cool on our way home, it wasn’t all boring nothingness.
But most of it was nothingness. Stretches of 100 miles at a time for maximum ass-numbing efficiency.
After a 13 hour nap, I played family tech support in the house for a few hours this afternoon and gave the new steed a good washing/waxing/polishing, she’s deserved it.
Here are some fun numbers from the trip:
2 Motorcycles
11,527 total miles traveled by Motorcycle
7,749 on the Old Girl
3,778 on Lipstick – Infernal Destroyer of Worlds
126.6 Miles walked
21 States Visited, 10 were 1st timers
9 National Parks Visited, 7 were 1st timers
2 National Monuments
4 Nights in a Tent
20 Friends Visited
1 Brand New Meatball Baby
31 New Friends Made
22 Fuzzy Critter Friends (not counting 20 horses)
6 Wild Animals I’ve never seen
3 Shitty but Amazing Dirt Roads
14 quarts of oil purchased
6 bar visits in 1 day (Portland)
14,256 ft was the tallest mountain I saw, Long’s Peak in CO
7,522 ft was the highest place I stayed, Estes Park CO, with Flagstaff being not too far behind
Countless mesmerizing views, amazing moments, meaningful interactions, gas stations, laughs, moments alone in my helmet, blissful bike riding and a handful of philosophical epiphanies.
Favorite Thing: Wandering the Redwood Forest
Favorite Town: Both Alpines, TX & CA
Favorite City: San Francisco
Weirdest City: San Francisco
Favorite Road: Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway in Tucson AZ
Favorite Moment in Bathing Suit: Lake Superior Dip
Favorite Day it Rained: New Orleans –> Galveston
Favorite Weather: San Diego CA
Least Favorite Weather: Hailstorm in Flagstaff
Coldest Place: Logan Pass in Glacier NP
Hottest Place: Lake Havasu City
Favorite Physically Exerting Adventure: Rock Climbing Gym in San Diego, Hike in GC
Favorite Accommodations that weren’t a friend’s place: Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Holland Hotel in Alpine TX
Favorite Food: Homemade award winning ribs in Portland (Really West Linn)
Favorite Accessory: Rain Gear (unfortunately)
Final Route:
This is most certainly not the end of The Trip Takes You. I’m heading off to Japan and China on November 1st which will definitely deserve documentation in form of blahg, and I will probably post a few here and there in the meantime as things further digest and interesting/useful information swaps in from the memory store.
If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to ask, whether on here or personally. I hope I’ve managed to in some way, help inspire you to embark on your own adventure, no matter how similar or different it is. Life is so interesting! The ultimate trip that takes you to many unique places, physically, mentally and emotionally. Safe Travels!
-Pete
9 thoughts on “Day 48: Home is where the Pete is”
Whoot! Congrats on finishing this journey and I’m excited for the next one! You’re a really awesome person, and I’m glad to now know you a bit! Keep rocking.
Booyeah!!! 6 bars and best ribs! Glad to have left a memorable impression.
Dear Pete,
Dagmar and I are glad your home safe and sound. What a wonderful trip and experience. We can’t say enough about excitement you brought us reading about your adventure. We really missed and worried a little when you took a few extra days to write. But God bless Pete and we hope you have many more experiences. Enjoy the far East.
My favorite quote from you on this post: “moments alone in my helmet” love that!!! I think most of us truly fear being alone with our thoughts because life is busy, we are distracted and when it’s quiet it’s unfamiliar, at least for me it is!! I’m so very proud of you can’t wait to chat with you,
Really enjoyed reading about your journey. I am glad you are still living your life. Cami was a true inspiration, she was nothing short of amazing. Glad you made it gome safe. Look forward to your next adventure.
Loved reading your blog and loved all your pictures! America is truly beautiful! Glad is was a safe journey!
Seems like you had an amazing journey! You and Cami have definitely inspired me to do more courageous, spontaneous things! I hope one day I can travel not only across the country but around the world! Thank you Pete for the amazing stories!
Hey Pete, I’m glad you wrote this blog. Cami’s death has hit me more than I might have expected and especially because I remember how good of a pair you were with each other and feel sad that got interrupted. It’s helping me to follow your travels in the face of loss and reminding me that a good way to honor Cami is to go on living with a smile when I can. I started volunteering and trying to be more forgiving than I used to be. Your blog definitely played a part in that attitude so I’m glad it’s here. I hope your upcoming travels go well! Clairemarie
You’ve proven that it’s not the destination that’s important, but the journey that matters.
Many hugs and good wishes for a safe trip to Asia