This will be my last report. I have encouraged the other five members to also
write summaries, so hopefully you will be getting other points of view. These
daily reports were my own way of keeping a personal journal, but I would like to
thank all of the people who took the time to e-mail us along the route. I do not
know if I could have kept them up without your support and encouragement.

I am sitting in the lobby of the Charles Inn in Bangor, Maine wondering what it
was all about. Why would six people leave their families and homes to bicycle
across a continent the size of America?

I suspect there were a lot of reasons, and that they varied for each of us. The
obvious motive for me was just to see if I could do it, but in theory I could
have cycled to San Clemente and back thirty-eight times and slept in my own bed
every night. So it must be like the song said: "They have all gone to look for
America."

Well, did we find America? In many ways yes!

Geographically we cycled from the coast of sunny California, through the
mountains, across the California and Arizona deserts, past the Utah monuments
and through the valleys, over the Colorado plateau, through the Rockies, across
the Colorado plains, through the Nebraska corn fields, up and down the Iowa
farms, past the luscious Illinois farm country, right through the center of
Chicago, up the west shore of Michigan Lake into Milwaukee and then across the
lake. We pedaled through a hot and muggy Michigan and then across the Ontario
Peninsula. I then cycled around Lake Ontario and down the St. Lawrence River
into Québec and on to Montréal, and then the lush mountains of Vermont and New
Hampshire, before riding over the hills of Maine to the port of Bar Harbor.

We were able watch the landscapes slowly change, along with the vegetation and
wildlife. For better and for worse we were able to watch the various weather
patterns come and go. I was able to cycle with deer and spy on moose.

The people we meet were just wonderful. While there were the odd few rude
drivers, the vast majority of motorists were surprisingly patient and courteous.
It was awe-inspiring how complete strangers went out of their way to be
helpful.(Even the women in Hardwick, who immediately covered her granddaughter
ear’s when she heard that we were married, but not to each other.)

We used to walk in from the road, either covered in dust and sweat or dripping
wet, into some small local eatery, and there was always a slight hush, as the
patrons tried to figure out what to make of us. But before long some brave soul
would politely ask either where we were heading or where we cycled from. As soon
as we showed any willingness to discuss our trip a flood gate of questions from
many of the less bold came pouring in. That was usually our best source of local
road information.

While some people wondered what would make us attempt such a trip, an almost
equal amount of people mentioned that they would love to some day do the same.
I think the most common response upon hearing about the Bookends Tours was: "Oh
wow, I get tired pedaling up one hill." I was never sure if I should mention
that very often so did I. The trick is not avoiding getting tired. It is just
not minding it.

Originally, I was not worried about how six unrelated and in many ways very
different individuals would get along on a ten week trip. After all, we are all
adults. Okay, at least the other five are. From what I was told, personality
conflicts were often the bane of many a tour and I was perhaps a bit naïve about
the stress and strains a trip like this can put on patience and sensitivities.
But taking that into consideration, I though we managed really well.

In hindsight, would I have done a few things differently? Of course! It was very
easy to get wrapped up in the personnel demands the day was on me, but I never
felt anyone did anything intentionally negative, and I think that is what kept
us together.

After all we have been through together I believe there is a special bond of
comradeship that I hope will last. We will always be the Bookenders of 2005.

Before I decided on this trip I read several journals on other cross country
bicycle trips. Many had mentioned the following two things. First, the hardest
part of the trip was mental, not physical. That was true. And secondly, no one
seemed to regret it after it was over. That is also true.

So that begs the question, would I do it again. I would have to say yes, but not
for awhile. I then have to wonder if I ever did do it again, what changes I
would like, beside the obvious new route. While these might seem picayune, small
comforts often mean a lot on a tour like this.
1. I wish motels would learn that just putting a "No-Smoking Sign" on the door
to a room does not make that a non-smoking room. You need to change the carpets
and upholstery as well.
2. Extra thin toilet paper does not save money. You have to use twice as much!
3. It would be great if the road signs that indicated where the next lodging is
located were updated more often.
4. It would be nice if some bike shirts would have sunburn proof backs.
5. Why can't they make a sun-block/insect repellent mixture?
6. The operative word in the term "Roll-Away Bed" is bed, not roll-away.
7. Do any states sweep the remains of shredded steel-belted tires from their
shoulders?
8. Why cannot the technology that allows M&M's to only melt in your mouth be
applied to Snickers bars. And if that is not possible, could they provide them
with straws.
9. The term "Chicken Fried Steak" should be banned. Don't be fooled folks. It is
not chicken. Country Fried Steak, or greasy beef fried like chicken, would be
preferred.
10. How about more "Beware of Attack Sprinkler" signs.
11. If your front tire in theory rides over everything first, why aren't more of
your flats in the front.
12. Why does the same 12 ounce bottle of orange juice vary from $0.99 to $1.99
in the same state in the road side gas station stores?
13. Is instant oatmeal `real' oatmeal? No-one ever says Minute rice isn't real
rice.
14. If the space shuttle can sustain temperatures of a trillion degrees, why
can't they make a combustion proof tent?
15. What is bare bones camping?
16. Why in a perfectly rectangular motel, are some rooms bigger than others?
17. Would it be so difficult to put up a few well placed "Cyclist Must Dismount
Before Crossing These Extra Large Expansion Joint" signs?
18. Is it proper to deny a loved one Bacon Strips?
19. Why are the raisins in Raisin Bran so hard? It would appear that the same
people, who need Raisin Bran, might not have the best teeth either.
20. And seriously, there is far too much road kill on the highways. Nothing
ruined my day more than seeing a beautiful deer lying dead in the ditch.

And now, I would like to write a brief word about a serious developing problem.
Those of you who have been viewing our photos on Smugmug might have noticed more
and more pictures of Ken's dolly, Lois. I believe that Ken has become far to
involved. He even baulked at the idea of purchasing for her a male doll
companion. It would not be proper for me to go into any details, but can any of
Ken's friends say `intervention'?

In conclusion would like to thank my fellow Bookenders for their companionship,
support, perseverance and good humour. But I would especially like to thank my
wife Sharon for holding down the fort at home while I cycled across the country.
As of this morning she was still speaking to me. Although, I did get a
suspicious e-mail from Lois Horowitz inquiring as to whether my sleeping bag
would fit in the dog house.

"Cycling is not a matter of life and death. It is far more important than that!"