Day 5: FINAL DAY OF BIKE TRIP in Arkansas Valley - June 2002
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From Villa Grove I biked up Poncha pass. See? That's my proof! And no, I did not hitch a ride to the top like I did at Wolf Creek Pass! :) |
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After riding down into Poncha Springs, I met up with
Thomas, a friend who lives in Salida. His web site is Slackerdom.com. Oh! And see that kayak in his truck? He said he went kayaking 120 times last year! AMAZING! |
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It just seemed like no matter where I was on the trip, the scenery was just amazing! :) |
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It's true that I had decided the night before that
this would be my last day of biking. Although I had finally gotten into good riding shape,
something inside me told me it was okay to stop. I was 1) very low on money, 2)
itching to continue finding a job and 3) despite 5-days
of hardcore bike riding, it just wasn't realistic (physically speaking) to expect me
to arrive at the Kansas state line. As
I wrote when I first rode home,
THE BIKE RIDE IS OVER, BUT THE MISSION HAS JUST BEGUN! I will be back! |
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I arrived at the Gunsmoke Truck Stop in Johnson Village and was DONE! |
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As I sat outside and awaited for Jae to pick me up
(a nearly 2-hour drive from Manitou Springs), I binged on junk food that I withheld from eating during the trip. :) |
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That's what I looked like after five days of riding. I felt tough! :) |
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The Arkansas River, looking south on the Route 24 bridge. |
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It was SO GOOD to see Jae when she arrived. She even brought Chaya, her adorable little dog! :) |
