Day 112 - Monday, September 20

I begin the day thinking about the “last things” on the other side of the journey arc - last day running alone as company will be with me every day now, last night just Chris and I in the RV, last day at altitude, last day before the cities…

Before the celebration though, there was some business to take care of today - namely 35 miles on I80. I was exhausted by the time it was all done because of the stress I was feeling running against traffic. While half dozen or so CHP passed me and I waved, one of them pulled over in a blaze of sirens. The officer told me I need to get off the road AND go back to the last exit. I explained that it was not possible for me to go back as I’d gone forward 3,200 miles and there was no way I could go back. He told me there were no options…”don’t take no for an answer and don’t break the law just bend it as far as you can…”. I told the officer I would go forward but keep off the highway on the grass next to the shoulder. He looked at me and told me to stay off the road. I then asked him what happens if I screw up? “I will write you a ticket”, he told me. Lastly I asked how long he would be on duty? He walked away from me and I was on my way!

What took us a month from Kearney NE at 2,000’ to get to the Wyoming high plains of 6,000’ we undid in one day going from exit 156 on I80 to Auburn.

Tomorrow begins the journey celebration. My cousin Justine wants to run 31 tomorrow so she is driving from Sacramento to meet me at 4am. My sister Lisa is coming with her daughter Rachel and arriving at 1pm - Samantha and Mike her other kids are arriving later in the week. Rachel will meet us for the final few miles and we will run into Eskaton Village to meet Grammy, Mom, Dick and all of the folks who have been following the journey.

Finally, if you are interested in looking at the map of progress I recommend clicking on the “Progress” tab on the website. The dots are almost all connected from Jacksonville Beach to Muir Beach.

Thank you all for the support -

Cheers,

David

Daily Brief

Coming down from 6k’ very quickly.

The view from the shoulder on I80

When there was no traffic it was kind of pretty

Chris has perfected making what I call the 10k calorie breakfast when I meet him after the first 15 miles. He sneaks in double corn tortillas with extra Cheddar under the eggs with spiced potatoes and tomatoes on the side.

Pay phones at the rest area!

Finally down under 2k’ and seeing big tall groves of trees

Manzanita tree