Sitting at my desk in Anchorage, having just finished an hour on the exercise bike, my first work out since finishing BRAA almost two weeks ago, it seems a fitting time to write the last blog.  Great time in Hawaii, anniversary in Tucson and trip home through Seattle (thanks to volcanic activity) with Meg and the grandboys (Griffin and Eli.)  Is there any way I can put off writing this last little bit about the bike ride?  Was hoping for some type of lightening bolt so these last few words could inspire those few of you still checking the site.  Even tried calling the family for advice on what to say:

Joey: “Get off my butt, I’m playing golf.  I called you every day; what more can I do.”

Jimmy: “If I have to eat another piece of Kiwanis’s chicken I just might lose it

Jerry: “Going to Europe?  I got you a great place to stay! It’s not that far from Midland

Rita: “I can’t believe you called us ‘The Babes.’

Anne: “Did you mean like ‘Babe’ in that movie

Eddie: “I pulled you from Cambria to Lompoc

Mark: “Just grab something of those ducks we folded for 8 weeks straight.”

Chris: “Can you call me back in the day time?”

Danny: “Let it go Shatner, it was a nice Enterprise while you did it but it’s OVER…get a life!”

As you can see there are not going to be any lightening bolts, deep thoughts our inspiring messages about BRAA.  A simple ‘Thank You’ to all for the support, kind words and prayers, and a sampling picture from each day that reminds of us of the adventure and perhaps will stir you to look back at a day to remember with us.

If I had to try to sum it up with an inspirational thought it would be this one, written on a sign in front of a school…somewhere.  ‘We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open!”  For Jane and I this trip was a dream and (save for a couple of accidents) we did have our eyes both open and opened the entire time.  We live in an incredible country with incredible people….you all are part of those incredible people that made this journey possible.

If I had to sum it up with a bit less inspirational thought it would be the words of the older gentleman in the northeast, “Son, sounds like you’re going around your ankle to get to your ass.”  Maybe, butt heading straight there is not always the most fun and you miss a lot of leg taking the straight road.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Love JNJ

Least anyone think I am wasting my time in Hawaii on cheap talking women and the like…thought I would enclose a few snaps.  Turns out our laptop made it until the end of BRAA and now the touch pad is about 10% in functionality…therefore the final blog is going to have to wait until the first of the coming week as it takes almost 5 minutes to do one picture with this curser problem.  Suffice it to say for now I am well on my way back to full weight and it seems like forever since I got off of the bike even though only 7 days ago Eddie and I rode over a hundred.

Thanks all for watching this space and we will have something up by Monday or Tuesday.

Love

JnJ

Hello loyal readers,

Thank you for continuing to check back with us.  I’m jonesing for some more blog, and if you’re here, I know you are too.  Well happy day for you - within the coming week we will have another blog!  Possibly the last, but it will be from your rider hero himself, and will contain one photo per day from the trip.  

Thanks again for hanging with us throughout!  - Tiffany 

Miles – 6 Extra

 

To end this long and arduous journey it seems only right to leave you with something short and sweet.  As there is no way to do the journey, the achievement, the machine justice; I might as well not even try.  Instead I will tell you of the day’s events, and continue the string of outsider-bloggers to help in weaning us all from our daily dose of vicarious adventure.

 

Today was the last day of the BRAA, and everyone knew it.  My father was joined by all of his siblings and many of their spouses, children, and grandchildren. 

 

  

   

  

 

He was interviewed pre and post ride by Channel 11 FOX news.

 

 

Some of us joined him for his ride today, and we even had a police escort through Lompoc.

 

 

 

My mother was not forgotten, and had many followers in her motorcade today.

 

 

After a couple short miles, we made a pit-stop.  The BRAAers were greeted by the high school band, praised by various members of the community, given an oversized (and generous!) check from the Kiwanis club, and even extolled by the Mayor, who declared July 31^st, 2008 as John and Jane Hall Day!!

  

 

 

 

 

We then continued on the ride to the official end of the Bike Ride Around America, the cemetery where Anne & George Hall are buried. 

 

 

While 3 of their 4 children were here today, John and Jane were missing their daughter Lisa and her husband Chris (who were busy throwing a party for the Most Reverend Desmond Tutu), but luckily they had sent a bottle of champagne in their stead, which was presented most regally to the champion.

 

 

The party continued (by car!) to another fundraising BBQ put on by our local family (thanks again!) where everyone enjoyed the food, the folk, and the fabled Lompoc sun.

 

 

 After the BBQ we all enjoyed an after-party at Jimmy & Ketrenia’s house, where we watched the interview from earlier today.     

Thankfully, people outside of our tight community are taking notice of this ride.  Today my father got a call from the Board of Perimeter Bicycling, telling him they would like to honor him as the dedication recipient of the 21st Cochise County Cycling Classic for the great accomplishment in completing his bicycle trip around the perimeter of the continental United States.  If John is selected as the Dedication Recipient, he will be Perimeter’s 85th dedication recipient and will join the ranks of Greg LeMond, Jeannie Longo, Lance Armstrong, and many other unique individuals known for their commitment to cycling.  The 2008 Cochise Classic will be held on October 11, 2008 in Douglas, AZ.  (blog to come, I’m sure…..)

 He also received an e-mail from the President/CEO of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, saying “Congratulations!  I find it hard to grasp that one man rode the equivalent of over five Tours de France, consecutively – amazing… But what really gets my attention is that you took something you were passionate about and made it significant, too.  To use this great experience to raise funds for both the Providence Alaska Medical Center and the LAF is truly honorable, and I wanted to personally say a heartfelt, “Thank you!”  I will also make sure that our Chairman, Lance Armstrong, is told of this amazing accomplishment and know that all of us here in Austin congratulate you on completing this truly Grand Tour.

Thank you once again, you truly know what it means to LIVESTRONG!”

 

In one-word interviews conducted today, when asked what the ride meant to them, the most common answers were “amazing,” “inspiring,” and “awesome.”  The last crane of the ride (remember the daily cranes with words of inspiration?  This is a quiz!  Re-read the first blogs…) seemed especially fitting:  Your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.  You are a true leader. 

 

The only thing I would change about that statement, to sum up the BRAA as a whole, is to make it plural.  My father told me today that what most folks don’t realize is that there are far more people out there who could, and would, take on the physical challenge of doing this ride than would agree to do the drive.  And what’s more, to thank the rider for being able to support them!  My mother is incredible.  My father is unbelievable.  Together they are marvelous, fantastical, phenomenal.  They are magic. 

 My heartfelt thanks to all of you for helping me to love and support them.  And now that the ride is over, are you wondering what I’m going to do to celebrate?  I’m going to Disneyland!!!

Miles: 101+

The last day…much emotion….and I have been welcomed to participate in this grand endeavor. For you loyal followers, don’t necessarily expect the wit of my brothers (previous bloggers) but feel the honor I have been given to share the last day with you. My first experience was to witness the machine now forever to be known as BRAA. The procedures are in place and the best thing to do is stand back and watch what has worked for John and Jane for the past 4 months. Did I mention that incredible is an understatement to describe their routine?

Up at 6 am and the first order of business is prepping and getting words of wisdom from Mark/Gale and Katie.

We drove back to Cambria to ensure the 100 mile day. Spent some time prepping the bikes.

 

I decided to disregard the warnings at the beginnings of this last day trek….they say beach but I was reading more into it.

Finally I was ready and had to answer to this guy…obviously motivated to get started and completed.

We’re off…did I say that I was honored to be included in this last day?

Started out in a fog but I knew things would clear up soon as we headed south.

 

Fortunately it wasn’t long till things did clear up and the day became even more memorable with its beauty.

Some things never change…even a sabbatical doesn’t change…. the masses wanting to contact you…..he couldn’t resist those wanting to hear his voice.

Many have wondered what one thinks of while riding….for me it was wondering if the wine is any good at this place.

Or what the future of California holds.

Meanwhile, I wondered what I should put on the blog….I know some have marveled at the scenery but I was no different today as I have not been to these parts of California in many years. So bear with the following shots that accent the splendor of this state in the rural areas. Old town San Luis Obispo was quaint.

 

Even had an old time Costco.

 

Pismo Beach made me think of our bother Jerry and Dianne who covet the beach front property.

Guadalupe looks unchanged in 30 years…wish we could all say the same.

San Luis even had a reminder that Alaska is not the only state that encourages unusual housing. Would you say that these people are Alaskan and only live in Igloos?

 

Started to worry as I thought perhaps he had got us lost.

 

I hung in there and was bound and determined not to let these guys overwhelm me.

 

Came across many of our working class America,

and the troops who make us safe.

Wonder if those North Slope workers would rather work at this refinery…?

Niece Aly made comment that he has “lost his Butt” what say you?

We neared the home stretch and went by our old stomping grounds yet the security guards were not willing to give us access to show you a picture of our house but this is where they were hiding the old homestead…208 Spruce Street.

Before Vandenberg came some hellacious hill climbing. This is where I developed some deeper respect for brother John…he sailed up these hills and pulled me where he could.

I MADE IT!!!!! Thanks to this incredible being that pulled me up these hills.

We were met by some of the family en route wanting to share the admiration for the feat that John and Jane had accomplished. FINALLY the old reputation of our childhood memories were realized…Valley of the Flowers on a smaller scale brought back many memories.

 

Guess who stopped to smell the flowers..

A last view of Lompoc’s notoriety…was one of our last sights.

Many were there to celebrate the end of 12,000 miles. This happy couple had many emotions that I am sure that they will cherish for years to come.

Many family were there to share the end of 12000 miles in 4 months…a feat you probably won’t witness in the near future.

At 12000 miles the Baroda plantation, the true artichoke kings of the world, was the final end point.

Me, I was proud to have participated this last day and happy I could finish without feeling like I held our champions back.

Lastly…

I know that we are all in awe of this marvelous endeavor of Jane and Johnny. They are most humble about their accomplishment so I think the best thanks and recognition that we can give them is not to let their efforts be in vain. Their goal was to raise awareness and their hope is that you would be inspired to seek out appropriate screening for you and your loved ones. GREAT job Jane and Johnny!! Once again you have inspired us all. When you hear BRAA, think about what this whole effort was about. Thanks again Jane and Johnny!!! Awesome Job!!!!

Miles: 101+

 

Big Sur didn’t wake up when we did but remained shrouded in its fog covers for most of the morning.

 

 

I apparently didn’t wake up completely either as this photo shows.

 

 

Only after about 30 miles did Jane figure it out.  Glad there were no anchor shackles in the road.  It was fun riding up and down the hills, in and out of the fog

 

 

and around the curves.

 

 

There were a lot of other people and riders out there today

 

 

 and I enjoyed trying to catch them on the up hills…most were willing to shoot down the hills faster than me,

 

 

but I did fairly well tracking them down as we struggled up the coast.

 

 

Only after the first 50 miles did the mist begin to burn off and by then I was down in the flats.

 

 

The shoulders were not huge but most people pulled over to give us riders some room.  Early on looking over the side was like looking in a hot shower mirror,

 

 

but just before the flats I was able to get a better view.

 

 

Maybe it is just as well that the fog was there.

Up and down this highway the people are very thankful to the firefighters

 

 

and for good reason.

 

 

As you know we love lighthouses

 

 

and bridges and today gave us its share of good ones.

 

 

Jane has also decided that she loves piers.

 

 

Not long before coming down to the flats we passed Limekiln

 

 

Campground where the family spent many camping trips years ago.  There are still notches on the trees from brother, George.  (Corte d’Oreilles)  We passed several small beaches

 

 

and  towns including Cayucos

 

 

where the bros used to dive for abalone as youngsters.  Should have capitalized on that…the other night the restaurant we were at wanted $58 per serving for abalone.

We also spotted another raft of sea lions as they lazily slept on the cool beach.

 

 

Towards the end of the day I was met by brother Ed (who will be riding tomorrow and writing the blog) as well as nephew Dr. Little Jimmy, wife - Maria and son – Constantine.  

 

 

Meanwhile Jane was busy getting a flat tire.  She called on our buddy to fix it but, although he had the tools

 

 

he elected to let Jorge do the job.

 

 

I have had no formal

 

 

training in how to say ‘Thank You” and I know this could be the last blog that I write.

This picture which I call ‘Power’ shows the strength of man and God and I think both were with us all of the way. 

 

 

 I want to say ‘Thank You’ to a lot of people who helped make this ride possible and particularly to one special person.  Many will think that would be Jane.  However that is not the case.  If I need to thank Jane for anything it would be for sticking with me for the past 38 years.  I am not going to thank her for this ride because it is her accomplishment just as much as it is mine.  (ask any who know us well and they will tell you her accomplishment was much greater).  When you think BRAA, think Jane and John did that with a lot of help.  I cannot begin to mention everyone by name or I would be like the movie star who forgets to say “and Mom and Dad” after thanking co-stars and directors.  So I won’t even try…so let us just thank the most special person of all for your support, your kind thoughts and prayers and for sticking with us every mile of the day.

 

                    THANK  YOU!!!

 

Tomorrow: LOMPOC!!!!!

Miles: 99+ What a wonderful day!  After a grand reception last night with Joey, Diana, Danny, Susan, Ben, Lauren and Ali in Davenport, we slept soundly.  This morning, we read the wonderful blog penned by Danny.  Thanks to all for supporting this bike ride! Our last impression of Davenport was this beautiful church on the coast.    We traveled south to Santa Cruz. (Andrew’s college town??)  You know you’re in California, when everything is over the top  

and almost anything goes.

  

We saw a “sweet” shop and thought of Emily in Austin.

 The coast around Monterey Bay (Santa Cruz , Moss Landing, Castroville, Aptos, Monterey) is a rich agricultural area.  No wheat or corn, just miles of produce. 

   

Cabbage, lettuce, carrots

  

Strawberries

 

 

 And the strawberry pickers (I used to have a summer job like that).

 

Least we forget, Castroville’s pride and glory:  the artichoke capital of the world! Of course, the harbors are everywhere and filled with all kinds of boats   And the birds are close by waiting for the catch of the day!  A big surprise awaited us in Monterey.  A good friend of Granny’s, Diana Pavloff, met up with us.  She found me along side the freeway, directed John by phone who was lost on a bike trail and bought lunch for us in downtown Monterey.  She found a bike route for John to follow to get back on Highway 1 and showed me the way to the highway, also.  All this in less than an hour!  What a dynamic lady!  Thanks for thinking of us, Diana!!

 

  Leaving Carmel, we started the hill climb up the coast.     There was a sign that read: “Curves and Slow Traffic next 73 miles.”  Welcome to Big Sur!  Of course, the scenery was beautiful:      We saw another lighthouse on Point Sur   Not too far from Point Sur was the Andrew Molera State Park.  It was closed to public access as it was being used as a fire staging area for fire fighters and fire equipment.  We watched this helicopter pick up some barrels (full of fire retardant?) and fly over the mountains.   John saw some areas of recent burn.   We stopped in the town of Big Sur for the evening.  Already, Paul had found another group of new friends to travel with since John’s ride will soon be completed.  Tomorrow:  San Luis Obispo

Somehow the idea of riding a day on the BRAA was just out there. I don’t remember anyone asking  me about it and I don’t recall coming up with the idea, it was just there.  So what to do about that idea?  Well I thought I must consider it, how could I not?  Here was something that was giving me such pleasure everyday by having “Fun with John & Jane.”  So I thought to myself “Is this a good idea?”  Probably not. (My life coaches Susan, Ben and Lauren all agreed.)  I mean I haven’t really ridden a bike any distance in a really long forever.  1 point for the con side.  2nd issue was that I’m really not in the greatest of shapes.  And while there has been some recent weight loss my geometry training still forces me to classify myself as round.  Coaches agree, another point for the con side.  So far the pro side seems to be avoiding points.  I try telling myself that the company will make the day not as monotonous for Johnny and will actually go by quicker.  A half-hearted “well, maybe” from my personal managers and the pro’s were on the board.  So I mentioned the possibility to Johnny and he was okay with it.  Any reservation I might have heard in his voice I quickly ignored.  In fact, what he probably said was something like “Do you think that’s a good idea?”  So having found that over my life I was more regretful of the things that I didn’t do than the things I did, it was settled.  I was going to ride for a day on the BRAA.
 
We arrived in Tomales to meet up with Johnny & Jane.  I with my lunch pail & BMX helmet

 
and Susan happy to get her lick goodbye

 

From the outset it was like Chef Boyardee having been invited into Paul Bocuse’s kitchen.  Johnny informed me that my bike which I had lovingly refreshed and upgraded was probably not up to the task and I should consider riding his backup bike. I thought of the ravioli maker quickly hiding his Bamix auto whipper as Chef Bocuse tosses him a whisk and says to whip up a quick mayonnaise.  I try to shield Bessie’s feelings as I roll her back to the car with her streamers tucked between her handlebars, clickerbell mournfully tinkling.  Two days of tough training down the drain, but she’ll get over it.  So we had a quick breakfast and the machine that is the BRAA came to life.  A quick check of the day’s maps, load the wagon and we were on our way.

Not far out of Tomales we spotted a mother dear with her two fawns.  (I should have been thinking of Bambi’s mother at this point)

 

We passed a boat out on the ocean and I thought of poor Freddo and wondered how many of my brothers would like to take me on a little boat ride.

 

The roads mixed with occasional bike paths through redwoods

and a fair amount of downhill riding

 

so at this point I wasn’t able to hold Johnny back much.  That would soon change.
We road across marshes on our way to Sausalito

 

 

struggling to get a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge as we knew that’s where we were headed.
Got passed by some of the boys on a classic rig and thought about Mark, Mike and Jeff.
 
 

San Francisco finally came into view so to speak

 
but still no sign of the Golden Gate.  Greg Lemond informed us that “you’ve got a pretty nasty hill to go and then you’re at the bridge.”
 
Hill duly climbed
 
 

and there loomed the bridge wearing her foggy best
 

 
We made our way across the bridge and then up and down the streets of San Francisco looking for Karl Malden.
 
 

Pedaled our way to the shoreline and it now was painfully evident that any drafting I was doing for Johnny was in the wrong direction

 
 
At this point it was time for lunch and a slice of reality pie.  It was time for me to let Johnny try and make up the time I had cost him all morning.  Fortunately there was a handy skip loader nearby that made quick work of me and our old friend
 

 
Me back in the car and Johnny now free to streak the coastline.  There were pelican flocks
 
 

a lighthouse in the middle of nowhere
 
 

and dozen’s of kite surfer’s who were more spectacular than the photo shows (apparently I can’t even take a picture).
 
 

So, that was it.  Johnny able to make up for lost time and we made it to Davenport to have dinner with Joey, Diana, Susan, Ben, Lauren and Aly.
 

 
While I was amazed at the ride before, I now have a newfound respect for it’s rider and support.  The BRAA is a finely tuned machine.  It can be slowed down, side tracked or lost but it cannot be stopped.  It is a well oiled operation that starts and stops with or without you.  It was an interesting  look for me into the inner workings of that machine.  Looking up, I see that if you use 14pt. Century School Book type and lay my words end to end they actually measure about 1/2 mile farther that I rode.  So I will end with a thank you to Johnny and Jane for the ride they are doing and letting me participate in some small way.
ride safe my brother
See you in the ‘poc
love
Danny

Miles: 100+

 

Great night at Fensalden B&B good start at 8:30 this morning under blue skies and with a cool breeze.  Started at the top of this hill, as that is where I ended yesterday.

 

 

Quick ride to Point Arena

 

 

with its California style lighthouse.

 

 

The first 50 miles were fast ones with ups and downs.  Most of the downs giving enough speed to make it up the next hill.  It was terrific with ocean views like this

 

 

and this

 

 

and this.

 

 

The second 50 miles were also filled with lots of great views but the roads were definitely different.  They were more like this,

 

 

with significant traffic

 

 

and narrow shoulders.

 

 

Often this is what I would see looking to the right.

 

 

There were at least 10 times when this sign would appear

 

 

and following it I would turn left along the coast where the ocean had cut a small bay-like area.

 

 

 This would usually drop down dramatically into a hair pin curve (if I was Carlos Sastre or Pete J. I would have used this descent and curve to slingshot up the other side…instead I clutched my brakes and pushed myself up the other side.)  Here are some shots of a boat being pulled through the experience.

 

 

 

 

It made the miles slower but they were still fun.  What made it a bit easier was the wind.

 

 

These trees are in case you wonder which way she was blowing.

 

 

She actually came right over my right shoulder towards the front of the bike.  A couple of times I could feel the help getting up the hills.  At one point, from the top of one of these curve experiences, I spotted Jane crossing the Russian River (no Reds).

 

 

<