This picture was taken about half an hour after we rode into the ocean. I’ve got a lot more pics that I will post in the next few days to give people a better feel. This was after the dunkfest when things had calmed down. But it was a great celebration, and a perfect beach. We topped the dune to see a lighthouse and the sun going down over the water (i know, it was strange, because the sun sets in the west. We thought for a minute we’d been tricked into riding back to California, but it was just a weird spot in the topography) and it was a perfect ending to a seven-week trip. Like I said, I’ll be posting a much longer reflection in the coming days. I will make sure to twitter everybody to let you know it’s up. And I’ll also be sending out one more newsletter. Thanks everybody for your prayers, your encouragement, your comments and your donations to Bood:Water. Every aspect of this trip exceeded expectations.
Also, I may have to keep this blog going. I’m already scheduled to cross Thailand and Vietnam in December. And some friends are mapping out Spain, too. The adventure continues. Until then I need to start working for my living again. Otherwise I can’t go! Talk to you soon.
Sent from phone.
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nathan thompson said,
July 24, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
awesome! congratulatons, a job well done!!! it’s been a treat tracking you guys daily. thanks for letting me vicariously journey with you all.
gratefully - nathan
Auntie said,
July 24, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
WOWZERS!!!
THE SMILE ON YOUR FACE SAYS IT ALL! ONGRATULATIONS.
WHAT AN AMAZING TRIP-THANKS FOR LETTING US SHARE THE RIDE.
AUNTIE
Mary Miller said,
July 24, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
Donald and the team, I am proud beyond words. You have set a high standard for us all. Your hearts must be so full for what you have accomplished. You are a group of amazing people. Have an unforgettable communion service tonight and I will pray that you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as you worship our Faithful and Protecting God.
Love you so much Donald,
MOM
Tyler said,
July 24, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Congrats Don.
Robin said,
July 24, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
Awesome and so inspiring!!!!
-Robin
Kyle Chowning said,
July 24, 2008 @ 3:33 pm
congrats Don! very inspiring.
Margie said,
July 24, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Amazing, absolutely amazing!
Kristie said,
July 24, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
Simply amazing!
Thanks so much for allowing us to share the journey with you guys!!
Greg Ray said,
July 24, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
That is Awesome!!
When do you start peddling back?
Mary Graham said,
July 24, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
Donald Miller I am on your bandwagon! I cannot wait to sit back in a hammock on a warm summer day and read of your full account of this amazing trip. (How does Red, White and Blue like America strike you? I’ll run it by Tami and Brian)
*YOU* are extraordinary. Congratulations.
Melanie Afman said,
July 24, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
Congratulations to the whole team! It has been so wonderful to read the updates and blogs! I hope you have a great time celebrating all that you have accomplished these last weeks. Looking forward to more pictures and stories as you continue to process and reminisce!
Nicole McGovern said,
July 24, 2008 @ 7:33 pm
What an inspiration. Thank you for posting all along the journey. My eyes are filled with tears and my heart with wonder at what you have accomplished. May you feel the sweet presence of Jesus tonight as you recall all He has done and all he has brought you through. You are a true example of Jesus’ love and sacrifice-Many blessings to you and your team.
Paul Stewart said,
July 24, 2008 @ 9:34 pm
Congratulations Don! As always, you are an inspiration.
Tyler Payne said,
July 25, 2008 @ 12:58 am
Woohoo! My journ…I mean, YOUR journey is complete. I feel like I was a part of it, and I guess I was in some sort of way.
Congratulations to you and the team.
Susan Isaacs said,
July 25, 2008 @ 1:08 am
Oh congratulations!! in the time it took to read the entry, seven more people posted. Thanks for the updates. I was jealous to have a summer adventure of my own, something grand to write about and ride about that went beyond myself. You did it. You all did it. Yea!
Wendy said,
July 25, 2008 @ 5:42 am
Awesome, so excitied for you guys. Congrats!!
Peace Be With You and the group.
Rachel said,
July 25, 2008 @ 6:23 am
Great job Don, and great job Team! Thanks for keeping us posted; I think my friend Nathaniel and I are going to miss those texts. Have a good rest!
LV Hanson said,
July 25, 2008 @ 7:17 am
congrats Don! insane adventure, thanks for letting us be a part. we’re following you here at Catalyst and telling others about your journey as well:
http://www.catalystspace.com/catablog
Much love from HOTlanta!!
angela seagler said,
July 25, 2008 @ 9:41 am
Congrats, faithful riders! Your life will never be the same again. Thanks for allowing a personal dream to be linked with the literal saving of lives! You’ve accomplished both. It will be amazing to find out who all you have inspired to change the world in their own ways because you were brave enough to put action to your dream and see yours through! Well Done!
Donny Pauling said,
July 25, 2008 @ 9:50 am
Congratulations, Don! What an accomplishment!
Jordan said,
July 25, 2008 @ 12:30 pm
congrats, buddy!
now it’s back to the grind…
Angela T. said,
July 25, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
What an accomplishment…to be able to say that you’ve ridden across America and effectually save lives. Kudos to you all! May God continue to bless you as you continue to bless Him.
Amie Hadaway said,
July 25, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
Sweeeeeeeet! You guys rock! You’ll have bragging rights with your friends for years to come! Awesome! Can’t wait to see how many wells get funded through this one:) Nice job with the promo for the book sales with $1 proceeds to BWM too. Over-achiever:)
God bless,
Amie
Joe Canal said,
July 25, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
That’s great Don! Thanks for all the tweets. It was almost like riding along with you guys. Almost.
Heidi Renee said,
July 25, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
Congratulations. Thank you for letting us be flies on your shoulders through this trip, it has been extraordinary to read your updates.
Sienna said,
July 27, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
wow. i’m super impressed by what you’ve done here.
avoiding all total awkwardness, i would definitely say that this bike ride makes you even more of a hero to me.
=]
good luck with whatever you tackle next!
Cait Fox said,
July 28, 2008 @ 3:16 am
Congratulations!! I heard about the ride when TWLOHA posted about it before the start, and it was exciting to hear that you guys have all made it. I really liked your book Blue Like Jazz, and was happily surprised to see it on the reading list of a counselling course I’m taking at the moment (Dynamics of Biblical Change by CCEF).
God bless and thank you!!
Cait
Natalie Graves said,
July 28, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
Wow Don!!! That is incredible
Congrats on getting to the other side!
Sarah Brinkmann said,
July 28, 2008 @ 6:05 pm
Umm excuse me. This just makes you even more amazing. Seriously Uhh Don Miller: Bionic Man.
Anyway, I guess this is where I profess my love and addiction to your writing. Yeah so cool deal with the uh, biking? Well, cool. Certainly more abitious than I.
jamie tworkowski said,
July 29, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
Congrats my friend! Job well done. Can’t wait to hear the stories.
Mike Austin said,
July 30, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
Best news I’ve heard in a long time is that you may keep this blog going. Its been fun to follow along with all your “doings” on this great trip. Remember to look some of us up if you are ever back in Tyler.
sonya chisenhall said,
August 2, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
wow! congratulations on actually biking all across my motherland (delaware. i’m sure it’s one of the largest states you traveled through in the past weeks) to visit our amazingly clean (ha,ha) atlantic ocean. so, i’m just curious as to which beach you actually went to…lewes, perhaps. anyways, once again congratulations!
blessings!
Nathan Hov said,
August 3, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
Congrats, looks like a great place to be.
melanie said,
August 3, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
Final thoughts? This week maybe? (she said, with her fingers crossed, trying to figure out how to communicate her interest in hearing more, and yet not wanting to pressure a man who rode a bicycle across an entire country for goodness sake because surely, she reasons, he must be tired.)
And the pressing question on her mind: is he changed?
melissa said,
August 4, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
well i was trying to think of something super-spiritual to write, but all i can think is, “DANG…Don is lookin sooooo good.” that Donald…so hot right now.
amen.
melissa said,
August 5, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
hey donald! ive been trying to think of something super spiritual to say, but all i keep thinking is: DANG! donald looks goooooood.
that donald…so hot right now.
amen.
Noel Caeden said,
August 5, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
So how much were you able to raise in funds for the water non-profit through the broadcast of this trip?
Might sound like a pushy question, but I am very curious to learn from your success and challenges using this media strategy.
Regardless, I am a fan
Jonathan Landis said,
August 19, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
Hey Don,
Glad to hear you guys finished your journey and did amazing raising funds for the cause. Good to host you guys here in Parker, AZ… It was fun… keep on making history man.
-Jonathan and Tara (GRACE, AG - Parker)
Mike said,
August 25, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
No other way that I know of to send you a quick message that you are in my prayers as you pray at the DNC tonight. I am honored to have met you Don. You are a great writer, a wise social critic and better than all of that, just a really good guy. You are impacting many lives. I’m sure you are a total dork too… but isn’t God great that He works on those parts? I know your father in heaven is proud. Thanks for not leaving Jesus out.
Mike said,
August 27, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
I saw your prayer… and it was good. God is using you in great ways.