I traveled a total of 11,302 miles in 36 days. That is 314 miles each day average. I was in each of the 48 lower States. I stayed in 3 homes of people. I stayed in 4 motels and I slept in my tent at a campground 29 nights. I lost 17 pounds eating primarily freeze dried dinners and oatmeal and flax breakfasts. If I could just keep up the eating routine while I am home!! The trip was wonderful. I saw a lot of country, met a lot of people, had a lot of experiences, had a wonderful time of relaxation and emotional renewal, and had an indescribable time with God. A number have asked if I would do it again. I would. Not tomorrow but I would like to do something with the same ingredients next year. For those of you who read this blog faithfully, thank you, and a really big thank you to those of you who prayed for me. God really did answer your prayers.

Monday July 6th - afternoon

I AM HOME!!! When we went through Stayton, Rich Sebans, who is a Stayton police officer, was waiting for me and he turned his lights on and pulled me over. I thought, " Great, I go this entire trip without getting pulled over, and 10 miles from home I get pulled over, I wonder what I did?". Then when I looked in the mirror I saw who it was and knew I had been set up. It is so good to be home. The trip was great, but I am so glad to be home.

Monday July 6th - morning

Well, I had a very good night sleep at my mom's. Went up to Jonah Ministries and they fed me a breakfast of of ham, eggs, and pancakes with lots of syrup. They have a bunch of little kids here for camp and a work team all the way from Kansas to re-roof the buildings. My daughter Sarah and her husband Mike, Terry & Donalda Hill, and Matt Beardon came up last night on their motorcycles and we are riding back to Jefferson together. We are going up by Mt Hood, so should be a great trip.

Sunday July 5th - evening

Made it to my mom's. She fed me as much as I have eaten in the last week, but she is my mom, so what can I do but eat it:-) I will hang around here until about 9 or 10 am and visit with my daughter Susanna who is serving at the camp up here, Jonah Ministries. I should eat some more of my mom's cooking as well. I will be home probably around 2 pm. I am looking forward to getting back in the groove. This trip has been a major challenge physically for a 60 year old preacher, but it has been a major time of refreshment and rejuvenation for me. I am more glad that I did it and knowing what I do now, after having done this trip, I would do it all over again. God is good to me.

Sunday July 5th - noon

You ever have one those times in your life where you really wanted something bad. You get to the point where you think maybe, just maybe, it is going to happen, but you don't want to get your hopes up too soon. That is the way I have been this morning. I think "You are going to finish and make this goal Duke". And then I think, boy a lot could still happen, keep going. It is close and I am feeling pretty emotional about accomplishing this when I let myself. But I will wait until tomorrow night, when I am home, everything is unpacked off the bike and I am sitting in my chair scratching my dog and talking to my wife or whatever:-)

Sunday July 5th - morning

Slept in a nice bed last night and had barbecued steak in Post Falls, Idaho. Got a good start this morning and on the road by 7 am. Rained on me for about an hour this morning. Not a lot, but officially makes it 27 days out of 35 that I have been rained on:-) Saw a big herd of elk grazing next to the road. I am now in Eastern Washington driving through the wheat fields of the Paolouse area of Washington. Nice riding this morning in the farm country. In a couple of hours I will be driving next to the Columbia River on the Washington side. I will be in Trout Lake with my mom tonight.

Saturday July 4th - afternoon

Left this morning and it was 60 degrees, got to Missoula, Montana and it dumped rain big time. 26th day out of 34 that I have had rain. I just went through Moscow, Idaho and it is 100 degrees, cool. Love the variety. Rode along the Clearwater river for 150 miles this morning. Very pretty, hundreds of 20 - 40 mph curves. Lots of fun for a guy experienced on the Dragon's Tail.