Finished

I woke at midnight to a lick on the mouth. That dog... He barked at me when I showed up as if he'd never seen me before, then spent the whole night curled up next to me. I had a hard time getting back to sleep after that, and I woke several more times through the night, usually to him wanting my attention. When 6am came around, I was more than ready to get up and get around. I ate a quick breakfast, gathered up my stuff, and hit the road a little after 7. I wanted to get through Miami and get to the end.

I followed the same route along the M Trail, a good diagonal and safe from traffic. But hitting all those crosswalks made it painfully slow. Riding highway to the end is always exciting; you feel empowered to push to the end, the harder you pound your legs, the sooner you cross the finish. But riding on that trail, it felt like as soon as I got up to speed, I was slowing to a stop at yet another light. That glaring red hand seemed to taunt me as it bid me to wait and wait at every crosswalk.

Then at last I got off the trail, opting to take a different, shorter route...right through the thick of the city. I started moving a little faster, but with the new concern of riding in traffic, rather than just waiting eternally on it. For awhile I was on side roads through neighborhoods and didn't have much traffic to deal with. Google navigated me through Tropical Park, a nice park where I took a moment to break, and to get on my trunk bag as it began to rain. Though as usual, the rain didn't last long.

Then after a little more neighborhood navigation, the peaceful part of my day was at an end. Let me tell you, Milan Dairy Road is not nearly so pastoral as it sounds. It was heavily trafficked and had no bike lane at all, so that I was riding right in it. Not going to lie, it was not fun. But at least the adrenaline had me moving at a damn good clip, often over 20mph, trying to stay alive and get through it as quick as possible. There was much less stopping at lights, and they became momentary reprieves. I was so glad when I finally got off, meandering through neighborhoods again...before getting right back on another busy road with no shoulder. I actually sidewalk rode for a little while, because I needed a break from the blaring horns and angry drivers.

But at last, I was joyously rolling my shoulders and wagging my elbows in my "shoulder dance" as bike lane at last appeared under my wheels. I was finally safe...more or less. It disappeared briefly at one point with an aggravating "use the sidewalk" sign. But on a whole, I had bike lane for that whole road, until I turned off and had a less-than-great but functional bike path through an aptly named "Linear Park", a long, narrow park wedged between road and canal. Then my road to the end (or close to it) also had bike lane...I just had no way to make a left turn to get onto it. I sidewalk rode again for some time until I could get a crosswalk, because it was the only way I was getting over to the other side of the road.

Before riding to the end, I stopped at a bike shop and inquired about getting my bike boxed up. It apparently could be done quickly and it would be no problem to put my emptied panniers in with the bike. Perfect. I biked the last bit to Taryn's, and at last had a chance to relax in AC. Then it was right back to tackling the logistics. I dumped out the contents of my panniers, all of my stuff, and then with weirdly deflated bags, biked back to the shop. It was such an odd feeling leaving both Bree and my bags there, walking out alone. After spending the last two months with her as my one steadfast companion through every triumph and ordeal, I had left Bree to be put in a box to be shipped home, each of us traveling our own ways home. Rationally I knew I shouldn't feel so emotional about it, but I did.

I still do. This is it. The tour is officially over.  It never feels any less strange. The only thing left now is getting both Bree and I home. I got things arranged with BikeFlights for FedEx to pick up my bike from the shop...on Monday, after I'll have already left, because they don't let you schedule on weekends. I'm trying very hard not to feel nervous about that. I came back to the house, on foot, to relax a little more. Then right before they closed, I got into the library and printed off both my bus tickets and my shipping labels. I tossed several items at the end of their life, including my belt bag that has been with me since midway through my first tour, when my one since childhood gave out on me, as well as my sun bleached and pad worn helmet, and my torn balaclava.

Today I went to Walmart and bought a duffel bag, earbuds, and food. Then I brought my shipping labels to the bike shop and observed that Bree seemed to be decently boxed before they closed the lid on her. I dislike that she won't be picked up until after I leave town, but so it goes. And just now I finished packing my trunk bag, mostly with food (as my carry on), and new duffel with everything else (as my checked luggage). There's nothing left now but to hang out for awhile, hopefully have some fun with Taryn tomorrow, and then take the bus, at midnight Monday morning.

So, the tour is done. It's back to bed with this blog. I'll catch y'all (I am still in the South after all) next adventure. Until then, have fun and live free.