Yes Man

One last post of the day: I love Ivan.

He's been the most supportive, generous partner and traveling companion a woman could ask for. Making sure that I ate, rested, and hydrated. Getting me to a bed and a shower when I really needed one (damn feminine hygiene issues). Riding behind me as I set the pace up mountains and through tunnels to make sure I stayed on or near shoulders even though he could have gone faster and further on his own. He was/is always patient, always kind, always attentive to my needs.

I love that he wanted to take this trip. I love that he wanted to take this trip with me. I love that he will go forward without me knowing that I am safe with friends in Seattle. In fact, there is no question or doubt in my mind that he should go forward without me. He is my "Yes Man" and I am proud of him and everything that he is capable of accomplishing. I hope everyone who reads our blog will support him either in thought or words as he pedals eastward.

Mary's Choice

A very big and heartfelt thanks to all of you who commented on my last post, called me, e-mailed me, and answered my teary phone calls as I tried to figure out what to do next. It was a difficult decision, and one that I'm still not sure was the correct one to make, but I've decided to stop here and go back to Seattle and Ivan will go forward with the trip, hopefully making up for the lost time in short order.

I have not yet figured out what I am going to do for the rest of the summer. I am on an unpaid leave of absence from work thru mid-September so I may just get in my car with Sally and drive on up ahead a few hundred miles and and meet Ivan every few days or at least once-mid trip. Or I may go back to work and make some money to help pay for the house we just bought.

Whatever I decide, we both agree that I need to be productive in some way this summer - perhaps creating a support group for women whose husbands go on long bike trips. If I stay in Seattle I will be riding my bike even if it's just to commute to work or explore my new neighborhood of West Seattle. I see this as an opportunity to actually start training for the next bike trip - taking it in small degrees so I won't become overwhelmed by every freaking hillock.