This morning felt kind of bittersweet. I have to admit that I'm glad the ride will be over today. I'm tired, and the routine of getting up and getting ready for a long ride day after day is wearing on me. At the same time, I'm sad that the adventure is ending.
Tom and I left Oceanside very early, since we knew we had a long drive home after I finished my ride. The streets were empty as I rode down to the Pacific Coast Highway. The road today was great for riding. Mainly flat, with a nice shoulder or bike lane most of the time. Since it was Monday morning there weren't as many tourists so the traffic was relatively light. I was really in a mindset to accomplish my mission and finish the journey, so as Scripture says about Jesus and Jerusalem when he was going there to die for our sins, "I had my face set like flint for the Mexican border." I only stopped briefly for a couple of times along the route.
When I got to the Torrey Pines State Reserve north of San Diego the scenery really was beautiful. There was about a 430 foot climb, then a fun descent on the other side. La Jolla was beautiful, as was Mission Bay Park. It was amazing to see all the yachts as I rode around San Diego Harbor. Finally, I had the privilege of skirting another important military installation, the San Diego Naval Base.
In the meantime, Tom had missed the turn for Torrey Pines Drive and ended up on I-5. In his efforts to get back to me he spent a couple of hours wandering around San Diego, being misdirected by our GPS. After some time, we reconnected just south of the naval base, and rode on toward the border.
About two miles from the border I already felt like I was in Mexico. The people were almost exclusively Hispanic, and the signs and chatter were all in Spanish. I had given Tom my camera to snap a picture of me at the border, but there was no place to park, unless you wanted to pay $8 so you could walk into Tiajuana. So Tom gave me my camera and I asked a gentleman to snap a picture of me. It's really quite a contrast from the picture at the Candian border. Here are both of them.
What did you notice? Not only a different border. A different bike (I started out on my Giant with fenders because of the rain). Slightly different attire (about five layers up north, jersey and shorts down south.) Bright sunshine versus Washington overcast. Maybe even a pound or two lighter (but that's all; too much good food along the way).
I know that I could not have accomplished this goal without my faith and God's help. It was by his grace that I was kept safe the entire ride. It was by his strength that I overcame pain and fatigue to ride on. It was by his love that people were motivated to Illuminate Hope for mothers with crisis pregnancies by making pledges to my ride. I am so thankful to God that this goal has been achieved. Praise the Lord!
Thank you to everyone who rememberd Diana and Me (and Tom and Janet) in your prayers. Thank you to all of you who commented on my blog and offererd encouragement. Thank you to all of our family for their thoughts and prayers.
Two more days and we will be home, Elijah! Yea! Please pray for safe driving back to Washington. My love to all of you, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 comments:
Congratulations on finishing the ride! May God continue to bless you throughout the rest of your sabbatical!
Congratulations on your successful ride! We have so enjoyed readying your blogs and keeping up with your happenings. We continue to lift you and Dianna up in prayer for safety, refreshment, and renewal! Blessings, Diane and Dennis
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