All is Well That Ends Well!!

I won't lie to you. Today was really tough. After enjoying a comfortable hotel stay last night, we left Southbury, Ct. this morning to head to Peekskill, Ny, on the shores of the Hudson River. We had the good fortune to receive an invitation for lunch at Cutillo's Restaurant in Carmel, NY, compliments of Patty Jellison if Amherst, NH. You see Patty saw the story of Trails for Dale in the Nashua Telegraph a couple of weeks ago, and called me to offer us lunch at her parent's restaurant in Carmel, which happened to be on our route. In fact, the restaurant is in the house that Patty, a twin, grew up in. Keep in mind that we have limitations on how we can route ourselves due to the fact that Joy only tops out at about 40 mph (on a flat). Finding the right roads, and avoiding Interstate 84 was a major challenge. At times we were frustrated, at times scared, at times really confused. To make things just a little more interesting, we knew we were at a high risk for flash thunderstorms. So little by little we made our way, sometimes one step forward, and other times a couple of steps back. Our 12:30 lunch date became 1:00, then 1:30... The sky started to darken with the threat of thunder and lightning, oh oh.

So, I have the advantage (?) yes! of being on my scooter, and able to have conversation solely with myself. Things started to look bleak, Mom and Betsy with their faces buried in maps, GPS, and Garmin, and still couldn't figure things out. It was at that time that I started to try and make sense of what was happening (WARNING: I AM ABOUT TO WAX PHILISOPHIC!!) One thing that came to mind was something my great mentor Stephanie Rutt used to say about only being able to see a little part of things, and having to trust that there was a bigger picture that was unknown to us. I was seriously wondering if this whole thing was totally insane, looking up at the darkening sky wondering if a rainstorm was going to enter into our already dismal equation. It was at that time that I started to say the following:

I am so happy and grateful that I am safe;
I am so happy and grateful that I am dry:
I am so happy and gratful that I am not alone;
I am so happy and grateful that I am doing this great journey......

I just kept saying these affirmations over and over, until eventually the dark clouds passed us, we got on track, and ultimately we got to the restaurant. When we did arrive, we were all able to laugh at what we had experienced. Again, this goes back to what I said several posts ago, we have a choice as to how we look at a situation.

And so we decompressed and enjoyed an absolutely wonderful lunch with Carol as our hostess, and Patrick as our chef. Our food was delicious, the atmosphere delightful, and yes, Carol even got out a map or two for our perusal. Soon it was time to hit the road again, but keep in mind, it is not over until it is over (or put another way, you have not crossed the Hudson until you go over the right bridge) It is kind of a long (and embarrassing story) but suffice it to say we have crossed the Hudson, are a stones throw from Westpoint, and staying in a hotel again!!!!!!! Hey, considering we went 100 miles today, we figured we deserve it. Tomorrow we are off to Hamburg, NJ.

No one said it would be easy. In fact there is little in life worth having that is. Bringing things back to the essence of this journey, for 13 years Dale lived as though she had gone 100 miles every day. We do what we need to do to accomplish the goal. In Dale's case it was staying alive. In ours today it was merely going from point A to point B, rather trivial in comparison. So plug away, go through the fire, experience "tapas" (for you yogis out there) and be all the stronger for it.

Enjoy the pics, and know we do this for all of us!!! xxoo