EVERY JOURNEY MUST COME TO AN END

From the comfort of my own home I am able to write this post and thank everyone involved and know that every mile, no matter the destination, the weather or the reason was worth it. Sure there are things I wish I could still have squeezed in but there are also so many things I did get to do and share. While I was hoping for more of a live tracking I manually updated my sat location every chance I could and this map show (as the bird flies) the route. Next time I will get an extended battery so live tracking can be done, even the times I got lost you will see the U turns and all.

It is back to what I call a normal life and I am proud of all of those who supported this cause as you have posted enough pledges to allow 3 more children to enjoy a summer free of fear and abuse. If I could do this every day, I would, but since I can't I will look forward to doing another Ride 4 Kids Sake Marathon in the future. I have had a few charities inquire if they could be the beneficiary for the next ride, if you are interested please do not hesitate to contact me.

Over time I will post updates, ideas and other interesting facts here. But for the most part this chapter in my life is completed and the final mileage is well worth a million words as there are so many things along the way I was not able to photograph or share.

BEFORE

AFTER

TOTAL = 2,792 Miles x Your Pledge = Donation $

If you would like to donate for this year's ride please send checks payable to Royal Family Kids Camp or Brian P. Russell and mail to P.O. Box 1437, Erie PA 16512. I ask that you send me an email when you send the donation as I would love to time the presentation of the 'BIG' check to Pastor Young fairly soon.

Godspeed

FINAL THOUGHTS FOR 2009 RIDE 4 KIDS SAKE MARATHON

As I departed the Flight 93 Memorial I had about a 3-1/2 hour ride home to reflect on events and the meaning of this ride. Utter was a great companion, didn't say much, but was still inspiring. No more than 15 miles out of the memorial I hit heavy rain and it remained that way right up until I got to the Edinboro exit. If anyone watched the news or the Weather Channel then you know what I went through.

For the last 15 miles I found my self with mixed emotions. On one hand I was glad to be home and ready to see family (Including extended family at Cycle City), then on the other hand I felt I could do this none stop. I rolled into First Assembly of God parking lot a little after 6:30 and took the photo of the final mileage. You will have to put up with me for one more post before seeing the final trip mileage.

This trip was worth every penny spent and was made possible by people and companies like Gary at Cycle City of Erie, Shannon and James at Country Fair, Carol at Chick-Fil-A, Erie Motorcycle Club, Advertising Advantage, The Erie Times News, WJET 24 and WICU 12 TV. Every pledge means more to the kids than you could imagine. While I had wished for a better turnout for the pledges this year I am grateful for what we did get and once all the calculations are done I expect we can send another child or two to camp next year. At the very least I hope those who followed along and others who were aware of this ride take a proactive effort in curbing child neglect and abuse. Stay tuned for the final posting...

MY FINAL DESTINATION

This final stop for me, moved me in ways that are hard to explain. It makes one take self reflection and a lot of thinking of how you would have reacted in their shoes.

9 years later and this memorial has had over 4 million visitors, while it is only a temporary site at this time the

The picture of the field is where Flight 93 came to its end and buried the plan in a 30' deep crater. There is on little shack with a staff member who goes through a three ring binder presentation of the events leading up to the crash. I was amazed she is able to get through it day after day without getting emotional. final memorial is designed and ground breaking will be this November and done in time for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Those 40 people on this flight are true Heros and saved an unknown amount of lives. Should you be traveling near Eastern Pittsburgh or over the PA Turnpike take a detour and check it out. I am off for my final leg of the trip home.

80 YEARS A HEAD OF ITS TIME

I felt like Charlie from Willy Wonka's Chacolate Factory. To take a tour of Fallingwater was something I can't believe I did not do before. The design and technology used in the late 30's by Frank Llyod Wright is just now being adopted by modern designers for ecological builds and practices.

I could have spent all day at this house looking at every little corner, details and element of his design. There was not one area that was wasted or 'just there', every thing had a design that included form and function.

While they did not allow pictures inside I was for sure getting some good ones from the outside. This house was built over hanging a creek and every view from the outside to the inside is breath taking. in 1939 when the house was completed it cost $155,000. Even if money was endless you could still not build this house, ever stone was pulled from the surrounding area and formed there. To do something as simple as that today it would cost millions just to mine the stone.

For any kid thinking of becoming an architect this is one destination that is a must.

FINAL PLAN OF ATTACK

Well I shacked up in New Stanton PA, temps dropping fast and feeling a little under the weather so didn't want to push it. Had a chance to figure out what options there were for the route home tomorrow. Well sort of, I will go out of my way by about 25 miles but after this many miles what's 25 more.

I am going to visit a place designed my a guy I have admired since high school, I live all but 2 hours from it but have yet visited. The location is home to Falling Waters one of Frank Llyod Wrights most astonishing architectural designs. His fundamentals of design take cues from what we learn as kids, with our basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, etc.). Click Image for Info.

By visiting here I will only be a few miles from the Flight 93 Memorial and I think that would be a crowning moment for this trip, and a great reminder to our youth that these 40 people are among the greatest heros our country has. Click on image to visit Flight 93 Site.

From here I am heading home and my final destination will put me at the front door of Erie's Royal Family Kids Camp located at First Assembly of God on Oliver Road. And since I am so close I will stop at Cycle City, my second home. Then off to see the family.

WASTED DAY DUE TO THE MIRACLES OF TECHNOLOGY

I know, I know.... earlier in the posts I mentioned how great technology was. Well after a few hours surfing the web at a local cafe in the morning waiting to hear back from the Kawasaki dealership 30 miles away to call and let me know if they can come pick me up.

Ran through the obvious troubleshooting issues to get things working and then I figured out it was the battery in the key fob. The bike has a cool feature where you don't have to put a key in every time. As long as the key fob is in my jacket I can start the bike. Well this time around, something as simple as a watch battery put me out of commission.

Of course watch batteries are not a hot commodity here in the white water rafting center of the US. So this set back allowed me to have a great conversation with one of the partners at Pies and Pints and of course I put down another pie for lunch.

After all the delays and still not sure where I am heading next I decided to make a run for home. Most of the day is wasted and sorry I don't have anything cool to post. I am going to make it to Pittsburgh and should be home Friday late afternoon. Does anyone want to take a crack at the final mileage.

THE BIKE IS MAKING SURE IT WRITES ITS OWN CHAPTER ON THIS RIDE

Last night i posted I was back at the restaurant to do some research on where to head next on my final leg of the road home. But when I went to leave Pies & Pints the bike was dead as a rock. No lights and ignition system doesn't even work. We tried to jump it and no luck.

No reason to panic yet, plan B. Plug in the battery tender over night and get a ride to the Inn.

So this morning I was optimistic all would work out, bit when I got to the bike I realized the outlet the guys plugged my charger into was getting no power as the last person to close thongs down last night kills that switch. So we are for sure dead in the water. Closest dealer is 30 some miles away and not open yet. Looks like we are going to test how good their customer service is. Stay tuned for updates.