8/14/12 My job is done.

Since leaving Charlotte I had been carrying a very special package in my backpack. You see, Jeff had asked me to carry an engagement ring for him as he planned to propose to Christy when we got to the Grand Canyon. For the next 4 days the backpack did not leave my side. I was not about to lose a very beautiful ring. Try and explain that one.

On Saturday evening, on the pretense we were going to celebrate my birthday we took a ride to an overlook in the Grand Canyon. After a few deep breaths, Jeff called Christy over to one side, got down on one knee and popped the question. Everyone at the outlook clapped and it was a great family moment. The news immediately traveled around the world with congratulations coming from Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Perth, London, and Nice to just name a few. They truly are happy and have all the parents blessing.

Sunday we left on the bikes for the Hoover Dam. It was another adventurous ride as the cross winds on I40 were bad. It felt like someone was trying to rip your helmet off you head. Jeff and I lasted 40 miles before we had to take a break. It was worse than Kansas last year, and a first for Jeff. We had to ride as if we were going into a corner, learned over with our heads pointing to the side. Once we got past a storm, the wind came from the other direction. Might have been a little less pronounced if we had not been 'pushing it'. Why push it?, because we could. Sometimes it is fun to push yourself physically to see were your limits are. When you ride long distance you have to be prepared, and smiling, at all that comes your way.

We ended up making a quick stop at Hoover Dam a few hours later. We were anxious to get to the Hotel in Vagus - as anticipated the few miles from the highway to the strip were draining. The heat, traffic and people made you long for the remoteness of some of the roads we had just finished.

As I approached LV I had that familiar feeling of not wanting the ride to be over. I guess the day I ride into a destination and do not have the feeling of wanting to keep going it will be time to stop. If I could have gone on to another location I would have. Not sure the next location but I think it will be a short weekend trip in September. One thing I learned this trip was just how nice my Wing is. How all the work I have put into the bikes configuration works. The ride would have been a lot easier if I had been on the Wing. I will think twice before renting again. Another thing is how I must continue to work on my fitness. This ride, with the heat, wind and roads pushed me physically - which I like, but need to get fitter. Anyway I now have a goal - THE Wedding, about a year out, will give me more motivation to continue to eat healthy and exercise as much as I can.

All in all, a great vacation