Hi,
I did officially complete my trip on Saturday!
I thank Avery, Courtney G., Janice, Tammy, Susan, Wendy, Jean, Michelle, Pam, Denise for all walking with me to LS. I want to thank Maria, Barry, Chris, Mel, Diane, Donna, Jacob, Mr. Kramer, Chris for all being there when we arrived at LS.
Thanks to Courtney D. for both walking with me and riding in with me to Boston Harbor.
I appreciate everyone's support of this journey that I took. It was a team effort!!!
Courtney was riding fast at some points of our journey east that day. I was taking my time - reflecting on all of the miles I had put in so far. I could tell that I did not want the journey to end. It was such a wonderful and amazing experience!!!! Why would I want it to end???
I already have started to plan my next trip. I have to. This is who I am.
My next trip will be hiking the Appalachian Trail all at once. I learned a lot from this trip and I will use that knowledge for this next journey.
Thanks to my brother Pete for our ride home from Newton.
I came home to a wonderful party in my neighborhood that evening. The Pine Lakes - The Birchwood Avenue Gang. Thanks to Lana, Paul, Sophia and Will for putting on a great party!!!
I will continue on as 'Coach Cate' and spread the message of healthy living to all those that I encounter.
One of my missions was to Exercise Across America - which I did. Another was to touch as many lives as I could - I feel that I did this to. The most amazing part of my trip though was how others touched my life. Each and everyday this happened!!! It was truly amazing and I want to do it again! And again!!! Love to you all!!!!
Coach Cate
Friday, June 24, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Tornado that I missed!
I tackled the Berkshires!! They were not easy with my trailer.
Originally, I was going to find a campground and hang out and write for the day.
Since it was raining, I decided to keep on riding. There was no stopping me now.
I stopped in Granville at the General Store there. I had an egg sandwich, some mac and cheddar cheese and I was on my way east.
I rode to Springfield, past the Big 'E' and then into downtown.
All familiar territory. I was in the Commonwealth!!!
I first saw the damage of the tornado that went through a couple weeks before on the west side of the Connecticut River. Once I crossed the bridge, I saw even more. Wow!!
Massachusetts does not get many tornados.
I continued to ride east. I had schools to visit in Springfield, but not until Monday.
I decided to ride as much as I could this day and then I would have Courtney or Skyler pick me up. I figured I am so close now - why not just sleep in my bed tonight.
Although the rain had stopped; it was still cloudy and not too warm.
I stopped in the late afternoon for pizza. All those hills had made me really hungry. I could not figure out if it was Italian or Greek pizza. I prefer Italian!
As the afternoon went on, I saw even more damage for the tornado. When the tornado went through, I was in NJ. On the news, they stated that it went through Springfield. I did not realize that it went through Monson, Brimfield and parts of Sturbridge.
I ended up in Monson center at about 6:00 that evening. I was amazed at how much damage this small town had incurred.
Skyler picked me up in his truck to take me home for the night. Thanks Skyler.
Originally, I was going to find a campground and hang out and write for the day.
Since it was raining, I decided to keep on riding. There was no stopping me now.
I stopped in Granville at the General Store there. I had an egg sandwich, some mac and cheddar cheese and I was on my way east.
I rode to Springfield, past the Big 'E' and then into downtown.
All familiar territory. I was in the Commonwealth!!!
I first saw the damage of the tornado that went through a couple weeks before on the west side of the Connecticut River. Once I crossed the bridge, I saw even more. Wow!!
Massachusetts does not get many tornados.
I continued to ride east. I had schools to visit in Springfield, but not until Monday.
I decided to ride as much as I could this day and then I would have Courtney or Skyler pick me up. I figured I am so close now - why not just sleep in my bed tonight.
Although the rain had stopped; it was still cloudy and not too warm.
I stopped in the late afternoon for pizza. All those hills had made me really hungry. I could not figure out if it was Italian or Greek pizza. I prefer Italian!
As the afternoon went on, I saw even more damage for the tornado. When the tornado went through, I was in NJ. On the news, they stated that it went through Springfield. I did not realize that it went through Monson, Brimfield and parts of Sturbridge.
I ended up in Monson center at about 6:00 that evening. I was amazed at how much damage this small town had incurred.
Skyler picked me up in his truck to take me home for the night. Thanks Skyler.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Made it back to the Commonwealth!!!!
I have made it home after four and one half months on the road.
I rode up and down many hills in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts to reach my second to last destination on this journey.
I do think that the highest grade of roads that I went up had to be here in the Commonwealth. I will be looking that up in the near future.
It was nice to visit the Catskills and then make my way back over the Hudson!
I thank the Clearwater Organization for letting me set up my tent at their camp.
I also want to thank Mary Kate for the awesome lunch in downtown Beacon. It was fun to spend time with her and the students at her school.
I then waited out a violent store on the eastern border of New York. Later that evening, I arrived in the Constitution State. I found a place to camp near a farm. The rains had finally stopped.
The northwest section of Connecticut is so beautiful. The farms, rolling hills and quaint little towns are so inviting.
I spoke to many high school students later on in the day in Falls Village. Thanks to the whole school community for their wonderful welcome.
Karen Rogers was also there to great me. She is on a quest to run a race in every town in Connecticut. She has two to go!!!!
I was then on a mission to reach my final state of the journey.
I crossed into the Commonwealth at about 4:30 that afternoon.
The roads had been familiar with me all day, as I have traveled through this area many times before.
The Appalachian Trail passes through this area. I have hiked both the Connecticut and Massachusetts sections of the trail.
Time to tackle the Berkshires. I knew that they would not be easy. I had already rode this route from east to west a couple of years ago.
I rode for a few more hours and then found a place to camp in the forest with many, many bugs. Some did get me and others tried to get me all night long. Thanks tent for protecting me and my blood.
Just as I broke camp the next morning, it started to pour, really pour!!! It was also cold, very cold. What happened to all of those hot, sticky days???
Here it was the middle of June and I think my lips were purple. At one point, I was standing outside a General Store in New Boston; it was raining cats and dogs. I had very little food. There was not much for me to choose from in the store. I knew that I had a very big climb ahead of me. It was time to eat whatever I had left and to hope for some decent food in the next ten miles or so.
The rain finally tapered off. Time to tackle that hill going through the Tolland State Forest.
(I am exhausted - to be continued tomorrow!)
I rode up and down many hills in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts to reach my second to last destination on this journey.
I do think that the highest grade of roads that I went up had to be here in the Commonwealth. I will be looking that up in the near future.
It was nice to visit the Catskills and then make my way back over the Hudson!
I thank the Clearwater Organization for letting me set up my tent at their camp.
I also want to thank Mary Kate for the awesome lunch in downtown Beacon. It was fun to spend time with her and the students at her school.
I then waited out a violent store on the eastern border of New York. Later that evening, I arrived in the Constitution State. I found a place to camp near a farm. The rains had finally stopped.
The northwest section of Connecticut is so beautiful. The farms, rolling hills and quaint little towns are so inviting.
I spoke to many high school students later on in the day in Falls Village. Thanks to the whole school community for their wonderful welcome.
Karen Rogers was also there to great me. She is on a quest to run a race in every town in Connecticut. She has two to go!!!!
I was then on a mission to reach my final state of the journey.
I crossed into the Commonwealth at about 4:30 that afternoon.
The roads had been familiar with me all day, as I have traveled through this area many times before.
The Appalachian Trail passes through this area. I have hiked both the Connecticut and Massachusetts sections of the trail.
Time to tackle the Berkshires. I knew that they would not be easy. I had already rode this route from east to west a couple of years ago.
I rode for a few more hours and then found a place to camp in the forest with many, many bugs. Some did get me and others tried to get me all night long. Thanks tent for protecting me and my blood.
Just as I broke camp the next morning, it started to pour, really pour!!! It was also cold, very cold. What happened to all of those hot, sticky days???
Here it was the middle of June and I think my lips were purple. At one point, I was standing outside a General Store in New Boston; it was raining cats and dogs. I had very little food. There was not much for me to choose from in the store. I knew that I had a very big climb ahead of me. It was time to eat whatever I had left and to hope for some decent food in the next ten miles or so.
The rain finally tapered off. Time to tackle that hill going through the Tolland State Forest.
(I am exhausted - to be continued tomorrow!)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
New Jersey/New York
I have been traveling through New Jersey and New York for a little while now.
I just completed my comeback tour of the Catskills Mountains, where I spent the first 18 years of my life.
I spoke at both the Tri-Valley Schools; this was on Monday.
Yesterday, I spoke at the Benjamin Cosor Elementary School and the Fallsburgh Jr/Sr High School. This was the ultimate give back. It was nice to be among all of my fellow Comets!
Before I arrived here in the Catskills. I stayed in Fairlawn, NJ and spoke at The Tenafly Middle School.
I have had so many Trail Angels the past few weeks!!!
A big THANK YOU to Jill, Kevin, The Francis A. Demarus School, The Basking Ridge School District, Mary Ellen, Tommy, Grace, Emily, Tom and Joan, Jordyn, Jeff, Judy, The Aarons, The Clinton Elementary School community, Brandon and the Brooklyn Dreams Charter School, Courtney, Skyler, Pete, Monine, April, JoAnn, Debbie, Sue,The Tenafly School District, Lynn, David, Sam, Jason, Susan and Gil, The Tri-Valley School District and the Fallsburgh School District.
I am heading to the Hudson River once more. I have crossed over it two times already on the trip. One more time to go!
I just completed my comeback tour of the Catskills Mountains, where I spent the first 18 years of my life.
I spoke at both the Tri-Valley Schools; this was on Monday.
Yesterday, I spoke at the Benjamin Cosor Elementary School and the Fallsburgh Jr/Sr High School. This was the ultimate give back. It was nice to be among all of my fellow Comets!
Before I arrived here in the Catskills. I stayed in Fairlawn, NJ and spoke at The Tenafly Middle School.
I have had so many Trail Angels the past few weeks!!!
A big THANK YOU to Jill, Kevin, The Francis A. Demarus School, The Basking Ridge School District, Mary Ellen, Tommy, Grace, Emily, Tom and Joan, Jordyn, Jeff, Judy, The Aarons, The Clinton Elementary School community, Brandon and the Brooklyn Dreams Charter School, Courtney, Skyler, Pete, Monine, April, JoAnn, Debbie, Sue,The Tenafly School District, Lynn, David, Sam, Jason, Susan and Gil, The Tri-Valley School District and the Fallsburgh School District.
I am heading to the Hudson River once more. I have crossed over it two times already on the trip. One more time to go!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
In the Garden State and the Big Apple
Wow!
I have been to some amazing schools in New Jersey and New York, since I last posted.
I have been to the Francis A. Desmares Elementary School in Flemington, NJ, the Four Corners Elementary School and Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, NJ, the Clinton Elementary School in Maplewood, NJ and the Brooklyn Dreams Charter School. I had such wonderful experiences at each of these schools!!!
I would like to thank all of these school communities for letting me visit and giving me the opportunity to get to know their students. It has meant a lot to me to be able to form close relationships with both the students and staff, in such a short period of time.
A tremendous part of my journey from the start, was to make an impact on as many people as I could. Of course, that always goes both ways. I can't describe properly the elated feelings I have, after I leave each school community that I visit. Love is a wonderful thing!!!
I have been to some amazing schools in New Jersey and New York, since I last posted.
I have been to the Francis A. Desmares Elementary School in Flemington, NJ, the Four Corners Elementary School and Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, NJ, the Clinton Elementary School in Maplewood, NJ and the Brooklyn Dreams Charter School. I had such wonderful experiences at each of these schools!!!
I would like to thank all of these school communities for letting me visit and giving me the opportunity to get to know their students. It has meant a lot to me to be able to form close relationships with both the students and staff, in such a short period of time.
A tremendous part of my journey from the start, was to make an impact on as many people as I could. Of course, that always goes both ways. I can't describe properly the elated feelings I have, after I leave each school community that I visit. Love is a wonderful thing!!!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Delaware and Once Again Pennsylvania
I rode up the coast of Delaware; on some very country roads.
The threat of rain upon me almost everyday.
I did get wet here and there, but it was not too bad.
The suburbs of Wilmington were my next destination. It reminded me of back home in the suburbs of Boston. Lots of trees and windy roads.
I then rode up to the suburbs of Philadelphia. Again, very similar to where I live.
I camped for many nights in a row.
On Sunday, I stayed in a mansion in Fairmont Park in Philadelphia. This is where one of the youth hostels are located. What a great building. I met many other travelers here; including River Guide, who is hiking on the AT.
I spoke to a couple of school in southeast Philadelphia. I then went to the Reading Terminal Market to have a pretzel. It was very good! I had heard about how good these pretzels where. In 2004, on our ballpark tour, Courtney and I went to try them. The market was not open the day we were touring the city. Seven years later, I made sure to stop by to sample them. It was worth the wait.
I enjoyed cycling in the city, with my tour guide Steve Taylor. He is with the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia. Thanks Steve!
The threat of rain upon me almost everyday.
I did get wet here and there, but it was not too bad.
The suburbs of Wilmington were my next destination. It reminded me of back home in the suburbs of Boston. Lots of trees and windy roads.
I then rode up to the suburbs of Philadelphia. Again, very similar to where I live.
I camped for many nights in a row.
On Sunday, I stayed in a mansion in Fairmont Park in Philadelphia. This is where one of the youth hostels are located. What a great building. I met many other travelers here; including River Guide, who is hiking on the AT.
I spoke to a couple of school in southeast Philadelphia. I then went to the Reading Terminal Market to have a pretzel. It was very good! I had heard about how good these pretzels where. In 2004, on our ballpark tour, Courtney and I went to try them. The market was not open the day we were touring the city. Seven years later, I made sure to stop by to sample them. It was worth the wait.
I enjoyed cycling in the city, with my tour guide Steve Taylor. He is with the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia. Thanks Steve!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The Atlantic Ocean was my final destination yesterday!
I did reach the Atlantic Ocean yesterday, after traveling three months and 18 days.
It was a rainy and windy day!
I arrived at Little Creek, DE in the afternoon.
While I was there, I met some birders from West Virginia.
I decided to hang out there for awhile and think about all the people that helped me to get across the country.
As afternoon turned into evening, the sun started to break through the clouds.
On the beach, I turned over many horseshoe crabs that were stranded on the beach. The high tides that were happening, due to the full moon, caused them to be higher on the shore.
I also enjoyed the birds migrating from Brazil, that gave me many flying shows.
I want to thank Ina and Ronnie Yoder from Greenwood, DE for being Trail Angels to me. It was so nice to meet you and talk about Holmes County, Ohio. Thanks for all that you did for me!!
It was a rainy and windy day!
I arrived at Little Creek, DE in the afternoon.
While I was there, I met some birders from West Virginia.
I decided to hang out there for awhile and think about all the people that helped me to get across the country.
As afternoon turned into evening, the sun started to break through the clouds.
On the beach, I turned over many horseshoe crabs that were stranded on the beach. The high tides that were happening, due to the full moon, caused them to be higher on the shore.
I also enjoyed the birds migrating from Brazil, that gave me many flying shows.
I want to thank Ina and Ronnie Yoder from Greenwood, DE for being Trail Angels to me. It was so nice to meet you and talk about Holmes County, Ohio. Thanks for all that you did for me!!
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