Seems like the end, but it's only the beginning.

After biking 2,637 miles, after burning around 217,000 calories, after spending a month with 7 other teenagers, after biking through 12 different states, after raising nearly $27,000 for the National MS Society, after building friendships that will last a lifetime, after making memories with the Coast to Coast for MS team that I'll never forget, I'm finally pulling a Forest Gump, and saying, "I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now". 

I can truthfully say, that this was a very successful bicycle trip from Bar Harbor, Maine to Key West, Florida. Another way to look at it is, I saw the sunrise in Bar Harbor, and watched the sunset in Key West. 

 

What are my plans now? First, I'm going home to sleep. Eventually I'll have to wake up again, and that is when I'll be forced to face the real world. I'm going to continue remodeling with my father, and fighting fires with Pine Prairie Volunteer Fire Department and the City of Huntsville. Over the next year, I will be working on receiving my Commission as a Texas Firefighter. This will not be my last trip though, I have a few more ideas for other expeditions (which I guess you're just going to have to wait to hear). For the next couple years though, I'm going to stick with shorter excursions, and stay near home a lot more. Who knows, maybe I'll get into racing bikes. You never know. 

I want to take a minute and thank y'all for supporting me again during my second trip and praying for me the entire way down the coast. Without your support the bike ride would not have been possible, and the Coast to Coast team couldn't have raised the moneys for the National MS Society. Thank you. 

Also, another minute to make one last comment. After making two trips, one from Virginia to California, and this year from Maine to Florida, I've slowly gained a little wisdom. Listen closely. ANYONE can make a journey across the country, or an even greater adventure. If you have a desire in your heart to follow your dreams, do it. It doesn't matter whether you dream of biking, singing, or hiking Mount Everest, you can accomplish that dream (if your mother allows you to hike Mount Everest anyways). It's never to late. 

Yeah. That's all I had to say. I'm done. Y'all have a wonderful summer!

Random fact.

Good morning everyone! Today is our first day of being finished with the ride. We plan to rent mopeds and tour the town a little bit, and of course go swimming as well. 

But. I wanted to share with y'all a little fact about Key West, and what animal lives here. Yesterday, we only biked 33 miles, but saw 11 of the animals. Also, while unpacking our truck and shipping our bikes home, we saw 7 more. Can anyone guess what they are?

Iguanas! 

Key West seems to be full of Iguanas. They are literally everywhere, which is kind of cool I guess. 

Yesterday while biking, a pack of iguanas passed the trail in front of me. I kid you not, they were running in between my tires. 

So yeah, that's today's random fact. 

We did it!

We finally made it to Key West, Florida! Today at 1:20, we biked to the Southern most point of the US and celebrated our victory. 

Only having to bike 33 miles today, we slept in until 10, ate breakfast, and finally got on our bikes around 11:30. 

I am spending the next two days in Key West, and then finally, after being on the road for 6 weeks, fly home on Tuesday. 

Thank y'all so much for supporting me along my journey and keeping me in your prayers. I couldn't have done it without all of the encouragement. Cross-country ride number two, done. 

I will continue to blog until I get home, and will make a special blog about a lot of biking facts from the trip. 

One more day!

We are almost done! Yesterday we biked 101 miles to Big Pine Key, FL. 

While biking, we saw a lot of new wildlife, but mostly large lizards, the size of baby alligators. On Big Pine Key, there are minature deer named, Key Deer. They are protected animals, and are fined for hitting them. 

After biking our 101 miles, we stopped at Behia Honda State Park to swim in the Atlantic Ocean before going to sleep. 

Today we have a little over 30 miles to bike before reaching Kew West, Florida! 

We slept in this morning, ate a good breakfast and ready to knock out this last day! 

It's good to be back.

Yesterday we successfully biked 90 miles to Cutler Ridge, FL. It was a very warm and humid day for the team. We spent most of the day cycling shirtless to get our tans on for the beach. 

By mid afternoon, we were biking through Miami. Interesting fact, we biked right beside the arena where the Heat played the Spurs last night. We were tempted to stop by and watch the game, but had to continue riding. (We all knew the Heats were going to win)

Cameron's grandparents joined the team last night to travel with us until we make it to Key West. Today we are entering the Key's, and hopefully get to see some new wildlife. 

I'll be posting a lot of pictures of us riding this afternoon. 

Two more days until we finish the ride! 

Reunited.

After a wonderful visit to Washington DC, I'm back with the Coast to Coast for MS team! 

I flew to Washington DC on the 18th of June, where I was picked up by my parents and beautiful girlfriend! That evening, we attended a dinner event with the other Congressional Award Gold Medalists at the Hyatt. 

The next morning, on June 19th, I was awarded the medal. 

I also had the privilege to meet Congressman Kevin Brady. 

Receiving the Congressional Award Gold Medal was a great experience! I was able to meet many important people, congressmen and senators. 

After the ceremony, I went to eat with my family, and eventually flew back to the Coast to Coast team. 

Today we plan on biking 102 miles to Miami, Florida. We were also interviewed on a Key West news station this morning before taking off on our bikes. 

Washington DC.

Today, I leave the Coast to Coast for MS team for a brief visit to Washington, DC. 

While in DC, I am receiving an award known as, the Gold Congressional Award Medal. The Congressional Award is an award for young Americans, established by the United States Congress in 1979 to "recognize initiative, service and achievement in young people." 

The Congressional Award recognizes the setting and meeting of goals in four program areas: Voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration. Based on time commitments to each of the areas, participants earn Bronze, Silver, or Gold Congressional  Award Certificates; and Bronze, Silver, or Gold Congressional Award Medals. 

Today is also the first day I will see my parents in over 5 weeks. We will spend time in DC together before attending the Award Ceremony. 

Tomorrow evening, I will be flying back to the Coast to Coast team to finish the bike ride with them!