Home at Last, Home at Last; Thank God Almighty, I’m Home at Last!

I think Dorothy said it best; “There’s no place like home.” It seems like I closed my eyes and clicked my pedals together three times, and I was back in Gaylord. Just like the Wizard of Oz, my world was in vivid Technicolor for the past month, but when all is said and done, there’s nothing better than the security of home and the love of family and friends. And I am home.

What a final day. I couldn’t have dreamed of anything finer. To begin with, I visited Roscommon High School and met many students and staff from my Spring student teaching experience. All semester long they heard me talking about my cycling adventure. Many students were incredulous, and said stuff like “There’s no way you can do that, Mr. Bono.” It was cool to prove them wrong and to show that small people can do big things. I hope my adventure gives them motivation to be excellent at everything they do, and to dream big dreams and live life large.

I stopped in Grayling on my way home, and ate lunch at the Grayling Restaurant while talking with a Kim Shine from the Detroit Free Press. She said they will be doing an article in Sunday’s paper about my trip. Awesome – my 15 minutes of fame! I also hooked up with the fellow who sold me my bike, Bob Smith at The Bicycle Shop, and thanked him for helping me decide on the right bike and equipment for my trip.

A buddy of mine, Dan Yarsevich, showed up on his motorcycle while I was in downtown Grayling, and I knew it wouldn’t take much longer to be closing out my ride. Dan accompanied me the rest of the trip, and I think he also served as an “advance scout” for the events to follow. My kids, Adam and Andrea wanted me to call them when I reached Waters, a small town 15 miles south of Gaylord. I was getting ready to call, when I saw Trooper Ron Rabineau (who commented that he would provide a police escort into Gaylord) and my children. After some hugs and handshakes, they escorted me the rest of the trip. A few miles later, Mark Lambert (aka – Mr. Cleaning Lady) pulled a fire engine into the procession, with my bowling/euchre buddy Tim Warren following in an ambulance. Lights were flashing, horns were blowing and people were pulling off the side of the road to let us through. Oh, my gosh. You’ve got to be kidding me.

When we pulled in front of Gerta’s Draperies (my wife’s business), I couldn’t believe my eyes. About 75 people waved and cheered me on, all wearing tee shirts that Andrea designed (with a little help from Kathy at Embroidery Today.) The reception reminded me of something out of a movie, and I just couldn’t believe my eyes. Christa had been working on it frantically, and all I can say is that I was overwhelmed. It’s beautiful to think that I touched so many lives. What more can I say.

I can’t begin naming the friends and family who were there, except for my folks, whom you always need to mention. Mayor Solokis awarded me a Proclamation from the City of Gaylord, which was eloquently written by Joe Duff, the City Manager and a camping partner. Stan Dombrowski from Maier and Associates awarded a $2,400 donation to the Kyle Casey Scholarship Fund. Best of all, I shared the experience with Sue and Pat Casey, Kyle’s parents whom agreed with me that no words could describe the love we were feeling. Amen.

The whole celebration was a little humbling. What I did was pretty cool, but I don’t really want people thinking of me as “a hero” for pulling off my cycling escapade. I’d rather they look at me as an example of someone who has a dream and took the action to make it happen. Examples are meant to be followed. Follow it by making your own dream come true.

NOTE: There will be two more entries to my blog. The first will be some fast facts that might interest you and that I would like to remember but won’t, unless they are written down. The second will highlight the lessons I learned over the past month.

I will be putting a “guestbook” on the site before my final blog entries. Please let me know who you are and that you joined me for my adventure. Your “virtual participation” means so much to me that I would like to hear from you. Thanks!

PS: Thanks for the pictures, Al and Sandy.