The journey is complete.
Yesterday (WED 5/21) at around 4PM Arizona time, I returned home from my trip – exhilarated, exhausted, accomplished. The last leg of this journey was a 28 hour sprint from Lexington, KY to Scottsdale, AZ – an 1800 mile drive with one little two-and-a-half hour rest near Groom, TX to attend to my family issues.
If you are interested in the fact, stats, and accomplishments of this trip:
- Miles driven = 7,775
- Days gone = 32
- States driven through = 21 (including Washington, DC)
- Cities I stayed in = 13
- Presentations = 17
- Participants/Attendees = over 500
Biggest surprise: Being invited to share my mission at my in-laws church on the Sunday following my father-in-law’s funeral service. I was humbled by the invitation to share and by the outpouring of love and encouragement.
Most amazing experience: My presentation at Celebrate Recovery, Mount Laurel, NJ. I was hesitant to go there. It was a two-hour drive each way. The energy, the love, and the inspiration reminded me that I am not the show, I am the messenger and the servant!
Toughest drive: I had several. I started my trip with three ten-hour drives to get to Washington, DC so I could sneak a visit with my oldest son. I drove eleven hours, through the night, in the rain, from Ann Arbor, MI to Newton, NC to be with my family for my father-in-law’s funeral. And, I drove 1800 miles in 28 hours on the last day of my trip. I know what it means to be on the road!
Greatest gift: My friends!! Like last year’s trip, I learned about the gift of love and friendship. I spent only five of thirty-two nights in hotels. All across the country, I was welcomed into homes — mostly of friends. The reception, the excitement, the hospitality shown in these stays were incredible. I always felt loved, appreciated, and welcomed and I left relaxed and prepared for the next chapter in the trip. I cannot say “thank you” enough to these people — just thinking about this level of support and encouragement waters my eyes!
Biggest challenge: Maintaining perspective. I had times where I was quite frustrated and down because of a couple of poorly attended events. Raising money, selling books, and having an audience to share my story with were all components of my journey. I had a rough week in the middle of the trip. Then, I rediscovered my perspective and it turned my around. These events were not “Dave Shows”, they were opportunities to reach out and connect and share with others to assist them with their adversities in addiction. And, if I focused on the opportunities in making one connection, it was also an opportunity for me to be inspired by their stories and their presence in these events. When I regained perspective, the journey got back on course.
“Fun” highlight: The mid-morning Friday bike ride through Manhattan traffic. With an assist from someone more experienced with this type of tour, I raced up the Hudson River bikeway, through Central Park, down Broadway, through Times Square, down 5th Avenue, past Madison Park, Union, Square, Washington Square, and down the East River bikeway. The entire NYC biking experience was a blast — but this one was king!
What’s next?
I am hosting a Talking 100Pedals Event on Wednesday, June 4 to celebrate and share the exciting experiences of this trip with friends, fans, and parents in Phoenix! Hope you will be able to join me for this cool occasion!
Plus, there will be another trip — A southern run through Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida — in 2015.
