Day 34: All Things Go.... All Things Go...

OK... so I just wanted to post one more time before leaving town. I'm feeling very conflicted about starting back up. I'm eager to ride again, but I'm never quite as happy as when I'm in the city. I'm hesitant to leave, considering that within the next week or so... I will be leaving behind all major cities until I reach Seattle. A little scary. The upsides... I'm in great shape... I'm listening to a lot of music I haven't listened to in years... I'm seeing the country and meeting great people...

But it can be really hard at times; and leaving behind comfortable surroundings for heat and primitive camping is a hard thing to do. I know that once I get started, I will have no hesitation... but for tonight I'm enjoying walking the streets of Lincoln Park and watching the Saturday night crowds go about their business. Have I mentioned enough already that I love this town? It wouldn't be completely ridiculous to assume that I might look into living here when I get back from Europe in the spring. Not too likely, but possible.

***Is it just me, or am I the least confident, most apprehensive cross country blogger ever. I feel kinda bad every time I ready other people's more confident, exciting blogs full of picaresque adventure and good times. Maybe I just need to turn my brain off for the next few months?***

SO I bid you all adieu... tomorrow I have a difficult day... I will take a train to Elmhurst and pick up my bike from the Konrad house around 1:30pm. Then I will follow a series of convoluted/disconnected trails to Sycamore, IL... at which point I will make my way to Rockford, IL on county roads. Hopefully I might have a place to stay when I get there.... if not.... I will probably try and pass through town and ask a local if I can camp in his/her yard... So tonight I will shower one last time, and make a mental note of how it feels to sleep on a mattress in Air conditioning. I will wake up and grab a bagel and a cup of coffee... before riding out of town on the 12:40pm train. I like making rituals of simple events and imbuing them with more meaning than they deserve.

I want to thank the Konrad's again for their hospitality. Also... Thomas Butkovich, the South Chicago guy who picked me up and gave me a ride to Hyde Park... I can't imagine how that day would have gone without them. I'm learning to relax more as a result of these random encounters with strangers, friends, acquaintances, and amazing people who are always ready and willing to help. I'm still not going to put myself into a perilous situation by not planning the trip... but it helps to know that if things don't go according to plan... it will be OK. All is full of love.

Oh, PS... Due to a strange set of circumstances, I might need a place to stay for two nights in Minneapolis. Any takers? Armed only with a bag of laundry and a killer Muffaletta recipe... I've come cross country to buy you a beer.

And away we go...