The exciting conclusion

So, on Friday, when I woke up I was in even worse shape that the day before. My breathing was ragged, seeing as my lungs were flooded with phlegm, my voice was raspy and anything I said was interrupted by a hacking coughing, my nose was running it's own little marathon. I but I figured that it if I let myself sleep in a bit, I'd be fine.
Long story short, I was fine enough to make it up a really big hill, but going down the other side was too tough, painful even, and sooo slow, I remember it as a blur of mucus, tiredness and a really weird head ache. 10 miles just coasting down a hill, and I was miserable. When I got to the bottom of the canyon, knowing that a 10 mile climb awaited me to get out, I pretty much collapsed on the side of the road all snotty and crying. I am soo lucky that Jeff was there, he set up my tent and then went to call my brother for help and get me some food (he brought back chicken noodle soup! along with other nourishing goodies). But, as lay in my tent at the side of the road realizing that there was nooo way I was going to be able to finish this ride that I had dreamed about for so long, this dream came crashing down around me and in my unhealthy state so did all my other dreams. Was it a sign that I will fail at all my other endeavors? Will I never get married? Will I never have a beautiful daughter that I will dress up in rainbows and glitter? Will I never get my career going again? (not that I have even tried :) but I might want to work again next year) Will I turn into a hobo satisfied to live in my parents' backyard forever. ("This might not be so bad", I think as I write this... GASP... I'm almost already that hobo!) Oh my goodness. It was probably one of the most pathetic moments in recent memory.
The next morning when I was driving home with my sweet brother, on my way to a shower and all the comforts of a good family and home, most of those thoughts and drama were gone, but some of it still lingers.
It took two weeks for that nasty bug to pass, very nasty.
I'm going to have to do those last 150 miles of that ride, But I've decided that I want to do it as a ride not a tour, and I want to do it in one day, but not til the fall, it is waaay too hot right now.


Pics, the scenery of the ride was constant vistas of farmland, forest and volcanoes, so pretty! In my sick state I didn't really document like I should have, but here are a few pics I took.