Day 60, Aug 28, Near Oak Ridge, TN.
Today was harder than I anticipated. We got off to a later start for the delightful reason of spending more time with our daughter Layne before she had to leave.Then we reached another landmark, we crossed another time line to EST, that had the effect of shortening the day. In-between though came many more and steeper hills than I thought were in this part of TN, half a dozen dog chase incidents, and rumble strips that took up 80% of the shoulder (an insane design I believe). These stresses got me thinking about the end of the journey.
I find myself of two minds. I am ready to complete it, almost a “horse to barn” reaction on the home stretch. I smell NC. Mind you, there is still @ 500 miles to go, but we have done over 3000 miles, so I think this qualifies as the final leg. But, I equally feel unready for an end as I feel there is still so much to do. I answer that with the knowledge that I will continue collecting video stories after the “GOing” is done, toward an intended documentary and book. I will continue to look for opportunities to speak.
If my journey does represent the road to recovery, reaching the east coast is like coming out of a rehab program ready to reintegrate into normal life. The lessons and freedom gained through a treatment facility are not discarded and forgotten on the completion of rehab, but are instead a springboard and model for the rest of life, forever. My continuing InJoelSteps beyond reaching the coast on the Elliptigo is simply a reflection of that.
Addiction is a treatable disease.
It disables choice making.
Community matters.
InJoelSteps.com
