Day 38: I have biked 500 miles, and I have biked 500 hundred more

Day 38 miles to/from work: 26.8
Total miles for S4S: 1012.1

Who travels for love finds a thousand miles not longer than one.
                                                                                                               -Japanese Proverb

At home while getting ready for work, I half-mindedly wondered why the dawn was taking so long to show even thin streams of light in the east. The dawning that finally occurred was in my blonde head. Oh. It's not all Mary Sunshiny because it's raining, overcast, and freakin' dark with that angry cloud cover. Drat.

By the time I left, the rain was light enough to use only my screaming yellow windbreaker for protection, but threatening enough to pack my rain gear. The temperature felt relatively tropical at almost 50 degrees. After only a few miles, the rain stopped altogether and left a quiet hush, as though the world were holding its breath. The remainder of the ride felt like moving through the calm stillness of a Buddhist monastery.

During the afternoon, I had a scoop from Jan Viney at DCHS on our pelican and beaver friends: "Over $4,500 and counting has been raised for our special beaver and pelican patients. The pelican is officially blind in her right injured eye, but she is continuing to eat well and remains in good spirits. The beaver's hind leg injury is being closely monitored and medical decisions and relocation options are being discussed for him. We'll keep you updated! Thank YOU for your support of our companion AND wild animals!"

With apologies to The Proclaimers for ripping off/paraphrasing their song title—but (and really... you must click the arrow to the left for the full effect of this moment and to be part of this celebration) it seemed appropriate for this S4S milestone. On the return ride home I passed the S4S 1000-mile mark. (Are you listening to the music? C'mon. Click the arrow. Sing along! Par-tay!) When my odometer read 14.7, I stopped Silver Beauty, gave a little whoop (which scared a passing runner), took a couple pictures, and—well, it's not like I had a magnum of champagne with me—I got back on the road to home. I can't say it enough that you have been with me every pedal stroke of the way in this labor of legs and love. Thank you ever so much.

It's been a really good day. And an incredible journey of 1000 miles.