We made it!!! (belated)

Greetings all!

The Across the Rockies crew has been really busy acclimating to the post-bike-trip life, but we just wanted to let everyone know that we made it across the country safe and sound and have had a truly unforgettable and life changing experience all around. Our crew got split up in Colorado and ended up taking different routes across the western half of the country...

Trevor, Mike, Claire, and Calum made it to Oregon and then turned south and rode along the Oregon and California coasts. Trevor, Claire, and Calum ended in Arcata, California, and Mike in Fort Bragg, California.

Nathan, after trekking across southern Idaho and Oregon by himself, met up with Michelle in Eugene, Oregon and together they rode up the Oregon coast, ending their trip in Portland.

Stavros and Dan made it to Portland where, tragically, Stavros' trusty Specialized Sirrus was stolen in front of the public library.

The theft of Stavros' bike was certainly an ironic conclusion to the trip in that one of the most important and reassuring things that we have discovered in the past few months is that the overwhelming majority of Americans (and humans everywhere, we suspect) are kind, compassionate people who are usually willing to help others in need. When we isolate ourselves in our homes and communities and rely on the media for our information about the outside world we start to get a sense that it is a dangerous, unfriendly place, where people are looking out only for themselves. What we have discovered on our trip is that the reality is quite the opposite. When you actually get out there and meet people face to face what stands out is not the differences that might divide you but rather the things you have in common. We are all humans, we all have the same basic needs, we all rely on this planet to provide us with those needs, we are all in "this" together. Whoever stole Stavros' bike had never met Stavros and therefore didn't have to confront the true implications of what he or she was doing. Perhaps if that person had met Stavros, talked with him, learned about what he has done and what he dreams of doing, then Stavros' bike never would have been stolen.

What we have learned, through the countless acts of kindness bestowed upon us by complete strangers, is that if you allow people to realize that you are human they will rarely refuse to help you if you are in need. This gives us hope. The world, it seems, is full of compassion.

On a more specific front, we have been greatly encouraged by what we have seen and learned about Americans' attitudes towards global warming. It seems that everywhere we went we met people that were actively involved in the fight against global warming. From professors to contractors to students to activists - these people all had one thing in common: they were focusing their skills and expertise to help lead America toward a greener future.

We finish or journey with an invigorated sense of optimism about our own personal abilities, about humanity in general, and about our planet.

If you thought that our project was worthwhile, please check out the Trek to Re-Energize America at wwww.trektoreenergize.org. JP Kemmick and others have been working hard trying to organize a massive cross-country climate ride for next summer and they need your help!

To everyone who supported us and helped us out along the way, we can never thank you enough!

Peace and Love,

The Across the Rockies Team