The Route

So why Highway 20? For one thing it actually crosses the entire United States from Pacific to Atlantic. It is an old road much like Route 66 and goes through lots of small communities and several really large ones like Chicago. (I’ve only been in the airport there so far! - Donna) It also passes within an hour’s drive of Doug’s family in Michigan so visiting is possible. For another we live within spitting distance of the road. There seems to be something compelling about being anywhere along the route but still linked to our home by this ribbon of the highway.

The Beginning

According to Doug, a cross country bike trip has been on his list of things to do for most of his adult life. For me, however the dream and possibilities developed only in the last few years. The seeds of this trip were sown in the hours and days after Doug had his coronary bypass surgery in November 2004, when it took all his will and energy to just walk the 100 feet to the neighbor’s driveway and back on the first of our many walks over the next month. Observing and helping him through the recovery process was an amazing journey in itself. We were also given the gift of time to talk and dream and ponder. The idea was given added impetus by the year of grief that followed as we both lost a parent and I lost a precious nephew and beloved grandmother. You just never know what is around the next life corner. I also turned 50, which seems a little like a cliche’ but it definitely factored into my thinking. We finally spoke the words “Let’s just do it” out loud to each other on yet another trip south for the unexpected funeral of my dear Aunt Gladys last October. And so Doug and Donna’s Live Strong Adventure was born: to honor friends and family who have dealt with so much these last few years ... and because we think we can learn alot and have fun doing it.

A little note from Megan

A little note: Megan will be helping out with blog postings. If you have any questions about getting around Donna and Doug's blog while you're visiting, pass them along to Megan at megan.foucht@gmail.com.

Thanks everyone for your support.

Megan