Day 124 -- Tuesday, September 1

It was an odd feeling to wake up this morning and realize that the Odyssey was just about over: 40 more miles to travel and my journey would come to an end. The New York City skyline played peekaboo as I traveled north on the New Jersey Turnpike. I spotted the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center here, the Empire State Building there and as I neared the Jersey entrance to the Holland Tunnel, the entire borough of Manhattan spread out before me.

It looked great from over there. One of the big drawbacks of being a Manhattan resident is that one doesn't get to savor that great view afforded those who live in Brooklyn, Queens, and along the far shore of the Hudson. There's an undeniable romance to being in the midst of all that hustle and bustle but...

Luckily, there was no delay entering the Holland. I emerged from underground onto Canal, turned north onto Hudson and wasn't the least bit surprised to find myself creeping up the avenue in fits and starts, due to ongoing roadwork. Finally, I circled around to Ninth Avenue at 23rd St. and made a left onto 22nd eastbound. Home at last.

I've been really blessed on this journey. I've met some terrific people along the way (and just enough jerks to make me appreciate them), traveled some 23,093 miles with no car trouble, no flat tires, no speeding tickets and very little tedium. It's been a dream come true, this little excursion, and I'm glad you came along for the ride.


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