Home Sweet Home - Atlanta, GA

Hi honey, I'm home! Wow, it's great to be back. Not that I couldn't have stayed for another month, or year, but because there is no place like home. It may sound odd, but I missed my couch! Just the fact that I can sit down, watch Tivo or a movie, listen to music, type on my computer while watching Cycling on Versus like I am now, or take a nap. It's simple, but that may be the creature comfort I missed the most after living out of a "suitcase" for 2 months.

It was nice to get back and immediately be surrounded by my friends. Starting with the Brunners, then seeing Rick, and Bry and I going to watch Doug play at the Front Page News. Then yesterday riding with quite a few teammates at the Beautiful Backroads Century and then at a birthday party for Sid at his house. So many people welcomed me home and had a lot of questions about the trip and what it was like. I think the most common question was, "What was the best part?". I have to say that is an easy answer, Switzerland. I love the mountains and the lakes, and it has plenty of both. It is also a sentimental favorite, but it is the country I will always keep as the #1 foreign country in my heart. I only wish I had stayed longer and cycled another week to see more of this great country. Hmmm, another trip????

But I do want to thank those that really helped make this trip what it was and possible. My family for their support to tell me to "just do it". For their continued support while I was abroad with comments on the blog, email or phone calls. My cousin Jeff for all of his help, you still need to send me a bill! Jody for taking care of my house and "kids", Piton and Nemo. Bryan for helping out with lawn maintenance and support for Jody. Jeff and Becky Grant for their fine southern hospitality in two "strange" nations! Adi and Susan Sommer for being the best parents abroad I could have. To Petra for being a great host and friend. And to ALL OF YOU that followed me along here and helping to keep me motivated. I said from the beginning that the two reasons for the blog were to update my folks that I was doing ok, and for myself when I am an old geezer wanting to relive some of my early years. What I didn't expect was the "life" it took when all of you sent me well wishes, gave me a hard time :), or just said hello. There were definitely some lonely days but knowing my faithful zealots were there to support me really helped out.

Recap: 7 countries (Denmark, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic), 20 point to point Stages, 2596 total kilometers (1613 miles), 65 days abroad.

Thanks again to everyone, it's been a memorable experience and I thank you all for following along. I will "archive" this blog and not post to it anymore, but in the future you can check out http://lifeofbell.blogspot.com for my future travels and adventures. Happy and safe travels to all of you, keep in touch.

-Brian