All Good Things Must Come to an End.

So day 74. It’s been a long time coming, but it has also come so very quickly. I intend to do a recap type blog next, and focus more on the fabulous event held today in St. Johns Newfoundland at this point.

Charlene and I completed our Atlantic adventure with a final five hour drive to St. Johns from our fantastic B&B in Grand Falls/Windsor. I didn’t see a moose, like everyone warned us about, but Char did. We didn’t really see much of anything other than a lot of rocks and trees and silly-named towns, but it was a fantastic drive as Char and I laughed and sang our hearts out to Alberta boy Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans. While our arrival at the Delta St. Johns was an exciting one, I think Char and I had differing reasons for being so very jubilant. I was thrilled to see the odometer click the last kilometer over as we arrived at the front door, while Char was ecstatic to learn that country legend Alan Jackson was staying in the hotel. To each there own, hehe!

The final Kilo-meter to the hotel!

After a great dinner and an evening on the town, “screeched in” and all, we had a very well-deserved rest. I awoke eagerly with the realization that today was my last day on the road and that I would soon be home with my loved ones. But before all of that, I was to have breakfast with a man I admire greatly, Mr. Hank Stackhouse, the President and CEO of Delta Hotels and Resorts, drive “Coral” through the finish line, give our final interviews, and cut giant pieces of delicious Cruiser cake for the happy guests attending the final Cruiser BBQ event. It felt like a day and a half packed into such a short period of time, but that has really been the story for the entire tour.

Hugs with Hank!

I have to admit that I was teary eyed more than once through-out the day. Certainly while we were driving the Prius into the finish line, when Hank congratulated the other ambassadors and I on such a successful tour and when saying good-bye to some of the people I have come to adore over the last several months, including Charlene. Luckily the BBQ that the Delta St. Johns hosted offered a sense of closure for me. We heard some fantastic speeches from Hank, Stewart Hardacre the COO with Habitat for Humanity and the city mayor Dennis O’Keefe. Each spoke of the importance of community building and of supporting those in need. Each spoke of the passion that their organizations and representatives have for what they do. While each spoke, I had never felt so proud of what we have accomplished.

The Finish Line!

The day ended with the return of Coral to her new home at the St. Johns Toyota dealership. She has been the only consistent on the entire tour, except for myself, so it was hard to let her go. Char and I walked around and enjoyed St. Johns, before they scooted me off to the airport, to head home. St. Johns was more than just a good destination to end the tour, it was ideal. It’s a beautiful city with some of the friendliest, most kind-hearted people I have ever met. I wish I could have stayed longer, but unfortunately all good things must come to an end…

Good-bye Coral!

A great BIG thank-you to Char! I couldn’t have thought of a better way to end an amazing experience! You made it fun and enjoyable and gave me the energy I needed to make it to day 74. Thank you my friend!

Me and my pal Charlene!

Suzanne