I keep getting these text messages from Bill McNelis that recall very specific, oddly interesting and sometimes inane moments from last year's bicycle trek across the country. Messages like:

"One year ago today, a triangle saves us, teddy bears for us both."

You have no idea what that means, obviously, because it means nothing, really, but to Bill and I... yes: very specific, oddly interesting and sometimes inane moments. That note specifically recalls a day not blogged about -- or at least not blogged about in detail -- in which we ended up scaling a 5,000-foot Central Pennsylvanian mountain for no reason whatsoever (there was a much easier route we later discovered we had missed) and then realizing that we still had like 30 more miles to ride before reaching the campsite we were supposed to inhabit for the evening... which, by the way, had a "no admittance after dark" rule. It was 9pm and nearing total darkness and we were exhausted. We stopped at a bike shop in Breezewood to get water, new tubes. We re-mounted the bikes and started riding. Within 5-miles, we spotted this place. Discussion wasn't necessary. I looked back at him and all he said was "Yes." For $30, we got two beds with teddy bears. The next day we rode about 120 miles into Pittsburgh.

Relatedly, the guy we started our bike trip with -- Oldemar -- is still touring. No shit. Here's his crazyguyonabike blog. I have no idea how he and his two compatriots are able to keep traveling, but damn. I'm partly envious, partly baffled. If he ever makes it back to Pittsburgh, I'll certainly buy him a beer. Or 40.