We are actually seeing the Gulf of Mexico.. This very place that has been in our minds for many a long day. We are almost hesitant to keep going. This spot will physically end this Journey of a Lifetime. The adventure on the road will stop as soon as we touch water. The smiling faces, waving arms and clapping hands urge us to keep our cart and feet moving a little more south. We are anxious to see what they have in store for us next. The water is immense and calm and the day is so pretty. "YEAH !!", keep going", everyone is yelling. Heidi has the video camera and her enthusiastic voice helps us continue. We can hear the boys voices as well behind their cameras. Donnie and Maureen from Meridian such good friends of John and Heidi and now us, are here waiting to see the end. They had heard about it so long ago. Barb and Sharon from the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimers Association have come to share the finish line group. Heidi's mom Sue Geshel has arranged to have an awesom banner printed for our finish line. The picture is one of our favorites, it looks great and is just what was needed as we see the waters edge. Coming off of the pavement onto the beach sand halts the cart. Too deep and too far to struggle pushing. It will stay at the edge as we plow on. We find running in the soft sand a challange and adjust ourselves. As we see the waters edge, the voices around become muted. Our focus is now on our finish together, just as we had started at the waters edge 82 days ago. We put our shoes into the water, just a bit, and consider the journey ended. Congratulations It is hectic and amazing, unexplainably emotional. Did we really do all that together? We take off our shoes and dip our feet in unbelievably warm water. We are tempted to jump in. The sun is very bright reflecting off it. We are grateful to be there to be witness to the calmness and beauty. We are aware that other things are about to happen and stop to smile as more photos are taken. Enjoying all of the congratulations and hugs, we savor the moment. Barb has a present representing Mississippi and even better her private thoughts and feelings about our journey. We are reminded that we are expected at a luncheon for the Alzheimer's Association at the Grand Casino and so we must prepare to leave. The yellow building offer sno-cones during the height of tourist season, now closed, it offers us shade and a place to regroup. Maureen and Donnie offer to take some of the gear from the cart and we will transport that precious piece in our trunk. We once again, take the time to get rid of some of those items we became used to and depended on during our run. That well used brown tarp that had provided a place for us to sit during our breaks under the shade trees. It provided a dry place during some of those early rainy days. We used it to cover everything when we were stealth camping. Most of all it covered the cart each night and gave protection to everything else that may have gotten wet. It must go into the can, we have no more use for it. It feels sad. The little white and blue cooler that was given to us so long ago, filled with ice, in the small town of Trenary. Thanks to Joy at the mini-mart, this little cooler saved our ice from melting so fast. All through the long, steaming hot, summer days, we were able to take the cover off and be refreshed. I felt so rich when we had ice. We thank everyone who helped us keep it filled. What memories that cooler gives us. We will donate that too. The blue canvas bag given to us by our friends in the middle of the corn/bean fields of Illinois has served us well. It became our little pantry, keeping out the bugs and ants. And so on and so on, these things will not come back on the plane. We distribute everything into the cars and agree to meet soon at the Grand Casino for lunch. We are riding in a car for a long distance and it feels fast and strange. We haven't had breakfast and so we are looking forward to the buffet that awaits us. When we arrive at the Casino and walk the long distance to the meeting place, we see people dressed in various different ways. One of the first that I see, is the familiar color of the uniform I have seen at work for 12 years. It makes me smile when I see those who are in attendance. The luncheon is delicious and we are asked to stand and have photos taken. We are asked to speak about our journey and how we are connected to the Alzheimers Cause. We are so pleasantly surprised and honored when we are presented with a beautiful plaque in the shape of Mississippi. Thanks to our friends here, we feel special. We end our time at the luncheon with a great hug from Barb and we know that during our brief time here, we have truly found a good friend. Good luck Mississippi with all of your hard work. You are the greatest. We walk back to the car and start planning the rest of our stay here. It has been a great start to a very special day and we are looking forward to the rest of the day and the rest of the stay. Happy Birthday Dear John !!!! Take care everyone.... Thanks for being there for us. K&J

Wow what you guys did was awesome.