Only 7 days to go!!

We just powered out our last group of 4 and now left 5 and than 2. This is the famous 5 that we have heard rumors are the most difficult. I might add there have been some very difficult days so we will have to see. This is our layover day and low and behold the computer is working. We have ridden 2,780 miles so far. That seems incredible to us both. We keep on pedaling .
We ended our last rest day in Valparaiso,Il.
Valparaiso- Kendallville. 88miles July 30th
This day was supposed to be only 106 only it ended up being 117. Greg had put on 2 new chain rings and a new chain. We started out feeling good about the bike and ready for the day. We put our stuff on the truck parked the bike on a bike rack and proceeded to go get coffee. Someone yelled "hey Dimmitt's your bike fell". I didn't think too much about it . By the time We got to the bike we knew it wasn't good. The front had twisted in the bike rack and broke and twisted and bent the rim. It was cracked in two places. Because we have 36 spoke rim we knew we were in trouble. It was Monday no way to get a rim and we thought we were toast. David's father and grandfather were there to ride with him, three generations of men in his family that have ridden across America. Danny , his father at the last minute had put their tandem in their truck. He walked over to us and handed us his front wheel. We were overwhelmed and so grateful to him. Not only did he give us his wheel to ride, he continued to another city and had a new wheel built and brought to us by the last water stop. He was then able to ride with David. This was another example of the generosity of the people we have encountered. Thank you so much. We will never forget that. The last 20 miles of this ride were through the Amish or Menonite farms. We rode along side a girl on a bicycle in her dress and bonnet. We just smiled at us. I wondered what she thought of my get up. This day was a doozy grateful it was over .
Kendallville- Napoleon 70 miles yippee. Wonderful, great shoulders. rolling gentle hills, ended in flat, finished early , rode with Jodee, cold beer and bridgemix. Life is good.
Napoleon-Sandusky 87 miles Day 38 Aug 1. This is another good day . We have been on the best roads and through beautiful little towns . I imagine life is sweet where things are slower. This is home of the biggest roller coaster. We didn't go but a bunch did. Heard it was great fun. We walked around camp and found we were close to Lake Erie.
Dandusky to Burton 92 miles only it was closer to 100. Aug 2 We followed along Lake Erie. The homes that are all along are the most amazing houses I have ever seen. Mansions after mansions that I said oh this is my favorite and another would surpass it. We arrived into Cleveland. The skyscrapers were huge and we are right in the heart of town with buses, cars, people and lights. Downtown riding is stressful. We had people yelling at us. There is turnarounds we had to maneuver. People aren't as tolerant in town. I think this will be the rest of our ride.
Burton now we have a very relaxing day off. Breakfast , snack Lunch , Snack, more snacks and bed. Sounds good to me. I am looking forward to going home. This will be great. I am tired and ready to be done even though this has been an amazing journey. Count down. I plan to enjoy every minute.