Pandemic Country Crossing with Bike Forays

Raised on writing letters and sustained penpalling, I often express myself best when writing to those that I love. This is a letter to my chosen / adopted grandmother:

Turned out that my mom and I spent Thanksgiving in and around Big Bend National Park, all on our own, gobbling down an impromptu picnic by the Rio Grande. After I rode 28 bike miles to get there. My mom joined me by driving my new / old truck that I purchased in GA just before the pandemic hit the fan. So now we are in the process of driving it across the country, with enjoyment along the way. Reed has joined me along the way. We are spending the week in the high country of southern New Mexico, so that we can both finish out our semesters of teaching and learning. I think of you daily. And am grateful for how you and Rich helped me get on this journey, of exploring, of living more fully. I want to assure you that we are being safe and responsible. I have had zero close contact with humans other than my family since I started on this traveling a month ago. I always wear my mask when buying gas / checking into motels, buying groceries. It's surprising how little human interaction is required in this day of credit cards and key pads for checking into lodging. We're planning to leave the truck at Reed's parents for the winter. We'll fly out of Seatac on Christmas. That's "all the news that's fit to print."