Just as Planned
Big goals feel overwhelming—until I break them down into say, “50 small steps.” This goal of riding my bike in all 50 states seemed almost unreachable. Yet I knew that if I focused on one step, one ride at a time, I would eventually reach that goal. That said, riding in Washington and Oregon went just as planned. Our nephew Zach met my sister Sandi and me in Seattle at the end of our cruise where my rides in Alaska also went just as planned. We ate lunch at an outside diner, walked along Puget Sound, and savored Indian food for dinner.
The next day Sandi hopped a shuttle to the airport and Zach drove me to Everybody’s Bike Rentals, in Portland. The owner Ryan set me up on a hybrid. After signing my life away and authorizing him to charge my card for the full amount of the bike if I didn’t return it, the bike was mine for 48 hours.
Zach and I rode a greenway in Vancouver . . . Washington not British Columbia. The paved trail meandered along a creek, wooded areas, and open meadows. Had I been alone, I may have gotten lost on the 16-mile out and back. Fortunately, Zach inherited his sense of direction from his dad, not his Aunt Joy. I followed his lead.
The next day we rode from Zach’s house in Portland. I had never ridden in a city where bike commuters and joggers have as much right of way as motorists. Riding along the Willamette River through town with hundreds of cyclists, runners, and “Walkers” made me feel I belonged.
When I returned the bike to Ryan, I realized my trip went just as planned. I have officially found joy in 48 states. Utah and Hawaii will need to wait.
For now, I’m home, shifting gears from riding to writing as I focus on book two: Finding Joy in the East.
Reaching a big goal doesn’t just happen without planning and perseverance. But if I stay focused, I might find that I reached my dream just as planned.
Thanks for being a part of this journey!
If you enjoyed reading this blog, I’d love your support in growing this community! Please share this with your friends, family, or anyone who might find it interesting. Your shares help me reach more people to help them find their joy.
Joy M. Walker
September 18, 2025 @ 8:54 am
Wow Joy – that is a great photo!
September 18, 2025 @ 10:52 pm
Thanks, Kathy. Took a while to wait for people to clear the bridge. Ha! No cars allowed on that bridge either. Pretty cool.
September 18, 2025 @ 9:06 am
Hey Girl! I don’t leave comments but I want you to know I love reading about your trips! I find myself smiling and enjoying every trip! Thanks for taking me along with you! Be safe and continue finding JOY! Love you my friend!
September 18, 2025 @ 10:54 pm
Well thanks for “not leaving a comment,” Lonnita. I really appreciate you reading my stories. Your support means so much.
September 18, 2025 @ 10:53 am
So awesome, Joy! Thanks for being an example to the rest of us in persisting to reach our goals. As CS Lewis said, “Further up; deeper in!!”
Looking forward to having you back at Living Well!!
Julia <3
September 18, 2025 @ 10:56 pm
Thanks, Julia. I hadn’t heard that quote. I need to read more CS Lewis. Looking forward to seeing everyone in October.
September 18, 2025 @ 2:05 pm
Joy, thanks for sharing a bit of your journey and your visit with our nephew Zach!
Love, Cathy
September 18, 2025 @ 10:57 pm
Thanks, Cathy. Wish I had a more exciting story to share, but it really did play out just as I had imagined. Zach was the highlight of the trip.
September 18, 2025 @ 9:02 pm
Joy, way to go! One State at a time. Your planning that leads to action that leads to results is a solid way to accomplish goals.
It’s fun reading about your adventures and journeys and I always look forward to them.
Ride on !!
September 18, 2025 @ 11:01 pm
Thanks, Tim. I never feel like I’m a planner because I do so much “winging it,” but there really is a lot of planning that goes into making it look like I’m “winging it.” I appreciate you following along. One day maybe you will be in the spotlight. So far, I haven’t figured out how to fit in all my trips to Florida and Michigan.
September 18, 2025 @ 10:14 pm
Dear Joy, I so enjoyed reading just as planned. You have been an inspiration to me! Only Utah and Hawaii and you have accomplished your plan of riding a bike in all 50 states I am so excited for you. Now, you are home and need to do some writing, just as planned. It can’t be a book without hours of work you can do it because you have the right attitude. Thank you so much for sharing with me as it just is an encouragement to me.
September 18, 2025 @ 11:02 pm
I certainly don’t know how my writing and my travels could be an encouragement to YOU. YOU are always the one encouraging ME!
Thanks for your kind words.
September 19, 2025 @ 5:09 pm
Wow! I’m so proud of you Joy! You followed your Dream!! I can’t wait for your next book!!
Sheila
September 19, 2025 @ 9:12 pm
Thanks, Sheila.