A Happy Ending, Thanks To All Of You

Managing rain run off

Two days ago I awoke with a fever, cough and feeling like rubbish but it was an improvement over the previous day so I felt hopeful. By eight AM the workmen were upstairs in the attic about to blow in sixteen inches of insulation while another group of workers was peeling off the gutters and prepping the fascia boards. It’s amazing how much money you can plow into a house on things you will never see.

Feeling too tired to actually do anything physical I sat down at my desk hoping to at least write something worth reading but after a couple of lame starts and too many minutes staring out the window the only thing I accomplished was to finish another cup of tea. Based on my education and work experience I have never thought of myself as a writer but five years ago I started to journal about our AT hike and then started to blog about other hikes, bikes trips and travels. The writing made me look more closely at my travel experiences and to my surprise people other than blood relations started to follow the blog.

Cycling xc 1975 – Wyoming

 

Cycling xc 1975 -Washington

Last year I decided to write a short story about a bicycle ride across America I did in 1975. If it weren’t for all the kind comments on my blog I would never have had the inclination to write the story. The completed story sat for months in the darkness of my laptop when for some reason last summer I got the desire to submit it to a magazine. It was the first and only submission for publication I had ever attempted and sadly my cover letter supported that impression but at least I gave it a go.

Yesterday afternoon I went back to the computer and tried once again to write something worthwhile for my blog but like a cat with a string I was distracted by an email that raced across the top of the screen. I followed it to the inbox and opened it to read:

Dear Thomas Chapin,

Thank you for sending us “Success or Failure.” We are interested in publishing it in a 2016 issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine or on our website. We will be in touch shortly with more details.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Michael Deme // Director of Publications

Editor-in-Chief // Adventure Cyclist magazine

Alex Strickland

Managing Editor // Adventure Cyclist magazine

 

It’s amazing what a little hope and moral support can do for a person. Thanks to you all for reading, following and commenting. Happy Holidays!

 

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‹ Closing Time, Desperado and Auld Lang Syne

Miguel Smiled ›

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Categories: Biking, Travel, Writing

Tags: adventure travel, author, Backpacking, bicycle touring, Bicycling, Blogging, Hiking, travel, writing