Wrights On A Mission

The Road Home

This morning was bittersweet once again.

We woke at 6:30 a.m. and began packing up the bikes, knowing that today would put us even closer to home. Before we left, we went inside to have breakfast with Holly. Jeff had already headed off to work, and we had said our goodbyes to him the night before.

Holly blessed us with cinnamon buns, an egg and sausage casserole, and our favorite coffee. It was such a peaceful way to begin the morning. We sat together, enjoyed one last meal, talked, laughed, and soaked in the fellowship.

There is just something about leaving friends who have opened their home and their hearts to you. It is always bittersweet.

We are so incredibly grateful for Jeff and Holly—for their hospitality, their friendship, their encouragement, and for simply making us feel at home. They welcomed us with open arms and blessed us more than they probably realize.

Thankfully, this goodbye isn’t really goodbye.

We’ll see them again in about five months at our CMA Regional Leadership Conference in State College, Pennsylvania. And we’re hoping they make their way up to the Adirondacks sometime soon for a visit with us!

As we pulled away, I was reminded of the words of Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is a season.” There is a season for arriving, a season for staying, and a season for leaving. Today was another reminder that God places people in our path for a purpose—and sometimes He gives us friendships that continue long after the miles separate us.

By 8:00 a.m., we were on the bikes and heading east.

Today wasn’t about sightseeing or finding the next big adventure. It was about making miles.

We decided to take some scenic back roads for a while, so we set the GPS for no tolls and no highways. That decision sent us winding through all kinds of back-country roads in Ohio.

We passed through Parkersburg, West Virginia, before finding ourselves back in Ohio again. The GPS took us down some incredible roads that seemed to have no particular destination other than wherever the next bend happened to lead.

Rolling green hills.

Open farmland.

Curving roads.

Little country communities.

And mile after mile of beautiful countryside.

The weather couldn’t have been better. We left in a cool 58 degrees, and the temperature never climbed above 72 all day. With partly cloudy skies and comfortable temperatures, it was just about perfect motorcycle-riding weather.

Every once in a while we’d catch up to a slow work truck or tractor-trailer, but eventually we’d get around them and settle back into the rhythm of the ride.

And honestly, neither Melvin nor I had any idea exactly where we were most of the time!

But somehow, we didn’t really care.

We were simply enjoying the ride, trusting the GPS, and knowing that every mile was taking us closer to home.

It reminded me of Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

That has been such a fitting verse for this entire journey.

There have been so many times when we haven’t known exactly where the road was taking us. We’ve had plans change, routes change, weather change, mechanical issues, unexpected delays, and countless moments where we simply had to trust God for the next step.

Today was no different.

We didn’t know every road we were traveling.

But we knew the direction.

East.

Home.

Eventually, we crossed into Pennsylvania, and that was our confirmation that we were definitely headed the right way!

We stopped at a gas station for a quick look at the map. We checked how many miles we had left and realized it was time to make some serious progress toward home.

So we made the decision to jump onto Interstate 80 and make some miles.

Today wasn’t filled with long stops at gas stations or extended conversations with people along the way. We didn’t have as many opportunities to share God’s Word as we have had on other days.

And that’s okay.

This season of the journey is different.

We’re making miles home.

But even on a day when we aren’t intentionally stopping to minister, we know that God can still use us wherever we are.

Sometimes the ministry is in a conversation.

Sometimes it’s a Gospel tract.

Sometimes it’s a prayer.

And sometimes it’s simply being willing to stop when God puts someone in your path.

Today, we kept moving.

But our hearts remained open.

And then, just as we were getting closer to home, we found ourselves in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. We decided it was time to call it a day, so we found a Super 8 right off the interstate and settled in for the night.

After checking in, we walked across the street for dinner at The Dutch Pantry Family Restaurant.

I absolutely loved the nostalgic atmosphere inside. It had that old-fashioned, rustic feeling that made you feel like you had stepped back in time. The menu was filled with traditional American comfort food and Pennsylvania Dutch favorites.

I had bean and ham soup and apple dumplings.

Melvin had a Philly cheesesteak and shoo-fly pie.

It was the perfect kind of meal after a long day on the road.

We also met a young man named Aaron who was working his very first day there. Before we left, we had the opportunity to bless him with a good tip and a Gospel tract.

It wasn’t a long conversation.

It wasn’t some huge divine appointment.

But it was a little opportunity to plant a seed.

And Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”

We don’t always get to see what God does with the seeds we plant.

We just have to be faithful enough to plant them.

After dinner, we walked back across the street to the motel. I finished today’s blog, charged all the equipment, and uploaded the day’s footage.

And now, as I sit here in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, it feels like we are standing at the edge of the finish line.

Tomorrow we will leave early and make the final miles home.

I’m especially anxious to get there because my dad is still in the hospital recovering from his leg surgery. My heart is ready to see him, and I am praying that we’ll be home in time to spend some time with him.

Tomorrow evening, we’re also looking forward to a welcome-home celebration at our daughter’s house.

After 67 days on the road, it will be hard to believe that we’re finally there.

But as we prepare for that final stretch, I keep thinking about something we’ve learned over and over again during this adventure:

The destination matters.

But the journey matters too.

God has used these 67 days to teach us that the road isn’t just about getting somewhere.

It’s about who we meet along the way, what God asks us to do, the seeds we plant, the prayers we pray, the friendships we make, and the people He allows us to encourage.

Tomorrow, the motorcycles will finally be parked.

The luggage will be unloaded.

The gear will be unpacked.

The bikes will need some much-needed TLC after traveling more than 12,000 miles over these last 67 days.

The miles will stop counting.

But the mission?

The mission continues.

Because home isn’t the end of the journey.

It’s simply the next place God has called us.

And tomorrow, we’ll see where He takes us next.

Because we may not know what is around the next bend…

but we know Who is already there.

Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.”

He has been with us from New York to Alaska and all the way back again.

He has guided every mile.

Opened doors we never expected.

Provided when we didn’t know how.

Protected us when we couldn’t protect ourselves.

And placed people in our path who became part of the story.

So tonight, we rest.

Tomorrow, we ride the final miles.

And whatever comes after that…

we know God isn’t finished writing the story.

Good night from Clearfield, Pennsylvania. 🙏🏍️🇺🇸

Until tomorrow…

It’s time to rest.