Day 66: The Final Build Day

August 10, 2022 in Portland, Oregon

I woke up a bit late this morning, and really had to scramble to be ready in time for our build day. By some miracle though, I actually made it in the first vehicle to leave.

Today we worked in a ReStore, which is a discount Habitat for Humanity furniture and home goods store. I'd never worked in one before, so it was super interesting to finally get to look around and help out there.

We all started off our day sweeping and mopping the entire enormous warehouse, as it hadn't been done since before Covid. I was taken off of that job pretty early on though because I sneezed about 27 times. It was really dusty.

I got some more paint time in today refreshing the white entrance area, but honestly it's about time for me to take a break from painting things, so it was only 3/4 as much fun as usual.

Our build day lasted until 1, and I spent the last two or so hours of my day assembling TV stands with Corbett. I really enjoyed the whole process. I think I should buy some cool Lego sets for my new apartment to build after I'm done with my homework to unwind.

After the build, I rested for a few hours and took a very cold hose shower before I got way too hungry to sit around the church.

Of course, I decided to head into the main part of the city to find coffee and a hot sandwich. And a cookie. It was awesome. I also got to catch up on my blogs while I sat outside in the nice cool breeze, which was equally as awesome.

When I had wrapped up my blogs at the cafe, I checked my teammate's locations and realized there was a group just a few blocks away at an REI!

I walked over to catch a ride home, and ended up stopping at Trader Joe's with everyone to grab a salad for dinner. Don't worry, it had lots of protein.

I'm wrapping up my evening watching New Girl with my friend before getting into my sleeping bag for the second to last time on this trip.

Lastly, as I enter these last two days, I want to give a heads up that it will be a few days before my next blog. I want to be totally present for the last normal ride, last night traditions, and last ever ride to the wheel dip and beach party. And of course, I want to be present with my family when they're here.

I am planning to write the last two days' blogs on the plane to Hawaii, so you can expect them some time on the 15th. Keep an eye out for a special post in honor of all of you as well! I'll also be posting two reflections on my trip, both one month and one year after finishing before retiring the blog.

Thank you so much for coming on the incredibly hard and spectacularly beautiful adventure. I can't wait for you to read the last few posts.