Denise, thanks for adding the link to your reports and photos. I hope we hear from others as well.
Towards the end of your report on the cross-country trip you have a section titled "things I learned". I had the same wonderful exhiliration and I am still very proud of my achievements. I think there is a particularly great sense of achievement when you do a trip solo.
On my final day as I cycled back towards Frankfurt airport I recall saying to myself "Woohoo, I am going for a bike ride today".
Ken