Caroline Casey chronicles the adventure in the diary below in Aoife's absence:

Day 085 > Monday 25 November > Las Vegas

Thought of the day

If I was worried yesterday that I was unprepared well by the end of lunchtime today I was convinced that I was a Muppet. I met the other nine recipients, each one more jaw droppingly inspiring and impressive than the next. 6 of them are doctors whose accomplishments and qualifications make you pale while the other three honourees stories make you gasp because of their personal achievements. The fact that I also found out that everyone else had written their speeches and in fact the dress code was black tie did little to make me feel comfortable. The fact that my black tie dress was somewhere between Washington, The UK and Ireland was by no means helpful. As much as I can been inventive with a black skirt and shirt there is only so much you can get away with. So at three O'clock mid way through rehearsals I decided action was required.

Partnered by one of the honourees for style counselling we slipped away for fifteen minutes to the only shop where I had any chance of buying a dress. As I walked into the shop my heart sunk as I saw red glitter, gold glitter, black lace and dynasty and Dallas type dazzle. I had five minutes to find a dress, try it on and get back to rehearsal. Out of the corner of my eye, tucked behind the devil red strapless number I spotted a black dress with minimal sparkle. Not believing my luck I grabbed ever size of the dress and raced into the changing room. Dreading looking at my reflection once I had put it on I opened one eye at a time. Unbelievably it suited me. I called Jennifer in who did all the right ooos and ahhs. 5 minutes after walking into the shop I walked out with a dress in hand and one crisis solved! The speech thing would have to wait.

2 a half hours later I was downstairs in the green room of the massive theatre where the ceremony was to be held, still blanking as to what I was going to say as I watched everyone read their scripts. IT has been so long since I have been that nervous. As the ceremony opened with Oscar type style and speeches my stomach dropped into my shoes! As I was the seventh to receive my award I sunk further into my chair as I watched the video footage of the other award winner's ad heard them speak so eloquently. All I could think of was something Robin had said to me in South Africa "Caroline when you are not feeling up to it, you always do your best" and frankly as I watched my video footage before I was asked on stage I was so not feeling up to it. I have never blanked before I speak but even as I walked across the stage to receive my award I didn't know what I was going to say. I slowly walked back to the podium and took a deep breath.

Out of some bizarre recess of my mind out tumbled thoughts and words and they tumbled for the very first time in my life slowly! Whatever it was or however it was it was probably the best I have ever spoken. As I left the stage and walked past the boys who gave me the nod of approval I felt that intense sense of relief that I had not let anyone down, least of all myself. I have learnt so much on this trip over the last three months, the most important being how important other people are in your life and with other people's faith in you, and a belief in yourself you can achieve nearly anything. The award winners tonight really struck me for the fact that there was one thing we al had in common a desire to do something, a need to prove to ourselves we could and a sense of never giving up. Just meeting the nine other honourees was an experience in itself and the whole event is something I will never forget and I want to thank Joe Toner and Junior Chamber Ireland for giving me one of those once in a life time opportunities.

Day 086 > Tuesday 26 November > Indianapolis

Thought for the day

On the road for the second last time. It felt strange leaving Las Vegas because we all knew that we were on our way home with only Indianapolis and New York to go. We have passed through so many airports and boarded so many places and slept in so many hotels that it shouldn't have felt any different to leave Las Vegas but it just did. It is hard to imagine that this day next week it is all over, that the only place we will be travelling is home. We no longer can say in a few Tuesdays time we will be home, we are now saying in 6 days time we will be home. Where the time has gone, I have no idea. How three months have slipped away so quickly is incomprehensible. As we checked into our third last hotel - the Westin Hotel, Indianapolis leaving the bitter cold of November outside I got a pang of sadness. The journey is just about over and strange as it may seem I am going to miss all those annoying endless bag packing things about travelling.

Day 087 > Wednesday 27 November > Indianapolis

· Arial Fire Truck
· Ambulance
· Control Vehicle
· Limousine
· Fire Pole
· Tank
· ATV - all terrain vehicle
· School Bus
· Go Karts
· Fork Lift Truck
· Revolving Restaurant

Thought of the Day

What a fantastic last day! Thanks to John Anfield of Rolls Royce and his team we had an amazing day of transport. From the sublime to the ridiculous, there was something for everyone and especially the speed lovers amongst us and car fanatics. We were made incredibly welcome in the St Lawrence Fire Station where we were treated to the sirens of the Ariel fire truck, ambulance and control vehicle with lots of very handsome fireman to do all Mike's vehicle transfers - thank you - I'll be back!. Judging that the guys were adventurous types we suggested that we be allowed to try out the Fireman's pole - Mike included. After Bridget Jones' ungraceful descent, I was dubious about my ability to remain feminine but as I had always wanted to give it a go even the thoughts of my bum being filmed as I slithered down, was not enough to put me off.

After a perfect demonstration by Fireman Jim, I stood looking down the pole and it looked an awful lot further down than it did looking up. Not allowing time to let the little vertigo devil emerge, I grabbed the pole and wrapped my legs and arms around it and let fly and landed, I am proud to say gracefully and intact! I have had this thing about the new exercise craze - pole dancing and after my successful fireman's descent I could be encouraged to try it out - that is replacing the bikini with a something a little more modest! While discussing the pros and cons of pole dancing with the fire boys Miles descended perfectly and then it was Mike's turn. Tied to a harness Mikes sat on the ledge, reached out his arms and we all held are breath as his remaining limbs dangled either side of the pole. In an instant he had descended gently to a huge cheer. Who would have ever thought it! The things we do on this trip never cease to amaze me and watching our James Bond slide down that pole was one of them.

From the fire station we moved by the true yellow American school bus to the home of Fred__ - the tank man. As we drove onto his property before us in a field stood an Apollo Space Capsule, Fighter jets, light aircrafts, several tanks a few tracked all terrain vehicles and a dog called Casey. If that wasn't enough the sheds beside the field held every type of military vehicle in mint condition, an array of vintage race cars, a collection of at least thirty motorbikes and a separate garage for about 11 tanks. Whether you like planes, bikes, tanks, space craft and automobiles is utterly insignificant it is just phenomenal that someone collects them as a kid would stickers and Pokamons.

His place was outstanding let alone our tank ride and wheelies in his super fast tracked all terrain vehicles which were like getting on the banana splits vehicle. With all those toys around it is totally conceivable that Fred looks about half his 73 years. Skip his magic mechanic helped us load Mike into the tank via a fork lift truck as Jon under team pressure had been forced to go to the doctor to check out what we thought to be broken ribs as a result of the balloon crash! Some things can only happen in America - and Fred and his amazing collection of vehicles is one of those.

From Fred we went to have a fish and chip lunch followed by a trip to the infamous Indianapolis Speed Way where apparently the first wing mirror was invented and which holds in its museum the most incredible racing car collection. Once the appetite for cars and speed had truly been wetted we were taken off to a go karting centre where we could be let free! You would think after completing 9 modes of transport that there would be little left in the day, but John finished off his day with a surprise - dinner at the Eagle's nest - Indianapolis rotating restaurant! By the time we hit the sacks I think our heads were still spinning! It was a fantastic last day - from fire poles to go karts, from English fish and chips to rotating and from tanks to school buses - I think we have done it all and I can only but guess that we have now exceeded the 80 ways of transport.

Magic moment of the Day

Go Karting. I have never been allowed Go Kart for insurance purposes at home and myself and Miles could not believe that we were going to be allowed to take to the track. It has to be said however, there was to be nobody else on the track with us - a wise move I think! Kitted out in driving suits and helmets we were each given a practice run of the rack with an instructor! As we sped, and I mean whipped around the corners I was reminded of the thrill of the Malaysian Grand Prix. I could not believe I was going to be allowed take control of one of the Karts and without a navigator this time, as there was only one two seater which was to be for Miles. It took me about five minutes to get used to the fact I was effectively driving completely unaided and I was half expecting to be pulled off the track. But once I realised that the only way I was leaving the track was if I either crashed or my time had ended I had no qualms in letting it rip! I think the smile on my face when I begrudgingly left my go kart said it all - it was magic! Feeling the power of the little go kart under my control was as good as any Ferrari because, with the exception of a jet ski on honeymoon, it is the first time in my life that I have driven anything with an engine, (bar a lawn mower, hardly Smokey and the Bandit stuff) unaided or unaccompanied and it was pure heaven. The thought of not getting to do this kind of stuff again is unthinkable so I am just going to have to find a way to get myself independently self propelled - be it an electric scooter and ostrich or blow kart - it has to be done - I just have got to find a big open space and a willing accomplice! Anyone offering?

Hiccup of the day

Jon's ribs! So it was a team coup when we outwitted the team manager and finally conned him into seeing a doctor! Furious with us he was carted off to be left in the hands of x-ray machines and a doctor under strict instructions not to take any of his nonsense. After watching Jon increasingly suffer over the last few days we had grown concerned but had been willing to let him decide his own fate until this morning when even breathing and sneezing seemed to cause him difficulty. The result! Torn chest and rib cartilage, intense pain killers and strict instructions not to lift - oh and another thing - rest and loads of it! Just as well we are at the end of the trip as sleep and rest were not exactly top priorities or ingredients of this trip. So head hung, he returned and reservedly admitted defeat! Well that was until Go Karting!

Day 088 > Thursday 28 November > Indianapolis > Thanksgiving

Thought of the day

John Anfield and his wife Ann, not wanting to see us forlorn in hotel rooms on thanksgiving asked us to join them for the traditional American food and football fest. It was the first time since Ireland that we had been in someone's house rather than a hotel and the taste of home cooked food was mouth watering. Even better though was the log fire, the fact we could all lie around like beached whales with our shoes off and watch the telly. For the first in ages I really missed the feeling of being at home, that wonderfully comfortable who cares what you look like feeling! And Ann made the perfect surrogate mother over feeding us and worrying about whether we were too hot or too cold or whether another cup of tea was in order. It was the perfect day! Snug and warm by a log fire, as the frost settled outside, with excellent company, fine food, good red wine and little to do but hang out and shoot the breeze. It made us all look forward to Christmas, that is if we recover from the over indulgence of the excessive portions of turkey, pork, vegetables, roast potatoes, sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, pecan pies, apple pie and pumpkin pie. I fear as I lie here that I will never be hungry again!

Day 089 > Friday 29 November > New York

· R.V. - recreational vehicle

Thought of the day

And so we have arrived at our last port of call - the Big Apple after being driven by the Porsche of RVs to Chicago where we caught our flight to New York. This time about 9 years ago I came to New York for the first time at the end of an around the world trip I did after graduating. When I think back to the 22 year old I was then, I can remember how I felt - the feeling of not wanting to go home. In 9 years, little seems to have changed. I am in New York at the end of a journey and not wanting it to finish. The person I have grown into since the first time I ventured on my travels has so much to do with travelling and the things you learn and experience along that journey. This trip, like everyone before brings me home with immense amounts of energy, enthusiasm and new ideas even though I am physically whacked. It is what makes travel so addictive and so hard to relinquish at the end. I have learnt so many things this time around - things I like about myself and many things I don't. But mostly I have been reminded that I love travelling because you remember what you like and what you want out of life and as you pass through your journey you begin to feel it is all possible!