Mortimer is on his way home to Gig Harbor following a cross-country bicycle trip from the Key Peninsula to New York City.

Using a special bike, the 53-year-old cranked his way across America with one arm. His left arm and both legs were amputated when he was shocked by downed power lines after a car accident in 1976.

He and his family – wife, Darla, and three children, Nicole, Grant and Chanel – left home May 17 and arrived at their destination last month. They stopped for about 20 speaking engagements along the way.

The adventures didn’t stop when they got to New York.

A few weeks ago, they were enjoying a buggy ride with some new Amish friends in Indiana when a dump truck crashed into them, causing mostly bumps and bruises but, remarkably, no serious injuries.

If you go

WHAT: Welcome-home reception for the Mortimer family.

WHEN: 5 p.m. Nov. 10

WHERE: Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St.

FOR MORE ABOUT HIS CROSS-COUNTRY JOURNEY: Go online to www.hcjourney.org.