"This is not the time to die," Megan Timothy thought Sept. 2, 2003, as paramedics wheeled her on a gurney into a California hospital.

The former bed and breakfast owner, singer, artist and low-budget movie actress, had awakened in the middle of the night feeling like she was suffering from a hangover. "Except, I don't drink," Timothy said.

In fact, she was born with a congenital brain defect called AVM - arteriovenous malformation - that didn't manifest until then. A portion of her brain had failed to receive blood.

Tuesday afternoon, the 64-year-old Timothy rolled into Albany on a bicycle, nearing the final month of a seven-month journey that will have taken her nearly 12,000 miles by the time she reaches her home in Hemet, Calif. She's promoting a book called "Let Me Die Laughing, Waking From the Nightmare of a Brain Explosion" and talking to others who have suffered brain injuries. Her book is published by Crone House Publishing, www.cronehousepublishing.com.

Before her illness, Timothy had traveled the world, including canoeing down the Amazon and hiking the mountains of Peru. At age 56, she completed a 10,000-mile solo bicycle trip around Europe and the Middle East.

Born in Rhodesia, South Africa, Timothy came to the United States in the early 1960s and began acting in low-budget movies, including 1969's "Charro," which starred Elvis Presley. She also worked with horror actor Lon Chaney. Her stained-glass artwork and cooking prowess have both been featured in magazines such as "Better Homes and Gardens."

It took brain surgery, two years of therapy and the dedication of many friends for Timothy to relearn how to speak, read and write. She never lost her adventurous spirit and desire to write. Her book was written in longhand and helped Timothy recover because she was forced to string words into sentences. She also was determined to help others who have been affected by brain injuries.

Along the way, she has spoken at numerous hospitals and rehabilitation centers. She also promotes her book, selling a few at a time and signing autographs at book stores.

Timothy doesn't claim to be a therapist. "I only offer hope," Timothy said. "I've been in their shoes. I know how frustrating it is to be thinking one thing and actually saying another. They have to learn to start exercising their brain right away. Therapists can only provide them with the tools, it's up to us to use those tools."

Expenses on her trip are minimal, about $5 or $6 per day, because she sleeps in a tent. Tuesday night, Albany firefighters invited her into their station house.

When she gets home, Timothy plans to write a book about her trip and to continue to live life to the fullest every day.

"Traveling in America is much like traveling in Europe. Every state is totally different," Timothy said. "I've traveled through the desert, mountains and flat lands. The people are so different from state to state. I hope that never changes."

Timothy still has difficulty reading, and at times she has to think hard to find the right words. But, she says, "I've never felt as good in my whole life."