PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR THOUGHTS ANNA BROWN, CHRISTINE'S MOTHER AND AN INVALUABLE LINK BETWEEN CHRISTINE & YOUR WEBAUTHOR, AS SHE UNDERGOES A BIT OF EAR/NECK SURGERY TODAY, DAY FOUR.
In the Evening of DAY FOUR, Anna reports from her hospital bed that the four-hour operation was a success . . . thanks to all for their AireZen.
Today's events should be called . . . FLOATING FOR RESCUE. Christine called me after a very strenuous, very wet day, exacerbated by a ten-mile DETOUR - straight UPHILL, mind you - because the bike trail was washed out. (I would bet that cinders-and-goose-poop-covered-but-dry trail would look pretty good right about now!)
Wet Christine
Christine would like to give public thanks to Tim at this time for all the miles he forced her to ride UPHILL and AGAINST THE WIND 'cause that's how today's 64 miles were.
When they arrived at their destination for the night, our Intrepid Duo discovered that their campground accomodations were . . . MUD. With thunderstorm warnings 'til midnight. On a hill in the clouds.
So, being the resourceful guy that he is, Tim called a local Sheraton, obtained a room, and they are now cozily ensconced in a dry room . . . although with the aire mattresses & tent opened up to dry, it will probably become a bit humid in the room before the night is through. Many of the 500 participants in this bike tour are also in various motels throughout the area.
Luckily, there was a washer & dryer available, so Christine was able to wash & dry their clothes. Little things make a big difference on an event like this.
Wet laundry
THE BAD NEWS IS . . . NO MEET & GREET AS PLANNED TONIGHT WITH MARIE & GIL KORTA, BECAUSE THEIR ROAD IS FLOODED, THEIR POWER IS OUT, AND THEIR BASEMENT IS FLOODING.
Here's Reilly, who was really
looking forward to the Meet & Greet . . .
. . . as was Rosie, whom Christine & Tim
placed with Gil & Marie a year ago.
So, Christine & Tim are going to the restaurant located in the motel and then getting a good night's sleep, as tomorrow, DAY FIVE, is supposed to be even longer than today.
Everyone . . . send AireZen for sunshine for Christine & Tim, and electricity for Marie & Gil!
(Here's a little cool aside . . . Tim's parents are going to their local library tonight, armed with the URL of this Journal, and plan to ask the librarian to help them get on the Internet to read up on these travels and travails.)
Linda Michaels writes:
What a great story. And what an inspiration. These people are the very best.
Sidney Hardie writes:
I am SO GLAD to hear they are in a hotel tonight and eating in a restaurant. They must be exhausted! Glad to hear that Mrs. Brown's surgery went well.
Amy Marino writes:
Soaking wet, covered in goose poop, cracked helmet . . . that's dedication! And all for the Airedales! You're the MAN, Christine! Keep pedaling - the end is in sight!!
Evie Fieseler writes:
Please tell Christine that I grew up in Rome, where Fort Stanwix is . . . and that it never rains there. ;-/
To which Christine replies:
You're right, Evie . . . we ate at a lovely restuarant and the weather was the best it's been through the entire trip.
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