Baby Room

My first thought when Julie suggested a theme for the baby room was, “I grew up with wood paneled walls and turned out ok.”  Like many discussions that have happened throughout this pregnancy, her 2 votes outweighed my 1.  We decided on an undersea theme and off we went.  As the baby room did not have doors the first chore was figuring out what to do for them.  Since the room was long and narrow, the best option would have been pocket doors.  Due to lack of time to tear things apart, we decided on barn doors. I found some examples online and off to Home Depot I went.  By some stroke of magic my creations worked.  In order to keep the under sea theme as intact as possible I got wide, flat doors so that when they were closed they would completely cover the moulding and could be painted to match the surroundings.  After a beginning in which I was not so enthusiastic about a room theme, I attacked the project with gusto and it is now coming together.  We still have many fish, shells, and other undersea items to add, but here is a preview of what has happened so far.

My friend Derek

There are reasons

My portion of this ride ended in Denver.  It was a sad day as I really wanted to stay on and continue with the journey, but as the cliche says, “Everything happens for a reason.”  When Julie and I arrived home on Sunday there was an email waiting for us.  The title was Derek 911.  Our friend Derek had been under treatment for Lymphoma since October and had finally gone home.  His numbers looked good after 8 bouts of chemotherapy … but something changed.  In that email from Lisa was information that Derek had relapsed and the doctors gave him less than a week to live.  Julie and I were able to go to the hospital on Monday night to be with Derek and many of our friends.  Derek was heavily sedated, but was able to open his eyes briefly and recognized us.  We had our time to tell him that we loved him.  He died the following night, 2 weeks short of his 42nd birthday.  He was unaware of his fate as things moved quickly and he was never coherent enough for the doctors or his family to give him his prognosis.  On the Monday that we saw him he stated to those around him that it was the best day ever, having all his friends stop by (over 100).  I can accept that he went peacefully.  Not finishing the ride allowed me to be with Derek at the end.  It also allowed me to mourn with my friends at his celebration of life.  These were two events that I would not have missed … maybe it all happened for a reason.

ain’t over ’til it’s over

Just when I thought I was done with this adventure, a little addition was added.  Julie and I decided to ride the beginning of the ride with Phil this morning from Aurora, Colorado.  There was a huge group of hearty souls who had been waiting in the rain for over an hour … not by choice, but because we were unable to get the airstream attached due to a wiring problem.  Luckily, Scottie the camera man (AKA McGyver) figured out how to hot wire it using a modified extension cord that I got to hold against the car battery.  As has been the case all along, the weather decided to break right as we headed out.  I was feeling pretty emotional and was choking back a few tears as we rode along.  Julie and I decided to turn around at the 5 mile point as we had 25 miles or so to get us back to Denver.  This was the point that the flood gates opened.  No, I am not talking about pouring down rain, but my eyes.  I started crying like a little girl who got her Barbie stolen (or little boy who got his favorite toy truck stolen).  I think all of the emotions of the last 2 weeks decided to come out as I realized that the journey was over for me.  On Monday it is back to the “real world”, but I will cherish the memories of this trip into the REAL world.

What I learned on this trip

1.  We live in a beautiful country

2.  Never underestimate the generosity of people

3.  If we open our minds and hearts, there is an abundance of love to give and receive

4.  Slow down, the good things in life are often missed my moving too quickly

5.  Spend more time focussing on the good things in the world and not the bad

6. As difficult as life may seem at times, there are many more who are worse off

7. Smile, wave, make eye contact, and say hello to strangers … you never know who you might meet!

8.  Face your fears (one of Phil’s No Opportunity Wasted themes), there is a lot to learn while being vulnerable

Thanks to all who have followed my journey, but it does not end here.  I plan to rejoin Phil in a couple of weeks as well as for the finale into NYC and will report back then.

Mission … aborted!

Well, kind of.  The day started in South Park (who killed Kenny?) at a brisk 19 degrees and howling wind.  We were met downtown by hundreds of school kids who lined the streets for our departure.  Before leaving we met with the president of the MS Society and a gentleman living with MS.  He shared his story and thanked us for raising awareness for the cause.  As we left town, the chill was getting to all of us.  After about 3 miles of riding we had to stop on the side of the road to add layers.  I increased to 2 pairs of gloves, 5 layers on top, and and ear warmer around my ears and face.  The side gusts from the wind had to be better than 40 mph.  They were pushing us all over and a few times off the road.  I rode behind Julie hoping that somehow that would make it safer for her.  There were spots that the shoulder was less than a foot wide with a big drop on the side.  The wind was blowing from our left so I kept imagining that we might get pushed over the side.  I told myself all along that at no time would I put my safety before my goal of making it to Denver.  Within 10 minutes of redressing and remounting I had to make the decision that I hoped I wouldn’t.  I got off the bike.  I just didn’t feel that it was safe with the gusts of wind and large trucks flying past.  I was crushed.  Phil stayed out and we followed behind in the van watching him push thru the tremendous winds.  There were many emotions going thru my head.  I felt like I had abandoned my friend and left him to fend for himself.  At the next stop I decided to remount as the winds had died down.  I don’t know if it was the best time as we were still on the very narrow highway 285.  Cars came uncomfortable close to us on more than one occasion.  With about 2 miles remaining before we got off the freeway, I saw a car merging onto the highway that didn’t look like it was going to stop.  I was right behind the lead motorcycle when I heard Greg yell, “Oh $@%&!”  Just as I went wide to go around, so did Greg.  He pushed me out into traffic.   Over my left shoulder I saw a huge white truck brush within inches of me.  I let out a scream as I realized I made it thru safely.  I was pretty shaken up, however, and got off my bike and sat on the side of the road.  As I was getting my wits back I looked back to see Phil picking his bike off the ground.  He was unable to avoid the car and slid into it.  Luckily all of us were okay, just shaken up.  The rest of the ride was relatively uneventful until the end.  As we rounded the last corner I saw a bunch of people standing on the corner with signs.  As we approached we realized that they were a welcoming committee of MS workers and volunteers.  The most poignant sign was held by a man with MS sitting in a wheelchair … “Thanks Phil”.

Day 10 Photos