Hot Springs, SD (6Jul08)
Hi everyone,
Sorry I have written a long post and then the server went down before I could save it and I lost it! I will now to try recreate it!
It was a great day to day … a day of 91.5 miles from Lusk, WY to Hot Springs, SD … with a stop at the state line “sign”.
We had some climbing and a pretty strong head wind throughout the day, yet it finished with an incredible descent into Hot Springs! (I’ve never found a “downhill” that I didn’t like!)
As I was pedaling through the beautiful state of Wyoming and then on to South Dakota today, I realized what an incredibly beautiful country we live in! I also remembered the words to our song, “America, the Beautiful” and I realized how much our forefathers loved this country (the USA), they loved it so much their were willing to die for it and to preserve our liberties and freedoms that we so much enjoy today!
I also wanted to say to my family how much I love them, what an inspiration they are to me, and how much I love seeing them and hearing my grandchildren … call me up … and say the awesome words … “Hi, Gam-pa!” You are amazing children with incredible talents, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives!
I would also like to “thank” the amazing cyclists that I’m riding across this country with, they are each a “giant” in their own field … and … are not only impressive cyclists, yet, they are impressive human beings with compassion and love for their fellow man! I’ve watched many of them reach out to help their fellow cyclists in a time of need and do it without any reservation!
Most of all, I want to say thank you to my savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me a 2nd chance at life, and the opportunity to watch my children and grand-children to grow up!
And because of that, I never need to be reminded of how lucky I am that we live in a beautiful country with liberties and freedoms and a SAFE blood supply for all of those who need it! We have compassionate comrades who are willing to roll up their sleeves and donate blood, platelets, plasma and whatever else that is needed! I am lucky to be the recipient of such love and compassion! And yet on this trip, I have seen a very similar attitude daily!
I love that old expression which says … I am lucky to be with the right people, going the right direction, at the right time!
I truly believe that each of us has been brought together on this trip for a specific reason, even though, we may not know it at this time! (This is not to say that everything and everyone has been perfect … because … as we all know, there is “opposition in all things”, yet it’s the journey that perfects us, along with the memories that we create together!
Thank you to all of you for being a part of “Life Across America 2008″!
Larry F.
Check out the pix from today and last night at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/07-06-08%20–%20Hot%20Springs%20SD/