Monday, 19Jul10, REST DAY, Erie, PA
A beautiful morning … lots of promises of rain … yet, since it’s a REST DAY … and we’re inside … no worries, mate!
A good night’s rest, plenty of sleep, and then I showered and walked down to partake of the hotel’s breakfast …
Now I’m back in the room, cleaning the bike and getting ready for our attendance at the blood drive today.
In reflection, it’s hard to believe we are already in Pennsylvania … it seems like only yesterday we were in St. Joseph, MO, visiting with the grandbabies, and Salt Lake City seems like “years ago” … and San Francisco is just a “hazy” memory.
Wow! We are down to only 8 riding days left in Phase 1 … I’m really looking forward to the fun-filled, action-packed daily rides we have left in ABB’s bag of cycling tricks.
Our little cycling community has “molted” into an extended family and soon it will be just a faded memory of incredible people, amazing personalities, compassion understanding and service oriented folks who happen to be “cyclists” and love the “open road” on a great bicycle with the sun in your face, the wind at your backs and thousands of miles of open highway to conquer.
If you’ve never cycled on a long distance tour … you should try it sometime … it will change your life … because of the “real-time” experiences you will experience … there will be “hills” that will kick your butt, and downhills that will take your breath away. Yet, you will be surrounded by “nature” and the majestic beauty of the land as the pedal your way across the great country of America.
It’s not the bike, it’s not the open highway, it’s not the scenery … it’s the “people” … yes, it’s the people you ride with (the characteristics and personalities of each one that you will never forget) … it’s also the “people”, the “locals” that you meet along the way … they are the “glue” that hold America together … each local community have their own personal heroes … those local folks who have given their all … to build that community and are trying to do everything in their power to serve God, their country, and their fellowman.
After all is said and done … it’s the individuals and their personalities that leave an everlasting “impression” on your soul … and … that alone is worth it … worth all the adversities, the challenges, and the “ups and downs” of the cross country challenge. A chance to win the prize, the prize of being able to say … “I did it … I never quit, and I have the pictures and the memories to prove it!” Wow! What a positive impact it will make on you, on your relationships, and it will change your life forever!
And that doesn’t even take into consideration all the incredible “blood donors” that I’ve had the opportunity to meet and to personally shake their hands and say “thank you” … in an effort to let them know without a shadow of a doubt, that “Giving Blood, Saves Lives!” To give them a real life example of what they have always known in their hearts … “that they are giving blood for someone out there, somewhere, who sometime will need a second chance at life!”
So once again … thank you to all the donors I’ve met, and to all the donors that I will yet meet, on this nation-wide blood drive this summer as “Life Across America 2010″ drives from city to city to take the opportunity of meeting some of the most compassionate, generous, giving people in America. Donors …you are amazing!
What an incredible day in the Erie County Blood Bank … we had a blast! There were so many “donors” to greet and thank … it was really an honor and a privilege to say hi to all of you: Mary Walters, Jerru Kowalski, Jill Gryskevicz, Kristen Currier and her amazing children (Mason, Jackson and Elizabeth), Gina and Simone Welsch, Jane Maybir and Mitch Miller, Roy Luke (DJ from WCTL 106.3), Bonnie Rafferty … and the Rafferty clan of Coury, Carl, David and Chris Bowersox … who all came out to donate in support of Henry Rafferty who was injured in a severe auto accident a week and a half ago and has used 19+ units so far.
Also there to donate was: Dan Heher, John Dubeck, Samantha Helsley and Paul Ditrick (a 55 gallon donor who was donating apheresis today)
Thank you to the “lab” staff who took the time out of their busy day to take pictures with us: Debby, Ann, Paula, Diane, Christine, Pam, and Dan.
Check out the photos of Facebook … and if you don’t already know it was a great day and we are so grateful to the Erie, PA., for the overwhelming support for Henry Rafferty. (to Bonnie and Henry … hang in there … we are praying for your healthy and speedy recovery, to the donors … you continue to amaze me with your compassion and giving spirits.
Tomorrow we ride from Erie to Hamburg, NY … talk to you then!