16Jun12 Saturday, Orlando and New Smyrna Beach, FL

What a beautiful day! Last night we camped out and then packed up and moved on to Orlando and the main headquarters from Florida Blood Centers, where we met up with John Marshall (CFO) and Alicia Pritchard … along with many, many FBC employees like Dave, Patrick, etc.

What a wonderful building … it used to be the Planet Hollywood campus.

I was lucky enough to meet with Joe Thomas, one of our amazing OPD alumni … thanks Joe for stopping by for a visit and taking some pix with me.

We received an amazing tour of their facilities … it is always fun and educational, especially with the member of Scott’s “Be A Hero Bike Tour” team … JJ, Cody, Maya and Brytanny. (They seemed to be having a fun time and asked a lot of questions.)

After the blood drive event, we moved on the New Smyrna Beach and are now camping out in the motorhome and in three tents … as usual, everyone is adapting to their new environment.  (Adjustments are a way of life on an intense bike tour like this one.)

Also I want to thank “Scott” for having the courage, the ability and the willingness to put together a project like this, in which he’s doing everything he can to make sure that all BAH members have a good time and a memorable experience.  No one said it would be easy … they just said it would be worth it!

Today, we heard today from Dan (our previous driver) and the doctors couldn’t find anything wrong, that was obvious, so he may be able to come back to us and finish with us, as a team member. (That is good news!)

Ed (one of Scott’s best friends) is also gone for a couple of days … a huge “reunion” up in the Boston area, yet, he will be back riding with us sometime on Monday.

I forgot to mention that Jeff (our resident bike mechanic) had the first flat (quite an honor) and JJ had the 2nd flat, soon thereafter.

Now let me take a moment to speak about Brenda and Terry (our resident leaders for the Boys and Girls Club team members, affectionately call “Miss Brenda and Miss Terry” by the kids.)

Both of these ladies are amazing, they have given up a lot, and are still giving their all, to do everything they can to make sure the kids are safe, well fed, clean, and learning new stuff every day!  As I watch these two ladies “interact” with the kids, I can see the love they have for the young men and women in their care.  They are teaching them about camping, motorhome etiquette, cycling do’s and don’ts, basically the 5 W’s of how to survive a long trip like this, and how to still have fun along the way.  Lots of laughter, lots of planning, and lots of patience would describe their contribution to the success of this trip! (Thank you, Brenda and Terry for being here!)

As I watched the “interactions” today, between the kids, the leaders, the BAH team members and the FBC employees, it was an amazing experience of love … especially from the blood donors toward the youngest members of the BAH bike tour team.  I am grateful that I’ve lived long to participate in such a worthy cause! (Just a note to say how much I love the lab center employees, you are awesome!)

I also want to thank God and my personal 110 blood donors who gave 1 pint of each to save my life!

I never want to forget how to thank them “for letting me live”!

That’s about it for tonight, I’ll check in again tomorrow.  (Please check out Facebook for pix)

I’m starting to miss Gail and the family … but … it won’t be long until we’re back together again!

 

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