I had a luxurious rest last night. Brewster's lodge is a small but lovely hotel with a rustic theme, set in the heart of Banff. After we packed up our gear into Tom and Joyce's waiting van and trailer, they left in the morning for the long drive to Vancouver. Tom has offered to store our bikes at his business until we can pick them up, likely sometime Wednesday. I had a few hours to spare before our shuttle left for Calgary airport, however, to be honest, I think most of us were quite content to just sleep in or read a book for the morning. We had seen so much over the past nine days, it was great to simply relax and reflect on what we accomplished through this ride.<--Brewster's Mountain Lodge in Banff this morning, on the day of our departure
It also gave me time to reflect on the achievement we all made, including you, our sponsors, in supporting Cystic Fibrosis children and young adults. I learned a great deal about CF these past few days. Riding and living with fathers of CF children and friends who intimately know these children, and researchers who are actually engaged in finding more effective treatments, has made a huge difference for me. You may be interested to know, if you have not seen it already, that one of our riders, Sherri and her fifteen year old daughter Emma created a Youtube video (click on the link to view it) telling the story Sherri's best friend and her three children, all of whom have Cystic Fibrosis. The song, "Over the Rainbow" was sing by Connie Talbot, a six year old girl who was a finalist on Britian's Got Talent two years ago. Connie's manager gave Sherri permission to use it for this video. I met those beautiul children when I was in Harrison, and played ping pong with Roman, the eldest child. Seeing the video, and learning what they are facing, and what they have to go through on a daily basis, brought home to me why we were all here.
Packing our bikes into the trailer for a long journey home-->
It also gave me time to reflect on the achievement we all made, including you, our sponsors, in supporting Cystic Fibrosis children and young adults. I learned a great deal about CF these past few days. Riding and living with fathers of CF children and friends who intimately know these children, and researchers who are actually engaged in finding more effective treatments, has made a huge difference for me. You may be interested to know, if you have not seen it already, that one of our riders, Sherri and her fifteen year old daughter Emma created a Youtube video (click on the link to view it) telling the story Sherri's best friend and her three children, all of whom have Cystic Fibrosis. The song, "Over the Rainbow" was sing by Connie Talbot, a six year old girl who was a finalist on Britian's Got Talent two years ago. Connie's manager gave Sherri permission to use it for this video. I met those beautiul children when I was in Harrison, and played ping pong with Roman, the eldest child. Seeing the video, and learning what they are facing, and what they have to go through on a daily basis, brought home to me why we were all here.
<--Time to return to our families, to work, and, perhaps, to meet a new and equally difficult challenge. But if we work together as a team, as we did on this journey, anything is possible!
The goodwill we encountered along the way was inspiring:
- through the many hours Kinsmen and Kinettes gave to provide lunches and dinners for us in various communities along the way.
- through a restaurant owner that opened up his kitchen just to serve us first thing in the morning, so that we could get an early start
- through a hotel operator who gifted us a room when an extra one was unexpectedly needed
- through appreciative hallway conversations with guests in the places we stayed
- through friendly beeps of encouragment from cars passing us (yes, we could tell the difference!!).
- and through our corporate sponsors and you, our personal sponsors
This has quite literally helped to carry us up over the mountains in our goal to find a cure for CF. It won't be forgotten.
Our way home took several different directions. Sherri's return last night to Prince George, as she rightly pointed out in a jubilant email sent to us today, fully qualifies her for the prize for "Best Wildlife Spotting of the Tour" for 2009.
For, while Brian and Sherri were driving back through the national park, they found, on the side of the highway, a grizzly. I think that automatically qualifies her to return next year to defend her title, don't you agree?
Most of us took the shuttle to Calgary Airport. As the plane took to the skies, I could not help but smile at how ridiculously efficient air travel is compared to a bicycle. It took us NINE DAYS to get to Banff, only to be flown home from a city that is even farther away, in one hour and twenty three minutes. But no one on that plane, other than us, could possibly experience what we did by booking a plane ticket. And the friendships I have gained through this ride have been truly priceless. If anyone, after reading this journal, is thinking that riding for Cystic Fibrosis next year might appeal to you, I have only two pieces of advice: start training now, and be prepared for an incredible experience.
By the way, if you are interested in reading the perspective of some of the other riders, check out James and Chris' blog, located here .
Sherri's grizzly bear-->
For, while Brian and Sherri were driving back through the national park, they found, on the side of the highway, a grizzly. I think that automatically qualifies her to return next year to defend her title, don't you agree?
Most of us took the shuttle to Calgary Airport. As the plane took to the skies, I could not help but smile at how ridiculously efficient air travel is compared to a bicycle. It took us NINE DAYS to get to Banff, only to be flown home from a city that is even farther away, in one hour and twenty three minutes. But no one on that plane, other than us, could possibly experience what we did by booking a plane ticket. And the friendships I have gained through this ride have been truly priceless. If anyone, after reading this journal, is thinking that riding for Cystic Fibrosis next year might appeal to you, I have only two pieces of advice: start training now, and be prepared for an incredible experience.
By the way, if you are interested in reading the perspective of some of the other riders, check out James and Chris' blog, located here .
you saw a grizzly - i'm jealous
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