Day Eight Elation

After the stress and struggles of Day Seven, we were all pretty high at the end of the ride just to have arrived in Alvarado. But that joy was not to compare with what we experienced with the completion of Day Eight. Can you believe - DAY EIGHT!!!

The beauty of the morning weather had no peer on this trip unless it was the beauty of the afternoon weather. The whole day was simply gorgeous! There was a slight head wind but nothing that could be considered challenging, after Days One and Two.

All our equipment was running well. Hector had a flat in the morning, but that was all the bike trouble. Darrell Plemons did the main flat changing work.

We had two SAG vehicles all day - Melissa and Linda. They roles were very important for our passage through Fort Worth. We began about 20 miles south of the FtW loop and headed north. The SAGs took turns riding ahead and behind. They used their radios well and kept us aware of turns and snags. It was GREAT, worthy of the GREAT Ride.

As we approached the loop we almost took an unmapped entrance onto I-35. There were many turns to negotiate, but the Lord saw us safely through them all. We rode the wrong way on the interstate access road for a mile deliberately. We had long shouldless bridges to cross. But there were no incidents.

Mike had been working for days to keep the FtW Star Telegram informed about the trip. About the time Hector had his flat their photographer caught up with us and we posed for pictures.

When we were arriving at our lunch break we were thrilled by the greeting that had been set up by Beth Plemons. I wasn't able to count them, but we had more than ten cheering greeters on the side of the road with banners and signs. We were all amazed and moved. Then, when we arrived in Denton there were more. The whole ride team was so encouraged and uplifted - elation!

All have confessed disbelief that we have actually been able to arrive at the eve of Finish Line Day with five riders. We all see this as a monumental event in our lives.

All have dispersed for the night, each going to his own home, except Darrell Crow and me. We are in the motel room (provided at the last moment by God) with the bikes. Marilyn has joined us and will drive support to the finish line. All things are in place for a spectacular finish tomorrow. See you at the Red River.



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