Great short day and Bill is back Yeah!!!!!
Trip Start
Apr 01, 2012
1
90
93
Trip End
Jul 07, 2012
Where I stayed
Quality Inn Sandston, VA
Highland Springs, Virginia
Thursday, July 5, 2012
I got off by 7:30am and the breeze felt really good as it was humid and hot already.....I first met Steve who was able to direct me to the road out of town...Since we are always starting from motels that aren't necessarily on the route it is sometimes a puzzle on leaving town.....So now on the right road and feeling really well, I stopped to get water at a 7-11 store and talked to the lady behind the counter and she was pretty surprised of my trip, couldn't see any reason to bicycle across America. She liked my mission of helping others though and thanked me.
On my bike again and now I'm on the correct road but didn't see a sign and so a gentleman was at his mailbox and I asked for reassurance that I was on the right road.....and I was, he wanted to know what I was doing riding my bike in this heat.....I told him and he couldn't believe my age he was 71 and he said thats why I look so young is I ride my bike....People are so funny also when I said where I was riding today he said wow thats at least 12-15 more miles.....I said I know and on I went.....
I Stopped at this BattleField National Park and talked with Jamie & Ashley, both very nice and again were just amazed at what I had done the distance that I have traveled....Wished me Happy Birthday early and to be safe.....
I finally got to the Best Western Motel where the gals had booked and Ramona had driven the van to the motel and was going back out to ride back to meet Jane and Mary Jane......I had my set of keys so was able to take the Van to go pick up Bill....I had booked us into the EconoLodge through the discount that was given me 2 1/2 months ago and they didn't have a room ready so I rebooked at the Quality Inn and met Delphine Assistant Manager and she said what are you doing riding your bike in this weather.....so I told her my story and she just about had tears in her eyes by the time I left the desk.....She said the media needs to be there at the finish and I should get my story on the news because it was inspiring news instead of the stuff they have on the news....I said if she had any connections to go for it.....with the media....we have called everyone from TV, radio and newspapers in the Yorktown areas and not much response.....wanted to do a food drive and leave for their community but again no response. Oh well it is what it is....
Got showered and went to eat at the Olive Garden one of my favorite places....Evette was my waitress and she was so excited to hear my story that she didn't want me to leave, she could hardly wait to tell he mother who was my age. We chatted a bit and said good bye and she also thought the news media needed to be their at the finish.....
It was now time to get on the road to DC to pick up Bill his flight came in at 4:30pm, it was so great to see him....he was pretty tired as he worked until midnight and didn't only get a few hrs sleep. I drove back and we stopped at the Applebee's in Ashland (my favorite small town) and Robert was our waiter....he was excellent....said he had only been their for 2 days but has been waiting tables for 20 yrs.....We finally got back to the Quality Inn at 9:30pm.....long drive and we were both ready for sleep......
Thanks to Nancy, Dan, Wesley, Kathleen Dean, Jan for your donations and becoming a Phantom Rider.....per Kathleen's words;If you are interested in becoming a Phantom Rider, too, it's just 55 little dollars, and you can help her raise money to feed those in need, and help this woman realize her DREAM.
Go to http://www.emeraldcitylights.com/donate
Thanks for everyone's support Total raised todate is $8696.91......
Comments
In Yorktown we did have a great response from Amber Montgomery at the Boys and Girls club. Patricia & Bill had an oppurtunity to meet with the Boys and Girls Club of Yorktown and they are doing a food drive for the next few weeks. She also spoke to 30-40 kids there. She inspired many, in fact three of them wanted to drive back across the country with her. She gave a genourous donation to the club. Patricia was also able to visit the local Senior Center and met with Lynne and some new friends.