We had a great time with Joe, Judy and Gloria, our new friends from Anita. When we came in to their home I am pretty sure they were wondering what the group of weirdos were actually doing in their driveway with a motorhome smelling like the hog and cattle farms that surrounded the small town of Anita, IA.
They welcomed us into their home and gave Mandy and Aubrey something that they had been talking about for the better part of those 67 miles, a cup of HOT tea and a shower. We were all just so excited to be done with the first day of running that I think most of us were just looking to lay down. Joe & Judy greeted us with some great food and very intriguing conversations. We talked about all of their travels and all of the different countries they had been in and listened to Judy tell us all that we need to make the trip and head to Africa to explore. None of us have been to the orphanage, but just listening to them talk about their passions for travel and seeing the world really helps us realize what we are doing is making a huge difference in the lives of so many.
Leg one was started out by Andrew and we got to see some of the coolest running areas in the state. You know how you see those gigantic blades for the wind turbines? Andrew got to run through a wind turbine field.
We thought for a bit that the weather from Friday was going to give a little until Aubrey headed out. Not only was she going to deal with some of "those hills", she also was the first, and I think only person to deal with rain again but she took it like a true champ.
After Aubrey came Mandy and it was only suiting that the transfer point for Mandy was the Adair-Casey High School where she had actually run in a track meet in high school. We joked about having her try to beat her 800 time, but she was a no go as we are on a mission :)
Nick came next and got to experience the big gas station guy in Menlo that our new friend Joe had told us about the night before. We had to make sure to get a picture to commemorate our conversation with him
I was up next and ran into the city of Stuart. All was going well until I hit a hole in the side of the road and kind of twisted my already ailing knee. I was doing well until some of those hills took me out a little short of my goal distance. I jumped in to the motorhome and iced down with a frozen bagel, since I was the one who forgot the ice packs it only seemed fitting.
The rotation started over again as we made our way through Dexter, where we met our friend Bob Eckhart waiting for us with some delicious stew.
We went through Redfield, Adel, and finally into a very much needed welcoming committee at Point of Grace. We were greeted by some of the members of the congregation that have been to the orphanage along with the folks that are responsible for the incredible growth that the Pines has seen. We were joined by the smiling faces of Brian and Lois Niehoff and Louis and Amber O'toole. It was so cool to have them their to welcome us and show their appreciation for the lunacy that is our journey.
Day 2 was a great success. We all made great times for the day and have been learning some things about each other to make us all closer as a family. This has been such an amazing experience so far and we are all looking forward to the days to come as we continue to grow together.
For those of you POG'ers, we will see you in a few hours for the beginning of day number 3
No comments:
Post a Comment