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| Cindi, Kimi, myself &Violet just before the start. |
Last weekend was the 2012 Alaska Clean Air Bike Challenge (in case you did not know) and it was simply the most amazing weekend I have experienced in a long time. John Thain, KTVA Channel 11, interviewed Sam and I to kick off the ride, then followed me with camera and microphone for a few miles along the route on Saturday morning. The interview was aired Monday night and again on Tuesday, and just in case, here is the link:
Glass Half Full. While riding along after I returned the bike camera and mike to John, I must admit I experienced a bit of melancholy, missing Sam and worrying about him being alone for the weekend. Right then, it hit me that the Glass Half Full team captain needed to get out of that mood immediately, which I did. Between my teammates, the other 300 or so riders, the weather and just the fact I was actually participating in a 120 mile bike ride in some of the most beautiful country, lifted my spirits immensely. There was a bit of rain the first day during the ride, hail that evening, beautiful sunshine Sunday morning with an incredible view of Denali...and then...the last 20 miles or so, a headwind which just about sent every one of us over the edge!
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| The view from my room at Talkeetna Lodge. Denali in all his glory. |
There were so many inspirational stories among the riders. One woman was diagnosed with stage IIIB lung cancer and is an 8 year survivor. She and her husband biked together and he is now preparing for the Seattle to DC bike ride this summer. Absolutely phenomenal people! I am already looking forward to next year.
Sam is doing ok. Yesterday was his monthly Zometa infusion for the bone mets and today was the CT scan for his lungs/abdomen/lower back region. Hopefully it will show what is causing the pain and other issues, if not, an MRI will be the next step. His spirits, as always, are great which makes the entire situation so much easier to deal with. Of course, it also helps fishing season is upon us and he has other things to think about.
The first of our many weekend jaunts is tomorrow as we are off for the weekend to Knik River Lodge. Next week on the 25th we are headed to Kodiak for 10 days. We are both really looking forward to that even though, as I noted previously, I will be flying home to work for a few days and then flying back. Plus, Sam informed me this evening he will be taking his "kayak" along. Oh boy. I will have to find the picture of him in the kayak and you can judge for yourself but let's just say...he barely sits above the water. I will just do my best to not think about it!
Ciao!
