RichMonday

The day began when Claire awoke the boys (Austin and Paul), reminding them of their impending engagements for the day. Packing, breakfast eating and planning ensued until the team left for the hospital at the Medical College of Virginia (at Virginia Commonwealth University), joined by Al Strickler. We hauled all the goody bags out of the car, parked, and went in to see the kids. They were a particularly lively group today, based on some of our past visits at other hospitals, and many of them didn't seem to show any visible signs of illness, despite the battles their bodies may have been fighting within. Most of them seemed to enjoy the company, the gift bags or the combination of the two. Al knew the facility well and ran in to a lot of familiar faces since Harrison had received his treatments at this same hospital. Raising money for something great is exciting, but often not very personal. Hospital visits like today's help remind us why it's great and make the whole effort a little more personal.

After the hospital visit we went back to the Strickler's where we feasted, finished packing and finalized our highly malleable travel plans. Austin demonstrated some unique preparatory stretches while getting ready for the day's ride, which resulted in a small accident involving a "kitchen vessel" that could not be revived, but perhaps the stretches were necessary. Last night's late night was likely the cause of at least one short, unplanned nap... (see picture)

(yes, he is asleep...)

...but Paul and Austin made it through the heat and logged over 30 miles each for the team. Since none of our last-minute efforts to find a host for tonight came through we did a bit of motel shopping around south central Virginia and came across Sheldon's Motel and Restaurant (in Keysville, near Farmville) where we had a wonderful home cookin' kind of meal and found a room for the night with wireless internet access (this was the real selling point). Showers, administrative Rally activities and sleep... stay tuned...

~ A, P and C