Unfortunately, all good things eventually come to an end and so does all the activity surrounding this ‘Ride for Alzheimer’s’. With all of the donation checks received and the celebration party a memory, it’s time to close the journal on this fun adventure.
The last ‘official act’ was to get the checks into the mail to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. I was off to a ‘Boys’ Only’ biking trip in northern Wisconsin and took the checks along!
Three days later the online tracking record showed they had been received!!!
Within a month this nice article appeared in the Cure for Alzheimer’s Quarterly report . . .
. . .and one last remaining task
. . . on August 5, 2015 I had my remaining auburn/brown/RED hair dye job cut off!!!!
Chapter Closed . . .
But as Bob Hope (for those of you old enough to remember him) said . . . ’Thanks for the the memories’!
The memories of all those miles ridden across the Southern Tier . . . the memories of all the great times with our little band of traveling riders . . . the memories of all the great emails, phone calls and communications I shared with many of you . . . the memories of a great end of ride celebration . . . and of course the wonderful memories of my precious mother-in-law, Ruth. The first time I met her, the night I asked her for her daughters hand in marriage, the little ’spats’ her and I would have because of our stubbornness and all the great times emJay and I spent with her.
So . . . thanks to all who donated and help me raise the $10,000 for Alzheimer’s research! It actually ended up $10,471.39 because many of you ‘rounded up’ with your final donation! Thank you!!!
For those that were not able to join the 60 of us at the celebration party . . . here is a recap!!!
First, thanks to Lynne and Roth for this custom made bike chain link bowl they purchased for me on their recent trip to Moab. I really appreciate it and will proudly display in our home. Every time I look at it I’ll think of their kindness and the ‘Big Ride”!
. . . and I couldn’t have done the ‘Big Ride’ without the support of my Smoochie who was a good sport about my being gone, again, for a multi-month trip. She is a FANTASTIC life partner and the better half of our team when it comes to, hosting a party, and most things in life!!!!!
. . . now, how much beer is their going to be?????
. . . perfect weather for a Ricky Nelson ‘garden party’. Mid 70‘s, no rain, and no bugs yet!!!!
Roth, girl Teri and boy Terry . . .
Bobbie, Jeff, Janie and Matt
. . . Signe, Captain Al and Barb . . .
. . . Donna, Don, Bob and Nan
Lynne, Sandy and Jan . . .
the celebrity chefs had a ‘little problem’ getting things going. I called the Fire Department to assure them everything was OK!
. . . now they are cooking, one with gas!!!!
Greg, Tom and Bob . . .thanks so much for your help!
Paul and Dave . . . .
Tom and Jerry . . . !!!
Cate and Terry . . .
John, Scott and Cary . . .
Sue, Bob, Barb and my old, last WNDR supervisor, Lloyd!!!
Nancy, Lynn, Rob and Dennis . . .
. . . before we ate, the chef’s gave a grilling lesson . . . perfect!!!
. . . and they knew what they were doing!
Let’s eat . . .
. . . Coach Sue was first in line . . .
. . .and got some ‘special attention’ from one of the chef’s!!!
. . . five kinds of brats along with chicken breasts . . . only one chicken breast left when it was all said and done!!!!
Becky and Kate . . .
after the meat station it was on to the salad bar . . . THANKS to all who brought such yummy dishes!!!
. . . someone jumping the gun!!!!
Tom and Linda received the rides ‘love bug’ award for how often they call, text and Skyped their loved one’s Barb and Tim
. . . a quick transition at the outside table and it was time for all the yummy desserts folks brought!!!
. . . and finally here is a group shot of everyone holding up a donation check. Thanks again to all who made this fundraising event such a BIG success. Alzheimer’s research will probably not help us in our lifetime but hopefully will during your children and grandchildrens life span.
So . . . people ask me what is next . . . you know there is a ride called the Northern Tier that goes from Maine to Washington state . . .
But first, a week long ‘boys only bike trip’ to the Boulder Junction area . . . and no journal. What happens in Boulder Junction stays in Boulder Junction!!! (and yes Gina, I’ll be holding in my tummy the whole ride up there)
Enjoy life . . . .