Day

October 15, 2000 - I am excited about today. I know I will be successful at this. I am quite proud of myself. I head out of camp with gusto. I climb the 7 Sisters Hills in New Jersey, only beginning to notice the blisters and aches. I will enter New York the victor. It takes me a while to realize that I haven't taken any pictures. Thinking about all that glory .........

The George Washington Bridge is ahead of us. This means that we will be in New York and only a short distance to our destination. The sign above warns of construction and heavy pedestrian traffic. Then it welcomes us. The tissues are starting to come out of everyone's fanny packs. Emotions, get ready.

I am ready to cross into New York. I cannot believe that my legs have taken me this far. Now I feel no pain, no aches. I feel euphoric.

Behind me, the Manhattan skyline. The bridge bounces with the wind and the traffic. We are obstacles for the throngs of bicycle riders who cross. We hardly notice when the scream at us to get out of the way. Somehow we just do. Everything is feeling and looking good. Even two days of tent head is looking better.

Here's Butterfly Guy. He is part of our crew and a participant in many rides and walks for both breast cancer and AIDS. He is a treasure. Here, Elizabeth and I pose with old B.G. as we arrive on the New York side of the bridge.

Good Bye, New Jersey!

Elizabeth and I made good time again. Too good. We arrived at Riverside Park at 10:00 - an early lunch. The Avon people want everyone to arrive at Morningside Park together which means that we'll have to stay here longer than we would have. That's OK. I massage my feet and count the new blisters.

The holding area....City College of New York. We get our victory t-shirts.

The next pictures are of the closing ceremony.

Full of Hollywood, full of theatrics, full of emotion.

I'll never forget it.

My favorite picture ....... this says it all.

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