First, I can 't thank you enough for your donations for CASA. It was extraordinary to me that not only American people, but also people in Europe gave for helping children in Montana. BTW, did you know that a high proportion of these children in Montana taken care of by CASA are of Indian origin? This is because Montana still host some of the biggest Indian reservations in the US, with 6 percent of the population (about 56,000 Indians), but about 20 to 30 percent of the CASA kids. The reservations are the poorest places in Montana and some Indian children pay a hefty price. Indians are the biggest minority in Montana and Casa has a hard time recruiting volunteers. Casa is trying to recruit more Indian volunteers to support these children. Casa of Montana has had tribal programs and would like to have them going again – it’s tougher for a court system on the reservation to find volunteers.
For those who still want to give, but have not done it yet, the link for donation is here. All your donations are 100% tax deductible and you will receive a letter from CASA (don t forget to write your address).
Second, today is our last leg to complete the 400+ miles bike ride of Park to Park. And, we had a great finish as we rode through the well named "Paradise Valley". Only 50 miles, this is a "promenade"! I took fewer photos as usual, because I just had so much fun riding with some of the fastest in the group... and believe me, it is kind of difficult to ride hard and take pictures at the same time!
Who would not want to live here?
There is even a coffee shop better than starbucks ;-)
Below, the "hammer fest team": Tom, Richard, Ben, Susan, ... and I who hammered at 20-22+ miles per hour all morning while peaking at 25+.
Then, everybody wears their P2P jersey for a group photo... You can t see it, but the sun was hidding and it was freezing...
And we are back on the road to Gardiner.
Hammer fest team, again in their P2P jersey. Susan in the middle was the only woman who could follow us (and pass us). She actually beat a New Zealand Olympic bike champion in a long distance race: she was something!!
Photo finish in Gardiner at the entrance of the Park.
We feel kind of sad and happy at the same time.
My Friends Brian and Pam, who supported us during the all trip.
A ton of thank you guys!!!!
Two generations: Richard and father in law Fred, Blake and father Richard.
Me and my groupies...
The North Entranace of Yellowstone. The famous (Theodore Roosvellt) Arch.
"For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the people". Yellowstone was the first National Park established in 1872, to conserve the beauty and wilderness, a radical idea at a time when it seemed the resources were unlimited. It became a model for all other parks around the world.
Time to celebrate! I have a bunch of videos with moving testimony from our fellow riders. Unfortunately, those won t fit on the blog and the quality is uneven. Will share them with Ellen for the DVD prepared by Randy and Tim. These testimony talked about the special stories that happened during this ride, coaching of beginners who just started biking in ... April and completed the tour (Awsome, Megan!), Father and son relationships (Richard and Blake, Fred and Richard), A rider (Jim I believe) who gave one kidney just before the ride to save a friend, Kate who completed the ride despite 2 hips replacement, stories of generosity and support. Everybody was very emotional, and Rick and Ellen and all the supporters got a special ovation for the awsome ride they had pulled off. The 4 th Edition of P2P had been a resounding success. A lot of new connections would tie the P2P riders and the CASA volunteers throughout the State of Montana, and the Children will be a lot better off for it. Someboy said, the ride is a metaphor for life. You go through some tough challenges, and then you overcome them. And you do so, because you have something that motivates you. Something beyond yourself. Making a positive impact on somebody else life. Helping some kids to go to school, find a supportive and safe environment to learn. Give somebody else the chance we all had.
At the heart of it, the Beauty of Montana lies in its people, and I fellt lucky to be able to share this ride with them, and with you. And I will cherish these memories forever.
Time to return to Bozeman to rent a car to visit Yellowstone. Tom and his wife Dar give me a ride in their RV (BTW, riding in a RV is pretty cool, and you can t beat the view) and host me for the night. A thousand thank you!!!!
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