Hopkins 4K for Cancer

June 14, 2006

Day Off
I still had money on my Washington University card, which I used at the cafeteria to start my day with a hearty breakfast burrito. A good number of us needed to go to the bike shop. I certainly needed to buy a new set of tires because I have been getting too many flats. Now I hope to be on the clear all the way to San Francisco! The first thing I noticed when I entered the bike shop was that one of the workers had a foomanchoo just like Jake. Later in the day I asked Jake if he saw the guy, too. He told me that they noticed each other, but didn’t mention anything about the mustache… it was more of a silent bonding moment.

In the afternoon, we all visited the St. Louis Hope Lodge. It was good to meet more patients who were struggling together and very supportive of each other. I had the privilege of getting to know a whole table of women none of whom appeared to have a care giver, but who looked out for each other as if they were themselves family. One of these women reminded me of my father’s aunt who is very generous and loving. Another gave me a hand towel that she had knitted herself so that I would never forget her. They wished they knew we were coming otherwise they would have prepared dinner for all of us too! While they appreciated what we were doing for the Baltimore Hope Lodge, we appreciated their strength, and it felt good to be reminded of why we are riding.

Later in the evening, a bunch of us went out to dinner at IHOP. It was the first time I ever ate breakfast food for dinner, but it was good. Then we drove over to the famous symbol of St. Louis- the arch. Although it was night time, the arch was lit from underneath by lights shining up from the ground. It was a special moment to be standing under the arch on a perfect evening right next to the Mississippi River.

-David