Hopkins 4K for Cancer

July 2, 2007

by Nicole Errett
Today was an awesome day! Two days ago, we found out that our host in Glenwood Springs had a family emergency and we had no where to stay. I remembered that I had family there and called my grandpa to find out more information. He gave me their names and after a little “411 action,” I gave them a call. Walter and Sarah, my first cousins once removed, happily agreed to put us up. All day I was so excited to meet them. I drove the van because I wanted to be one of the first people to get into town, and we all know that if I was biking I would probably be the last (… I like to take time to enjoy the scenery). On our way there Walter called to tell us that he had gotten us complimentary tickets to the Hot Springs! The Hot Springs are a natural mineral hot springs that they somehow turned into a pool. We were all so excited. The team biked the last few miles through a bike path that went right along the Glenwood Canyon. From a car, it was beautiful. I can’t even imagine what the rest of the team experienced on their bikes. One perk of driving the van was that I got to travel through the sides of the canyon in a tunnel. It was really awesome to be “inside the mountain.”

As we got closer, I got more and more excited. After our fun in the Hot Springs, I called Walter who came over to give us directions back to his house. I had just found out from my grandma and grandpa that my Uncle Pete who I had only met once before when I was little, was flying in from Florida that day! I was so excited to see everyone at our fateful reunion. After a lot of hugs and a delicious pizza dinner, I learned a little about my extended family. Sarah’s sisters both battled breast cancer and her one sister, Jane, passed away from the horrible disease. I will ride my bike for both of them tomorrow. Its amazing how this horrible disease unites everyone, including my family. Thanks so much for a wonderful and impromptu evening!