"It's alright, baby girl"

Late summer '13 in Blacksburg

That's always been the mantra I whisper in Emma's ear when I have to leave her alone for the day, or when emergency vehicles scream by us on our walks.  It's not the words–those are for me–it's the way you say it.  My mother likes to point out that she's a 'delicate flower.'
     I've been repeating the mantra more often since she was  diagnosed: when the pain is particularly bad, when her pills come out, and when she is nauseated from the tonic of medicine, food, and pain.
     It's been a long road since September–longer than I would have thought, honestly.  While we were discovering the truth, a dizzying array of statistics were hurled my way.  Even with those estimates, I would not have thought I'd be typing these words in last few days of 2013 with Emma curled at my feet, looking better than she has since September.  I think I was pessimistic as a defense mechanism–it seemed appropriate to set low standards for 'successfully managing' terminal cancer.  Appropriate or not, here we are, approaching the median survival time following radiation and chemotherapy.  

Chasing me on the beach in Nags Head, NC

     We had a nice holiday in Nags Head, North Carolina.  The weather was beautiful, and the cancer was more dormant than awake.  This is how I rate the weeks of my life now, good cancer weeks and bad cancer weeks.  I will take the good ones any time I can get them though, no complaints.  
     Before I get you too excited, she isn't cured.  We've just bought her some more time.  Apparently, Emma's psychological frailty–crippling at times–belies her physical tenacity and will to live.  It stands to reason that a creature as mindlessly and effortlessly happy as Emma loves life so deeply that her will is an all but indomitable force–unless you happen to have a vacuum cleaner.
   

Climbing the mountain

Isabella prepped and excited for today's climb up Afton Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway! It's a tough day, but well worth the pain and suffering. I've been thinking about this ride for three years, and I can't wait to take it on now, after a considerably larger number of miles under my belt. 

The goal:

Trail angel, gone but not forgotten:

And then the payoff!

After a long day of climbing, there's the descent into Vesuvius VA. Let me say that if you are not comfortable on a bike, don't do this, and if you are comfortable, proceed with caution and have a blast! There are a number of turns that will make you wish you had checked your brakes, and perhaps reacquaint yourself with whatever believe in. There's something about the adrenaline rush, it reminds you you're really alive for sure. Now that I'm safely down the mountain and approaching my destination, I surely feel alive. Thanks to the donors, thanks to the other riders. 2 more amazing days. Tomorrows ride through Lexington was one of my favorite - probably because of the downhill, but the bucolic landscape helped to complete the scene. 

Wrong way

Presenting the check to the James Q Miller MS Clinic

Meeting some of the patients and staff. Your donations at work!

And for the presentation,

The 2013 team withe the check

Glendale, VA

Hammock city in Glendale outside Willis Church. 

It was a pretty hot and steamy day, in fact a lot like in 2010. When I did this leg back then though, I remember still being a little afraid of this trip. We hurried through those first miles - possibly to prove we can. It's too bad too. You go through some beautiful and culturally rich places that you may never see unless you really try. The Historical Triangle, Yorktown-Williamsburg-Jamestown, is a pretty cool place. 

I also want to take the time to applaud the region for maintaining and expanding the National Capital Trail that stretches a good part of the way from Jamestown to northeast of Richmond. 

Some of the trail from today - outside Jamestown. 

Now I'm swinging in my hammock with some great friends, enjoying a June evening in Virginia. 

Waiting

"I stay my haste, I make delays, 

For what avails this eager pace? 

I stand amid the eternal ways, 

And what is mine shall know my face. "

From "Waiting" by John Burroughs

On our way

Packed and ready. On our way to Yorktown and the beginning of the 2013 TransAm adventure. It's nearly 3 years to the day since I left Yorktown on my bike. 

Our route to the coast closely follows the bike route, not surprisingly given the terrain of Virginia. Afton Mountain is even challenging in a vehicle. 

I've gotten word that cyclists are descending on the Duke of York hotel already - this is happening I guess!