Danny’s Ride

********If you have pictures from today, please email the to Drew@dannysride.org.  Thank You!

Today was an absolute perfect day.  After heavy storms last night, we woke to calm weather with plenty of sun.  My parents flight was delayed several times before being cancelled around midnight.  I was awakened to a knocking on my door at 5:30, more tired than I was.  I gladly gave up my bed and went to the lobby to wait for the others to wake up for breakfast.

Once everyone met in the lobby, we drove to Waffle House for our last breakfast of together.  We shared several laughs and the mood was understandably upbeat.  We were excited!  When we returned to the hotel around 7:45, we found several bikers already there and ready to go.  Around 8:15, we hit the road.  With the police escort, we made great time.  A small tailwind didn’t hurt either!  It seemed like every mile I looked at my watch to see where we were at and every time I was amazed to find we were one mile closer to the finish.

We arrived at Folly Beach around 9:30.  We waited and talked with friends, family and bikers for the 10:00 hour.  When it arrived, we eagerly walked our bikes down the ocean and dipped our tires.  With Ken in the middle, we held our hands and bikes in the air.  I wish I could put into words the feeling that we had but there is no way to put it into words.

Afterward, we walked back to the pier and each gave a speech.  It was a truly unique and special opportunity.  It was fun to laugh and tell some of the hundreds of stories that happened over the course of crossing the country twice.

It was fun to meet and be with the the friends and family that we had missed for two months.  Thank you to all of those who came out to support us today at Folly Beach and those who have supported us both on Danny’s Wall and financially.  This trip would not have been the same without you.

I will try to post tomorrow the poem that Danny read during his speech.  It is a great poem and worth reading.

Danny – it has been a true honor to bike across country with you.  You are an inspiration to everyone you have met, myself included.  You gave me an opportunity of a lifetime – to spread the awareness of early cancer detection and raise funds to fight the leading killer in the United States.  Watching you cross country while overcoming all of the obstacles you did, I will remember and cherish my entire life.  Thank you for all the lessons you taught me.  I will certainly use them as I move forward in my journey.

Ken – I have never known anyone with better sense of humor than you.  You had the most difficult job of anyone the entire trip and you did it all without a single complaint.  I learned many lessons from you – including the heimlich.  I can’t wait to follow you as you create and begin crossing off items on your bucket list.  I can’t imagine driving across country in a motor home was on there but at this point, you might as well put it on and just cross it off as soon as you finish writing it.  That is an incredible accomplishment!

Butch – I have had a great time impersonating you as I crossed country.  I apologize for any damage I may have caused to your reputation across this great country.  Just Kidding.  I can’t tell you how much we enjoyed getting updates regarding your wife’s condition.  She will continue to be in our prayers.

To view the day’s pictures, click here!