Today was amazing. It was by far the best and most exciting day I've had in a very long time. After last minute preparations we had a great send-off with our family and friends at the UT tower. It was a sunny day with a heat index of over 107 and believe me we felt it on the road. I hardly slept last night with all excitement and things to think about.

This morning was the first time our team has been all together (almost) in one place in a long time and it will certainly be the last for quite a while. We had a first and last team ride around the capital and with an emotional goodbye Sierra parted with Rocky. After months of working with eachother it was hard to see them go. They will be greatly missed but we wish them the best of luck this summer.

The ride went well with the exception of 3 flats (1 for Alok and 2 for Carly). I drank a total of 9 water bottles full of water cut with gatorade. Our route was suppose to be around 75 miles I believe but with some unnecessary back-tracking we made it 81. I have no complaints because Carly and I bought a HUGE watermelon at mile 78. Watermelon tastes REALLY good after 78 miles in this heat.

Just how hot was it? Hot enough to make the tar on the road pop as it stuck to our tires. When Carly fixed her flat her equiptment actually sank into the pavement. Really. We stopped 22 miles out of Temple to put ice in our pants...

We arrived here in Temple to wonderful hosts who have spoiled us rotten. They hooked us up with gormet dinner, a swimming pool, a film crew for the evening news, and great conversation. After an awesome swim and a round of categories (kids, you know what I'm talking about) Zeph, Susan, and I went for an adventurous jaunt down a fern gully as part of a tour by our new friends Emma and Amber. They led us through a creek to a waterfall (the best tour EVER). I managed to uproot a tree just in time for a huge storm to roll in. When I say uproot, I really mean uproot. I climbed down an embankment, grabbed a tree (10 inches in diameter) and out it came. Oops. Mike would like me to edit "uproot" to "cut off" because there weren't technically any roots involved. Whatever. Apparently I'm a barbarian. Correction Amazon. I really did feel like a kid for the majority of today. It was great.

There was a tornado watch tonight and an awesome lightning storm. After our team meeting had the pleasure of chatting to Martina and watching the rain. We made a cancer presentation to our hosts (which went really well... our first of many) and dispersed for the night.

I'm staying at the Jackson's (their so awesome) with 6 members of our team. We head out tomorrow at 6:30... off to Italy (can't wait!!!).

Everyone in Temple has been great! Thank so much for your hospitality. Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Naomi for coming out this morning. Naomi- sorry about the mix-up with departure times. It was fun to see you there are 7:30 in the morning. You're the best!

I love you all!