We rode 112 miles to get here through the first rain this area has had in months. It was a long, torturous, cold and wet ride. I thought I wouldn't make it for the first 20 miles or so because my stomach was bothering me for some reason. I think it might have been the organic chili I ate. Anyway, Adriano rode slow with me to the first rest stop and I felt much better after he decided that we should sing songs. Neither of us have any ability to sing, and that served as great entertainment for Libby, Tess, and Lorig when they came up behind us while we were singing "Satisfaction." I rode the rest of the day with those crazy girls and Brett. We pushed through the miles, keeping everyone on the road and out of the van. We all had a big group hug and sigh of releif when we arrived in town. Though it was a tough day, I had a blast. The commeraderie I felt for my teammates was amazing.

I have not really enjoyed riding for the past week after some of us crazy yahoos decided to ride the 210 miles over gravel from Meziatin Junction to Dease lake in one long day. We departed at 4am and Martina, Brett and I arrived to an applauding team just as the sun was beginning to set, around 10pm. I really enjoyed the ride, after I really woke up at about noon. The scenery was amazing. The roads were empty. The wildlife was abundant. But for the next few days afterwards, it was hard to get back on the road. I needed some other kind of mental stimulation to get back into it. For a couple of days, I tried hammering with Paul and Adriano. That got me through the rides, but left me feeling mentally beat. Finishing my book, "On the Road" helped a lot. But it was yesterdays ride that really put me back in the groove of the ride.

I am rearin' to go for the next ten days! Last night we reunited with most of the sierra team. It was a time for serious celebration. It was great to see the glow on Chris's face. He must be feeling on top of the world this summer as he witnesses his dream becoming a reality. Mike Wirkle spoke of the 'time warp' that we have been through. For months we were all planning this trip together, then one fine day we are all sitting on the steps in between the capital and the UT tower. Next thing we know it, we are all together again in the Yukon of all places. We have all changed so much over the course of this journey. I did not really realize this until I saw everyone from the sierra team. I know that the rocky team has changed, but I just don't notice it because I see everyone everyday. I have to say that everyone is looking great, fit and healthy. Mom's don't worry about your kids, we are doing fine.

I am off to grab a coffee and contemplate life. The clouds here in Whitehorse are something else. The coffee is called Midnight Sun. We have a cancer awareness presentation for a youth group at the local tabernacle where the sierra team is staying tonight at 7.