Post with 3 notes
May 26, 2010
It’s been a few days since my last entry and I’d like to apologize to all of my fans out there. I know you’ve been aching for some Jordan journal action. Well, our last day in California started with a morning of surfing, which I was real excited about, and ended with a chance to visit with some people directly suffering from Alzheimer’s. A local group called “Leeza’s Place” provides an environment for those affected by Alzheimer’s to come together in a community and have encouragement from each other as they go through this emotional process. I was touched and encouraged by all the people there. Tony and his wife Marcy, and Al and his wife Abby were a few people that I can’t see myself ever forgetting. Hearing their stories and seeing how happy they were to be together was inspiring. I felt a sense of contentment in that room. In a place that should be full of sadness and pain, the only thing I could feel was love. That sounds cheesy, but these people were just awesome.
Tuesday morning we finally set foot on the journey we’ve only talked about for the past two semesters. The riders set one wheel in the sand of Oceanside California, literally, and their minds on Virginia. The first day of riding went extremely well. Along with my incredible gift of direction (not true), the guys did great in finishing just over 80 miles. We slept in a desert that resembled something more of a canyon, surrounded by mountains and open sky. It was a perfect ending to the first day.
We woke up at 5:30(am) today and began the second day of what was sure to be a grueling test of devotion from the riders. Even with a few set backs, such as two flat tires and a big Mexican lunch that didn’t quite boost the riders’ bodies, the guys have done an incredible job of riding 127 miles through the deserts of Californian outskirts and 100 degree temperature. It’s so dry out here the water from sweat turns to salt lines much quicker than normal and leaves your body in need of water. The guys have had to be extremely hydrated, taking down as much water as a camel would traveling across the Mohave Desert. There has been a lot of peeing on the side of the road and I even got a little guitar playing in earlier!
From the deserts of California to the waters on the other side of Virginia we ride. A sense of awe and humility comes over a person when they see nature as it is out here. But we also ride with pride, not for ourselves, but for the ones that came before us, the ones who inspire us, and the ones who will come after us. For where one man goes, more will surely follow. Let’s be leaders in this world where the word, phrase, excuse -“me”-is too common. Let’s go where everyone else has failed to go and pray that more will follow. Let’s start by ending Alzheimer’s!
“O LORD, what are mortals that you should notice us, mere humans that you should care for us? For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow.” -Psalm144: 3-4 We are blessed by the world around us and by the One who made it. All of nature was created that we may enjoy it to the full, and in turn give glory to the Creator that formed it from the clay of history.
Press On,
Jordan-FAA
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