The first thing we did this morning was get to the post office in the small two hour window that we had to pick up packages that had been sent from home. we were excited and giddy and kind of speechless when we saw the bars of chocolate, electrolyte mixes, protein bats, and dehydrated food in the packages. This immediately bumped our already high spirits through the roof as we were grateful for the generosity and exciting treats. Cans of chef boyardee and plain tuna get old quickly (often after the first bite) and to receive a package of items that will brighten our day and help us get through the tougher moments of our journey from people we miss from home is a gift that is hard to describe... It is like 100 Christmases. It is incredible to have such wonderful support.
We had a leisurely morning.. Ate a late breakfast and were pleasantly surprised to find laundry appliances right in our hotel. Boy did we live like Queens today. We laid in bed as our clothes were being washed, and blogged and snacked and laughed at things that had happened during the week. We also got a chance to catch up with friends and family from.home, which was really wonderful.
We took our bikes to a local bikeshop for a tune up before we hit the Rockies tomorrow, and it will be totally worth the money. On our way back to the motel, we each got pints of Ben and Jerry's... Awesommmme! Quite seriously the most frustrating part of my day was trying to come to terms with the fact that i had eaten all of the heath bar out of my Coffee Heath Bar Crunch... Not too shabby.
And while this day was full of fun and rest, there was some sadness in the air knowing that this is Lindsay's last week on this great adventure due to work.  It would be our last recovery day together... Crazy.. I cannot express how much her partnership has meant to me, and while i know that it is important for her to return at this time, my heart is heavy knowing that i will not be able to wake up to her antics and jokes in the morning, that i won't be able to turn around at the top if the hill and find her shaking her head at what we just did and then returning it with a chuckle or grunt, and vice versa.  She has made me laugh when i didn't think it was possible, she has kept me going when i didn't know if i could. we have climbed incredible, mountains together, survived heat, storms, we have gotten stronger together, and not just physically. Most importantly, we have shared a journey of a lifetime, and over the hardest terrain at that. She is a gem, and will be greatly missed.
So tomorrow we face the Rockies, a climb to 10,222 feet (we will sleep in a tent this time, and not a shower stall). This map will be hard, but I'm not really as nervous...i believe this is partially due to the fact that i have learned that being anxious with anticipation doesn't get me anywhere because we always end up with surprises (our plans never really pan out as we expect them to) and 90% of the things we encounter i have no control over. I am more nervous about Lindsay's departure, and all i can think about is enjoying these last few days, the last few challenges, and the fun that I am about to have with this incredible gal. When you look back on all that we have experienced and accomplished together, it is hard not to be excited about tackling one last mountain range together... And the Rockies at that.. (alright, i admit this will be no walk in the park... My legs hurt thinking about tomorrow)
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