Home At Last! - Fri 4/27/2012

We were surprised, amazed, and deeply touched when we arrived in San Diego last night.  It was 11:30 pm and our daughter was coming to pick us up.  As we left the plane and entered the Commuter Terminal we stretched our bleary eyes looking for our luggage.  Suddenly there was cheering, and we turned to find a group of our friends who had come to the airport in the middle of the night to welcome us home!

They had composed a song for the occasion and proceeded to sing it for us and everyone else in the airport to hear.  The lyrics (to the tune of Book of Mormon Stories):

Ruth and Jeff went on a ride across the USA.

On a tandem bicycle they pedaled all the way.

Seeing lots of groovy stuff and meeting great new friends.

Never bored....jokes and laughs....to the end!

Thru the states they rode and the east coast as their goal.

'Til a dog attacked and CRASH! Ruth broke her collarbone.

Friendly folks in Florida were there to save the day.

Ruth and Jeff, glad you're home....Shout HOORAY!!!!!

They also gave us a huge basket full of yummy fruits and other food.  We could hardly believe the love and generosity of friends willing to do all that on a Thursday night at almost midnight.

The doctor and X-rays confirmed today that I have a broken elbow (olecranon).  So, now we're both wearing slings and will both see an orthopedic doctor Tuesday.

Wednesday (2 days ago) I had the opportunity to join the ward in Florida on a service project at the Bishop's Storehouse, providing food for the needy.  That was fun working with a great group.  Then yesterday the Halberts drove us 30 miles to the Orlando airport. (Thank you Craig and Dreida!)

We're so glad to be home.  I made a list of some of the reasons that spring to mind:

No more travel looming.

No more checking the weather forcast every morning, because: Who cares?

No more pedaling with sore legs.

Comfortable furniture.  (Important when injured.)

A car.

Easy access to medical care.

Food in the pantry.

Real dishes instead of eating cereal out of disposable hotel cups.

A variety of clothes (that aren't spandex.)

A computer with a keyboard.  (I've been blogging on our phone.)

A place to recharge our phone.

A washing machine.

Wonderful friends.

We will always cherish the great memories we have of our trip.  Although it didn't end the way we planned, we were close to the end being more than halfway through Florida.  Maybe someday we'll fly to Tallahassee and finish the route, but probably not.  Our list of future adventures doesn't include any more big tandem rides.

The Truth from Ruth:

Aahh, it's good to be home!  We have many wonderful memories and are grateful for friends, both old and new.  To those we met on our trip - feel free to come visit if you're ever in San Diego!  Life is good.  Now, we'll rest up and then on to the next adventure!

Convalescing in Orlando - Mon 4/23

We caught a ride from Tallahassee to Orlando (actually Clermont, a suburb) with a group going to the Orlando Temple.  (Thank you Sister Delp.)  We were fortunate to need a ride at the precise time of the stake temple day, Friday.  What a great church!  So now we are recuperating in a Value Place motel much closer to the airport, from which we'll fly home on Thursday.  Our last big worry is resolved.

I finally saw an alligator!  I walked to a lake about a half mile away and spotted it there. It's head is visible in the center of the photo.

We are both gradually improving, but still in pain.  Friendly church members gave me rides to and from the Minneola Ward services on Sunday.

We were excited to read that our niece won the 3rd spot on the US Olympic wrestling team in her division.  Go Jennifer!