Day Ten- Done (over 775)

July 30th-

I woke up to the rush of a firehouse changing shifts. Most of the guys were off at 6:45 am so I didn't get a picture with them (yet again). I talked to Ed and got most of the information of the crew. I said to relay the thank you and in the middle of that there was a fire call that involved a few other stations, as well. I got out of there before it got crazier.

I got a phone call from my Mom letting me know that my Grandpa (Step-Dad's father) had passed away in the night. He had been in and out of the hospital since his quintuple bypass surgery, so he was probably ready to go. I don't know how long I could fight the things he has gone through in the past couple years. He was a great man. I will miss him.

I decided that I was going to fast that day in his honor, since he told the family while in the hospital that he wasn't eating because it hurt. I went without breakfast and lunch. I made it until 4 pm and after 40 miles before I almost passed out. It's interesting to feel your body shut down and say, "No more!." That must be how his body was feeling.

I ate, waited ten minutes for the food to kick in, and rode a few miles in to town. I got a flat tire because they don't have street sweepers in West Joliet. I pulled the rusted tack out of my tire and walked the bike toward a Suburu dealership. That's where I met Dominique Barnes. He let me inside to work on my bike just as it started to downpour.

By the time I was done, the sun came out and dried up all the rain. So, I went up the spout... wait a second. That's not right. Oh yeah... I rode over to the Menard's (sort of a Lowes) to pick out a screw to replace the one off of my bike. Jessica watched my bike as I searched the isles for the two pieces. She then pointed me in the direction of the closest movie theater.

I went to the movies because everywhere I have been going, people ask me questions. It's as if I'm the entertainment. I wanted to be entertained. I watched "Year One," a comedy about becoming cultured. I enjoyed an enormous tub of popcorn and a sprite.

When I left the movies I got back on track heading west and set up my tent in between two metal containers at a housing development site that was being constructed. I set my alarm for 6 am so that I wouldn't have to talk to the construction workers in the morning.

Daily Lesson: You never know when your loved ones will be gone; act accordingly.

Please support the cause at http://www.rotary.org/en/endpolio/Pages/ridefault.aspx