There were nine of us in our Boston Group this year. OK, Shelly is not really from Boston but we have adopted her. What is really cool is that there are so many women in the group now. As usual, Bruce cracked us all up. Andrew admittedly complained a lot but in doing so also cracked us up. Chris and Karen helped to save a guy's life who had just been in a terrible motorcycle accident. Keith added reason, Jane added warmth and culture. Althea constantly supplied cheer and optimism. Shelly is the althlete we all want to be.
This was my third PAC Tour "Century Week" and 6th tour overall. It was Althea's first and although she was still recovering from a serious knee injury, she got in some fine riding. It was also my first Century Week without actually doing a century! I was determined not to morph into a slow long distance rider as I have other years. I should thank Ed Pavelka for coaching me on how to use Desert Camp to my advantage. It amounted to riding many hours solo with periods of intensity of up to three hours. At times the headwinds provided all the challenge I needed to stay motivated.
This was one of the coldest PAC Tours ever. On the second day it snowed in Sonoita and Sierra Vista for about 6 hours. Very freaky. We wore booties and long fingered gloves virtually every day.
We visited Barbara Dallis three times in the hospital. She had been seriously injured the previously week in an accident involving a pick-up truck. Those of us who visited her found her to be an inspiration. She was so positive and cheerful it was unimaginable.
On our last night in Sierra Vista we all went to dinner at the Country Club (Photo Left). We heard live music from an amazing cowboy strumming a 18 string guitar. . The music you are hearing on this page is one of the songs he impressed us with. (I know the song takes place in Texas and not Arizona. This will drive my friend Andrew CrAzY).
Since we have been home about a week, I expect to start getting email from Bruce about next year's Camp soon.
I hope you enjoy the 75 photos in the Gallery. |
