A Ride for Three Reasons

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Sign Language
2007-09-09 05:30:00
By Bob Lee Jim just did a good analysis of the states in which we have traveled.  I took a few pictures of signs while on the road.   Have some fun thinking in which state or states these signs might have been spotted. FROM THE BEGINNING   |   PREVIOUS  |   NEXT...
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State Of The RIDE
2007-09-08 18:07:00
This is to answer a question posed by Bob back in July and left unanswered.  The question was, “A reporter asked me how many states I have ridden in so far.  Does anyone know?” The answer has changed since the question was asked.  Since starting the RIDE in March Bob has visited 26 states and ridden in 25 plus the District of Columbia and Ontario, Canada.  Here is the order:  Bob started in Florida and went from there to Georgia to South Carolina to North Carolina to Virginia to the District of Columbia to Maryland to Pennsylvania to New Jersey to New York to Connecticut to Massachusetts to New Hampshire to Maine. Then, after a break in Illinois, he went from Washington to Idaho to Montana to North Dakota to Minnesota to Iowa to Wisconsin.  Then after a doctor ordered break and some business in Colorado, Bob started up again in Illinois. He returned to Wisconsin and went from there to Indiana to Michigan to Ohio to Pennsylvania to New York to ...
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Just Spinning Another Yarn On The Web
2007-09-08 10:39:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: September 4, 2007 Norway to Damariscotta Mills, ME — 72 Miles This first picture was actually taken last evening.  I almost missed Monday to be hung out to dry. This is going to be one of those short blogs because it was a long day of riding.  I could have stopped often and taken pictures of houses and barns.  In most case I would only need to take one picture to capture both, since they are connected. It would have been easier riding if all the roads were as smooth and flat as this stream. But they weren’t. I wish we had a Nezinscot Farm around our home.  I enjoyed seeing all the organic produce and locally made products. If I didn’t have a bike to ride, I might have stayed to take up knitting. Am I the only one or do you also feel the sun is moving further away each day? Well there is not much we can do about the sun, but we can step forward to control our future. Isn’t it alway...
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Maine News Reports
2007-09-08 06:12:00
Maine's WCSH-TV and WLBZ-TV reported on Bob's Ride (NEWS CENTER) -- Bob Lee is from Illinois and is a cancer survivor. He turned 65 this year... (Same story on each site, does not include video) Full Story on WCSH Full Story on WLBZ FROM THE BEGINNING   |   PREVIOUS  |   NEXT...
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Fighting Disease With An Unlikely Tool
2007-09-08 05:47:00
Read the Thomaston Courier-Gazette report on the RIDE as Bob passed through Thomaston, METHOMASTON – One man is fighting disease with an unlikely tool: a bicycle. Bob Lee is a 65-year-old colon cancer survivor from Barrington, Ill. who is bicycling 6,500 miles across the country to raise money to help find cures for cancer, Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) and to promote awareness for hospice care...  Full Story FROM THE BEGINNING   |   PREVIOUS  |   NEXT...
More About: Tool , Fighting , Seas

Penny Lane Is In My Ears And In My Eyes
2007-09-06 08:27:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: September 3, 2007 Conway, NH to Norway, ME 43 Miles I am not sure if this is a good sign or not. The last days of the ride and final state. Other signs are irrelevant since it was a warm sunny day. As I rode through the countryside, I was happy to see this sign so I could hear the birds sing —and know the butterflies would not move. I am glad Arthur Pare was on the move picking up bottles and cans.  Arthur is 83 going on 84 and I think he will be on the move for many more years. When he turned 60 years old, he was asked to leave the National Guard.  Shortly before he left, he ran 4 miles in 35 minutes, pressed 150 lbs. When he was in the Navy, he picked up 365 lbs.  I got lots of information in a short time.  The statistic I was most impressed with was the quantity of blood he has donated.  The Barrington Area Development Council has been working on increasing the number of donors in our neighborhood.&nb...
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Making The Grade — With A Teacher's Influence
2007-09-06 06:45:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: September 2Lincoln to Conway, NH — 37 Miles There is a good lesson in biking that can apply to school or life in general.  EFFORT = GRADE.  Actually, I lost the picture with the highest grade 16%.  For the past three days, I have been tested and I have made the grade. On the down grades I have been using my brakes, just in case I see a moose. Being a biker, I like “the New Hampshire Way.”  Why can all states adopt this philosophy? This White Mountain sign reminded me a bike trip I took in seventh grade from Portland Maine through the Green and White mountains to Vermont.  Yes, I was on a bike.  I rode with about ten other students and a teacher for two weeks – camping all the way. A teacher’s influence never ends and it is partially due to Mr. Dexter that I am here today.  I wish I could thank him. I do remember the hills, but not all this traffic.  We must not have ridden the Kan...
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Seriously Sharp
2007-09-04 07:03:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 31, 2007 Stockbridge, VT to Orford, NH — 53 Miles. After a great homemade dinner last night and breakfast this morning, I left Frank & Metta past the Longhorn and the gobbler. Vermont is a great state for biking and certainly receives some “high grades.” I rode through Royalton, which is the home of the Vermont Law School.  Personally, I thought it was too quaint of a town to focus on books. I hope someone is studying cow malpractice law because it looks like a number of cows must slip on the hills. Just down the road, I found a man very focused.  He owns a beautiful vegetable farm and was picking for the farmers market tomorrow. The other day we saw a red mailbox to represent a “red letter day.”  What does a yellow box represent? I wish there was a blue sky to enhance the backdrop to these churches. When I saw this sign I was reminded how helpful Verizon has been on t...
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A Loaf Of Bread...
2007-09-03 10:12:00
By Bob Lee  Ride Date: August 30 Middlebury to Stockbridge, VT - 38 Miles Yesterday I discussed a hotel that was lacking amenities. Last night I was the guest at The Swift House Inn in Middlebury owned by Michelle and Dan Brown. It  had every amenity a guest would desire.  If you are ever in the area this Inn is a must!    I took a few pictures as I checked in late last evening.    After a chocolate and a good night’s rest I woke to fresh fruit and a great breakfast to then proceed to snap a few more pictures of their grounds and other facilities. What special place for a conference or any gathering.  I met a group from Vermont Biking Tours who were using the in as “home base” for three days of riding in the Middlebury area. Before I leave the Inn, I want to wish Dan well with his plans to ride the Northern Tier next summer.  I would also like to leave you with a sweet remembrance of The Swift House ...
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You Can't Roller Skate In A Buffalo Herd... But Maybe You can Ride A Bike
2007-09-02 05:41:00
By Bob Lee    Ride Date: August 29Long Lake, NY to Middlebury, VT  85 Miles After riding 78 miles yesterday, I was happy to find a room at the Adirondack Hotel.  I think there is some truth about the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Last night I walked down the hall to my room it was like reading the intro of a bad book. As I opened my door I learned more – no phone, no TV, no air conditioning... A bed that sloped with the floor... A door that was hard to close.  They did advertise wireless Internet, but I couldn’t get a signal in my room and I couldn’t use my cell phone —there was no signal. I went to the lounge with my laptop to see if I could get a signal and here was this man snoring away as the one little public TV blasted away.   I decided to go on the porch to get some fresh air and here is what I found.  Do I sound like a happy camper?  Maybe I should be camping. There is something good about...
More About: Skate , Bike , Buffalo , Roller

I Would Like to Chair A Committee To Name These Mountains
2007-08-30 05:25:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 28, 2007 Boonville to Long Lake, NY – 78 Miles This may not make sense to you, but it does to me.  This blog will be short because the day was long. Can you guess where I am? You are right if you said the Adirondack Mountains .  Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time to sit in the Adirondack Chair . About 5:30 this afternoon, my odometer was at 65 miles for the day.  I was right in the middle of the steepest climb I've had since Montana.  From here to Maine it should be pretty hilly. Tonight I am going to sleep in the Adirondack Hotel in Long Lake, NY. Another reason for a short blog is most of the RIDE was in wooded areas. Occasionally there was a view of a farm, stream or lake. As we said in a recent blog, some people get very little rest because they are worrying about our troops. I am not sure people in this camp get no rest. Maybe they are not following the 3 L’s Well, I am go...
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Wild, Wooly and World Famous
2007-08-29 04:44:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 27Pulaski to Boonville, NY – 56 Miles I didn’t have to look at my watch today to figure out what day of the week it was.  It’s laundry day! What a great day to do laundry  —or better yet go for a RIDE. I did not know this was Amish country.  My first clue was horse manure on the edge of the road. Then this sign. Soon I needed no further clues. I was told about 200 Amish families plan on moving from Ohio to this part of New York where land is cheaper.  They have already started buying up all the old horse drawn farm implements that are in the area. This is a great name for this Holstein dairy farm. “2-12-07 REDFIELD, N.Y. - The lake-effect squalls that have buried parts of upstate New York in nearly 12 feet of snow finally ended Monday, leaving road crews with the task of clearing snow piled as high as street signs.”  This area receives 200 inches of snow annually! Maybe this is why!&...
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An Off Day Instead Of A Day Off
2007-08-28 05:50:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 26Fair Haven to Pulaski, NY – 48 Miles Some days just don’t meet your expectations and you would rather just take the day off.  After riding in humid 90-degree weather yesterday, the weather forecast of sunny in the high 70s sounded great.  Unfortunately, when I woke up it was cooler but cloudy with some showers.  It was Sunday, so should this be a day of rest?  I decided to catch up on my blogs and left the Bed & Breakfast late in the morning just as the rain was stopping. I took very few pictures today. Partly because of the cloudy weather, and partly because I had the mindset to take a day off. Some people hardly ever get to take a day off from worrying about their loved ones.  I met two such ladies today.  I stopped to take this picture of a picture on the side of a shed. The picture is of PFC Wilcox who is 19 years old and assigned to an explosive squadron in Iraq. Instead of having him at home...

Name That Fruit
2007-08-27 08:55:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 25Rochester to Fair Haven, NY – 77 miles Before we start riding, I have a question.  Do you know the name of this fruit?  I will give you a few minutes to come with the name as it dances through your head. I have heard of ugly ducklings, but never an ugly swan. Doesn’t nature have a knack for making some pretty arrangements? As I was headed east out of Rochester, I was going to take a short bridge over an inlet of water.  The only problem, they take the bridge down in the summer to let the boat come and go. Again, I found nice people to help.  Bruce and his crew ferried me across. Speaking of ugly ducks, did you ever think you would see an ugly peach?  Actually, these have some character. When I stopped at an orchard, we were discussing the hailstorm they had had here a few weeks earlier. The blemishes are a result of the hail and now the apples will have to be sold for juice or process...
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How Do You Like Them Apples?
2007-08-27 07:05:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 24Lockport to Rochester, NY – 67 Miles Last night Jim Govola joined me for dinner. I saw his mom and sisters yesterday. It is nice to have the opportunity to keep in touch with work associates from the past. Today I rode for at least 60 miles along the Erie Canal, which connects most of the major New York cities.  The canal links Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Albany to New York City. My first impression made me feel as if I was in Europe. This was one of the major engineering feats of its time and the subject of some interesting folk songs.  It was amazing to watch the boats enter and exit the locks. Play Erie Canal from Roger McGuinn's Folk Den Seeing this memorial was a reminder to appreciate each day, which I have been practicing. If anyone is looking for a nice flat crushed gravel trail, look no further. Come ride with me. Occasionally I would see a walker or biker, but many times I wo...
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Falling for You
2007-08-26 07:44:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 23Niagara Falls, Ontario to Lockport, NY – 37 miles How is this for a view from your bedroom window?  It was interesting to watch the light change over the Canadian Falls.  I was hoping for some sun, but no such luck. It was hard to leave this setting, but one must ride on. Here are a few pictures of the US Falls. People view the falls by boat, gondola, balloons, helicopter, foot, and a few by bike. No matter how you approach the falls, you can get a charge out of it.  See the bridge in the distance?  This is the Lewiston-Queenston, which I will cross soon with the trucks.  I hope the inspectors have been working. Before I crossed the bridge, I thought I would take some time to see the water lilies that grow money. (Not the same as Water Lillies by Monet).  I need to plant some of these in our pond. I didn’t have to worry about the height of the bridge.  I just had to stay foc...

Until Niagara Falls
2007-08-25 09:10:00
By Bob Lee  Ride Date: August 22Dunkirk, NY to Niagara Falls , Ontario As I RIDE I enjoy good messages and this billboard had a good message about our land of opportunity —if one has ambition. Well, I was headed in the direction of Harvard, which was ambitious for me.  Now that I have less than a 1,000 miles left to travel I am daydreaming about lighthouses and open water.  I just couldn’t smell the salt air. I thought I might not be ambitious enough when I saw these mums for sale.  What happened to summer? Can I beat fall home? I took this picture of a roadside memorial.  I am not sure you can read the sign in the background.  It says, “Your best stop of the day.”  This will certainly give me something to think about as I pedal along… If we need more to think about – think about this statement. I think this repairman put off renewing his registration. This man wasn’t going to put off redeeming his cans for cash....

Chillin' at Chautauqua
2007-08-24 08:41:00
By Bob Lee Ride Dates August 19, 20, 21 August 19: Erie, PA to Chautauqua, NY — 45 milesAugust 20: Chautauqua August 21: Chautauqua to Dunkirk, NY 42 miles Many areas of the country have been experiencing a very wet August and for the next three days I too have had the opportunity to use my rain gear.  The morning when I left Erie, it was dreary and wet.  I stopped and turned around to take these pictures. If we look, we can find something to brighten our day; even on a dismal day. Biking on Route 5 along Lake Erie with its vineyards on both sides of the road and an occasional glimpse of the lake would have been better on a sunny day. At one point, I thought of stopping to see if they would care for a wet biking critter. Well, I pedaled on into New York.  The sun still didn’t shine, but the road was a great improvement. Last night Kristen and Andrew arranged for me to stay with their parents Tom and Penny Small and their Aunt Caroline ...

The Buffalo News
2007-08-24 05:22:00
Read Man On A Mission Bikes Into Buffalo on The Buffalo News web site.FROM THE BEGINNING   |   PREVIOUS  |   NEXT...
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Nightline Segment Postponed
2007-08-22 06:25:00
The previously announced Nightline segment featuring Aimee Chamernik and her family has been postponed.  We are sorry to hear of the delay, but that is the nature of news programs. We will advise as soon as a new air date is announced.

Surrounded By The CIA
2007-08-22 06:17:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 18 2007 Geneva-On=The-Lake, OH to Erie, PA – 57 Miles Throughout the morning, my mind was elsewhere.  Not on the bike but at home thinking of a YARD SALE For Kids and by Kids. This flyer, produced by Zach Hennenfent, was all over town.  What a fabulous idea to have kids clean out their closets, garages, and basements in order to make their “extras” available for charity.  We are never too young to be taught the joy of giving.  Over 40 families provided toys and bake goods for the Saturday sale at our daughter Laura’s home.  Between the sales of bake goods, a pair of Cub’s tickets and lots of toys these young entrepreneurs made $1,500, which will be donated, to A RIDE FOR 3 REASONS.  Thank you! Thank you one and all! As you can tell by the waves on Lake Erie, the wind was blowing and unfortunately, overnight it shifted from west to east.   It was hard pedaling and when I sa...
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A Slam Dunk And A Sign From Spudd
2007-08-21 07:51:00
By Bob Lee  Ride Date: August 17Cleveland to Geneva-On-The-Lake, OH — 62 Miles Last night it was the thirtieth anniversary of the death of “The King” and I was reminded of that by the guitars all around Cleveland. Isn’t it good that we live in America where we are FREE to believe? I am glad I had my camera to catch his picture.  You might not believe me without this documentation. For 30 years, he has been missing and then… I am glad we have the freedom of the media.  Sometimes it is not free or easy to get coverage on TV, but with help from the Cavalier’s communication department, we were able to get some coverage of on WTAM radio and WKYC Channel 3 on their morning show Good Company. Watch the video. It was an honor for Campy Russell to present me with my jersey, but when he said he would come for a ride with me, I was elated.  After our interview, Campy drove home and picked up his bike, and met me on route.  I would...
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In Good Company With WKYC
2007-08-21 05:50:00
See Bob interviewed in Cleveland by Fred Griffith on WKYC-TV's Good Compa ny .  Bob was joined by NBA Basketball legend Campy Russell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a sponsor of A Ride For Three Reasons. Watch the video FROM THE BEGINNING   |   PREVIOUS  |   NEXT...
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Aye, Aye Caption
2007-08-20 06:40:00
Here are the best results from the sign captions post. I hope you all get a smile or two here. Thanks to those who participated! Picture 1 — The Curiosity Shop(Interesting how so many followed the cat theme.) 1. Cats: Enter at your own risk!2. Feline Friendly Since 19403. Any dead cats?4. We'll kill your cat.  No extra charge.5. Why? Picture 2 — Boar's Breath 1. A place where you can drink alone2. Come on in and take a breather -- if you can stand it.3. Listerine drinks served!4. Free Mints Available5. sponsored by ListerinePicture 3 — Lost 1. You Should Have  Asked For Directions2. So am I.3. What I'm hoping Bob's not! Picture 4 — No Chewing Or Dipping 1. We'd Hate To See You Get Mouth Cancer2. striving to be an oral-cancer-free zone Picture 5 — Corn 4 Sale 1. Lend me an ear.2. U Get What U Pay 43. Aw, Shucks.4. Serial murderer awaits5. Let's pop some and see a movie. Picture 6 — Mr. Hay 1. If hiw wife is a seamstress, I hope she keeps her needles...
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Riding With A Cavalier Attitude
2007-08-17 08:29:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Dates: August 15 – 16Huron to Rocky River, OH - 42 MilesRocky River to Cleveland, OH - 15 miles August 15As I rode toward Cleveland along Lake Erie I had the thought in my “next life” I might want to come back as an Alpaca and live at this farm overlooking Lake Erie.  Pretty nice quarters. I rode further and was confused.  Why would a person have a ski gondola sitting on his front yard, when his back yard was flat as water?  Maybe they are confused as well. This man on the Cub Cadet was not confused at all.  He enjoyed his tractor, which I was glad to hear.  For me there is a strong tie between Cub Cadet Tractors and Cleveland.  When I was with International Harvester I was the General Manager of the consumer products and intimately involved in selling the product line to MTD, a Cleveland based business.  On the other side of the negotiation table was their president and now my good friend John McFadden. ...
More About: Attitude , Riding , Lier , Vali

You Say Tomato...
2007-08-16 07:32:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 14Bowling Green to Huron, OH — 70 miles The other day a gentleman asked how I rode in the “muck.”  I finally realized he was talking about the hot humid weather.  Well, today the temperature dropped and the humidity broke.  It was a great day to ride!  Now I had another problem.  Which bike was I to ride?  Just like ice cream, I had one of every flavor. For the past few days, I have ridden though farms that were growing seed corn. I have learned to appreciate the seed companies marketing.  They are modeling their marketing like a woman.  Sometimes when you leave something to the imagination, the message is stronger.  Or am I just getting a little “corny” riding through these fields. As I rode towards Lake Erie, I saw this yacht.  Note the reflection. Isn’t it true that many times we take thing out of perspective and make issues bigger that they really are? I...
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A Get Rich Quick Scheme
2007-08-14 07:50:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 13Defiance, OH to Bowling Green, OH - 54 Miles. As I rode past these memorials, I hoped they had found peace. I find peace by riding slow enough to see the uniqueness and beauty of nature.  Who know the species of this caterpillar and what lies ahead? I always knew Napoleon was a small man with a big head.  This town called Napoleon was small with a big courthouse. Have you ever wondered where you will find your next bowl of soup?  Wonder no longer. This farm country has different sources of energy —and plenty of wind to cool your soup. I enjoyed my ride this afternoon.  By now you might know I enjoy taking pictures of barns.  Anne and I lived in Ohio twice while I worked for International Harvester working with farm equipment dealers. As you can see, farming is pretty close to a religion in some of these communities. Many times it is hard for farm families to a living beca...
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Got Passion?
2007-08-14 06:20:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 12Kendallville, IN to Defiance, OH – 64 miles With this first picture, I just wanted to say, “Hay.”  Actually, what I wanted to do is remind myself how good a fresh cut hay field smells on a hot summer day. This afternoon I called Lauren who is the Mennonite minister I met on July 4th.  I heard that Lauren had just finished his cross-country trek, so I wanted to hear his impressions and the impact of the ride.  The ride for Lauren was a time for reflection and a new direction in his life.  To summarize our conversation, Lauren said going forward he is only going to do things about which he is passionate.  All too often, we spend time on things that have no meaning or for which we have no passion.  Some people spend their lives working for “retirement” only to find a void in life at the end of the rainbow.  Not so with this man I met today.  He has two passions – woodcarving and garde...
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Catch A Dream
2007-08-13 06:19:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 11 Mendon to Kendallville, IN — 68 milesClick picture for Google Earth views.  Use esc key to pause; ctrl+R or cmd+R to resumeLast night I stayed in at the historic Mendon Country Inn and woke up to this gourmet breakfast.  Was this my “ducky" day? Or was I just caught in a dream? ...Yes, “Follow your dreams for they are the HOPE of the future.”  Take a few moments today to dream. Better yet, write them down.  Too often we forget our dreams. Sometimes we are caught up in the lasso of living while it might be luckier to be caught in a dream catcher. For much of the day I rode through Amish country and saw them coming and going. I pulled into a farmyard to ask if I could take a picture of one of their buggies and visited with a charming 16-year-old girl.  I wish I could share a picture of this beautiful young lady in her pastel dress, white cone hat and a mesmerizing smile. When...
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Living It Up At Relay For Life
2007-08-12 10:45:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: August 10Hastings, MI to Mendon, MI –66 Miles This morning before I started pedaling I went across the street and spent time with the Barry County Relay for Life ; and, I was impressed!  This is truly a county event with most businesses and civic organizations actively involved. Hastings is a town of 7,000 and Barry County has about 60,000 people. It looks like everyone will be involved and everyone is WELCOME! They have lots of interesting laps and a number of people have signed up to walk for 24 hours straight.   ...The course was lined with promotional and educational signs. Throughout the park, people were busy setting up their booths. Here is what Nancy had to say about the Relay. Before I left, I had the honor of meeting Lance. No not as in Armstrong, but Lance in his mother’s arms.  Wouldn’t it be great if this Lance would not have to worry about Cancer as he grows up? As I ...
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