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May 10, 2004
And Yet, It Still Gets Better

The TREK Team had the pleasure of meeting 67 year-year-old Admiral Dewey Sanders (center) on his cross country walk to help "Throwaway Children". Pictured are (L-R) Ron Kramer, Josh Nemzer, Bob Whirty, Dewey Sanders, Paul McGovern, Dave McGillivray and Bob Lussier.  To support the Admiral go to www.anchorlifecoaching.com   See more photos in our gallery

Greely Colorado  - We knew today would be interesting, but like every day it was full of surprises.

Our assignment was to begin our run at the Continental Divide, just past Rabbit Ears Pass, continue onward for 167 miles up and over the 11,000 foot Cameron Pass, down past Fort Collins, and into Greeley, Colorado.  The day would be one of challenges, but the final assault on the Rocky Mountains. The flats of the Plains states await us next.

The ?Whiners? (group 1) would begin the day with a beautiful journey through the farmlands that separate Rabbit Ears from the Cameron Pass.  Along the way, the crisp morning air and nearly cloudless skies made the running nearly effortless.  Many of the team members were concerned that our rest day would actually make us rusty at the start.  It wasn?t long, though, before the team was cranking along.

Our starting altitude of 8,200 feet varied very little through the first 55 miles.  We continue to be amazed at how well we?ve acclimated to running at altitude.  Fernando related a story to the team about dealing with altitude that has helped with our attitude.  Years ago, he and Paul McGovern were invited to run a 10k and half marathon in Iowa.  It became a match between the ?Boston Boys? and the locals.  The buzz was that the Iowa boys would ?clean their clocks? because they were altitude trained.  Well, Fernando won one of the races and Paul won the other.  When interviewed by the press, his response made the headlines??Altitude is Hot Air?.  His point ? it?s what?s in your heart.

With that advice, the ?Whiners? attacked Cameron Pass and brought it to its knees.  No whining, just the pride in getting it done.  The only whining to be heard came from Hap, Mike B, and Tom who saw ski tracks coming off the back bowls on the upper reaches of the mountain.  If they had their skis, they probably would have hiked the additional 900 feet to the 11,000 foot summit

In the meantime, the ?Moaners? (group 2) had advanced to the half way mark to begin their journey.  Though they didn?t have the pleasure of capturing the peak of Cameron Pass, they had their own unique and wonderful trip.

Two-thirds of their miles ran down the backside of the mountain along a gorge that provided the perfect whitewater for world class kayaking.  Surrounded by majestic cliffs that cascaded down to the roadway, the team was engulfed in the most spectacular scenery of the trip.  As if taken from an Ansel Adams photograph, the scene was topped by  perfect cumulus clouds contrasted against a cobalt blue sky.  Our chief photographer, Bob Lussier, was beside himself with joy.

But even the perfection of the scenery and the predominately downhill running was not the highlight for the ?Moaners?.  Along the way they had a chance meeting with a truly extraordinary man, Dr. A. Dewey Sanders, a retired minister-psychologist and his wife.   Though retired, he is very active!  He works part-time helping children that society has labeled ?at risk? or ?throwaway kids?.  To help raise money for these kids, he is walking across the country, from Virginia Beach to San Francisco with his wife as his only support!  What a wonderful coincidence to meet this dynamic man who is trying to help kids.  As he says, ?We all make a lot of mistakes, but with God?s help, we can keep walking to the end of the road.?

The meeting was inspiring for both TREK USA team members and for Sanders.  This evening we received the following email from him:

Dave,

I was overwhelmed in meeting you and the rest of the guys today. It was a providential meeting in my mind for it gave me a real "pick me up" as I begin the mountains. Dotty and I have both been blessed so many times on our journey of 3 months today, but this was one of my highlights.

Thanks for caring about people! In some of my thoughts over 2000+ miles, I have been concerned about who will continue to care for the disadvantaged, often unwanted kids and adults. America is so great and I've met so many wonderful and generous people, BUT you guys really boosted my hope for what can be done.

Thanks.

DEWEY/DOTTY SANDERS

Coast to Coast for Kids

Not a day goes by that we are reminded why we are on this trip.  Chance encounters, emails from friends, folks we meet ? it?s all part of the fabric that makes TREK USA.  Despite the hard work, we look forward to each day?s new adventures because we?ve learned to look for the good.  It?s there; we just need to keep our eyes and hearts open.

Tomorrow we begin a new phase.  No longer will we have to contend with the oxygen deprived heights of the Rockies.  The terrain will be mild for a while, but our meteorologist, Dave D?Arcangelo, has cautioned us about the weather.  We will be facing very strong winds ? up to 40 mph ? and the possibility of thunderstorms. Why do scenes from ?The Wizard of Oz? keep playing in my head?