July 24, 2008

Crossing the finish lines was amazing and a huge relief for me! We were home safe and sound without so much as a scrape (although with a few bug bites) or an emotional meltdown by any of our team members.

Grady was on the phone constantly as we drove from Medicine Hat to Calgary. When we called Angela Knight (the CBC traffic reporter) she starting updating the city every half hour of our route. As we drove the TCH people were camped out at every farm crossing and road. We were well out in front of all of the teams (novel experience for us in the Chuckwagon as we passed Michigan in Brooks - they were only doing 110!!)

And everyone honked at us as well. Our route to the school was the most direct so we missed the crowds but, from the city limits on, the streets were lined with families and well-wishers. Calgary gave these students a hero's welcome. Grady and I dumped our S10 and carried the flags and media kits to the finish to hugs and greetings from so many people. President Harvey Weingartner and Dean Elizabeth Cannon were so excited to see us and were full of questions. As the checkered flag holders they were ready to bring everyone home in style. The University really put on a show with a huge enviro fair and pit area for the teams. Kids, families and onlookers were amazed to see the cars up close and many autographs were given. Now all of us feel like rockstars!

True to my promise I was there to wave in Durham who trailered to the finish at 4:30 and then drove across the ceremonial line to my waving flags. They came home with me for newcastle Brown Ale (first beer in a loonng time) and barbecue. Without funds nor hotel room, they camped out all over our house and the car on the driveway was a big hit with Ben and Henry across the road!

Pancakes for breakfast and then the awards ceremony at the Zoo and it's all over!  I finally got some sleep last night - 16 hours into the sleep bank - today I'll clean out the S10. You gotta feel for Grady - he went from the finish line to the airport for a 27 hour flight to papua new guinea where he will follow a Light up the World project. He must be quite discombobulated!

Thanks again for your cheers and support. We will all take the week off to reconnect with kith and kin and then do a big debrief of the car and race before we even begin to think of our generation 3 car. Of course, that's assuming there is a generation 3!!

Lynne