Final thoughts on the river...

Well friends, this will be the final blog on the River 2 River site. It's not a bad thing at all, I'm just moving back over to my regular blog (www.geocobb.blogspot.com).

We did what we set out to do and that was raise money and awareness for kids with hearing disabilities. We got the word out that this area of a child's life needs attention. There are over 16 million folks like me called Baby Boomers who have a hearing loss. Some are born with it and others got it from rocking out to their Kiss and Fleetwood Mac 8-tracks. Some, like myself are probably both. Technology is really just kicking in on hearing aids because so many of us are striving to live regular ole daily lives but we get tired of not being able to hear so we pester the companies who make hearing aids and we pester out Audiologist. It's called being an advocate! Find a passion, a cause, a charity and be an advocate! Make a difference. Sometimes making a difference is as simple as a hello to someone and sometimes it's pushing your body until it breaks.

Saturday night our friends and my team mates Rebecca and Chris Irons stopped by our house to pick up a couple of things that had been in the team van. Em was off on a date and Terri and I were about to grill out. We talked them into staying and eating, which wasn't real hard to do! HA! After dinner the 4 of us drove over to Shakey's for "ice cream". It was then Chris and Rebecca unfolded the events that surrounded my struggle to get from Cook's Landing to the hospital. It was really hard to believe they were talking about me. Some things I remember in a foggy sort of way and some are clear, all were tough. I do remember someone pushing me as we climbed the BDB. I do remember a group of guys passing right through the group on the right (you know who you are). I remember the hill by Dillards Corp office that I knew I had to get over. I remember the kids by the hospital on their bikes. I remember a lot of faces from the stop. I remember Keith Moore and Jo Spencer being right beside me talking me through it. Those gave me strength!

The fog: I heard that I ran a red light, that I rode off from Cook's Landing with only Blake riding along while everyone was getting their water refilled. I heard I was tilted to the right. I heard I was almost expected to pass out and there were folks on each side in case I did. I rode the wrong way coming in and rode through a barricade with very little room. I remember Lori taking me to the ER. I remember the nurse was named Emily and always was smiling. I remember Yale being there in the restroom after I barfed.

I also have some very good memories!
There was no rain at the start in Ft Smith! It was 80% chance!
The guy that owns a very respectable bike shop (Champion Cycling) in NW Ark was there to lead us out of Ft Smith.
The funny stuff my family and teammates said on the way to Ft Smith.
Getting cracked up watching Yale taking photo after photo after photo.
The police escort in Ozark.
Talking to Kevin on the Point 94.1 while riding in Ozark. Finding out he played it on the radio.
People telling my teammates they were crazy to do this ride with me.
Friends telling me that if I had called them at 1 a.m. and said I was about to ride the rest, they would have come back out. Now that is true friendship at it's highest level.
People telling me that 1/2 the ride was a major deal.
Telling the team who jumped on outside of Russellville that they smelled good and listening to them laugh. The Ft Smith group was stanking by then! HA!
Hearing Jenn giving some long drawn out excuse why she wasn't allowed to bring her honking horn.
Hearing the same Jenn ask a camero at a stop light in Russellville if he wantd to race and when the light turned green it sounded like he lost his muffler. Brain laughed so hard I thought he's fall off his bike.
Seeing Tom (SoundStart) standing on the side of the road in Conway.
Seeing Erik and the Ride bike shop guys waiting for us in Conway.
Having Rob from Conway pull us into the headwind from Conway to Maumelle.

You see the good memories list is much much longer than the struggling memories.

So what happens now? That's the question a lot of folks want to know. I do know that I'll take a little break from the bike just because. Remember all the day after emails? Well, almost all the ones from riders say, "You've got to get back up on your bike." Oh friends, I plan to do that!

Are you going to ride it again? I don't know about the whole 300 but I will finish the ride. Riding from Burn's Park to Forrest City is only 103 miles. I think I can make it the next 37 to West Memphis. I'm pretty sure a group of us will put our jerseys on and head out some fall morning and knock it out. There are so many scheduled rides for everyone between now and fall that I doubt we could work it in before then. Who knows, we wanted to ride this ride so bad we could be crazy enough to try it again but we'll do it under the radar.

I wanted to leave you with some most awesome news that has come from doing this ride...
On June 28th there was a program named the "George Cobb Amplification Assistance Program"!!! It's a loaner program for kids who need hearing aids and FM devices to succeed in school and in life! So you see my friends, the ride was a success right where it was always meant to be.... all for the kids!

The After Shocks

I'm honestly blown away. I have gotten encouraging emails from people all over the place. In fact there were 200 emails left after I moved the work (hospital) emails.

I slept all morning and got up and returned the team van. Even though I've been sluggish, it's been a nice day.

Terri and I went to the Rave to see Evan Almighty. It's ok but there was a point in the movie where I had to really hold in the tears. There's a part where everyone think Evan has lost his mind building the ark and his wife and kids move out. Evans wife runs into God (Morgan Freeman) would at that moment is playing a cook name Al Mighty. He talks to her about the opportunity she has and standing by her husband no matter how off the hook the idea he has is. I just sat there thinking, yep, Terri has stuck beside me the whole way.

There are so many people to thank for training and riding the ride with me. There are those who are an inspiration just by me being around them.

More later...

The final chapter

Sorry friends , to me it's a long awaited book but the last chapter is an aww crap!

We didn't make it to the river. In fact we didn't make it after the presentation at ACH. Yep, I'm disappointed but it's not a pity party. We did what we set out to do and that was raise awareness and funds for the kids who need hearing aids and Audiology services.

Here what happened:
We made it ACH and if it weren't for the great team I had with me, I wouldn't have made it there. I will never be able to repay you for your kindness.

After the presentation I went over to the fitness center and sat for a little bit and thought if I took a cold shower that would kick start my system and make me feel like I was just starting. I was getting really zoned out. I spoke with my coach a moment and the plan was to shower, get an IV of fluids and then see how it played out. Many endurance folks go this route so I was willing to try it. Things seemed to be going down hill fast. The next thing I know I'm waking up in ACH ER, it's 10:30 and they've already pumped in 2 bags of fluids and started on the third. What I heard was something about muscel tissue breakdown, kidneys and heart rate high.

We finally walked in to the house after midnight and I hugged the girls and told them I loved them and went to bed. I woke a few moments ago and noticed it was daylight. I stood at my kitchen window admiring the beautiful spotted pink clouds and wondered what it looked like on the Mississippi River?

I do have some really good memories and I'll get you a play by play this afternoon but right now I need some sleep.

AFTERNOON UPDATE

Well hello everyone! I just wanted to update yall. We are doing good but it is getting a little hot! We are driving through Conway then we will hit HWY. 365 to Maumelle then to River trail the to the Hospital. We should be arrive there about 5 - 5:30!


I have been trying to put pictures on here but everytime i try they don't work. We will show lots later! Sorry!

Hope to see everyone at the hospital at 5ish!

WOOOOWWW!!!!!

Big Day - UPDATE!

Hey Guys. Its Emily Again! I just wanted to update everyone as fast as i can before i lose service. We are almost to Morrilton and we will stop there for water and cold towels. We have had some traffic so yes we are behind. We should be at the hospital about 5!! PLEASE PLEASE come out and support my dad! He has been planning this for a long time and if it wasn't for all of yall we couldn't have done it. So please come out to ACH about 5 PM to see my dad. He would greatly appreciate it!

I am going to try to do pictures and update again as soon i we get service.


***PLEASE KEEP DONATING***


**AUNT DANA IF YOU READ THIS, TELL BECCA SEAN WILL GET HER MAT. LOVE YA!


EVIE AND GINGER....WE WILL CALL ABOUT CONWAY. THEY ARE ALSO GOING TO RIVER TRAIL TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL SO WE SHOULD BE THERE BEFORE.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

THE BIG DAY!

^FATHER^

Hey everyone! Its Emily (Geo's Daughter - the offical blogger of River 2 River) We got off and running at 5am on the dot. Everyone is feeling great and the weather is BEAUTIFUL!! We are stopped for a moment at the FinishLine store in Ozark. There was a sheriff that turned around and was coming very close to Yell's car (that i was driving...VERY NICE). He ended up asking me where we were headed and asked to escort us.


^Yell and Rebecca^

Thanks The POINT! WOOOOWW!!!!!
Kevin...Email me (shbears8890@yahoo.com) and i will give you numbers to talk to dad or get you another update.)

Hey Evie and Julie And Aunt Dana and Angie! Thanks for covering my groups while I'm out!

Check back in a little while... Gotta get back on the bike!

Send in you donations now!! (PLEASE!)


We will be in russellville about 10 a.m. at the McDonalds! Come Join Us!!!!

I will update soon and thanks to everyone for your support!
Please please please donate!!!

Fort Smith

We made it to Ft Smith and no rain! I hope I don't curse us but there is blue skies peaking through. We just finished dinner at Varsity and it was great!

We have been treated like VIP's at Holiday Inn. I got to meet Becky who kindly arranged the rooms for us and her son is also a Dr. Dornhoffer fan! She went on and on about the difference Dr. D made in her son's life.

Well tomorrow morning will come early... good night y'all!