Day Four - Grooooovy
“How are we doing today, Linton Elementary?”
“TERRIFIC!!! FANTASTIC!!! GROOOOOOOOOVVVVVY!!!!!!”
Linton Elementary taught us a new cheer today, complete with hand motions. Every year we stop here and have breakfast with the children. Then there’s a ceremony about the kids’ efforts to raise money for us and build local houses. Finally, they cheer us off as we depart for the next town. It’s a thrill.
This year we were told we didn’t realize how much of an impact we’ve had on these kids and the community over the years. Or leaders responded in kind, telling them about the impact they’ve had on us. It’s a special stop for both sides.
We slept in the high school gymnasium, but had dinner at a nearby church. When I arrived I headed over to the church for snacks and a shower. After I got showered, I heard sound effects and giggling down the hall. I followed the noise to find a small theater! Emily and Jeremy were watching “Airplane!” and hadn’t changed out of their cycling gear yet. The movie was on an old Laser Disc, didn’t think anyone still owned one of those.
At most overnight locations, we’re not afforded a theater or even TV. So I decided to bring a novel with me I’ve been meaning to read for years. I haven’t read a novel in ages, I usually gravitate towards non-fiction. I’m about 100 pages into “Off Magazine Street”, which was adapted into the movie “A Love Song for Bobby Long.” It’s captivated me so far.
We had great weather for today’s ride, as a result I must have sucked down 6 or 8 bottles of water/sports drink over the 61 miles. Tomorrow looks decent. We’re riding into Bloomington (wearing our Purdue clothing of course). This year there won’t be as many Purdue jersey’s riding around IU, but I’m sure we’ll still have fun.
