Hopkins 4K for Cancer

June 28, 2005

DAY OFF
Today truly was one of the best days of the trip in my opinion. It started off by sleeping in until 9:15. It disturbs me to say that sleeping until 9:15 is “sleeping in” but it was a welcome break from the usual 7am or earlier wake up time that accompanies most days. After quickly getting ready the team made their way down to the Senior Center of Benkelman. While there we were able to cook the local seniors a meal of fajitas and were able to talk to them and share stories from our experiences and the experiences they have had in their lifetime. Its amazing to me that we are able to come into so many different environments and connect with the people. The Senior Center was a lot of fun and we would like to thank them for letting us come in and spend time with the wonderful people.

The next part of the day I got to experience a highlight and will be something I will remember for the rest of my life. Mr. Ken Fries brought a few of the riders to his farm and we got to have the privilege of cutting wheat. Now that may not sound all that exciting especially if we were to do this by hand. Fortunately we did not use our hands, and instead we used massive John Deer tractors. We had a blast riding and even driving the tractors and seeing the wheat cutting process. For me coming from a city environment this was the most foreign thing I have seen. But I definitely enjoyed feeling the power of the big tractor underneath me. Thanks Ken for letting us come out to the farm for such an experience.

The other team members went to the city museum, which was opened especially for the 4K. From what I’ve heard they enjoyed quite a neat little museum and a frosty made especially for us. It was quite the afternoon to have the team have such neat things to do.

In the evening the Crossett’s hosted a barbeque at Strikers for the town to come out and raise money for our cause. The event was absolutely wonderful. A large number of people from the town came out and heard about what we were doing. It was great to see these people come out to support us. The townspeople were simply amazing and genuine and were people who I will always remember. On a personal note, I was able to be one of the grillmasters for the evening. It was quite possibly the largest grill ever and I was in my glory being able to cook for everyone.

After the barbeque wound down the team was treated to seeing the Crossett’s home that they were in the process of renovating. The home was definitely a work in progress but it was well on the way to being gorgeous.

As it was getting late we had to go back to get some rest for the day ahead. It was hard to believe that we were going to be leaving the state of Nebraska the next day. We would have to say our goodbyes to Chris and Carolyn and the rest of the people of Nebraska. Nebraska had been wonderful to us and I know I sure could have spent a few more days there. But it was time to start thinking about moving on to the next state and getting increasingly closer to the Rockies.
~Steve Myers