Let the Games begin!

Let the Games begin!

We hit the road a little late, but ended up making good time to Louisville. Even with Molly-stops, the drive only took about 12 hours. My only observation of the drive is that the further southeast you drive, the less likely you are to find a baby changing station in a restroom.

Our travels were easy compared to Doug. To make a long story short, Northwest no longer flies to Louisville from Sioux City. After a harrowing drive to Omaha, a late night flight to Atlanta and early morning flight to Louisville, Doug joined the party on Saturday morning.

Day one of the 2006 Transplant Games were action packed. Cheryl, Molly, and I competed in the 5k, with Molly crossing the line first. Than it was over to the pool for Cheryl's second leg in the virtual triathalon (5k, 400m swim, 40k bike ride). Despite all of the pre-race nerves, Cheryl proudly wore her Iowa Hawkeye swim cap to gold medal swim. She admitted she went out a little fast (it happens when you are on steroids), but stayed strong to fend off a late charge from the silver medalist (a double lung recipient from St. Louis). I am really sorry I don't have pitchers, but Doug and Molly presented Cheryl her gold medal.

immediately following the awards ceremony we hurriedly gathered everything up and rushed over to Freedom Hall for Opening Ceremony. As expected it was very emotional with lots of tears. It also hit very close to home as a member of Team Iowa presented her story with her Donor Family....whom she had met for the very first time only a couple of hours earlier.

Late night pizza from the Snappy Tomato and we were all in bed after midnight. We are all exhausted, but could not have had more fun.

Pictures to follow.