Rise and shine everyone! We get the magnets (sponsors) back on the vehicles and head to the hotel continental breakfast! Texas shaped waffles - how cool! While having our breakfast (fruit loops for me!) we meet two small children - A precious little 2 year old girl named Nevaeh (Heaven spelled backwards) and Xavier who is a 4 year old little boy. We try talking to them but I guess mom taught them well "don't talk to stranger". Dan heads to the truck for some beanie babies and these kids just didn't want them! What, children that don't want toys? Mom, which we find out is grandma who works at the hotel (she's raising them) says it's ok to have a toy and they take them with excitement. We take a few pictures and finish our breakfast.  Through the window I see Kevin bringing the flag to the front desk of the hotel. The managers signed it and even comped us one hotel room (free!) and 20.00 off the others. Awesome! Our first compt room. Good things come to those who wait! We hit the road, Kevin on the bike, John and Brian in the Yukon and Dan and I in the truck. This time I'm letting Dan drive! (typing on a computer and driving just don't mix - although texting and riding the quad does!) snicker snicker!

The sun is shining and the hills (look like mountains to me) are beautiful! Kevin flags us down that he has about 3 bars left on the tank. Next stop - Gas station! Wow 3.59 a gallon! We take a break and get some snacks. The guys check for state magnets and I head for the candy (what else would I be buying). I bought a few pins for Taylor (Talledega Nights "If you're not first, your last" John and Brian didn't find the magnets we needed and Kevin was dying for popcorn! What's up with the popcorn guys? I find the popcorn (must be plain) and off we go! While getting in the truck, Kevin notices a shiny penny on the ground dated 1944. Dan pipes up - "what year was Elliott born?" 1944 - Coincidence? I don't think so.

We get back on the road and take the scenic route. "Scenic route?", the guys ask. "Well it is for me guys. We don't have dirt and desert and cactus." We arrive in El Paso at about 10:30. We decide that after we pick up Chris Klug at the airport, we are going to just drive to Las Cruzes and stay there for the night. Dan, Brian and John head to Las Cruzes and Kevin and I decide to hang out a bit before getting Chris. We head for some lunch and Sonic it is. We take this time to have a few heart to heart conversations about life, kids, and the mission. It was great spending this one on one time with him and hearing all his stories about Elliott. During the conversation about Elliott he tells me he died on 10/10/01. Wait, when? Kevin, that's my anniversary. How cool is that? Another coincidence? I think not.

Chris' plane finally touches down in El Paso and on the road again we go. Once at the hotel, we start cleaning the trailer and getting all the goody bags of toys ready for our event at the local high school tomorrow. In 2002, a local girl named Sabrina was killed on an ATV and donated her organs. The town is welcoming us with open arms.

It's about 4pm now and Chris is whining (just kidding, Chris) that he has not had any ATV time so we take them for a spin around the town. The town is famous for "Billy the Kid" but if you ask the guys in the group, it's the root beer floats.

Finally back at the hotel I beg and plead to please let me drive the Honda street bike. It doesn't take long to convince Kevin that I can do this so a few trips around the parking lot and I'm ready for some asphalt. The excitement goes from ear to ear and I'm hoping the guys are catching this on video because the people back home will never believe I was riding a street bike! This experience will last me a lifetime and I can't wait til tomorrow when I get to ride the bike on the interstate! Once back at the hotel, I'm jumping up and down and can't wait to tell Brian and John what I just got to do (John didn't look to happy since it was his bike - or maybe I was just in the way of the hockey game on tv!) Brian, Chris and Dan decide to go swimming and the expression on their faces tells me all I need to know about the temperature of the water "COLD". Thank gosh I didn't bring my swimsuit!

Kevin comes out daring the guys to push me in and if they succeed, then it's pizza for everyone! Guess what Kev, we are eating pizza anyway! So I dare Kevin to jump in with all his clothes on and I would do the same. Haven't seen Kevin since! Ha!

Around 7:00 pm Maria from New Mexico Donor Services arrives at our hotel, we take her around the parking lot on the ATV and she's loving it! We order pizza and chat about the ride with everyone and just relax a bit.

We say we are going to play a bit of poker but I have a feeling we will not be playing tonight. Late to bed and early to rise!

More later guys!

She Said