Here at last..

Morning blogger friends, its here at last, I leave tomorrow for Mount Shasta! Wow, time flew by once again. As I sit here and look back, I think of all  the people I have met and spoken with. Reporters who found interest in my journey, Bollingbrook, Suburban Life, Lisle Suburban Life, Naperville Sun and yesterday the Chicago Tribune. People who would come up to me while training and ask me where I'm headed, the tears as they share there Breast Cancer story, the thank-you's, the prayers and well wishes, its been incredible... and not to mention all the tears that streamed down my face.To think there is more yet to come as I summit.


I was asked yesterday by the reporter from the Chicago Tribune if I was nervous, "No, can't say I am", I said. "I made a promise to myself to show up as strong as I can. There are two things I have no control over and that is weather and elevation, why  waste energy on it, I can say I'm very excited".

I am so very humbled, and blessed for all the people in my life. Monday night I was meeting a few friends of mine for a "send off" dinner. I walk in the restaurant and 12 of my family and friends were sitting there, surprise!!.... how lucky am I!! It was a great "send off".

I will be meeting my "Roomie", Jill, and the airport tomorrow in California. Though we've only met once, spoke on the phone once, and a few texts back and forth, I feel like I have known her forever.

We 27 "Climbers" do share a special friendship, I look forward to Sunday evening when we have our opening Ceremony and all will be there.

Know that I will be praying for you all as I reach for the top of Mount Shasta. It is said that the mountain is a very powerful, spiritual, and has tremendous energy. First, I am going to thank the mountain for inviting me, then I will be asking the mountain to fill me with its magic to help me summit.


   

Last hike before my Climb with my "Mountain Mentor". I can't believe this man has summited 50 -14ers,that's mountaineer talk. That means he has climbed 50 mountains at the elevation of 14 thousand feet above sea level and has 3 more to go to. And to think I'm at my first...gees, I have a long way to go to catch up.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Mountain Mentor is the reason I am as strong as I am today to summit"!

Last training  at Swallow Cliff with my sister Sue. Thank you Sue for always joining me when you were able too, love ya!! You "rocked" those stairs when you never thought you would be able too!!

As I come to a close for now, know that I will do my very best to complete the summit. I am happy my journey is here and look forward to sharing with you my experience when I return. Until next time,

Be well my friends, love you all!!


"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore".-Christopher Columbus