Washington DC and a Day We Will Always Remember

It was really pretty this morning but it was a really really early morning. We had a great escort into the largest memorial service in a beautiful park. We rode in in silence to a park near Washington DC where the State Troopers (many in number) escorted us to the memorial in honor of Trooper 2 September 28th of 2008. They had two critical patients and the weather forced them back and shortly before midnight they dropped out of the sky. At the site of this crash is where our memorial was today. The said it was the biggest service in Maryland. One of the helicopters came in and circled and made a special flight maneuver before flying away. The one survivor was there. She was found hours later and it truly was a miracle that she survived. It was quite an emotional day. The video links are included.

We then rode our bikes from the memorial to the exact spot of the crash and one by one walked our bikes by. Tamie stopped and personally spoke with the survivor, Jordan.

We then rode into Washington. We had a police escort that was really cool. Gabe, Tamie and Mallory changed into street clothes and toured the city for three hours. We saw the Smithosonian flight musem, the Capitol, bought souveniers and walked the mall. We left DC at 4:30 and bussed out of the city into the hotel. We had BBQ dinner with the local fire departmnet with aother service and another fly over by a chopper. One of the speeches today let us know that today was the largest turn out day for the EMS and Muddy Angels. We had many Muddy Angels visit with their legislators and this was the first time that EMS issues have made it to Capitol Hill. After dinner we hung out and organized. Tamie's bike is at less than par so we are hoping she can ride on the bike of someone not attempting "the hill" in the mountains tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a Skyline Drive in Shenandoah Park 17 - 20 mile incline of 4500 feet. There are many that will not make it, but we will all try. Can't wait to tell you about tomorrow. Hopefully Nick will rally. He is sick. Gabe and Tamie were both perky and ready for today. Tomorrow remains the monster challenge.

Good night!