June 14: Day supplemental

(7 Falls Park.....CO)

Things at home are now Normal after a scary few days, NC House budget.....had cut our funding which would have put us out of business. Actually quite amazing, when for every state dollar put in to the fund 3 is matched by the feds. Can you imagine cutting therapy to children in your state while you are only paying for 25% ....Pure stupidity.

Well the real story, I talked directly to the chair person of the committee that cut our funding. She claimed that she knew it was going to be reinstated. They cut some critical programs for children as well as the elderly as a political ploy. They combined these critical services with a tax hike in the same amendment. Basically you either voted for them both or you voted against it. Well it worked, the public cry was huge, Our therapists among others sent thousand of emails and made hundreds of phone calls favoring the reinstatement...thus the tax raise. Of course several congressmen voted against the amendment because of the tax plan. It was clear what was going on, they funded pet projects like museums, non core services, low priority programs and left the critical ones without funding so they can but the tax hikes along in the amendment. This is according to the Republicans in the house, and actually it seemed after hearing all the debates this was clearly the case. In any event our funding is completely back and it was never going to be cut in the first place. Of course if we knew that, we would not have come back so quickly.......Those Sons of bitches !!!! By the way the increased tax on cigarettes was defeated in a separate amendment, yes NC has the lowest tax in the country on those cancel sticks.

We are leaving Monday morning to head back to the trail. Not sure exactly when we will start, its 1800 mile drive back and we have to get somewhat acclimatized for the next 34 miles which is all between 9000-11500 (we are at 600 feet now). I wish we would have done that 34 miles before coming back but we were in panic mode. This 34 miles is the highest point of our trail and a steady but not difficult climb (Hooiser Pass) but after that mileage its all down hill in to Breckenridge (ski resort).

I am excited to being going back and adding the camping thing

May NC House representatives wake up from their beds with a Easton Aluminum Seat post up there _ss. NOW thats something to be voted for !!!
(George has written the above part)

As far as my end or shall we say tailbone. While we were at home I did three days in a row of riding of about 5 hours (about 60 miles each ride) to see if I am ready. I was able to do the rides but the tailbone got progressively more painful. Thus making the tough decision of weather to bike full time for the rest of the trip or not easier. Obviously, Not. But now we decided to bring my mountain bike. I plan to ride but not for miles or distance but just for fun. We are able to add the camping thing (instead of staying at hotels) since we know that we will have the car for the rest of the trip. Camping is definitely more work, less luxury, but way more fun. We can also site see more, now that we are really going to be out west.
So, we are very excited to get back to Colorado and start again, after we are aclamatized.