Daily Page 18

Hi Everyone! I started this day by playing hooky from pedaling. Pinky O'Neil and Betty Mann had a beautiful day planned for us and we had not had any time off since we left Wahoo! We've really had our toes to the asphalt (nose to the grindstone?) Our destination was the beautiful old Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond and what a gorgeous place. It was built in the 1800's; destroyed by a fire in early 1900 and then rebuilt to its original grandeur. The staircase is famous because it was the one in "Gone with the Wind" where Clark Gable delivered his famous line, "Frankly, Scarlet, I don't give a damn." There are two stories here--one that the scene was actually shot here and the second one that the crew and director stayed at the hotel and fell in love with the staircase and used the idea.

Pinky is very involved in the Ms. Sr. America as Director of Development and Public Relations. She treated us to lunch in the most elegant dining room. After that, we all "retired" to an area below the famous staircase that had a gorgeous piano so I had an opportunity to play a couple of numbers and my beautiful new friend, Ms. Sr. Virginia sang a number. t was a wonderful place for music with the high ceilings. We all had a great day and felt so pampered and welcomed in this famous old city.

Of course I couldn't stay off my bike--I still have work to do--only got in 33 miles today because of our "fun day" but will have to hit it hard the next couple of days. It is flat around here in most places so much easier to find places to ride--what a relief that is. My total mileage is 1052.

When I called Pinky Kravitz this afternoon, he gave me some great news. The Mayor of Atlantic City will be at the welcoming party on Monday at 2:00 at Harrah's as we ride into town and Pinky said we will have police escorts the entire length of the peninsula from Cape May to Atlantic City. How exciting is that! We will take the Lewes Ferry on Sunday and stay in Wildwood Sunday night and Pinky said we would be about 30 miles from Atlantic City at that point.

It's hard to imagine I am actually getting close! Today was the first day I had put on anything other than bicycle clothes for 18 days. I had to do a metamorphosis (sp?) and do it quickly as Pinky had asked Tony and I to ride to the Jefferson Hotel and then I changed into Ms. Sr. Nebraska

One other surprise for the day--Al Reichel's daughter Sharon was at the hotel to greet us. She had driven two hours from Virginia Beach and we were so appreciative--she's special to us--just like the rest of the family. Bye for now. Love, Patricia

Now it's my turn. It has been a wonderful day off and a treat. As Patricia says, the hotel was magnificent. Tony and I were awed--it is a five star hotel. When we got back from the day, I had taken a nap and Patricia asked me if I would like to go ride with her as she was working hard to get some miles. I reluctantly said, "Yes." Tony had helped me fix my flat tire on my bike that I had bought along the way. We went out for a ride, and as I was riding in a special part of Virginia not far from the hotel, I was already huffing and puffing. I was keeping up with her but then realized something--Patricia was cruising between 16 and 19 miles per hour and holding that pace steady. My 20 years older wife kicked my ass-excuse my language but there's no other way to explain it. I couldn't keep up! I will admit defeat--she is a real modern day super woman who has gotten stronger and has more endurance than anyone her age I actually sat down in someone's driveway and retrieved messages off my phone while I waited for her to finish. I hobbled back with her to the motel after she finished her miles. In fact she had been out with Tony earlier and wore him out too. I'm beat.

Peace to you all. Gabriel