![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-S_fZWrasXFJ8aYQFD64IMFqYvoInSP3RaCDrfbfBGfAr9jplhJXOtZKxlOrVIJU-H5RZ7khPiz2XEBDVypXn1H4q0nOzPuP0PqlLrbVBQ6Gmij74uEShpHWJp5E282kH-ODAHTaRMqLj/s200/waiting+for+cheri+at+exchange+18.jpg)
exchange point #18, waiting for Cheri
there had been a communication mix-up just prior to this
van#2 rushed to the point, only to wait another two hours or so
(walkers from both vans in the photo)
...it happens!...
7/31/09
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4j-aeV3PlKvvk6RX1NiGoCJP9F7eJ0SLZgYHjLG_x9lJEHWdHXuMrPyCkfnaF7AdQ2fJ8Rn4r5E10b6kPI_zDvINfUKjOkRY1tOY35HsQJdLsqLPDVAOnilYlXBb7SCr6rOI5Am7AsO8/s200/faster+DAL.jpg)
van #1: "runners on the road" sign by Dot,
new slogan inspired by a relay support staff
who caught up with them early in the morning on 8/1/09 and told them
"congratulations! you're doing great.
last year's last place team didn't get here until 2pm."
hence our slogan, written in window crayons above the sign:
"Faster than last year's last place team"
... we may be DAL, but we're not the slowest!...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rpWZBr75mSwVko1uMl1YMJJMfvyF8JEzIvWURp6GKKubrQxqO6knTalOK8YmExail1czMa3qS_AcdxNZKzFUT369z5KBwe7jobk-4XJIRNcwkFMzUENibtsMX0-nvIyKgSLPzFkDq7xI/s200/cheri+handoff+to+nikki+exch+18.jpg)
the handoff at exchange #18
Cheri was 30 minutes or so ahead of the next
walker; they are members of a race walking club
and they passed us up a couple hours later despite
having started 1 1/2 hours after us
...and we were fine with that...
nice women and it was nice to have the company
on the late night routes, especially!
7/31/09
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48UDjs8_MbMz-u92BQRZS_ngCjjGPvpqdKwGeWeJxArj9W8-Vr_YFiXQt6SB0eLF2_qGGBc9ESUiV9m4XbyrTBuclPyhTGRE4pBe61x8XfQ-XDFhG9gJRQJR03_vdV7AYG__q0cpkGwZG/s200/dot+coming+in+at+316+am.jpg)
this is me coming in at 3:16 AM on 8/1/09
at exchange # 24
the end of a 6.6 mile walk on the
Cascade Lakes highway
in the dark
through the Deschutes National Forest
and I'd been up since 5:15 AM on 7/31/09
with only a 15 minute nap
...love the headlamp halo effect from being in motion...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgG3gbHN4b1oLfoMY0R-bUmMRX132Soj7S78V1NyDpmsb2cmoWR6GgoivOZCXGF035EZPzwJUR_5Y3uyiFaSA3G0cPGXZt7niXc0yLtBNAnkVLY0JotmcWhxaEuF5rJvDsyOuOcfRu7Kk/s200/g+bringing+it+home+for+van+1.jpg)
G bringing it on home for the final leg for van #1
...still six legs to go for van #2, but this group
gets to go back to the house and shower
...oh wait, there was the clogged bathtub incident
8/1/09
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnsZYJoQjcYDjDf2IsFJ6zd77ktrbGCFX7QIYgMqMdnKkT70Sickljh6WAAKynIkg3ydigW965fg32PMadp-wX-_PANaHlSRyIAczp1wHAGtTVfVYm5rC-dXmg1SzTCFaUWaGk3ke1CuT/s200/clr+sunset+09.jpg)
a gorgeous sunset
complete with a phenomenal thunderstorm
a nice photo that barely shows
the beauty