Start time: 9:32 A.M.
Distance today: 42.6 miles
Average speed: 11.1 mph
End time: 1:45 P.M.
Top speed: 26.4 mph
Temperature and weather conditions: Very clear and beautiful weather today.
It was hot, but with a steady, soft breeze.
Total trip distance: 2,909.3 Miles (since start on April 2,
2000)
The final day of Danny’s Ride began from the hotel in Goose Creek this
morning. Dr. Giles and Danny’s wife, Lynda, joined our trek. We rode
a safe pace towards the city of Charleston. We stopped for lunch at the
New Orleans Connections on Spring Street about 11:00. Then we headed
to the rendezvous at the parking lot on Folly Road.
The picture shows Danny with Dr. Giles Sr., Dr. Giles Jr., and Charles
in back round getting a hug from Happy Days and Special Times director
of Development, Robin Barrette, and a dear friend Rob Robinson, in green
shirt. After a lengthy rest in the lot we headed for Folly Beach.
The parade was lead by Danny
and Lynda. The members, all on bikes, were of all ages and riding experiences.
The Folly Beach Police and the
Charleston County Sheriff’s department lead the way. What a nice treat
it was to have traffic control and safety provided by these fine officers.
The dipping of the tires in the Atlantic was exciting and powerful.
The audience and parade of riders was emotional. The Post and Courier
and WCSC were there and recorded the events. After the tire dipping we
walked up to the Folly Beach Pier for the ceremony. WCSC did a fantastic
job, as always, providing the emcee and all the logistical support. The
Mayor of Folly Beach did a grand job tying in the efforts of Danny and
the team and reminding us all of the importance of early detection and
swift treatment.
Special guests at the finale included Will Austin, who endured the
sun and heat. He is such an inspiration to Danny and the other riders.
Other special guests included many fantastic children who are supported
by Happy Days and Special Times.
The journey has finished,
but Danny has placed more emphasis on the cause. The Danny’s Ride crew
is so blessed to have returned safely. We are grateful to our many
sponsors, supporters, an the community that
has taken care of our loved ones while we were away.
Sunday, WCSC will air the
program that Jim Demauro and Joe Grammer have worked so hard to develop.
Jim and Joe began recording this trek
before our departure. They continued with our start in California, our
rest in Nashville, and the finale today - and all aspects in-between.
We have grown to welcome their cameras, calls, and complementary pats
on the back. They are close ‘family members’. I hope you will find time,
before 60 minutes, to watch their documentary.
We missed Patsy French today,
who is in Columbia. Rita O’Neil, the
general manager of WCSC, eloquently closed the program, just as she had
begun it many, many weeks ago. Rita, you are the angel who assured that
Danny’s dream came through. Thank you!
