As the team crossed the 4th meridian and into Alberta, we all camped out with cameras and flags to
Back in the Hat: Driver Jeff Wickenheiser gets a big hug from his mom Rita at the finish line in Medicine Hat
welcome them home. It is an interesting thing to stand by the side of the Trans-Canada Highway with two large flags (Canada and Alberta) a lot of people honk their horns which makes you proud! One fellow slowed down and yelled 'mighty patriotic of you' and then sped away. Eventually, Schulich 1 appeared and everyone was waving at the flags....I think they secretly like my over the top cheerleading.
Grady and I arrived about 30 minutes before the car and it was quite a celebration. While the barbecue was being prepared, I ran to Co-op to pick up a gift for our hosts (Icewine seemed so appropriate as it's boiling here) and while I waited at a stoplight a young lady in the car next to me yelled ' Are you with the cars?' To which I replied, yes. She then said 'is that Jeff Wickenheiser?' 'Yes', I said. 'Like wow, I used to dirt bike with him'. It's official, Jeff is a rockstar!
You may or may not know, but the team signed a contract that this is a dry trip. After the many long hot days, I've often rethought that strategy as a cold beer (or gin & tonic) would have been great, so tonight I had a lot of fun delivering to the barbecue O'douls' non-alcoholic beer. The reaction was priceless and everyone agreed it was the best beer ever! On to Calgary tomorrow and we are all trying to hold it together with excitement. Thanks for all your support over the last three weeks, it has been quite a trip and an amazing journey. Finish line tomorrow and an expected 10,000 people there to greet us.