2002 Story Set
| May 10, 2002 Day 19 Saturday May 5, 2002 Wildflower 2:30 AM We left for Wildflower after a fast shower and car load. At 3AM - I noticed that I was out of gas - no - yes - no - aha! The van's gas gauge has lost control of its mind. I was hysterical for a few minutes then I ignored it - or tried to. First open gas station I found was the G14 turn off from 101 and I opened the station. It was 5:00 AM. I got gas (6 gallons) and decaf coffee (fresh made). My son had long since crawled into the back and gone to sleep. The van has seats that make up into beds and the center seat was down with pads and towels on it. He was racked. He murmured a few times, like when I yelled at him to move his big feet which were blocking my arms when I shifted. I drove using written directions as I could not see the map, it was dark and foggy and I was on a country road. 101 South is not like 99 South, which has a MacDonald's and Chevron every 30 minutes as you fly south. I know where they all are. 101 has fewer signs telling you how far you have to go, what city is next, etc. As well, it has less open stations at this early hour and I couldn't see any MacDonald's. Of course, they do not open until 6AM usually. Chevron stations are where I stop for coffee before then. On 101, the Chevron stations were not open! On G14, after that one station, I saw no others all the way to the lake. I did not speed as the car is old and the road dark and bumpy. I was passed by cars with bikes on top, reassuring me that I was going the right way. I nearly missed the turn into San Antonio Road and pulled over to the side. The SUV who had passed me earlier, screeched to a halt further down Interlake and had to turn around. He ended up behind me. 6:00 AM We got to the lake entrance (Lake San Antonio), and then found area G, where TNT was to be. They were scattered and we saw no one. I found a spot for the car and waited until people got up. By 7:00 AM, we were found and we made arrangements to go to the shuttle, a quite long walk. I got the rolling ice chest, my purse and the other bag (his camera just in case). I also got the chair bag. We did not select a bag that would be for backpack carrying. It was not light. We had some help and my son walked down the hill and up the next to the shuttle. He was hot and tired. We had help getting on the bus and then made it over to the grassy area. We set up. We were near a store and a restroom with flush toilets. We could see all the waves of swimmers as they launched. We could watch them swim out and make their turn. We could see the noisy helicopter hover over the lake. Behind us we could see the bikers launch. (After swimming they race up hill and transition into bike gear and are off for 56 miles.) When the swimmers were all launched, we packed up and headed for the return shuttle. He was tired. I had eaten 1/2 of a Togo's and drunk two things of fluid, soda and water. He was sipping Propel. At the shuttle place, there were no drivers and it was a mob scene. We just missed a bus and then they loaded a second. We got on. 50 feet out, we were waiting for bikers to get through, the driver heard that this was to be the last shuttle. That was close! We got back to camp and someone carried the chair thing for me ad my son made the climb down the hill and then back up to camp. We all had Gatorade at the bottom of the hill. It was getting really hot in the sun. 11:15 AM My van was near the dining tent, and we set up the chair right there in the shade of the bug-dropping tree. We started watching the race and then moved across the street (still shade) to continue. Bugs dropping into drinks had been too much. 1:30 PM It got too hot and my son wanted to crash. The runners were spread out. We took the chair back. I had rolled the car back so there was a good view. He crawled in and went to sleep. I opened all the windows and later even the back lift door. I got him to eat 1/2 sandwich and drink a little more. 4:00 PM My hands are sore from clapping and my throat is dry from yelling. You yell "Go TEAM" whenever a Team in Training person goes through. You clap for everyone. The highlight was first the race official and then the lead runner male) and later another race official and then the lead runner (female). After the bike race they transition again and run a 1/2 marathon. These are the pros. The winners had gone through around 11:30 AM. People were still staggering through at 5:30 PM. It's finishing that counts. My son ate the other half of a second Togo's and I had the rest. We had killed all the sodas, and several water bottles. 6:30 PM We said good bye as people were lining up for diner (we had no tickets) and I was bleary-eyed. We pulled out. My son had hurt his ankle climbing to the shuttle (slight loose-gravel incline) so people came to say good bye to him. We had done our support. Time to go. I headed out. Next year if we come we will camp overnight and stay for a few days. They provide the tents. You provide yourselves. You eat in the mess tent. He will be in better shape next year. And next year, no hauling heavy chairs. I want the light ones from QVC. The one we have (double wide) will go out back. It is comfortable and lovely to sit in. It is a nice addition to the outdoor room I am fashioning on the deck, rat and all. My gas gauge went from full to nearly empty in 15 miles. I tried to ignore it. We had little traffic. I stopped for decaf and gas and settled for Lipton tea, a Heath bar, some chips and some StarBurst candies. We shared the chips, the candy, I inhaled the Heath bar as we raced up 880. I drank the tea and the last of a soda. I was tempted to stop as we found open MacDonald's but I passed. I was aware that I should stop but I had my son talk to me, tell stories, blared the radio and drove as fast as possible. We were home by 9:45PM. We took in my purse and his camera (he hadn't shot one photo) and I raced to feed animals and give my son his 6MP (1 pill) and GCSF shot after which I collapsed into bed. We both had glasses of Crystal Light by our beds. I managed to remember to bring the dog in. I also had a mild sunburn on my neck. We had managed sun block on other exposed parts. |
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