The UPS lady had checkered vans! It's clearly a movement.
Our final day was a move day, we left our Air B&B in Sedalia and hauled our stuff to a hotel near the brand-new Kansas City airport. Before we left Sedalia however my dad and Jimmy headed over to a UPS center to ship Jimmy’s bike and my lithium battery back to the West Coast. Grateful for them!
Thanks for the recommendation Isaac!
After getting everything tucked away at the hotel we needed lunch. Jimmy was quick to inquire about breweries in the area and I had heard that a fellow wheelchair user named Isaac owned one nearby. River Bluff Brewing provided some tasty food and some delicious beer. Their flagship beer is the Speedliner IPA and we were thrilled to have something bitter, hop forward and well attenuated. Pretty sure Jimmy sampled the whole menu while I scored some lovely glassware.
Celina and I then made a request for a trip to Kansas to pick up a geocache. It was only a few miles away and we were able to make quick work of it. Earlier in the day I had snuck off from the Air B&B to get my final “Missouri mile” (day 2798, but who’s counting) and figured I’d get a quick “Kansas kilometer” while in the area. The team was agreeable and patient but we had to head off to our final shindig the trip.
My people!
Before leaving to Missouri, I had reached out to SCI organizations in the state to see if there was an opportunity to connect with other chair users. Well, I got crickets (or perhaps cicadas) to most of my emails and messages but I did hear back from Erin Brown of the Greater Kansas City Spinal Cord Injury Association and she was wonderful. She organized a small happy hour with a few locals at a nice sports bar not far from our hotel. Before the evening was up, we had met Bob Rule, Tom Knaus, Tony Durham, Erin Brown and a lovely new friend Melissa whose last name I sadly missed. They were all passionate about living active lives in chairs. Tony and Tom are both active on their local quad rugby team the KC Revolution, with Tony being the captain. We shared some great stories and our contacts. Meeting other folks in chairs is a big reason I continue doing these rides. It’s awesome meeting other folks in chairs that are taking life by the horns and not letting their limitations define who they are. It’s an honor to be part of such a strong, diverse, resilient community who are out there living their best lives.
Never easy saying goodbye…
After an uneventful night and morning at the hotel we headed off to the airport. Edwin returned the rental truck while my dad was willing to make the long drive back to St. Louis to return our ramp van. Dr. B and Jimmy helped Celina and I with baggage at the curb. It’s always a sad time saying goodbye to the guys after one of our big rides. I try to see them several times a year, but after a big block of time together it’s harder parting ways. We joke and tease each other saying goodbye in the typical guy fashion, while underneath our heartstrings are pulled from wrapping up another spectacular journey together.
Our flight home was slightly awkward with another delayed baggage check. Then there was a language barrier challenge with both the baggage handlers and the people movers. Fortunately, they did get me into my seat with Celina’s help and the chair did arrive in Seattle in one piece. All our prior proper planning pulled us through and we made it home no worse for wear. Well, there is still some dirt on the armrests from the spill on day six…
Proud partner of:
