Katie's 18th Virtual Birthday Party!

2009-06-29T07:57:00.001-04:00

Oslica's are headed home

2009-06-28T10:00:00.001-04:00

We finished at 7 days 14 hours 35 mins! Thats a full day ahead of last year!

2009-06-28T05:29:00.001-04:00

Finishing up today!

2009-06-27T15:07:00.001-04:00

The riders have some bad hills but almost finished!

2009-06-27T07:52:00.001-04:00

Annapolis, here we come!

2009-06-27T07:51:00.001-04:00

Well, the sun has risen on the last day of our journey...

We have mixed feelings of happiness that the task is almost complete and sadness because our time together will be coming to an end.

We have been so blessed by every crew member and rider on our team! All of the different personalities have meshed to form a team full of energy, excitement, laughter, organization, and "get er done" mentality.

Thank you to all of our family, friends, co-workers that have supported us both monatarily through donations and through prayer. this has been an incredible journey that we will carry wit us for life. Many of you have heartd us say that we hate NF and how it affects our children but we are so blessed by the people that have come into ouir lives becsause of NF. This RAAM journeuy is a perfect example of the gifts we have received because of our experience of NF.

Thank you for joing us on the journey.

2009-06-26T15:16:00.001-04:00

We just left the Markland family home and are headed for Blanchester ohio!

2009-06-25T14:15:00.001-04:00

Guys are staying strong and we are headed to Effingham, IL

Half Way There

2009-06-24T17:48:00.003-04:00

Ari's Angels is half way there!
Katie helps Steve Kendra take his bike to the car after he and his brother Dan rode a 12 hour shift. We left Taos NM, crossed through Oklahoma, and ended in Kansas.

Steve, Florence, Lesley & Dan pose at the half way mark.

The crew and riders are doing great!
Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes!
Lesley

2009-06-24T12:18:00.001-04:00

We made it half way!!!

Enduring obstacles

2009-06-23T14:01:00.003-04:00

What a journey! The team is doing great. Our riders are awesome and enduring a lot. Yesterday, they climbed over 10,000 feet. We encountered elk, porcupines, and DOGS! Bill Edmonds was chased by a dog and crashed after the dog caught him. His shoulder is very sore. He may have a tear in his muscles? But, he is back out there this morning, riding for all of our NF heroes.

Today, one of the follow vehicles had mechanical problems. Connie is at the shop waiting for repair. Hopefully the transmission will not need replaced.

Two of the riders left Taos NM this morning. we will be heading to Kansas where we hear the heat is really though. We would appreciate any prayers for endurance and safety! We are "calling on all angels."

We have passed the 1,000 mile mark. 1/3 of the way there.

Have a great day!
Lesley

2009-06-23T13:40:00.001-04:00

We are sitting at a hotel in Taos, New Mexico letting people rest, cleaning the RV, and doing laundry! Tonight we will head to Kansas, pray for good weather!

2009-06-23T10:53:00.001-04:00

We are going throug pagosa springs, CO riders are doing good keep the prayers going!

2009-06-22T13:53:00.001-04:00

Ok the day started good till a dog ran infront of one our riders and caused him to crash he is okay now

2009-06-22T11:09:00.001-04:00

Now we are in utah!

more pictures!

2009-06-21T22:38:00.000-04:00

Pictures

2009-06-21T22:24:00.001-04:00

2009-06-21T21:33:00.001-04:00

At hotel getting ready to leave hotel

2009-06-21T17:15:00.001-04:00

Ok im at a laundry mat waiting on some clothes

2009-06-21T16:06:00.001-04:00

Going good about 5 miles from flagstaff and night crewers are sleeping we will hangout at flagstaff tonight

2009-06-21T14:31:00.001-04:00

Okay day two going to flagstaff Arazona driving through beautiful mountains i will post some pics later now im using my phone to text stuff up

2009-06-21T13:51:00.001-04:00

Our night crew (riders Steve and DAn: crew Florence, Taylor and Lesley) had an inspirational night watching our guys hammer up those hills all night long. After a long night, we were all thrilled to see the sun come up just as we came into Hope, Arizona. It was such a profound moment. Seeing the slight glimmer of the sunrise and the sign "Hope" within minutes of each other. That moment had many different meanings. It reminded us that the sun continues to rise when we are troubled, and there is always hope.

Our ultimate hope...finish the race: The Race Across America and the race to find a cure for NF! We hope, for a brighter future.

Going to take a nap now...
Posted by Lesley

2009-06-21T08:48:00.001-04:00

Okay the team is kicking butt holding a 20 mph avrage and we r headed to meet them

2009-06-21T01:26:00.001-04:00

First shift: 25 minutes in. We are outside Brawley, CA...19 miles from the Mexico border (this is the farthest south that RAAM goes). Dan is riding great! Crew is doing great.
Posted by Lesley

2009-06-20T17:41:00.001-04:00

The race started!

Hard days work.

2009-06-20T00:01:00.002-04:00

All of us taking pictures and getting registered!!

2009-06-19T22:34:00.001-04:00

Alright now all the meetings are done and figuring out a supper plans

2009-06-19T17:08:00.001-04:00

Ari's Angels passed inspection ready to rock!!!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

2009-06-19T14:11:00.002-04:00

YAY! I am sooooooo exited! This is the BEST way to spend my 18th B-day!I am having a great time the team went and had a wonderful breakfast and we are having some team meetings and getting all of the gear ready!

2009-06-19T11:18:00.001-04:00

YAY! IM 18! Headed out for breakfast!

2009-06-18T23:02:00.001-04:00

Okay had some team meetings and are eating supper!

RAAM!!!

2009-06-18T19:39:00.003-04:00

These are some pictures i snapped!! we are currently in Oceanside and about to make a Walmart run! Thing are going great so far!

2009-06-18T14:10:00.001-04:00

Okay got the RV now headed to the meetings! And I still cant belive i'm turning 18 tomorrow!!

Headed out!

2009-06-18T10:38:00.001-04:00

Okay now me and Dad are going to go get the RV and head to Oceanside!!! Mom is (or was) in San Diego and head Oceanside!

2009-06-17T21:36:00.001-04:00

Found Chinese food in LA...imagine that!

2009-06-17T18:16:00.001-04:00

Okay! We are in LA!! About to pull up to the gate!

2009-06-17T15:48:00.001-04:00

Look out LA...RAAM crew headed your way...nice quick stop in Denver!

2009-06-17T15:10:00.001-04:00

Okay first flight to denver went well and now to LA to get the RV!!

I'm off to the airport

2009-06-17T09:37:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone,
Me and the family are heading out for our trip! I'm so excited about the race and getting to see everyone on the team.

Thank you all for helping us get to this point. You all have helped me raise over $5,400 and our NF Endurance Team has raised nearly $103,000 for NF Research and still counting! That's awesome. Maybe we will fund the research that finds a cure for NF. What a great birthday gift that would be

Talk to you soon,
Katie

Pre-RAAM duty - deliver dogs to their perspective places

2009-06-17T09:29:00.003-04:00

Here is little Sport as he drives away with Aunt Evelyn.

Looks like he's wondering..."where are they going"?...

RAAM Time!!

2009-06-14T13:42:00.002-04:00

Sunday, only 2 more days and we are on RAAM Time....better get packing!!

2009-06-13T17:03:00.001-04:00

Hey this is my new blog page!