Useless SF trivia - Did you know that the foghorn on the Golden Gate Bridge sounds every 15 seconds when it's foggy out? And that Crissy Airfield is right below the bridge? Hmmmm... Honestly I have to say that I slept just fine but Willy had a harder time. The foghorn and traffic noise from Hwy 101 nearby had her imagining all kinds of things going on outside our tent! Poor thing didn't get an awful lot of sleep.

This morning was still foggy but you could tell it was starting to lift. In fact before we left the camp area the foghorn had stopped and you could see the bridge, SF skyline and Alcatraz. I'm sure it's a gorgeous place when it's sunny out!

Our day started out walking up the first of many, many hills towards San Francisco. We walked through some very pretty neighborhoods making our way to the Marina district, then up Russian Hill then up some more to Pacific Heights. The views were amazing. So were the hills! I'm actually quite proud of all of us for making up and down those SF hills. I trained hills and those hills were still quite challenging. It might be awhile before my legs start speaking to me again!

Along the way the San Jose bike officers were our guides, protectors and entertainment. I can't imagine how many miles they rode over the weekend! We had a few other well wishers along the way that we started to look forward to as well. Pretty Woman Guy is the hubby of one of the walkers. He could be found at many different corners blaring his song and cheering us on. We also looked forward to the gal in the pink ribbon PJ's who spent her time dancing to "I Will Survive" on many corners along the route. We had the "Husbands Who Think Breast Cancer Sucks Club" out and also our "Pink Fairies" keeping us motivated and walking. My very favorite were the "Water Divas" who had put cans of air freshner in the porta potties. Bless them! The folks that touched me the most were the simple folk that simply stood by the road, held out their hand and said "Thank you." I just know they each have a story and that they would take part of their day to just stand there and thank walkers just amazed me. They are the ones that just get to me.

Closing ceremonies were held in the same field as the opening. As we walked in to the holding area David spotted his wife and she couldn't get to him fast enough. There is something so powerful in finishing these events. The four of us walked in holding hands, got our finishers tshirt and after we posed for photos headed down to sign the big pink towers that are traveling to each walk city. Walking away from the towers the tears finally caught up with me. You just can't spend the time I have for the reasons I do and not be affected by these events. You would think I'd be over it by now but I doubt I ever will be. I guess I'd better just learn to carry Kleenex on the last day!!

The closing ceremony was pretty short. They announced the local agencies that would be benefitting from the SF AWBC, reminded everyone of why we do this and then let us go. I had planned on just catching a cab to the airport but David & Willy wanted to drive me instead and I didn't argue. I was really ready to go home but I much rather spend that time with them than with a cabbie!

At the airport I tried to upgrade to first class with no luck (dang!) but I did get an aisle seat so I could stretch out a bit. I cleaned up a bit in the restroom then headed to the airport bar for a nice cold drink. I had about an hour to kill before my flight so I called Jeff - not home, then called Bjorg and told her all about the weekend. Turned out that she had been elected to pick me up at the airport so Jeff could get some much needed rest! Probably better in the long run. I can't talk her to death but it could happen with Jeff! :-)

The flight was pretty uneventful but I was afraid to fall asleep. I was pretty sure I wake up in Anchorage or something if I nodded off! Bjorg was there in her pretty red car to pick me up. We chatted the whole way home then I fell into bed exhausted!