We met up with the Shannon's Soldiers team in Flagstaff, AZ on Tuesday evening (6/14), attached are a couple pictures of their pit stop. Everyone was pumped and running off of pure adrenaline and excitement. We know it wasn't sleep as none of them had yet learned the fine art of sleeping in a moving, active RV in thirty minute bursts. Not one of our four riders had slept a wink! By day three of four, we'll sure they'll have that one down. We got everyone showered and fed, washed a mountain of dirty clothes, and sent them up on their way to the four corners area by the time it was dark.
Our four riders have divided into two - two man teams with John Asher and Pat Mahoney taking one leg, and alternating shifts approximately every four hours with Peter Alexandre and Dan Schmidt. Despite a few minor delays, the team is making great time. Thankfully, no accidents or penalties! You can check their progress and time station updtes on the RAAM website: www.raceacrossamerica.org (Team #408 - Shannon's Soldiers for CTF Research).
The Shannon's Soldiers crew is holding up well and dividing up their responsibilities between driving, navigating, cleaning, and the countless other jobs that need to be done. These guys are amazing!! There will be a crew change in Kansas City, MO sometime this weekend. Approximately half of the crew will be replaced with some well rested and fresh volunteers to help push through to the finish line.
On another note, we just heard that Shannon's Soldiers has made the news. Look for an article in the Arizona Republic on Friday (6/15/07).
Onward to Atlantic City, NJ!
PS: Tell the Ari's Angels team that Shannon's Soldiers STILL has enough food stuffed in their motor home to make it to New Jersey without stopping!! Who knew you could squeeze so much stuff into (or on top, under, and behind) a motor home??
