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| Skate Across America (157 Posts)
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Skate Across America for Lowe Syndrome |
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On 8/20/2003
Dave G
wrote in from
(65.177.nnn.nnn)
Just talked to Jack, seems in good spirits. I didn't meet up w/ them yesterday due to communication failure.. Trying to sort out some family obligations so as to catch them today! Timing is perfect for the team..We're predicting unbearable heat and humidity today, but they'll soon be in the mountains where it's always 10/15 degrees cooler (near Snowshoe Ski Resort)
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On 8/19/2003 Jack and the SAA Team
wrote in from
(172.129.nnn.nnn)
Urichsville, Ohio to Philippi, West Virginia
Kenny's gone, left us at the Ohio/WV border. We miss him. The morning miles were easy, the afternoon miles weren't. Up and down, went through some very depressed mountain towns today. Also saw the pavement turn from the worse to the best of the trip. Yours truly was on board when it happened...best section of the trip. Gliding under a canopy of trees next to a beautiful creek. I had to pull the team off the road today near Fairmont, WV due to high traffic, tight turns and no shoulders.
Tomorrow on to Harrisonburg...I'm sounding more and more like a Civil War General.
I would like to thank my partner in Bahne, Stan Stocher, for keeping the trip website up to date. Stan, you're the best!
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On 8/19/2003
Niclas Bengtsson
wrote in from
(213.67.nnn.nnn)
Jack! I hope you and your team are having good conditions during your transcontinental trip. Our thoughts and actions are with you. Skate safe and enjoy!
Your friends in Växjö, SWEDEN.
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On 8/19/2003 Stan
wrote in from
(168.103.nnn.nnn)
Got in touch with my Producer friend at MTV. He is putting the trek in front of the powers there. He did a great piece about these "urban" cheerleaders competing against the "Blond Ubersquads" that was very cool. Hope it works for ya.
Stan
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On 8/19/2003
Jack Smith
wrote in from
(207.114.nnn.nnn)
***IMPORTANT*** JOHN DILLON, PLEASE CALL JACK SMITH, RIGHT AWAY, AT 805-391-9385.****** THANK YOU ******
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On 8/19/2003 Jack
wrote in from
(172.198.nnn.nnn)
PD
We skated across Illinois in single day. We stayed in Clinton, Iowa on the previous night, but skated 31 miles into Illinois after checking into the motel. The next day we made it to Plymouth, Indiana.
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On 8/18/2003 PD
wrote in from
(64.4.nnn.nnn)
Jack,
What happened to Illinois? Did you drive through it??? I've got posts from Iowa -- then Indiana... but what happend to Illinois?
--PD
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On 8/18/2003 Jack and the SAA Team
wrote in from
(172.157.nnn.nnn)
Bowling Green, Ohio to Urichsville, Ohio...142 miles
Great roads in the morning...tight shoulders and lots of traffic in the afternoon. The Mollica effect is in full force. We had some smokin' downhills. My best downhill of the trek took place in Iowa of all places.
Skated through Amish country today, very cool. Tomorrow we bust into Dave Gale's home state, West Virginia. Dave and John Dillion I will call you in the morning.
If anyone needs or wants to reach us call 805-391-9385, leave a message and we will call back.
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On 8/18/2003
DAve G
wrote in from
(65.179.nnn.nnn)
Just talked to Jack and Kenny, these guys are flying!!! Jack if I don't hear from you tonite re: the route and so forth..The next few days are predicted to be HUMID as hell w/ a heat index over 100 degrees
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On 8/18/2003
Steffen
wrote in from
(82.82.nnn.nnn)
Greetings and all the best on your trip across America from Hamburg/Germany. I hope you guys are okay and push your rollsrolls all the way across the states. Take care-
and roll on!!!!
Steffen
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On 8/17/2003 John
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
Greetings from Indiana! This morning we met the Skate Across America crew in Plymouth,Indiana. We are older riders who still enjoy skateboarding here in the middle of the corn belt.We want to thank ncdsa.com for providing a forum to allow all of us skaters to stay connected and support this important cause. First of all, Jack and crew are really great guys! They welcomed us and allowed us to participate with them in this worthy adventure. This was an unforgetable and fun experience. Thanks for bringing some life into our lives. As someone who works in healthcare assisting the disabled, I appreciate what this kind of fund raising can mean to support research to help future patients. I want to encourage all fellow skaters to show support and help in any way they can make their effort as successful as possible. Best Wishes.
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On 8/17/2003
Jack and the SAA Team
wrote in from
(172.138.nnn.nnn)
Today was a great day of skating. We went from Plymouth, Indiana to Bowling Green, Ohio. A couple of guys from South Bend, Indiana drove down to give us some encouragement and skate with us a bit. John Marchin and his pal Robert, who is 67 years old skated with us along Highway 30.
John also picked up our gas, gatorade and water tab, and way overpaid us for a couple of t-shirts. Having the guys make the drive just to join us for a few minutes meant a great deal to the team and gave us a real burst of energy.
At the Ohio border we were met by Kenny Mollica and his friend, Russell. As always Kenny is an energy source not often seen on earth. He and Russell skated the 76 miles to Bowling Green with us. Russell has to leave in the morning, Kenny will be with us all the way through the Ohio and hopefully the rest of the trip, we may kidnap him, sorry Robin.
Tomorrow is a big day. So it's time for sleep.
If Mike Ohm, David Riordan, Andy Bittner, Dave Gale or Brian Parsons happen to read this please call me on my cell at 805-391-9385 or 805-748-6814.
Gilmour, do you have any big time media contacts?
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On 8/17/2003
Anne
wrote in from
(63.186.nnn.nnn)
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2003/08/13/news/local/78d3d1e8427b739286256d8100197afa.txt
article from the sioux city journal....
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On 8/17/2003
Anne
wrote in from
(63.186.nnn.nnn)
Hey, Its great to check in on you guys and see that you are all still going strong! You got support stretching all along the way ... I certainly havent forgotten about y'all. Hang in there, you're getting real close!
Much Love from Sioux City, IOWA!
**Anne**
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On 8/17/2003
Mike Allen
wrote in from
(205.188.nnn.nnn)
Hey guys! Great to see the pictures. Just read about Jack's first trek across USA, in the book, the Concrete Wave. Times have changed alot since then, but the heart of a skater remains the same. Now, as you are joined by folks all over America, again, we congradulate you all. I want a "best of America" list of the eateries, malt shops, etc. Live long, and Skate Free, Mike Allen, Rolls Rolls.
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On 8/16/2003
scott kam
wrote in from
(172.163.nnn.nnn)
Hi, this is Scott Kam from the Skateboard Across America On Board for Lowe Syndrome Team.
Thanks for the message board / website.
I wanted to be more involved with it. Everyday I say to myself; don't forget to leave a post tonight. Reality is I PUSH my hardest everyday and when I'm done I just wan't to chill with a Lady, but I'm not that Lucky/Kool to get ladies on the road. I plan to post but, I have to find the internet first (another adventure). So, I usually just fall asleep.
To be honest, I don't know what to write so I will just say thank you for this adventure:
Ma, Jack, Rootamental, justpushplay.com
Product sponsors; Etnies shoes, Element Skateboard Clothing, Harbinger Pads, Rolls Rolls skateboards, ABEC11, Trasher Magazine, Independent Truck Company, Clifbar & the Skateboard Industry.
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On 8/16/2003
Stubbs
wrote in from
(65.70.nnn.nnn)
It is really cool to check in on your progress every day, guys. It really makes the stress of the day wash away when I read about the people you are meeting and the reason you are meeting them. I continue to email some of the Dallas are multi-billionaires like Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. I continue to tell myself all he has to do is read one of my emails with the attached links to this site and he'll throw down some big money, though I know all sizes of donations make a difference. How cool it must have been for you, Jack, to meet Johnathan Ankrum and how that must touch you. It does me and I have yet to meet you and only hear about you through my bro Nick. Life is short and your struggle is becoming everyone's.
Much love,
Stubbs
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On 8/16/2003
Jack and Donna Eye
wrote in from
(67.1.nnn.nnn)
Met Jack, Nick, Scott,and Josh in Vinton, Ia. on Friday. What a nice bunch of guys. We tried to help them find a suitable route out of town. Wasn't as easy as I'd hoped considering we have lived nearby all of our lives. What a worthy cause ...Lowe's Syndrome. I made my pledge on Paypal...everyone do the same. Reseach needs to be pushed and it won't happen without financial donations. Safe travel to the guys on their skate east and also returning safely home. Donna and Jack Eye (David Eye's parents)David lives in Ft. Collins,Co. and is a Slamon Skateboarder.
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On 8/16/2003
Lenny
wrote in from
(205.188.nnn.nnn)
Keep it up guys!!!! I know you're probably set, but if there's anything I can do...
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On 8/15/2003 Jack - SAA Team
wrote in from
(172.141.nnn.nnn)
Dateline - Clinton, Iowa. On the banks of the mighty Mississippi.
Spent last night at the Modern Motel in Vinton, Iowa. It was modern in 1950, it was actually a very cool place with a reduced rate for the team. Next door was Leon's Malt Shop, excellent shakes. Lots of kids to pass out stickers to.
This morning David Eye's parents met us at the motel and helped guide us through the maze of county roads.
We were also joined by the Ankrum family who's son Jonathon has Lowe Syndrome. It was great for the team to meet a Lowe's boy. Jonathon is a great little guy, very smart, going into the 5th grade. He is very high functioning. He had made a sign to cheer us on, it was very touching. A whole bunch of his relatives were along also. We signed his sign and gave him a t-shirt signed by the team.
When it cane time for us to push on, I asked Jonathon for a hug, it was almost like I was hugging Jack. I had to turn away quickly so he wouldn't see me cry. I didn't want him to think that he had made me cry. Rod Ankrum asked if he could lead us in pray before we went on our way, a very nice way to start pushing again.
Today we had smooth, county roads and a tailwind. Checked into the motel and then skated 31 miles into Illinois. Tomorrow we hope to make it to Indiana.
Had a great lunch at Cavey's Cafe in Olin, Iowa. Classic place, like you were back in the 1940's. Cavey gave us some commenrative coins and also gave Scott a Cavey's Cafe hat, which he wore the rest of the day.
The young bucks, Scott and Josh are cranking out 8 minute two-mile sections all day long.
Lights out.
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On 8/15/2003 Jack - SAA Team
wrote in from
(172.141.nnn.nnn)
Dateline - Clinton, Iowa. On the banks of the mighty Mississippi.
Spent last night at the Modern Motel in Vinton, Iowa. It was modern in 1950,
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On 8/15/2003 Dave G
wrote in from
(65.177.nnn.nnn)
Jack and the Clan... Doin' us all (and Jack jr.) proud!!!
Keep the faith!
If anyone has a route that could be posted (between destinations) it would help the active bystanders to meet up w/ you!!
Enjoy and cleans, Jack!!!
Dave G
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On 8/15/2003
JOE
wrote in from
(199.108.nnn.nnn)
It is still the highlight of my day to check this message board and be inspired by you guys. It's been over a week and a half since I left you guys and I am awed that you are all still out there doing it. Here is hopieng that you are all going to stay strong and healthy and finish what you started like I know you can. Jack it's like the guy a few posts back said "with every mile you guys push Jack Jr is looking down on you guys with a big smile on his face. Keep pushing guys.
all my strgenth and respect
JOE B
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On 8/14/2003 Jack
wrote in from
(172.138.nnn.nnn)
Today was a very difficult day for me. Visiting New Providence, where Jack was at his happiest and healthiest. We went by the house where we lived, the old school building where Paul Dunn and I had our business and where Jack used to catch the school bus. I thought about leaving a photograph of Jack in a secret hiding place in New Providence, however I couldn't bring myself to do it. Logically I know it's just a photograph, but emotionally I know would always be thinking he would be alone or cold during the winter. Maurine told me to do what I felt was right, she also said that a part of Jack will always be in New Providence, I know she is right. I miss him so much.
Tomorrow we will be connecting with a Paul and Michelle Ankrum who have a son with Lowe Syndrome. The rest of the team has never met a bow with Lowe Syndrome. All of them are looking forward to it.
Time for sleep...tomorrow, Illinois.
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On 8/14/2003
Nick
wrote in from
(66.185.nnn.nnn)
Day 13 - Fort Dodge, Iowa to Vinton, Iowa
We did press interviews with the papers from Fort Dodge (last night), Eldora, Grady Center, and Vinton Iowa today. Jack did a radio interview with the BBC last night, as well.
Today was kind of frustrating. We kept running into road construction on east-west roads, so we spent a majority of the day trying to find paved roads that actually went through. The roads we did find, though, were by and large excellent. Rolling hills with good pavement and no traffic. Our five days of headwinds ended today, but the humidity was so high that the visibility was probably only around three miles. It looked like a foggy day on the coast, but it was about 90 degrees F, with 90%+ humidity.
We charged in the late afternoon, turning around 9-10 minute two-mile sections, and burned up a lot of miles on the way to Vinton. Our collective health is pretty good, as well.
The plan is currently to hit Williamsburg, VA, next Friday or Saturday.
Please contact the media on our behalf!
- Nick
Skateboarding Across America
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