#6 First Day of Odyssey 2000^® - 12/31

On December 30th, 260 people stood & introduced themselves, named their most recent hometown, told how they signed up for Odyssey 2000^® frequently including how they met Tim Kneeland, mentioned how anxious they were to get going, and/or told some story usually humorous. One introduced himself and his wife Betty. There was a screech from the woman he introduced. Her name wasn't Betty and she had never met this guy before.

After the staff, came me. I didn't need no stinking microphone. "My name is Bruce Tiebout from Seattle. I wear aloha shirts. Except for the Rose Parade, I will be wearing aloha shirts for 400 days. I first met Tim in 1983 when he was organizing his first bike ride in Washington. In 1994, when I had recovered sufficiently from ankle surgery to ride my bike for one mile without pain, I signed up for Odyssey. That's when I first met Karen-Anne, and she couldn't wrap her arms around me because I weighed 315 lbs. In case you're wondering, I counted calories. I count everything. When it comes to numbers, I AM anal retentive. I created the temperature and sunrise/sunset data [big applause]. I also built the box out in the hall that people are using to check the locker fit of their luggage.

I recently talked to my sister who commented that the return address on my letter was the best she'd ever seen. It read simply, 'the road.' Someone else sent me a quote, 'Life is on the road. Everything else is just waiting.'

Folks, the waiting is over!"

Happy Trails,
Bruce