2009-09-04-Update from Drayton Valley

A RUDE START!

I don't have any new photos, but I do have some news from the Crew. David calls it a "Rude" start to the tour! When the tree fell on the van last night, not only did it knock out the rear window of the van, but it also damaged both David and Helen's bikes! Neither are rideable. Bent handle bars, bent rims, and possible frame damage.

Undaunted, the team made a presentation to the students at Aurora Elementary School in Drayton Valley. The Grade Five students are starting a section on "WEATHER", so there was a great tie in, along with the usual bike safety and Munsch story. Another great welcome and send off.

Today, Sheralyn and Alan are riding to Whitecourt, while Helen and David are driving back to Edmonton for repairs to the Van and Bikes. If all goes well, they will all meet up in Whitecourt tonight.

David tells me that they were lucky, because if the tree hadn't deflected off the campground fire pit when it fell, it may have severely damaged the back of the van. I imagine the scene was similar to one of their Robert Munsch plays.... David yelled "RUNNNNNN!!!!", and Alan, David, Helen and Sheralyn all ran off in different directions. Thank goodness no one was hurt!

Another Poster from St. Patrick School in Camrose

Don't forget to Donate!

Thanks

2009-09-03-Campground Trouble!

A quick note. Too much excitement tonight! We are camped near Drayton Valley. A storm hit, and the wind blew down a tree which took out a window in one of our vans.

Fortunately no one was hurt - but we definitely need repairs.

Let's hope for better luck tomorrow!

2009-09-03-Departure from Saint Patrick School and Camrose!

One of many posters presented to us by the students of Saint Patrick School!


David is really happy about the van graphics provided by Windwood!

We arrived at Saint Patrick school around 9:00 to set up. Shortly after, the gym filled with enthusiastic kids. What a wonderful crowd!!!

First David talked about the trip and where the team had been in previous years. Have you ever ridden your bike to Winnipeg?

Next - Alan spoke about Bike Safety!

Sheralyn's helmet doesn't fit him very well...

Next we read a Story....

ZOOM! by Robert Munsch!

Lauretta's wheel chair just isn't fast enough.....

Mom and Dad say - it's just too fast!

No way - What speeding ticket???!!!

That wheelchair just isn't fast enough!

After the play - we read a poem!

Then Sheralyn presented the school library with a book signed by Robert Munsch!

The children had all drawn posters for us to take on the trip!

Finally - we are ready to go!

Ready to mount our bikes!

We're Off!

2009-08-27-Kick off Party at Merchants!

We had a wonderful night at Merchants Tea House tonight to kick off the trip. David Samm emcee'd the program in front of a packed house of about 20 people.

David described this year's trip, how the Munsch a Bunch project got started, and showed slides of last year's trip.

Helen, David, Alan, and Sheralyn then acted out a Munch Book "David's Father" to the delight of the crowd.

Sheralyn is not sure she likes David's dad - THE GIANT!

It's pretty good to have a Giant as a friend!

They all turn out to be pretty good friends!
Mrs. Ford read her poem

"If you Give a Baby a Book"

If you give a baby a storybook, they will want to open it up.

And when they open it up, they will want to see the pictures.

An when they see the pictures, they will want to turn the page.

And when they turn the page, they will want to hear the story.

And when you help them with the story, they will want to hear it again and again.

And someday they will grow up, and read to a baby - just like someone read to them.

And that is what early Literacy is all about......

To top off the evening, Mrs. Hamblin read the Munsch Book, "Love you Forever"

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Don't miss our departure from St. Pat's School on Wednesday morning, September 3, 2009 at 9:00!!

Departure 9:30 ish...

2009-08-19 Training run to Edberg and back!

The whole team headed out for a training run tonight. We need to work out how the van's would in the relay. Helen and Dave headed east from Camrose, while Alan, Sheralyn and I headed East. The vans were shuttled ahead in 15km increments with the riders taking turns. The two groups passed each other just East of Edberg, and met again in Camrose. Everything went smoothly, and we got back just before dark!

Sheralyn after her first 15km.
Alan and Sheralyn switching riders!

Check out the article in the Camrose Booster about our trip.
http://www.camrosebooster.com/news9.htm

Don't forget to come out to our kickoff party at Merchants, Thursday evening, August 27, 2009 at 7:00pm.

To donate - click here.

David out for a practice Run

I saw David out for a practice run yesterday. I first saw him east bound on Highway 13 East of Camrose. A bit later, I saw him at Tillicum beach. A nice 30 or 40km ride - in not the best weather (12 degrees). Sorry I didn't have my camera, so I couldn't attach a photo!

Everyone is getting excited about the ride. Remember to Join us at Merchants
for our kickoff party August 27, 2009 at 7:00pm. (4857 50 Street).

2009-08-11-Organizational Meeting

Well - the team is almost ready for the trip! We met today to finalize the details. Funding and sponsorship is still a primary issue. Please donate if you can!

A kickoff party is planned at Merchants in Camrose (4857 50 Street) on August 27, 2009 at 7:00pm. Please come out and show your support!

The team will be leaving Camrose on September 3rd from St. Pat's School for their 1,200km round trip journey.

Our new website is up and running at

http://www.miles4literacy.com

You can also follow our trip on twitter at

http://twitter.com/miles4literacy

Please donate!

2009-08-11-Organizational Meeting

Well, we are almost set for this year's ride. We met today to finalize many of the plans. The team has completed some practice rides, and is all ready to leave September 3rd from St. Pat's School in Camrose.



There will be a kick-off party at Merchants in Camrose August 27, 2009 at 7:00pm. Please attend if you can.