I woke up before it was morning. There was hustle and bustle outside, must be when we actually arrived at our location in Idaho, a rec center. I was so glad that I got to roll over and go back to sleep. It felt like minutes later that it was time to get up. I had slept sitting up in the van, but was shocked at how well I slept. Aside from a stiff neck, I had slept deeply.

There were people everywhere. Mostly it was our friends coming in from every direction. Then of course, we had people who were strangers who had come to support us. I went in to the pool, and there were people on the pool deck there to witness the swim of day #49. I visited with several ladies as everyone swam. There were employees of the pool that were in complete disbelief that what was happening, was actually happening. They had to come over, witness, and verify that the rumors were true.

After a bit, I went to get shower stuff. I went out to the RV, gathered things for the kids, and had them come and shower as well. I wasn’t sure what the plan would be for the final day tomorrow, so I made sure they showered in Idaho. The locker room was simple, so people took turns, showering with crappy shower heads, sharing outlets to dry their hair, and trying to find a spot on the bench. There were a lot of ladies with us now, so the locker room was busy.

We went back out to the RV to get all of our things put away before the masses were back in the RV. We ate a snack and we helped get James ready to get out on the bike. When he took off, we moved to the transition spot for the day, which was at a bike shop. This was no ordinary bike shop, it was a bike shop with a washer and dryer!!!!

We parked the RV, and I took in the laundry. I got that sorted and started, then we all went for breakfast at a coffee shop across the street. It was all of us friends, plus Charlotte Lawrence, and we just ate and relaxed. We just relaxed and enjoyed each others’ company. I swear we sat in there for 2 hours. James was coming around for a loop, so we all zipped out of there. His friends got dressed and were ready to head back out on the bike with him. It was fun for the kids and me to see him during the bike; this was a treat!

When everyone was biking again, we went into the bike shop and took care of tasks. We rotated laundry, did computer work, and got everything done that we could. The kids played outside and in the bike shop. There had been some ideas thrown around about James’ booked. I talked to my friends about, but I wanted to talk to Kyle Woodruff about it to get his advice. We had a small council and discussed some of the ideas/concerns in an office. I felt that it was very productive. Before we knew it, James was done on the bike.

We went outside, and I see my friend Steve Gray in a hilarious dress, with lipstick smeared all over his face. Love this guy! James did his thing, and was soon headed out to run. Once he was on the run, we ran to the post office. Again, we had a whole slew of things to ship. The Zyto crew had been diligent and getting orders packaged up for me. We were still having huge issues with shirts, never getting the shirts we had ordered, but we demanded a correct order for Montana (shirts that should have been there 20 states ago!). They sent us one correct order, and an incorrect order. I was so annoyed! These shirts were impossible! The Zyto crew had packaged the correct ones up for me, between Montana and Idaho, and I would ship as many off as were ready.

After the post office, we pulled out and saw our running crew! We stopped them to say hi to James and Carlee Lilley Tulett! It was so fun and ironic to see them in the same area where we were. We tried to make our way back to the RV and we couldn’t seem to find a way around the river. It was a long and laughing detour to get back to the RV. When we finally got back, Carlee had come back too. We jumped in the car and went to Walmart and to get dinner for everyone. We took more time than was necessary, knowing that we were kind of hidden when we were away, and I pretended that time stood still when I was away. It was dillusional, but pretending felt so good! We grabbed subs at a shop in the same parking lot, and we headed back.

5k was starting, and everyone was outside. I was still trying to get laundry wrapped up and dinner distributed. I didn’t even go out of the RV to greet people. Things were starting to get really stressful at that point. I remember people trying to talk to me, and just feeling like my brain was frazzled and not processing things. Before I know it, the CD is playing and Casey Robles is dancing in the RV. The whole mood lightened, and we had a quick dance party. It was nighttime, so people could see inside the RV. They laughed, some knocked on the RV door to say hi, and I pulled myself together.

There was a lot of back and forth with who was driving in which cars that night. I was supposed to be able to go with my friends, but it didn’t work out that way. I will save the rant as to why. Everything was complete chaos! There were other things happening that were so frustrating and I was so annoyed all around! Eventually I heard people say outside, “James should be close.”

I ran in to the bike shop to grab the last load (of the seven) I did that day. My loads had been broken up throughout the day so that other people could get their laundry done as well. The dryer wasn’t quite dry, but I didn’t have a choice, I needed to take it now. I went back out to the RV and started to hang the laundry throughout the RV. I had kids arguing in the RV. It was late, and I knew they were tired. I tried to resolve it, and it continued to escalate. This was especially frustrating because it was unusual for my kids. Why now? Why couldn’t it be sorted out before we pack up to head to state #50, home??? Everyone was now crying, and through that crying I could hear everyone chanting outside the RV. The windows were open, and everyone was cheering, Idaho was done and we were heading home. Everyone was celebrating, but not me, I was in the RV, missing it. Kids were crying, wet laundry wasn’t yet hung, RV was not prepped to leave, and I could hear the world celebrating without me.

Dramatic, sure, but that is how it was. I held back the tears, comforted the three kids, nestled them into their beds, and got to work with the wet laundry and RV prep. The kids were sound asleep by the time I walked to the front of the RV. I spent the next 30 minutes getting the RV ready, listening to the cheers outside of the RV. I reminded myself that it was almost done. Eventually someone popped their head in, “Hey Sunny, we need you to drive the van back to Utah tonight.”

I braced myself for a long drive, and another long day tomorrow. I thought about all of the energy it would take to just exist tomorrow, one of the most important days of our lives…I started to cry. I walked out into the dark, hoping that no one saw me. Soon enough I hear, “Sunny? Is that you? It’s time to go.” I rubbed the tears off of my face and made my way to the RV to make sure everything was ship shape to leave.

I said goodnight to the kids who were still awake, made sure Charlotte had what she needed, and then went toward the van. I saw Tommy Rivers Puzey in the drivers seat, “Are you driving?” I asked. “I will drive until I am too tired.” I got in and James soon arrived. He climbed in, I rubbed his feet, and we were on our way to Utah, we were on our way home!