The Estrogen Factor
"FROM THE BABES OF RV1"
Day after day people blog in to see how 5 riders are making out on an adventure of a lifetime for an amazing cause. Today, we thought we would offer some incite into a different facet of the overall experience - that of two of the female volunteers along for the ride. We are Leslie Bowling, Driver and Massage Therapist (i.e. the resident sadomasochist), and Carmen Samuda-Lehman Driver and Den Mother (i.e. the resident chief cook and bottle washer)- and we have rocked the show since day 1! From the moment we stepped foot in this RV, the "boys" have had their rules laid out for them (i.e. gear goes in your designated boxes, dishes in the sink, and stinky laundry hung up on the clothesline - neatly strung from one end of the RV to the other, we might add).
We have to confess to a certain degree of failure however. Try as we might we have been unsuccessful in keeping the testosterone down to a manageable level. Toilet humour is often the order of the day and the language flies sometimes - all to be expected on a road trip and is one of the trials and tribulations of living in a frat house environment. Since we are in the minority by far, it has been us who have had to fall into step. We have accepted with pleasure the adage of "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em". The result has been a continuous stream of laughter and memories that will not soon be forgotten. In the words of Anne Lappe “the more you find out about the world the more opportunities you have to laugh at it”.
Team H2V – RV1 (Fred, Willie, Bryan, Leslie, Carmen, Keith, Kyle) - the morning of departure, Halifax!
We are feeling quite blessed this morning to have had the chance to duck in for a quick shower at the YMCA in Medicine Hat, Alberta – only our second shower since leaving Halifax – and our first trip to the laundromat to boil the boys' gear. Thank God for baby wipes and Febreze! Suffice it to say that our RV was well on its way to smelling like a well used hockey bag that had been left in the trunk of a car for the entire season. The guys only started to notice the change in air quality this morning - go figure!
We rolled into Calgary this morning with a police escort to an absolutely phenomenal welcome from the residents and supporters of the JDRF. After a quick and emotional visit with the children and their families, the guys received their official White Stetsons Hats (making them honorary citizens of Calgary), and we were on the road again. We just stopped in Canmore and are about to ascend the Rocky Mountains – a formidable challenge!
Understandably, we are excited to get to home to Vancouver; however, part of us doesn’t want this adventure to end. This experience has been one that has changed our lives and will stay with us forever. The team consists of an amazing group of people. The collective strength of all involved in this incredible endeavour is something to be admired. It is a wonderful example of altruism at its best. We are ever so grateful to have been given the opportunity to contribute. From inception to this point in time the forward momentum has been phenomenal and with no signs of it slowing down, we look forward with the excitement of little kids to our arrival at English Bay on Saturday. Look for us at the finish line. We will be the ones wearing our Team H2V jackets with pride, tears on our faces, and bags under our eyes.
Carmen, Stan Peake (former IF West Van Coach and current Manager of IF Calgary), and Leslie - at the Calgary reception!
Day after day people blog in to see how 5 riders are making out on an adventure of a lifetime for an amazing cause. Today, we thought we would offer some incite into a different facet of the overall experience - that of two of the female volunteers along for the ride. We are Leslie Bowling, Driver and Massage Therapist (i.e. the resident sadomasochist), and Carmen Samuda-Lehman Driver and Den Mother (i.e. the resident chief cook and bottle washer)- and we have rocked the show since day 1! From the moment we stepped foot in this RV, the "boys" have had their rules laid out for them (i.e. gear goes in your designated boxes, dishes in the sink, and stinky laundry hung up on the clothesline - neatly strung from one end of the RV to the other, we might add).
We have to confess to a certain degree of failure however. Try as we might we have been unsuccessful in keeping the testosterone down to a manageable level. Toilet humour is often the order of the day and the language flies sometimes - all to be expected on a road trip and is one of the trials and tribulations of living in a frat house environment. Since we are in the minority by far, it has been us who have had to fall into step. We have accepted with pleasure the adage of "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em". The result has been a continuous stream of laughter and memories that will not soon be forgotten. In the words of Anne Lappe “the more you find out about the world the more opportunities you have to laugh at it”.
Team H2V – RV1 (Fred, Willie, Bryan, Leslie, Carmen, Keith, Kyle) - the morning of departure, Halifax!
We are feeling quite blessed this morning to have had the chance to duck in for a quick shower at the YMCA in Medicine Hat, Alberta – only our second shower since leaving Halifax – and our first trip to the laundromat to boil the boys' gear. Thank God for baby wipes and Febreze! Suffice it to say that our RV was well on its way to smelling like a well used hockey bag that had been left in the trunk of a car for the entire season. The guys only started to notice the change in air quality this morning - go figure!
We rolled into Calgary this morning with a police escort to an absolutely phenomenal welcome from the residents and supporters of the JDRF. After a quick and emotional visit with the children and their families, the guys received their official White Stetsons Hats (making them honorary citizens of Calgary), and we were on the road again. We just stopped in Canmore and are about to ascend the Rocky Mountains – a formidable challenge!
Understandably, we are excited to get to home to Vancouver; however, part of us doesn’t want this adventure to end. This experience has been one that has changed our lives and will stay with us forever. The team consists of an amazing group of people. The collective strength of all involved in this incredible endeavour is something to be admired. It is a wonderful example of altruism at its best. We are ever so grateful to have been given the opportunity to contribute. From inception to this point in time the forward momentum has been phenomenal and with no signs of it slowing down, we look forward with the excitement of little kids to our arrival at English Bay on Saturday. Look for us at the finish line. We will be the ones wearing our Team H2V jackets with pride, tears on our faces, and bags under our eyes.
Carmen, Stan Peake (former IF West Van Coach and current Manager of IF Calgary), and Leslie - at the Calgary reception!
3 Comments:
Nearly everyone is capable of fantasizing about being the ultimate jock rider, blazing through cities and towns to the cheers of admirers. But, not many of us fantasize about slowly driving for hours, cooking meals in a swaying RV or trying to figure out how to wash the dishes when the water heater goes down. And, how about massaging some sweaty biker after his ride (well, some may like that but, at 3:00 AM when you’re totally bagged from driving…..). None of us fantasize about stinky body smells, getting hit in the face with wet, hanging laundry or no showers for days. Carmen, Leslie, Fred and Stan, my hat is definitely off for you! Thanks for looking after the “boys”….it’s time someone pinned a “Hero” badge on you. You ARE heroes to all of us and you ARE appreciated.
And thanks also to Tom, Jay and Robert for 12 hour shifts and fixing yet another flat, greasing a chain or adjusting a cranky gear. You guys rock and are also solid members of the HERO club!
Well said, Ed. Awesome work, girls and guys behind the scenes. The glory is yours too. It wouldn't be a team without you.
Wow! Wow! and double Wow!!!
They say behind every good man there is a great woman. In your case it would appear to be two
women,who seem to be juggling a whole lot of balls (can be taken any way you like)to keep the team on stream. I am so very envious of your dirty laundry, smelly locker room and bathroom humour. I'd love to have just one of your days. Instead you will get all my faith and respect, love and affection for taking care of some of lifes most precious cargo - my son and his now bosom brothers and sisters. Cannot tell you how moved
this is making us all..
Love you
Sylv
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