What an amazing day, with perfect weather to boot! Temperatures in the 80's, bright sunshine, breezy and dry. Another Rotarian started our day. Anne Hansen, President of the Swarthmore Rotary Club, home of Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, greeted us at our first exchange point with her husband Hogie. Also greeting us was Dr. Bodhi Rovner, a chiropractor from Baltimore, Maryland, who has been tracking us. He provided free chiropractic services starting with Laura then me. He helped us both to have better runs and that we did! After Simon ran, Laura had one of her greatest runs. She loved Philadelphia. It was her first big city run and she loved the beautiful old buildings. Laura ran into the exchange point by historic Independence Hall in the heart of downtown from where I took off.

The exchange did not bring in as many spectators as we hoped, or media, but it was an awesome venue. Green Team members took the stage. I had not expected to be in Philadelphia and became sentimental as it was the place where I became a U.S. citizen at age 17 with my brothers. Also, in 1980, we passed the torch during the Olympic Torch Relay right in front of Independence Hall with my family there. My run was also one of my best. It took a bit of maneuvering to get out of Philly onto the Benjamin Franklin Bridge which crosses the Delaware River into New Jersey. Edo came with me on a bike. The bridge crossing was spectacular with views far down the river on both sides and fresh air, probably not very common here. On the other side we wove through Camden, New Jersey. I remembered this area from the 60's and 70's when the streets were full of debris including dead river rats. It's been cleaned up and even the lower income areas felt safe, especially with Edo.

From Camden we worked our way through back streets and bike paths, along the river, ending my run in Cherry Hill. I passed the baton to Jason and Taeko who then ran 20 miles together including her first leg for the Blue Team. It was a day of guest runners and friends showing up to run. Shiri's track buddy ran with her. Simon's girlfriend biked with him. Laura, Kevin and I drove to Toms River for the night, the town where I went to high school. We shopped a little and then went out to dinner with my brother Robert and his wife, and a high school friend of mine. Just as dinner was coming to an end, Robert announced that someone wanted to see me. I turned to find my other brother Curt from Georgia and my sister Marjorie from Colorado standing there. Both had travelled all day to get here. Marjorie will run with me again in the morning, as she died on the route in Moab, along with two of my best friends who have signed up as guest runners. I'm overwhelmed. Of all the surprises on this journey I never thought I would be experiencing BPR with all of my siblings. It could not be more complete, and by the Jersey shore where we all turned into adults. At least some of us.

Water is life. Pass it on!