The Final Day

It is crazy to thank but after over two in a half months of being on our trip, we came to our final day. We had a gigantic pump up for our final day. The highlight of our stay was saying good bye through massive cheers in the morning on Friday. We made a lot of the people out there laugh as we did our morning pump up for the final time. Remember to just GO MAD COW GO GO MAD COW!!!!!


Jake did a great job in leading us out of San Jose over the Santa Cruz Mountains. Coming out of San Jose we went through the Los Gatos community and got on a bike trail. This bike trail followed a main road that we were not allowed to bike on due to its traffic. Let me tell you though about our path, it was straight up at times on gravel the whole time. I think everyone except Matt got off their bike to get up the hill. Of course Kelsey had to show off by running up the hill first with her bike to show off at the end.

When coming off the path, we found ourselves at a beautiful reservoir that we biked along 5 miles up and won its shoreline. After the reservoir, we headed straight up to get through the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was a great final climb together as a group as it offered some great up hill battles. Another reminder of how nice it is to bike through the coast area in California. Coming down was just as fun as getting into San Jose the day before, as we hit high speeds always wondering when we could start to see the ocean.

We all waited just 4 miles from the beach at the bottom of the hill, so we could come into Santa Cruz as a group. While at a great tacqueria people bought lunch meals to enjoy while they waited for the rest of the group to get there. Adam’s nachos looked the best and they had some fine tacos. For the last time as a group, we did our Highs and Lows of the week before we headed out towards the Pacific. It was a sad moment to know that it was our last time, but we understand that we will always remember our great memories.

It was difficult to get through Santa Cruz as a group of 31 with many different traffic lights and turns. But we managed to survive the challenge without any accidents, only a couple cars beeped at his for getting in their way. We were all very patient and got really excited as we headed closer to the beach. When we arrived into the beach, nothing could describe the feeling that came to all of us. It was weird to know that we had made it from one coast to the next as a group without anybody killing each other. We were a very tight knit group who truly appreciated what everyone brought to our group.

As we jumped into Pacific, we of course sang out song of Country roads as we sang with excitement. I don’t think that the parents could understand us butut we enjoyed it. We each shared big hugs with each other and family/friends who had made the trip to share this moment with us. Pictures followed as we shared the moment, and we headed to our church right after.

The end of the trip party was an absolutely blast as we had great food from all of the friends and family who joined us. Some specialties were the kegs donated by Laura’s family and crawfish etoufe brought by Christ’s family. Everything there was truly amazing with all of the support given by our family.

As we all said our goodbyes this weekend, it was sad moment knowing we had to go our separate ways. We all knew this day would be coming eventually but just were not sure how to take it in. From our start to Charleston to our final day in Santa Cruz, we were challenged by obstacles and this just brought us together. We sang, we laughed, we were frustrated (by the wind), were bored together (by the wind too) and we know have to say good bye after this long journey.

There will be great stories to tell as our summer comes to a close, and there will be no way to explain to others just how this experience will shape our lives.

Once again thank you for all the support we have received through letters, homemade cookies, nutella, and donations given to us and cheerful support when needed. This is SC 2 SC saying good bye as a group for the final time!