If I had some ruby slippers, I'd be tempted to click my heels. The countdown to the finish line is much like the countdown to our startup on June 1, lots of anticipation and a bit of anxiety. We've had time and access to the videos on the BPR website and I've been looking back over where we've been and what we've done. I just watched the video of myself shot at Lake Placid before we left which appears on the team bio page. I look really tired. I don't believe I look so tired now, despite the fact that we have travelled about 14,000 miles around the world under some tough conditions. When you take time away from real life there are dues to pay: the stress of getting ready to go and the stress of returning to the real world, reading the mail, returning the phone calls, catching up on the bills, getting back to work, hoping there is still money coming in. Luckily my housesitter has taken care of the yard and the garden, as well as cleaning my house better than I ever do. My friends tell me the place is immaculate and the garden productive. My cat and dog are healthy and happy and my friends are looking forward to seeing me. How much better can it get!

It usually takes me a long time to unpack after an adventure. I get the dirty clothes washed but my duffle bag can sit on the bedroom floor for weeks even months before it gets completely emptied and put away. Sometimes it takes another trip to get that task done. I think it has something to do with letting go and closing another chapter of life. If so, this duffle will sit for a long time on the bedroom floor because not only is it fully packed but so is my mind, full of memories and special
new friends.

We were excited to find that the barbeque turned pizza party because of the rain was hosted by one of my favorite Dow persons, Nancy Fullerton. Nancy was with us in the beginning, showed up in Europe and in the Nederlands, and has been a terrific cheerleader from day one. She runs and participated in the community 5K in Terneuzen. She ran again in the Dow 5k at the exchange event in Midland today, and what an event! The weather cleared in time and the sun came out gloriously. Hundreds of people showed up for a festival at the Farmer's Market grounds in downtown Midland near the river. Dow had a large stage, tents with food and lots of exhibits about water. Guest speaker was Heissman trophy winner, Desmond Howard. The entire BPR team was there, the first time we were all in one place since we left New York City. Dow employees Heiko and Mary ran in with the baton and addressed the crowd. Rudy from the Nederlands who now lives in Michigan ran it out. The enthusiasm of the crowd was infectious. After the exchange, most of us left to sleep but Simon stayed behind and joined the 500+ participants in the first 5k run for this event. All in all, a very special event!

Midland is Dow Town, the founding place of the Dow Chemical Company. It is Dow, the Dow Library, the Dow Gardens and so on. It is a lovely little town and was in full bloom with flowers everywhere and the healthiest, greenest grass I think I've ever seen.

Team Green is now on the 3am to 9am shift. Hard to believe, less than 10 days to go with lots in between. We have on our plate Toronto, Jason and Taeko's wedding at Niagara Falls, Harrisburg, Baltimore, Washington D.C., the Jersey Shore and the finish line! I have friends and family showing up here and there along the way. We will run one block from the high school I graduated from and up the Jersey shore coastline where I worked on the "boards" as a teenager. More links to the past and all the way on our final leg along the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Water is life. Pass it on!