I want to thank all of you who made a donation to support Make-a-Wish Colorado through the Trailblaze 2019 event that Elaine and I took part in. The weekend is one neither of us will soon forget.

We gathered for supper Friday evening and received our final instructions for the 24-mile hike on Saturday. Advised to get to bed, we complied and at least rested our feet, too keyed up to sleep much. Rising at 2:15, we readied ourselves, ate a bit of breakfast and loaded up in the vans to be transported to the trail.

Headlamps shone on the switchbacks in the first steep miles hiked in the dark. But the sun was lovely in its rising and we were on top of a vista to see it at that point. Thankfully, the day was mostly cloudy as we were both concerned about how much the heat can zap our energy.

We needn’t have worried about motivation or encouragement. At each of five aid stations, the Make-a-Wish staff and volunteers welcomed us, cared for us, and sent us on our way with courage to the next station. It was, of course, a long hike, but we finished and with an average mile time that we were thrilled to have achieved.

Hours later, we finally hit the sack, saying we’d never do this again.

But morning has a way of bringing a new perspective. The mission to grant wishes for kids who suffer with medical burdens we’ll never be able to understand, is something we can all get behind. The little we did and you in supporting us, pales next to what those kids must contend with every day of their lives. Be ready for Trailblaze 2020.