The Dream Team (as we like to call them) arrived at our hotel shortly after midnight. It was a wonderful sight seeing those two guys drive up. 

Yes, there were lots of hugs and high-fives! And we were quickly reminded of Steve and Bruce’s absence; but we know they were with us in spirit, and we will enjoy a grand celebration soon enough. (We are excited to report Bruce continues to improve each day!)

We now journey onward to Oklahoma City (Bethany) today for an official arrival celebration with family and friends. 

So, how do you lift an 800 pound bike off the ground enough to take the front wheel off?  You do this with an improvised roadside jack (e.g. boulder, tree limb, etc.) to lift it a bit. Then you dig a hole under the front wheel to create enough space to remove it.  

We're getting pretty good at it after four tries. 

 Doug deserves a big shout-out for doing this in some very miserable conditions; mainly sweltering heat.  He would tell you that we did it together. And while I did my best to help as much as possible, it was Doug who really carried the load each time. 

Doug can fix anything! And I've come to realize that Doug is happiest when he's fixing things - even in miserable conditions. 

We have been overwhelmed with the care and concerns of others who have reached out to express well-wishes to Bruce. Thank you to everyone! If you haven’t already done so, please send Bruce a “Get Well” email. [click here] or email info@MilesWithAMission.org.

Bruce also has a “CaringBridge” page where you can keep up daily on his progress. You will need to register and log-in to access the updates. 

We want to especially thank a few people and organizations who have made Bruce’s safe return to Kanas City possible. 

First of all, a huge thank you to CrossFirst Bank. Their generosity and thoughtfulness put in motion all that was necessary to obtain a medical airlift flight for Bruce’s return. What a great organization who deeply care for their community and the people they serve. (Thank you Michael & Joy!)

Also, we wish to thank AirCare International. The medical air ambulatory service organization that provided the personnel and technology to bring Bruce home safely. Thank you to the pilots (Jake & Dustin), and the medical staff on board (Donna & Rick). Linda is especially grateful for your commitment and care.


















   Jake, Donna, Dustin & Rick with Linda arriving in Kansas City.  

I had a crown come off early in the trip. What do you do when you’re on a 10,000-mile motorcycle trip in South & Central America? What could we do; we decided to save it and look for the right opportunity to re-install the tooth, using some of the latest advanced techniques in dentistry.  

Brad reminded me he once served in a medic unit during his time in the service (...just a few years back). I really had no qualms about it -- well, maybe only slight qualms. You see, I too have had extensive dental training (i.e. my dentist has taught me to floss). 

It should probably be noted that we first tried various bonding agents, but they kept failing.

And after several attempts, we decided that this was one of those very rare situations for which duct tape was not applicable. 

 The chosen bonding agent to secure the tooth was aptly-named Krazy Glue, which Brad had brought with him for various repairs. (Part of his First Aid kit?) 

Well, you learn something new everyday!

And oh by the way, I found out I really don't mind the taste of the duct tape. 

Preparations began early this morning for the journey home. We checked out of our home for the last week and packed the bikes preparing to depart. 

Linda, Bruce's wife arrived in Panama to be with Bruce during his recovery.  Here she is at Bruce's bedside for the first time.

Everyone, including the hospital staff, feels much better that Linda has now arrived to be with Bruce. Two crusty motorcycle riders just can’t provide the same level of comfort that she can.

We cannot say enough about how wonderful these care-givers have been to all of us. Like Doug and Brad, Linda feels Bruce is getting excellent care in a first-class facility.

All are thankful for the combination of knowledge, skill, and empathy these men and their staffs have exhibited from the very start of this situation.  They have been excellent and we are so thankful to be in such good hands. Linda is pictured here discussing Bruce's treatment plan with Drs. Medrano and Amado. 

Pray for Linda a she deals with all the complexities that come with such a difficult situation.  

Remember to send Bruce a Get Well Soon email!

(On another personal note Brad missed his grandson Easton’s first birthday; and from the looks of it, Easton had a grand time celebrating without him. Happy Birthday Easton from all the Miles With A Mission riders!)

The surgeons said the actual hip replacement "could not have gone better."  The length of the surgery, amount of blood loss, and other factors were well within the normal range.  Three hours after the surgery, Bruce talked with the surgeon and was even able to eat. 

But after a couple hours his condition deteriorated.  Additional tests, CAT scans, and evaluations were conducted to determine the possible causes. The staff then concluded that Bruce's condition was the result of a rare condition known as a fat embolism in which small fat globules from the bone marrow enter the blood stream and interrupt normal functions in various ways. 

Treatment is to allow the body to dissolve and absorb the fat from marrow that sometimes accompanies "long bone fractures" such as the one Bruce suffered.  For that healing to occur, the patient must be kept stable, with blood fully oxygenated, etc.  It can take up to a week or even more. 

Bruce's wife Linda is in route to Panama to be with him while treatment continues. Brad and Doug will stay with Bruce and Linda "as long as they are possibly needed" according to Brad. "We will be here as long as necessary, if only to provide moral support."

All the riders request you keep Bruce and Linda, and their entire family in your prayers during this difficult time. Read the full story of the accident.

(If you would like to send Bruce greetings and "well wishes" please email info@MilesWithAMission.org and we will collect and forward the messages.)

However, about 25 miles out of Panama City the trip took another unexpected turn.  Light rain had made an already oily road very slick.  On a tight right turn in the highway, I noticed in my rear-view mirror that Doug was having difficulty and almost didn't make the turn.  Then he stopped.  Behind Doug, out of my sight, Doug had watched Bruce in his rearview mirror as he slid off the slick road. 

Cars and trucks stopped.  A woman called an ambulance.  And another new saga of the journey began. Another, very unfortunate accident. 

With the help of a wonderful U.S. State Department volunteer  and retired U.S Army major named Felipe, who happened by at exactly the right time, we ended up back in Panama City at Hospital Nacional.  It's a great facility with a talented and gracious staff.  (Far right is Bruce's surgeon)   

It turns out Bruce had fractured the top of his right femur and had to have hip replacement surgery. The surgery was scheduled for today and was successfully completed this evening. Everything went very well and he is on the road to recovery.

The doctors estimate that Bruce will be ready to fly home this weekend.  Doug and I will continue our Miles With A Mission: a total of 7,000 miles now behind us and only 3,000 miles to go. 



The hospital in Panama City...              Bruce & Felipe.

Thank you Abdiel for making it happen!








(Abdiel sitting on one of the Miles With A Mission bikes after unpacking.)

We are now in the airport at Bogota waiting to fly to Panama City. We have a good chance of getting our bikes by mid-day tomorrow. Since it is Saturday, our expectation will be to pay some overtime to customs officers. We’ve had plenty of sleep these last two nights... and we are ready to get started on the Central America segment of the trip. We are feeling closer to home every hour that passes.

A huge thank you goes to Crane Worldwide and especially Camilo Nuñez, Bogota Operations Manager. Camilo personally spent all 10 hours helping us navigate these three Harley-Davidson motorcycles through Colombian Customs and Narcotics checks. They don't process Harley-Davidson motorcycles very often! Especially ones like ours. 

Crane Worldwide - we thank you! 

One of the bad (maybe good) things about riding a motorcycle is that there's no room for accumulating souvenirs. But when the sales people at a roadside stop look like this, how could I resist?

 
Besides, these little knitted finger-puppets, which are obviously made specifically for my grandchildren, take up very little room and weigh next to nothing. 

And they even had one that I think my son-in-law Nate may enjoy.  Is that really a Jayhawk?  March Madness! 

When night begins to fall in a country in which it's unsafe to ride after dark, it's time to stop in the next little town and ask for directions to "el mejor hotel" (the best hotel).  That has led to some very memorable moments. 

I should stress that the people running the hotels have ALWAYS been gracious and helpful.  They've offered us the best they have.  And we've always been sincerely thankful and appreciative in return.



However, those of you reading this blog would probably prefer rooms with hot water or perhaps even air conditioning.   

These are all photos of my recent room that cost about $10 per night, but was still overpriced. 








       















   

Motorcycle helmets save lives. I know this for a fact, because a helmet saved my life about 10 years ago when my straight-on collision totaled not only the motorcycle I was riding but also the Toyota Corolla that I hit dead center.  

The Corolla was coming around a blind curve from the other direction. I was spared serious injury despite head-first contact with the windshield and also - after flying high over the car - a head-first landing on the road below.  

 
More recently, during he first leg of this trip, my life was spared again in a crash that began with my bags breaking loose, causing me to run off the road at about 80 MPH.  Suffice it to say, I believe in helmets.  Especially full-face helmets. 

 
 











Or a helmet can be used for carrying things like maps, GPS devices, satellite trackers (orange in the photo), water bottles, gloves.  Whatever!  

It's true, a helmet can be a purse! Although, for a male rider I suppose it’s called a murse. 

 

Another great use of a helmet is for singing - hypothetically, mind you.  The acoustics inside a full helmet are akin to a concert hall or cathedral.  And unlike, say, singing in the shower, there is absolutely no danger anyone else would ever hear.  

With a full-face helmet at speeds above 50 MPH, one can sing loud and as long with no fear of detection.  One might pass hours on the road with full-throated renditions of such things as The Star Spangled Banner; hymns like Amazing Grace; show tunes from Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, or The Music Man; college fight songs like Boomer Sooner; soulful classics from the Ink Spots; or, maybe best of all, that great 1962 doo wop classic The Duke of Earl (underlying bass, melody, and falsetto parts randomly intermixed). And since nobody else could possibly hear, there wouldn't even be a requirement to know all the words.  I could even have been singing when I took this photo of myself while riding. That is, IF a helmet were to be used that way. Hypothetically that is.  

And the best use of a helmet could be for making a friend.  

On of the things that has struck the most are the faces of young people in South America. There is aspiration in their eyes. They are bright, interested and resourceful.  They are here and I’m sure they will do fine.  

Sometimes, I imagine how they would do if they were in the good ole' USA. I understand why so many ask about our country and express how they hope to visit one day.