Big day tomorrow

Sitting here in the evening watching the news of the hurricane, emailing and speaking with our family and friends back home, my heart breaks for all those sitting out the storm back home......especially given the beautiful day Azzy and I had on the beach in Herliya!  The Mediterranean was calm and as flat and sparkling as a mirror, and the sunset glorious.

We are heading north to Shavei Tzion, near Akko, tomorrow morning to meet up with everyone on the ride, put together my bike and get ready to start riding early Wednesday morning. I remember how nervous I was the night before it all began in 2008 when i did my first ride. I honestly wasn't sure what made me think I could accomplish a bike ride of this magnitude. In 2010, although I'd proven to myself that I could do it, I was once again besot by nerves. And here I am again in 2012 - older but apparently not a bit wiser!  I'm still nervous! But I'm also excited. So many familiar faces will be with me, many of whom had to move mountains - or at least airlines - to get here despite Hurricane Sandy.

Our beach house in Sea Isle City is in the direct line of Sandy's landfall, expected to occur in about 1/2 hour. I'm watching it on TV. And yet, although I really hope that the house survives, I know that mortar and bricks are replaceable. The lives within are not. I pray that the damage this hurricane leaves in her wake will be limited to mortar and brick, but that all those affected remain safe.