Seattle - Before the Ride Began

Well, I made it to Seattle and had just finished putting my bike back together. I arrived with a pretty bad cold and felt kind of crappy but very excited to meet everyone and start my adventure. I was staying with 7 other big riders with a host family, the husband had done the ride a few years prior. It was great that 8 of us were all staying together because the rest of the big riders (there are 46 of us, I think) were each staying with different host families alone. We were lucky because we got to spend two days together before the ride started and really bond and get to know each other. These people are great! Our mechanic, Dave also stayed with us, who is also an awsome person!