The Final P.A.C.E. Trek 2009 Music Slideshow Presentation...

Well, it's time to wrap up this "Alaska Adventure". There's no better way to do that than through a music slideshow that features pictures from the trek as well as photos sent to me by team leaders. Although I wasn't able to include all of the 250 or so pictures that were sent to me of students, I included as many as possible. Some of the digital images that were sent to me were either in too low of a resolution, or were too small in size to format into the overall slideshow. I wish I could have included all of the photos, but that was not possible.

Although today's journal entry will be my last for P.A.C.E. Trek 2009, in the coming weeks I will be working on getting the daily pictures inserted into the right-hand column of some journal pages that did not get photos inserted during the actual journey. I'll also be trying to get caught up on e-mail messages from teachers and team leaders!

I've embedded the final P.A.C.E. Trek 2009 music slideshow below using a Windows Media Player script so that you can watch it directly on this web page. If you cannot see the embedded video below, then you can click here to download the slideshow. You should know, however, that the file size is around 56 Megabytes and this is a Windows Media file (.wmv format). The embedded version below is streaming, meaning that you can click the play button in the lower left-hand corner of the player and begin watching it immediately. Also, BE SURE TO TURN UP YOUR SPEAKERS!

Please be sure to read this entire page, because there is further information below the embedded music slideshow!

	Windows Media Player Format (Click Play Button Below)

An Experience I'll Always Cherish...

As you know, my parents were with me throughout this trek. My father drove the RV that I slept in each evening, and my mother took some wonderful photos - many of which I've used in my music slideshows. It is an incredible experience to go through such an adventure with your parents. We live so far apart (they in Alaska and me in Montana) and my family often wishes that they were closer. However, to have this opportunity with them has been one of the highlights of my life. Thank you Mom and Dad for your love and support of me and my endeavors. I wouldn't have wanted to experience this "Alaska Adventure" any other way!

The following is a special note that my parents gave to me and I wanted to share it with you.

Paul,

It has been a delight for us to be able to watch you as you started and then completed PACE Trek 2009. We watched as you struggled against the rugged Alaskan terrain, and endured the weather. You had days of unforgiving headwinds and extreme cold, coupled with record breaking high temperatures. We saw you with sheer determination on your face and every muscle straining, as you climbed to the top of Thompson Pass pushing 80 pound BOB ahead of you. But we never once heard you complain.

We were privileged to accompany you as you held assemblies at various Alaskan Schools. It was fun to see the kids react to your presentations. You were able to reach out to every age group, including the staff, and not only entertain and encourage – but to also inform.

At days end it was time for you to take care of your body, as well as encourage your family at home in their individual endeavors. Then you had to change hats once again to update your PACE website, as well as attend to your OnTrack business. We watched in amazement as you handled each task with grace.

We are so happy that you included us in the Alaska Trek. Together we have all made memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you Paul - we are so very proud of you.

Mom & Dad

Well, that's it. P.A.C.E. Trek 2009 is in the books and once again I've had an amazing experience along with thousands of kids around the world. Those students did great and I am so proud of all of them - as well as their teachers! The next P.A.C.E. Trek will be in spring 2010 and I'll be sharing details about that at this web site later. So, please mark your calendar to check back to www.pacetrek.com in a couple of months for more information about the 2010 trek. For those wondering about "Bob", he'll go back home to Montana with me and will receive some care to keep him rolling along. You'll see us again next spring! Thanks for running along with me through Alaska and be sure to keep setting goals and taking steps toward greater health and fitness! Signing off from this Alaska milepost...