About Lea's Foundation

In 1998, Lea Michele Economos, a young woman who died of leukemia at the age of 28, made a dying wish to her parents that others would not face the hardships she encountered by finding a cure for this disease. Her family started this charity to carry on that wish. Today, Lea’s Foundation takes an active role in finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and myeloma and to better the lives of people living with these diseases. At the UCONN Health Center, the Lea’s Foundation Center for Hematologic Disorders sponsors research in this field. A new program covers the cost of bone-marrow testing to help recruit life-saving transplants for patients. Also, annual scholarships are given to children with leukemia who are planning to attend nursery school. For more information on other projects carried out by Lea’s Foundation, please visit their website at www.LeasFoundation.org.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Day 15: False Start


Feeling as rested as possible, we took a deep breath and started the 5000 foot ascent toward Cedar Breaks. Looking back, I guess it took a lot of effort to ignore the multiple signs warning us that the road was closed, but we decided to continue the climb in silent denial. After 4 miles, we ran into a ranger that confirmed that yes, we would have to wait until 3 PM. It turned out to be a lucky situation, however, since the Rt 14 had been closed for avalanche repair from 7 AM- 7 PM since November, and the work was just ending. We begrudgingly coasted back down to Cedar and hung out in a coffee shop before trying again.

Cedar Breaks was unreal! We all agreed it was the prettiest viewpoint since the Sierras. We saw a panorama of bright red buttes juxtaposed against a cloudless blue sky. The elevation was over 10,000, so we had a chilly descent into Panguitch, another town seemingly maintained by vacationers eager to see the surrounding sites (about half of whom are German, oddly enough). We were generously granted a room by the Panguitch Inn.
Notes for Coast to Coast 2013: unlike those in Nevada, descents in Utah are peppered with "surprise" mountains. Enjoy the 25 MPH plus stretches while they last, but be prepared to grind upward a few more thankless times before the bottom. Also, don't eat at the Cowboy Cafe in Panguitch, but DO go for the homemade ice cream next door!

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