Buffalo led the pax of about a dozen down the snowy path (and sometimes no path) away from the AO and at times through the woods.  To ensure no pax could feel their hands – or at least not in a good way – he had us carry “cindi’s” (cinderblocks).  And yeah – we were wearing rucks.  Thank goodness he had an extra 30 pounder for YHC…

We stopped a few times for pain stations as the 6 caught up.  It was crunchy and cold from the snow that had fallen earlier in the week (4-6″ in Leland, Boiling Springs Lake, etc).

Great group of pax there and as we rucked with our cindi’s YHC was able to bounce around to meet them all.  Some were from Leland so I knew them, others from the Southern part of F3Bruco and one who bounces between Southport and Highlands.  This pax was “Sparky” and he knows “Powerball” from Highlands well.  I EH’ed Powerball years ago and he continues to be a leader in F3 and the community today.  Selfie was sent to Powerball of course.

Shout-out to these fellas of F3BruCo.  This convergence had been planned for a few weeks – California Love had EHed me for it more than once, but I never knew what my schedule would be with our situation there in Leland.  Well, Mom passed on Friday afternoon and I was there, so there was no place I’d rather be than with my F3 brothers on Saturday morning.  The Estate and Mighty Jungle were a bit far away, so this ruck event was perfect.

California Love had heard of Mama Force’s passing, so he announced to the pax that this ruck would be in her honor and memory, then told the story of how YHC landed at a bootcamp in Leland 3+ years ago which would lead to me having local support throughout Mom’s journey as well as a pastor (Heath, aka Snickers) who would end up getting to know Mom and Dad over the years, check in on Dad on occasion, come to the house to check on all of us, pray with us and pray over Mama Force in the final days.  Snickers will give Mom’s Eulogy this Saturday.  Dad’s choice and YHC knows God put me in front of Snickers 3 years ago for this very purpose.

Aye.  No Moleskine today.