TUCSON, Ariz. — Rep. Gabrielle Giffords left a Tucson hospital today and is being flown to a Houston rehabilitation center for her next steps in her recovery, less than two weeks after the congresswoman was shot in the head.

Well-wishers holding flags and signs that read “Get well Gabby” lined the ambulance’s route between the hospital and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where Giffords was loaded on a specially outfitted jet.

“We want to be here to help her and show her a good farewell, and hope that she has a great recovery,” said Al Garcia, a Marine veteran who came on his Harley Davidson motorcycle. “It’s through all of these prayers that she’s leaving in just two weeks.”

A gunman shot Giffords and 18 other people Jan. 8 as she met with constituents outside a grocery store in Tucson.