I'm so close to home and haven't taken the time to write a blog, and apologize if I must. 12 days from ending a journey that's been long in coming. And I'm so grateful to all that have made these past days so memorable. As I walk the road, constantly hoping to see wildlife, and sometimes the wife down the road with refreshments, it gives me such a calm and allowabity to just reflect and see all the goodness in life. There are so many people that have such large hearts filled with compassion and a tenderness making all feel at home.
I've found some disappointment but my expectations are to blame. It's the first time I've chosen to put a financial aspect with the journey I've created and it's hard to compete with so many needs around us. I have to applaud so many out there working hard for whatever cause they support.
But I have to say I still like the way I put things out there. For every 5000 times my feet hit the concrete, I'd like someone to donate a penny. And I'll end with that. Please keep in mind that it's up to Minnesotans to create the "miracle"! We'll have to wait to see how many it affects!
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Friday, August 8, 2014
Well I'm back after 4 days of nothing. It's not that I didn't have anything to say but I was a little weary at the end of each day. I sometimes thought about the "why" while walking the 11 miles a day, and questioned my thinking on the whole endeavor, but then I just looked around at the beauty of nature, and the questions dissappeared. And I never questioned how my age might be a factor? Something else that nature's beauty put to ease!
Something I am questioning at this point of the walk is this. After spending over a year speaking to the Union leaders throughout the state, why haven't more come on board with donations? I know that the State leaders sent out a letter acknowledging their support to nearly 1000 Unions across the state and yet I've only seen donations from less than 50? For those that have shown their support with donations, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I ask that you reach out to those that haven't and ask that they come on board.
I'm doing my very best to give my brothers and sisters across the state, recognition for their strength and solidarty, carrying myself proudly, and hiding the pain of the daily walk. I only ask for a penny a mile in return.
Even though this started with my union brothers and sisters, it will take EVERYONE in the state joining in with donations and support to raise the monies needed to create our perpetual fountain of food. So, PLEASE, spread the word to churches, schools, civic groups, your friends, neighbors and families and consider donating to help end hunger. If everyone gives just a few cents a mile, our goal can be reached!
I have to take time to thank my loving wife Joan! Once again, I couldn't have taken on this cause without her by my side. She waits patiently as I walk, updates the facebook page, and is my constant consolation at the end of each day. So it's true that behind every good man is a great woman!!!!!!
still a long walk home,
Gary
Something I am questioning at this point of the walk is this. After spending over a year speaking to the Union leaders throughout the state, why haven't more come on board with donations? I know that the State leaders sent out a letter acknowledging their support to nearly 1000 Unions across the state and yet I've only seen donations from less than 50? For those that have shown their support with donations, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I ask that you reach out to those that haven't and ask that they come on board.
I'm doing my very best to give my brothers and sisters across the state, recognition for their strength and solidarty, carrying myself proudly, and hiding the pain of the daily walk. I only ask for a penny a mile in return.
Even though this started with my union brothers and sisters, it will take EVERYONE in the state joining in with donations and support to raise the monies needed to create our perpetual fountain of food. So, PLEASE, spread the word to churches, schools, civic groups, your friends, neighbors and families and consider donating to help end hunger. If everyone gives just a few cents a mile, our goal can be reached!
I have to take time to thank my loving wife Joan! Once again, I couldn't have taken on this cause without her by my side. She waits patiently as I walk, updates the facebook page, and is my constant consolation at the end of each day. So it's true that behind every good man is a great woman!!!!!!
still a long walk home,
Gary
Monday, August 4, 2014
Day 3
Yes, I know it's a boring title...I'll try and come up with something better for tomorrow!
Anyway, another day's walk is done and Gary's taking a nap. We ended up buying him new tennis shoes last night and his feet were much happier today! Funny how that works---his original shoes were VERY expensive, fancy shoes and the new ones were about twenty bucks.
It was a bright, sunny day out there with a nice breeze, and Gary covered 11 miles for a total of 34 so far. I think he's doing very well and hopefully getting used to the routine of the walk each day. We're definitely sleeping well under the stars and cool.
Some of my friends from Ashland Productions (a community theater group I work with) met up with us at the giant walleye at the entrance to Kabetogama Lake area and we chatted with them a bit. So nice to see friendly faces so far from home---thanks Jill, Maria and CeCe!!
Not much else. THANK YOU to all that have donated so far and all that are following on our Facebook page at Minnesota Miracle 2014 as well. PLEASE help spread the word and if anyone has any media contacts they can hook us up with that would be great. We want everyone to have the opportunity to donate and to be a part of ending hunger in Minnesota!!!
Still a long walk home,
Joan
Yes, I know it's a boring title...I'll try and come up with something better for tomorrow!
Anyway, another day's walk is done and Gary's taking a nap. We ended up buying him new tennis shoes last night and his feet were much happier today! Funny how that works---his original shoes were VERY expensive, fancy shoes and the new ones were about twenty bucks.
It was a bright, sunny day out there with a nice breeze, and Gary covered 11 miles for a total of 34 so far. I think he's doing very well and hopefully getting used to the routine of the walk each day. We're definitely sleeping well under the stars and cool.
Some of my friends from Ashland Productions (a community theater group I work with) met up with us at the giant walleye at the entrance to Kabetogama Lake area and we chatted with them a bit. So nice to see friendly faces so far from home---thanks Jill, Maria and CeCe!!
Not much else. THANK YOU to all that have donated so far and all that are following on our Facebook page at Minnesota Miracle 2014 as well. PLEASE help spread the word and if anyone has any media contacts they can hook us up with that would be great. We want everyone to have the opportunity to donate and to be a part of ending hunger in Minnesota!!!
Still a long walk home,
Joan
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Day Two:
Done and sore--- I had a little trouble keeping up the 3 miles an hour today. Fell about 15 minutes short of the pace. But I managed complete the day with 11 miles off the 300 for a total of 23 miles walked these first two days!
I asked the wife to do the blog yesterday, but forgot to remind her to thank Mike Holden and everyone that helped send us off from International Falls---a HUGE thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Now it's time to relax and get a foot massage so that I'm ready to take on the day 3.
It's a long walk home,
Gary
Done and sore--- I had a little trouble keeping up the 3 miles an hour today. Fell about 15 minutes short of the pace. But I managed complete the day with 11 miles off the 300 for a total of 23 miles walked these first two days!
I asked the wife to do the blog yesterday, but forgot to remind her to thank Mike Holden and everyone that helped send us off from International Falls---a HUGE thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Now it's time to relax and get a foot massage so that I'm ready to take on the day 3.
It's a long walk home,
Gary
Saturday, August 2, 2014
The Walk Has Begun!!
After two years of planning, today the walk started. We got to Kabetogama Lake and the Arrowhead Resort yesterday---what a beautiful setting! We relaxed and got ready.
This morning we met at the Bob Walls Memorial Union Hall in downtown International Falls. Mike Holden drove Gary and I around so that we could see Rainy Lake from several vantage points---a lot of water!
Then back to the union hall for our send-off. We had a great bunch of people to send us on our way. Too many to name, but nurses, teachers, the volleyball team, city workers, children big and small. Gary and Mike led the parade to the edge of town. Everyone walked those first couple of miles. Then it was just Gary.
The way we are working this is that we will have a "home base" for several days in five different spots along the route. Today Gary walked from International Falls to 10 miles south of it. We painted a mark on the shoulder (sorry if that's illegal!), drove back to our campsite. Tomorrow we will begin at the mark and walk 10 more miles, make another mark, etc. So we know exactly where we've left off to begin there the next day.
We are at Lake Kabetogama until 8/6. Then we bring the camper with us and will go down to Eveleth where we'll be based for 10 days until the 16th. So for half of those days we will be heading north to walk each day and the other half we'll be heading south.
Please pass the word! You can donate from the website, or mail a check. Also, check out our Facebook page Minnesota Miracle 2014---I will be posting pictures there as I can.
The adventure has begun!! Gary has his first 12 miles under his feet and hopefully his body won't be too unhappy in the morning.
with hope in our hearts,
Joan and Gary
After two years of planning, today the walk started. We got to Kabetogama Lake and the Arrowhead Resort yesterday---what a beautiful setting! We relaxed and got ready.
This morning we met at the Bob Walls Memorial Union Hall in downtown International Falls. Mike Holden drove Gary and I around so that we could see Rainy Lake from several vantage points---a lot of water!
Then back to the union hall for our send-off. We had a great bunch of people to send us on our way. Too many to name, but nurses, teachers, the volleyball team, city workers, children big and small. Gary and Mike led the parade to the edge of town. Everyone walked those first couple of miles. Then it was just Gary.
The way we are working this is that we will have a "home base" for several days in five different spots along the route. Today Gary walked from International Falls to 10 miles south of it. We painted a mark on the shoulder (sorry if that's illegal!), drove back to our campsite. Tomorrow we will begin at the mark and walk 10 more miles, make another mark, etc. So we know exactly where we've left off to begin there the next day.
We are at Lake Kabetogama until 8/6. Then we bring the camper with us and will go down to Eveleth where we'll be based for 10 days until the 16th. So for half of those days we will be heading north to walk each day and the other half we'll be heading south.
Please pass the word! You can donate from the website, or mail a check. Also, check out our Facebook page Minnesota Miracle 2014---I will be posting pictures there as I can.
The adventure has begun!! Gary has his first 12 miles under his feet and hopefully his body won't be too unhappy in the morning.
with hope in our hearts,
Joan and Gary
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