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

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

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

  It's been a couple of exciting weeks.  Joan and I drove to International Falls earlier this month and I made a return trip last week.  Mike Holden had a meeting with his Union leaders and I was part of what's coming in August.  I left with a solid belief that the people in town will surely send me off on the 300 mile walk with more than a smile.  I also met with Emily Gedde with the "Journal" newspaper.  She assured me that they'll do all possible to take the beginning of the Minnesota Miracle into the eyes of the public.
  Prior to heading to International Falls I met with two great individuals in Duluth.  Scott Dulas and Larry Sillanpa.  Scott is the President of Branch 114 with the Letter Carriers and Larry is the Editor for "Labor World"!  Turns out that the letter carriers have their annual picnic scheduled for August 17, the day I walk through Duluth.  So they're joining me for part of the walk along with members of other Unions that day!  It should be both a day to remember and one that will be beneficial to the fundraising goal.  It also marks the half-way point of my miles walked.  Either I'll have found a physical strength to carry me through to the end or have to use the goodness in the hearts of all I've met!  Stay tuned!

    There's only weeks left before the walk begins.  I'm getting anxious to begin this journey for a number of reasons.  Over the past 2 years I've had the privilege of meeting so many great individuals that share the concern about hunger in Minnesota and how it should not exist!  And having so many come to the plate with their support and donations makes me proud!
  There are a few things that concern the wife and myself in regards to the first week on the road.  Where to find a place to end our day with a plug in for our accommodations.  I'm hoping that Mike will have some information when I travel to International Falls one more time prior to the walk beginning.  And making contacts with the local media as we take on each day.  But all these questions will find answers as we get closer to August 2nd.
  I want to take this opportunity to thank those Unions that have responded to the letter sent out by the State AFL-CIO.  The United Steel Workers, Electrical Workers, Boilermakers, Communications Workers and all stepping up to show a strength and solidarity.  You make me proud!  
  I've approached the local radio and television here in the Twin Cities and gotten a response from some but await all to join in this effort.  We hear so many things through the media as our daily lives move forward. Wouldn't it be great to hear about how all Minnesotans came together, joined hearts, and eliminated hunger here at home?
  For all that have supported my effort thus far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I promise to represent the goodness in each and every one of you as I walk those 300 miles!  And for anyone that has a question about their donation I have one answer.  Your donation will never be spent but remain in the Minnesota Miracle Ending Hunger Fund eternally.  Only the interest of those funds will be used to help the food shelves throughout the State of Minnesota.  The nest has been laid and holds the funds already donated.  Please help us make this effort one that will exemplify what can be done when we stand together with a common cause!!

  I had a busy week and need to comment on things.  I did speak to the Labor Assembly in Duluth last Thursday evening.  Dan O'Neill allowed me the minutes to update those in attendance but it wasn't enough time to get all the information to those present.  I wasn't able to ask if the Trade and Labor in Duluth, wanted to join me on August 17 when I walk through their town?  I truly believe that something great could be coordinated to benefit the hungry there.  But it's not in my hands.  I'm just the man walking the 300 miles and doing what he can to ask common Minnesotans to help end hunger here at home.  
  I made some great contacts on the way up to Duluth.  Holly in Pine City, Lynda in Stacy, Sam in Sandstone and Mark in Hinckley.  All were so receptive to what I'm doing and offered their support in any way possible.  I just love the compassion I find in small town Minnesota.  Just down to earth people with hearts larger than life!  I did not make a second trip to International Falls but will in July to speak to the Labor Assembly where the trek will begin.  On a final note, the Saint Paul City Council passed a "resolution" of support for the Minnesota Miracle.  I put their resolution on the "newsrelease" page on the home page.
  In ending this blog I'd like to thank all of those I've met in the past couple of weeks.  You make me feel that I'm not alone in fighting the hunger that exists here at home and make me feel like part of a huge family that cares about everyone!  And that's part of what makes life worth living and makes me proud to be a Minnesotan!!

  I apologize for the month without an update but I had been waiting for direction that never came.
And now there's been a small setback that I'll comment on when all has been said and done!  I have found strength with my Union that helped me put the hopes and dreams on the Atlantis shuttle 7 years ago and we're moving forward.  Once again I have Branch 28 of the Letter Carriers coming on board with more than just a donation.  They're helping with the final coordination of my effort to end hunger here at home.
  Joan and I made a road trip this past week and although rain was heavy, the individuals we met between Duluth and International Falls offered a blanket of support for the effort being put forth.
We found overwhelming support in Eveleth and Virginia with those we met and spoke with.  Steve with the Steel workers, Ginger who's been feeding her community for 30 years, and so many more.
All that have promised to help get the word out that we'll be walking through their communities in August and hope they'll join us in our effort to end hunger.
  We did find towns that map quest had us believing existed and don't or didn't have markers to acknowledge them, but we mapped out the distances for each day.  We still have to find a place to spend the nights for the first week, we may have to drive some distance to find them. Or I'll find some folks that will allow us to plug in at their homes.  Time will tell.  When we reached International Falls we were met by Mike, my man that's retiring in September, and knows everyone in town.  He brought us over to meet the Mayor and part of his crew and will be helping in creating the send off on August 2nd.  There's so many great individuals there that share the concern when it comes to hunger and eliminating it.  
  I do have a busy week ahead.  The City of Saint Paul is passing a resolution of support on Wednesday, then I'm speaking to the Labor Assembly in Duluth on Thursday, and the Labor Assembly in International Falls on Friday.  I'll come back with information on those meetings next week.  Before I end this blog I have to thank Coats RV in Forest Lake.  Sally the owner and her main man Dan have offered to lend us a vehicle for the trip!  This is huge!  We now don't have to worry about where we'll be sleeping.  They've taken that burden off my mind and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.