The Great American Journey

GAP WALK JOURNALS - VI

Wednesday - August 6,  2008   Day 154   0.0 miles

Total Maine miles - 229.1     Walking Days - 72

Washington D.C. miles - 4.6   Cumulative miles 1234.5

This is a day we’ve all been dreading - Russ and Connee both
headed back to their homes. Russ has been with me since June
14, and Connee joined us on July 14. Russ and I had some pretty
exciting/fun times together. Then along came Connee, and the
three of us had a blast together - the two cousins really had some
great times entertaining themselves while I was sick, exploring
our route ahead, seeing local sights, helping each other with
crossword puzzles, sudoku, and other such things, and just
enjoying being cousins.

Then along came Norma on Sunday, August 3, and the four of
us had a great time together. She and Russ had some crazy and
wonderful times while Connee and I walked. As Russ taught her
the fine points of driving for crazy walkers they worked and
laughed and made sure we got to walk as far as we wanted
without overworking us - Connee with her aching knee-pits (we
didn’t know what else to call it), and me just getting over being
sick.

So this morning we got up and got ready to head for Portland,
ME to the airport. It’s about a two hour drive, and we wanted to
stop for breakfast along the way. Coming back from Portland
Sunday night we had noticed a Starbucks in Waterville and
decided we would stop there on the way to the airport
Wednesday. So first we stopped at The Governor’s Restaurant
for breakfast, then drove half a block to Starbucks. Do we
know how to have fun, or what? - even when our spirits are
down with the approaching airport drop-offs.

On into Portland and right to the airport - all this in rain, of
course. Connee and Russ got out with their luggage, and I
walked around to hug them both, and the tears started flowing
for all three of us. It was so hard to see them go, but go they
must.  We finally let go, and I got in the car with Norma as the
other two walked inside. Russ and Connee would be saying
good-bye to each other in a few minutes.  They were both flying
out on US Air, but going different directions about an hour
apart.

Norma and I headed back to Skowhegan. It went smoothly, and
we got in some good visiting on the trip back.  After a brief stop
at our room, we drove across the street to Wal-Mart and
Hannaford grocery store, then to eat a late lunch or early dinner
at Charriers Restaurant. Our hot turkey sandwiches were
delicious.

Back to our motel to get settled, do journaling, and get ready for
tomorrow. Weather report for the rest of the week is - you
guessed it - rain! So I’ll be walking in the rain much of the time.
Oh, well.

Russ worked out a schedule for me of how many miles a day I
have to walk to finish the whole walk before Norma leaves
(September 14). Now the plan is not to finish that early, since
some other things have to happen after that date that make it
necessary to still be in the area between Philadelphia and
Washington D.C. But having this schedule helps us to plan
ahead, and gives me the opportunity to slow down a bit, and
enjoy some time off with Norma now and then to go
sightseeing.

Wow! When I was so far behind a few weeks ago I never
dreamed I’d be able to take time off like this, but thanks to
Russ’ hard work of finding a shorter route for me, and making it
possible for me to walk some longer mileages for awhile it is
happening.

Our actual planned finish date is scheduled for October 18 after
Dave arrives to drive home with me. After Norma leaves Dave
comes out for a week to do some things together in the New
York area. We’ll also be getting together with a friend, Bonny,
in New Jersey at that time. Then Bonny may be able to do some
driving for me to finish up except for that October 18 day.

In the meantime, after Dave leaves to go home and finish up
some tax deadlines, and while I’m finishing up the miles, I’ll
also be getting some interview/speaking assignments if all goes
well. Please be praying about this. A lot of details have to come
together yet. And, of course, as Russ reminded me - this
schedule could have any kind and number of set-backs
(sickness, accidents, and who knows what other kinds of
happenings). Certainly we don’t expect any of these things will
happen, but we need to keep the schedule flexible.

Norma and I are off to a good start. So far we seem to think very
much alike about a lot of stuff. We even got the same thing for
dinner, and decided that we need to split dinners since we both
only eat part of it.

By the way, we didn’t really have a let-up in the rain all day
today. Pray for my spirits as I walk in the rain.

Well, that’s it for tonight folks.