GAP Daily Journal - September 8, 2008
Sep 8th, 2008 by Lyn Hanush
GAP WALK JOURNALS - VII
Monday - September 8, 2008 Day 187 16.6 miles
Total New York miles - 33.2 Walking Days - 94
Washington D.C. miles - 4.6 Cumulative miles 1688.8
It started out as a crazy, mixed up day, but ended up as an
incredibly awesome day. While I messed up by forgetting the
New York map (I had the New York route sheets) and the
notebook we used for the previous New York portion, God was
still very much in control and timed some really cool meetings
for me with people along the way.
We stopped at the same McDonald’s for breakfast that we did
on Saturday. Two people came in that we had seen and talked
with that day as well. They spotted our car outside before they
spotted us. So we got to visit with them some more, and get
their pictures as well as another friend of theirs that joined them.
Peggy had served in the Air Force during the WW II years, and
Bill and Michael both served in the Navy during that time. (I
think I got that right.) I shook all their hands and thanked them
for their service to our country.
We had decided to drive to The Bronx to start today’s walk, and
walk back to the Connecticut/New York border. Driving there
was interesting in itself. First, a sign was missing on U.S. Route
1 soon after we started, and we missed the turn we should have
made. We made a big circle and started over. This time we got it
right due to Norma’s alert eyes. Three cheers for her on this one.
Then we came to Pelham Rd., which confused me because I
knew we had to get to Pelham Rd. Well actually it turned out to
be Bronx and Pelham Parkway that we needed. Once I saw that
on the map we were ok to go beyond Pelham Rd. But when we
got to Pelham Parkway I had to try and remember where we
needed to park so we could start. We went round and round for
awhile, then finally it all came together, and we parked and I got
started walking.
I was on Highway 1 all day once I got there from our parking
area - not very far away. It was about 11:45 a m when I finally
started. At first I had to get myself calmed down after all my
mistakes, then I was able to smile and greet people along the
route. I greeted as many as I could, getting many responses from
people who looked very surprised that I would be talking to
them. Then out of the blue, when I least expected it, a man
smiled at me and asked me if I was selling my flag. I laughed
and explained what I was doing. He wished me “good-luck,”
and waved as we parted.
A little later another man asked me for a quarter - I actually gave
him two - and he showed me how to do a knuckle greeting (I
don’t know if that is what it is actually called, but for lack of a
better name I will call it that). After accomplishing that to his
delight - and mine as well - we went our separate ways.
Then just a couple of minutes later, a man pushing a shopping
cart asked me if I was doing something special. I explained what
I was doing, and he gave me a very surprised look, asked a
couple of questions, then wished me well, and went his way.
Meeting Norma at McDonald’s we went in to have some
chicken selects and salad for lunch. I didn’t take too long, but
quickly headed out again to finish up this segment of the walk.
When I came to New Rochelle, NY I was walking along a busy
sidewalk when I saw a man with a bicycle. He saw me with my
flag and told me about a special event coming up on 9 11. I told
him I would be out of the area by then. He then asked what I
was doing. When I told him he was excited, and told me he was
the head of the local Habitat for Humanity. We talked some
more, then Jim told me to stop in at their store just down from
where I was and say hi to Mary.
I missed the Habitat store at first, but went back to find it. Then
I went in and talked with Mary. What an awesome experience
this all was. Jim wants to interview me, and will e-mail me later.
Mary said she will be reminding him. It was a great experience
meeting these wonderful people who are doing such a good
work.
A little later I was walking along and passed some young boys
on their way home from school (I assume). As I passed them I
decided to speak to them. “Hi, guys. How are you doing today?”
They responded with a simple “Hi” at first.
Then one of them asked me a question about my walking. I
stopped and told them I’ve been walking for over 1600 miles,
and I asked them how far they’ve walked. One of them said
weakly, “One mile.” 
I explained what I was doing, and they
were quite shocked. I started to walk away, but then asked if I
could take their pictures. Well, they thought that was a cool
idea, and decided I should get their picture around a table at a
McDonald’s on the patio. It was perfect, and I got them each to
say their names for me on the camera’s audio. They wished me
“good luck,” and I continued. These six young men (my guess
is junior high age) were quite delightful.
I came to a large intersection where a crossing guard for school
children was waiting for the next “walk” light. We talked
briefly, and she gave me several indications that she was a
Christian. As we talked I responded to something with, “God is
good,” and she responded, “All the time.” I then said, “All the
time,” but she didn’t give the expected response of “God is
good.” The light changed and she had to go to the middle of the
intersection to allow the children to cross the street.
I crossed ahead and continued walking. I took pictures of a few
statues, and churches, met Norma one more time before the end,
and just kept on walking to the end once I filled up on water,
and drank some G-2. I drink my G-2 every time I meet Norma
at the car.
I finished the walk, closing up the gap in this section. Now all I
have left to walk is the section between the Liberty Bell and the
Lincoln Memorial. Dave had been “chaperoning” me and saw I
was at the finish. So he called me to congratulate me. I love
it.
Now back to our motel via Starbucks, of course. Dinner was
leftovers from our Sunday lunch at the Pizza Faire. When we
got out of the car, another car pulled in next to us and two
women got out. One studied our magnetic sign and asked about
it. I explained what I had done, and what I was now doing. Her
friend had gone on, so Naomi went to get Barbara to bring her
back to meet Norma and me. We talked a bit, and I took their
picture.
Tomorrow we move to Washington D.C. where we’ll take a tour
of the city on Wednesday. Then Thursday we’ll move to
Philadelphia where we’ll see the Liberty Bell and take a tour of
the city on Friday. Saturday we’ll move to the Newark, NJ area,
and Sunday Norma heads back to California from the Newark
airport. I’ll stay there to work on some projects I need to do on
the computer. Then Dave arrives at the Newark airport on
Wednesday, September 17th. On the 18th I’m speaking in
Hackettstown, NJ, and have some other meetings during that
time as well.
Well, it’s late. I better call Dave and get to bed.
