The Great American Journey

GAP WALK JOURNALS - VII

Saturday - September 27, 2008 Day 206 11.3 miles

Total Pennsylvania miles - 41.2 Walking Days - 95

Washington D.C. miles - 4.6 Cumulative miles 1700.1

It is so good to see that mileage change, even if it is only 11.3
miles. Oh, but today was fun! I got to greet and meet many
people in Philadelphia, and many were just delightful.

We started our day with breakfast at the motel, then off to the
great city of brotherly love. Parking in the Visitor’s lot near the
Liberty Bell we walked upstairs to the Visitor’ Center to use
restrooms and look around in the Gift Shop. I didn’t buy
anything, and Bonny just bought postcards.

Then we headed back down to the car so I could get my gear on
and start walking. This was Bonny’s first day of driving, and we
had already pre-driven the route for her twice on the previous
two days. We had a little time of prayer for safety, and for
guidance for both of us, then I headed out.

Once I got over to Chestnut Street in front of Independence Hall
I had someone on the street take a couple of pictures of me. The
person I chose was one of a group of Japanese tourists who
didn’t speak a lot of English, but he was happy to do it.

Then I officially began the final portion of this walk (from the
Liberty Bell to the Lincoln Memorial). This portion is only
about 146 miles. I was happy, and enjoyed greeting many people
as I walked - not so much the tourists in this first section (they
were too busy rushing to and fro trying to get to where they
wanted to be). It was more as I got back onto 6th Street and
down into the poorer sections of the town.

As I walked along I’d spot someone coming my way and call
out a cheery “good-morning” to them. They usually looked a
little startled, but then quickly recovered, smiled, and greeted
me. As I watched these people I prayed for them. There were
many different races and ages throughout the morning.

At one place a man was working at the edge of the street, and he
asked me, “Are you walking across America?” Of course I
stopped and talked with him and explained what I was doing.
He was delightful, and exclaimed about what a great thing it
was for me to be praying for our country. I found out that his
father had served in the military.

Continuing along many more returned my greetings, and often
asked how I was - to which I always replied, “great! And you?”
Sometimes those sad faces turned to smiles as we exchanged
our greetings, and that was so good to see.

One man told me his day was good earlier, but now he was on
his way to work. I can’t remember just what I said to him, but he
left with a smile on his face.

Then there was the delightful man on Snyder Avenue who came
from Italy in 1958. He asked a lot of questions about my walk,
then invited me into the Italian pub (for lack of a better name) to
have a drink. I accepted, and got a delicious pear juice drink (no
alcohol, thank you). He introduced me to the staff and to his
friend that came in.

Continuing on, Bonny and I met at a Dunkin’ Donuts (eat your
heart out Norma) where I enjoyed a Boston Cream Donut -
my favorite. I walked on down Passyunk Avenue, which
became Essington Avenue, and then Bartram Avenue. This took
me past and alongside of the Philadelphia International Airport.

I eventually turned off onto Industrial Highway. This took me by
some big oil refinery’s. Most of these later roads and highways
were very good for walking along, but there was a short section
where I had to cross to the other side and walk on a grassy area
and through a parking lot.

Once when I was crossing a very busy street (with a walk light) I
had to cross two sections where cars could turn into my path. I
watched very carefully, but one car came around the corner very
fast with no turn signal on. He looked like he was going to go
straight, then suddenly veered right toward me. I began to
maneuver my way out of his way when he finally saw me and
quickly turned away barely putting on his brakes. Thank you for
all who are praying for my safety.

Then I walked on through a little section between Philadelphia
and Chester, that I think is still part of Philadelphia, and ended
the day at WaWa Market where Bonny was waiting for me.

After taking off my gear, we headed down the road to check out
Monday’s route once again, and to find a place to eat. Our
lunch/dinner was at Boston Market - ummmmmm, good!

Then back across the Delaware River and to the store for a few
things before returning to our room for the night. I enjoyed a
nice shower, then had macaroni and cheese, purchased at Acme
Market.

It was a fun day, and I just pray that perhaps I was able to make
a difference in someone’s life today. I know Bonny made a
difference in someone’s life today - mine, for one. But she also
was able to share a little with a lady in a wheelchair sitting
outside of Dunkin’ Donuts this morning.

Bonny is a happy gal, full of laughter. Oh, I told her I was going
to write about some of her unique habits (she laughed and gave
me permission). By the way, she is 72 years young (and, yes, she
gave me permission to tell you that).

Now when we go into a fast food restaurant Bonny always
makes sure she has plenty of ketchup - she lines up three or four
of those little cups with ketchup in them, and I think she eats it
on almost anything. She tells me that some of her friends have
given her a couple of shirts with special messages about
ketchup. One says, “Everything tastes better with ketchup.”
And the other, “Bonny puts ketchup on her ketchup.”

Maybe we’ll have a running story going here for a few days with
different habits of hers. Now mind you, I’m sure she will soon
be able to tell you many of my unique habits, but I have control
of the journal.

I think you can see that Bonny and I are having a lot of fun
together.