One Year Ago
Sep 27th, 2009 by Lyn Hanush
GAP WALK JOURNALS - VII
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.
