Amongst approximately 2000 people, I was one of them who surged upon Washington D.C, for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day walk for breast cancer. I believe everyone deserves a lifetime. This was the second time I've participated in this magnificent event. The first time was Oct 2010. As many of my supporters remember, one of my best girl friends died in 2008 from breast cancer.
Pindi was 39, two weeks before her 40th birthday.
Her strength and love is what inspired me to do this. This year was going to be different in many ways. First, my sister Darlene joined me.
She signed on as crew and volunteered in camp services. I'm not sure which job is more grueling, walking or crewing. I was also a little bummed because some kind of way I hurt my back in June and after several doctor's appointments, X-rays and MRIs, we found out I have a bulging disc in my lower back. s training days dissappeared and other days dwindled down I realized I was not going to be able to walk the 60 miles as I had done in 2010. the back pain is just too much and I certainly didn't want to rupture or aggrevate my back. I received several pep talks from friends, family, co-workers, coaches and doctors and realized while the walk is part of it, getting to that point is just as important. So, with that in mind, I ventured to plan B. I would walk what I could, which wasn't going to be much. Many of my friends wondered why I was even going. I had to go. Even if I couldn't walk. I decided when I wasn't walking, I'd chill out in camp and even volunteer some. And that's what I did. I brought a pair of hiking sticks to help along the way. Day one began at oh crack dark. My sister and I got to the opening ceremonies, located at the Washington Armory at 0430. Darlene had to be there early for a crew meeting. I mulled around waiting for other walkers to arrive. Opening ceremonies was great, filled with love and enthusiasm.
Approximately 1500 walkers headed out onto the route of D.C. at 0630. I walked to the first pit stop, rested up, caught the van to the second pit stop. Got more rest and then walked some more. When the back spasms said stop, I did. 4.2 miles walked. I caught the sag bus back to camp where I realized I'd missed a lot the previous time. In 2010, when I got back to camp there were only three things on my mind, eat, shower and sleep. LOL. This year I found out that in camp, there was a tent with entertainment, another tent where you could get a shoulder and foot massage and another tent where they were playing bing-go. Who knew. Pink tent city was different this year as well. We were in the RFK Stadium. We camped out in our little pink pup tents inside the stadium where the concession area.
While I heard a few people complain about sleeping on concrete I loved it. Not the camping out, but the concrete. Everyone knows my idea of camping is staying at a hotel that doesn't have cable, so if I can get concrete, walls, a ceiling and warm lit bathrooms, I'm a happy person. The subsequent days were just as fun. I met another walker, Terri, who recently had leg surgery and she was unable to walk as she'd hoped so we partnered up and completed the remainder days together, crossing over the finish line at the Washinton Monument hand in hand on Sunday afternoon. My sister and I had so much fun, we've already committed to doing next year as crew.
My sister wants to stay in a hotel. Now what fun would that be.
SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA AND BAR HARBOR, MAINE
Picture perfect. This trip should be everyone’s dream. If traveling to New England and up to Nova Scotia, Canada is not on your bucket list or whatever list you’ve comprised to get you away for the dishes it should be. From the hospitality to the waterfront there was something for everyone, Did you know, after the American Revolution Loyalist headed north to start a new life. In 1785 Saint John became the first incorporated Canadian city, Halifax became the Ellis Island of Canada and Bar Harbor is surrounded by mountains, forest, lakes and oceans. Wow, what a plethora of history and what a wonderful trip. From the moment I placed my feet on the land of Nova Scotia I stepped into a fantasy land built to excite and entice. I chuckle to myself when I think about my goal for this trip, besides relaxation and trying to not gain too much weight. Light houses and lobster. Who could ask for anything more? The only thing wrong with that, I found much, much more. Hospitality that I didn’t know existed, blue berries, architecture that will blow your mind, a reversing fall and water front villages. I don’t think my words can describe it so why don’t I let the pictures do the talking. After all, a picture is worth a million words.
