Day 3

Terrain: Road
Path: Brewster (Sea Camps) to Dennis (Wixon School) / Shuttle to Main St. Hyannis
Time: 3 hours
Mileage: 9.6 miles
Blister Count: 0

Saturday night Jill sternly warned me not to stay up all night writing. I’m glad I heeded her advice. I didn’t see 10pm that night!

We woke up in the morning and took our time getting ready. We had plenty of it. I slept well the night before, but Jill woke up a few times from the pain of her blisters. At one point she said her legs were even shaking from them. Ouch!


Jill was frustrated that her feet weren’t working for her, because she felt so great otherwise. She noted, however, this is something people with MS deal with on a regular basis, and saw it as therapy as opposed to misery. If I needed anymore motivation to finish the 50 miles, that was it.

Becky wasn’t sure Saturday night if she was walking because she was so sore. But a good night’s sleep was all she needed. She joined us in our room once she was ready.

Becky was just in time to witness my sister attacking me with mole skin. I had a hot spot on the bottom of my left foot. My left knee was sore from Saturday too. I think my knee was sore from compensating for the hot spot. Either way, Jill insisted I put mole skin on it.

I’ve never touched mole skin, never mind touch it. The name of it was enough to turn me off. I quizzed Jill on the makes of it. No, it’s not actually made out ‘mole’ skin. No, it doesn’t feel funny. Yes, you must wear it. I made her put it on me. I was too squeamish to do it myself, and almost too squeamish to let her do it. I kept pulling my foot away. Becky kept laughing.

We went to Bagels & Beyond again for breakfast and headed to the Sea Camps. We were hoping to catch Rachel, but she mentioned starting at 7:30. It was just after 7am and Becky wanted to hit the road. She said if she didn’t start early, she wouldn’t be able to do it.

Based on Saturday, I figured I’d start with Becky and then go at my own pace. I thought that Rachel and Becky might catch up with each other and I’d just go ahead to get it done. I was feeling good. But before the first mile was in, my moleskin was falling off my feet. I ripped it off and threw it away at the first stop. I didn’t even feel my hotspot anymore.

The news in the morning at the hotel was saturated with 9/11 memorials, testimonials, and videos. We had thought about wearing shirts or something as a team to mark the day, but decided not to in the end. I didn’t see much to do with 9/11 on the walk except at the first rest stop. They had decorated the stop patriotically and had posters to sign. One was to support the victims of recent local tornados, and the other was going to the Military as a thank you. It was very tasteful.

Before leaving the first stop one of the guys told us as we were exiting to watch our ankles due to all the street walking on this day. I asked Becky if she knew what he meant. She replied without hesitation that the alligators might attack our ankles while we walked. Smile. Nod. Keep walking.

Up the street Becky mentioned that somewhere (such an elusive word on a 50-mile walk) along the road was a Reggie look-a-like horse. It seemed we walked a while before finding him. He was almost on the last leg of the walk, after at least the first and second rest stops. But it all blends together now.

Aunt Irene and Baby A greeted us at the second rest stop. Baby A took a few steps with us and was very happy to see Becky. Aunt Irene mistook me for Rachel and asked where I was. After reintroducing with myself to my aunt, we parted ways with Aunt Irene and Baby A. We were almost done and could feel the end nearing.

We were going down hill when we spotted a sign ahead. Organic Manure. Before I could even comment about making manure organic, Farmer Becky was asking if it was horse or cow, and suggesting we sell some for a fundraiser. We decided it was horse based on their mailbox, and Becky explained that in order to be ‘organic,’ the horse must be fed naturally organic foods. We’d name our manure sales, Palmer’s Pals Poops. - and I can’t guarantee the organic-ness of it.

Cousin Jake called us as we were nearing the end. He and his fiancee Brooke were going to meet us at the school where we’d have lunch and relax for a bit. She explained to him the name of the school so he could find it. “It’s like ‘bison’ but with a ‘w’ and ‘x’ - wixon.” Uh-oh, the bison was back….

On the road up to the school, we finally found some Palmer’s Pals signage. My mother decorated a piece of the sidewalk with our names (all spelt right!) just in time to push us to the end.

A small crowd cheered us and gave us high fives and thank-yous as we turned into the school lot. It was surreal and didn’t seem like it was the end. Becky and I headed toward the school to check in and get our shirts. Jill met us outside in her fuzzy socks and slippers. She had just had a well-deserved massage by one of the therapists.

We picked up our blue shirts. Jill had already gotten her orange one and we picked a spot on the field to settle. Becky and I left Jill with our belongings and went out to the sidewalk to greet Rachel. As we were waiting, people kept asking Becky if she was ok. She was. It was good to see though that if she wasn’t, everyone was there willing and ready to help.

Rachel was easy to spot. Her hands were going a mile a minute. My mother had joined her at the last rest stop and walking with her. We caught up with them and all walked in together. This time there were more people at the finish cheering on everyone. It felt like more of a finish.

But it wasn’t over yet.

On the field at the school, we had a catered lunch and relaxed for a while. The DJ kept playing upbeat music to keep our muscles fresh. One song that seemed to be on repeat was “I Would Walk 500 Miles.” Finally it made sense - 10 years x 50 miles per year = 500 miles. See, we aren’t awful at math after all!

Once everyone, all 600+ walkers, safety teams, crew members, crossed the finish and had some lunch, we boarded school busses. The busses transported us to downtown Hyannis for the final ½ mile.

A sea of orange (for those with MS) and blue (supporters) streamed out of the busses and gathered on the sidewalk by the transportation center. We then moved like herded cattle along Main St. to the Village Green. The street was lined with all our families and friends cheering us on in gratitude and pride for our journey over the last three days.

Our family was easy to spot. The first one I saw was Captain, my Godmother’s dog. Then my father was on the step getting as tall as he could to get pictures with my sister’s boyfriend next to him pointing us out. My mother and Godmother, Beth, greeted us street side with flowers.

We progressed under the arch of orange and white balloons to the spot we started at on Friday. A few people in wheelchairs on the sidelines thanked us for walking, and I could see the sincerity in their eyes through their tears.

As the officials proceeded with the closing ceremonies, the team photo shoot began. We had to get our pictures taken in every which way and with everyone around us: my parents, Rachel, Becky, Jill, Jay, Robin, Declan, Patrick, Aunt Marylen, Aunt Mary, Aunt Irene, Baby A, Beth, Glen, and of course Captain.  

Before heading home, my father had to make sure I knew where I was going. He tested me by telling me to get on Rt 6 East. I told him, “No, West.” He smiled and nodded (must be where I get it…) and told me to follow the sun.

It was just afternoon and the sun was not arching west quite yet…

Thank you to everyone who supported us!! 50 miles closer to a cure!

Day 2

 My Challenge is to walk - Your's is here!
Terrain: Road / Bike Path
Path: Cape Cod Sea Camps to the National Sea Shore and back
Time: 8.5 hours + lunch
Mileage: 21.30 miles
Blister Count: almost 1...

My alarm went off at 5:50 this morning. Good thing too. I did a double take at the time, tried to orientate myself, and remember what time we were leaving. Jill’s alarm was supposed to go off at 5:30am, but she never switched it from ‘weekdays’ to ‘weekends.’

By 6am we were both stirring and readying our day. Jill worked on taping her feet again while I did circles in the room trying to remember what I needed to grab.  Becky and I walked out to my father’s car at about the same time. It is important to note that this was the second time in Becky’s walking career she has been ready before us.

Jill came walking out with my water bottle in hand (oops), her feet taped, and her new Fit Flops on. She said she had too much tape and wrapping on to fit into a sneaker. We went to Bagels & Beyond right down the street for breakfast and then continued to the Sea Camps where we met Rachel.

Once we were all together, we took off. The route went down the road and then onto the Cape Cod Rail Trail where we spent much of our time. Maybe too much…all the trees start to look the same after a while.

Rachel and I channeled our grandmother’s pace and left Jill and Becky trailing behind us. They stopped at the first rest stop area and almost took home a baby squirrel. The rodent had been lost or abandoned. It was in the pathway crying. They cooed it and it let Jill pet it. Later, as they walked away, they heard someone scream. That’s all we know…

We waited for them at the impromptu second stop. It was really going to be a stop on the way back but everyone was stopping now for the bathrooms. Jill and Becky come hobbling up; Jill shoeless and Becky taking care with each step.

Jill was going to get taped up by the medics at the next stop down the road. Becky told us she didn’t mind if we went ahead. So after refueling, making sure Jill made it to the Med Tent, and Rachel’s toe wiggle, Rachel and I continued down the trail.

Crew members had decorated the trails and roads with chalk drawings and saying throughout the walk. Rachel and I were just moseying along when we looked down. The chalk read ‘25 miles in.’  We kept walking a few steps, then we realized that that was significant. It was half way!

Along this section of the trail there was supposed to be a geocahce, ‘CCRT Bare Boned.’ The hint only said ‘bison.’ I had done a pocket query the night before, as Rachel suggested her older son would be interested in geocaching. We took this hint and kept our eyes peeled through the walk.

At the end of the section where the map showed it should be was the Mother Hen. She stood by two large rocks and a stone bench. Rachel thought that might be the bison, but as we approached it definitely was not. We considered asking the hen if she’d seen a bison…the mere notion of it made us laugh too much to make it happen.

We continued on the road to Herring Pond and around the corner to ‘Care-a-lot’ where I went to the gallows. The team at this rest stop goes above and beyond. They were decked out in their medieval garb and even had the porta-potties decorated. Rachel verified the inside was also decorated when we passed through on the way back.

Somewhere between ‘Care-a-lot’ and the National Seashore, Rachel decided that we need to do ‘Segways for MS.’ It’d be much easier than walking. At the Seashore, Aunt Marylen joined us for the walk to lunch at Duane Rock. Rachel explained her segway idea to her, and being the English guru she is, her mind went right to the literary term, segue. Once she knew it was the transportation device we were referring to, it made much more sense.

At  lunch we met up with everyone. Jill and Becky arrived not long after we began to eat. Jill’s feet were done, and Becky was aching. They decided to take the afternoon off.

A loop to the ocean followed lunch. Rachel’s family, Aunt Marylen, and my mother joined us for this loop. We left most of them at the sand. My mother trailed off from us after the loop to meet up with my father and sister.

Everyone wanted to know what we were doing after the walk. Rachel and I didn’t even know what we were doing during the walk; we were just doing what the arrows told us. Don’t ask questions. Follow the arrows.

Walking back through the National Seashore, Rachel had to stop for more toe wiggles. It was the downside of wearing point shoes in ballet she kept saying. This path seemed to be the most hilly of the day. The bikers were encouraged to test their brakes. I suggested we do the roller-skate-stop-stretch down the hill.

The path for Saturday was mostly and out-and-back. However, we were quite confused when we did not go past the pond again, rather stayed on the trail. We took it as a sign to pick back up our bison hunting. Again, we had no luck, and this time there was no Mother Hen to ask.

What we did find though were Conchitas and Condoms. Teams had their names chalked on the trail encouraging them to continue on. One of the teams Rachel kept reading as ‘condoms,’ and the other as ‘conchitas.’ I wonder how she read ‘Palmer’s Pals.’

We crossed the 25-mile mark again and knew the rest stop at the District Court was near. We could hear the kids blowing horns and ringing bells. It seemed like a mirage. The bells reminded Rachel of the Olympics. This stop meant there was less than 5 miles left in the day - single digits on a single hand! I was excited.

At the second to last rest stop (it was the impromptu one from earlier) we did a quick stop. A gentleman was handing out ‘Stop Multiple Sclerosis’ orange tie-dye bracelets and we got more stickers on our name tag. It was one of the last times I saw Rachel before the end.

We had less than 3 miles to go to the end and I was done walking. I went into what I realized was Nascar-mode. My pace quickened. People would pass by me, and I drafted them before making the pass back around them. Then I eyed the next group and did the same, draft and pass.

The trail crosses over Rt. 6 on a bridge shared with cars. When we crossed the bridge earlier in the day, Rachel had said this would be forgotten about later. I was so confused when I got to the end of the trail and the arrows pointed to the left.

Across the street it appeared the path went off into the woods and naturally that’s where we should be going. But once I peeped my head around the corner and saw the bridge I realized where we were. I waited a minute for Rachel to catch up to share this with her, before taking off again.

Crew members positioned themselves along the final part of the path. The 2 miles they said we had left seemed to take forever! I continued with my draft-and-pass method. Bikers passed by me and I heard one of them comment, ‘They’ve walked further then we’ve biked.’ It was then I realized how much we’ve walked and how cool it was.

I could see Colbie’s ahead with a crew member. We had joined the trail about here in the morning. I expected she’d be telling us to turn right here and continue out to the road. But yet again the arrows threw me off. They were pointing straight ahead just beyond her.

Don’t ask. Just follow the arrows.

As I passed by her, she told us we had .53 miles left to go. Sweet, I thought. I turned to someone I was passing, and said, ‘That’s less than ½ a mile.’ And then I thought of Becky and our fraction issues….

Finally I was at the end. I crossed the street at the Sea Camps and walked along the string of balloons. The crowd was cheering and people were high-fiving all over the place. My support crew wasn’t there yet so I hung out on the corner and waited for Rachel.

Rachel came across about 5-10 minutes after me. At some point, Robin, Declan, Patrick, and my parents pulled in. Guess they didn’t see me at the bottom of the driveway. Rachel and I walked up to our families and enjoyed some popcorn on the grass while they worked out whatever was next.

Thank you everyone for all the support you’ve given, and continue to give us! 40 miles closer to a cure, 10 to go!

Day 1

My Challenge is to walk - Your's is here!

Terrain: Road / Bike Path
Path: Village Green to Cape Cod Sea Camps
Time: 8 hours + lunch
Mileage: 19.83 miles
Blister Count: 0!

We arrived at our hotel last night and spent some time by the pool with our Aunts Irene and Mary, Becky, and Baby A. Jill and I were tired so we didn’t stay up too late. Almost right after our parents showed up at the pool, we went to bed.

We were up early. My sister was excited and energetic. I laid in bed until I had to get up.  Jill clearly thought about making me a coffee after hers, but then stopped. She decided that I could make my own and turned to tape her feet. Under her socks, her feet were wrapped with Vaseline and zebra duck tape. On my feet I just wore my Fit Flops.

My father met us and Becky out at the car. He chauffeured us to breakfast at Dunkin, then to the Village Green. On the green we met up with Rachel, registered, and celebrated opening ceremonies. Over 600 walkers gathered to stretch and motivate.

In no time, we were on our way. We all took off at the same time. It was very clustered. My father was taking pictures and my mother was walking with us for a bit. My aunts stayed at the hotel while Baby A woke up.

The route took us just pass our hotel so Baby A joined us early. Becky strapped her on her back and we kept going. It took a few people saying hi as we passed by for us to realize they weren’t saying hi to us, but to Baby A. We’re not the cute ones; she is.

We went through the first rest stop onward to the second. The rest stops had porta-potties, water, Gatorade, peanut butter & jelly, granola bars, and fruit. They were also fully staffed with Crew Volunteers, and most stops had themes.

Between the stops, crews were spotted cheering us on. One member told us we had done about 5 miles. Becky turned to me and to tell me that meant we were 1/5 of the way through. But before she finished getting those words out of her mouth, she already called herself out on it. 5 is not 1/5 of 50, miles or anything else.

After the second rest stop, Becky and I continued to walk ahead of Jill and Rachel. We admired the beach cottages and talked about buying a second home or traveling. Becky would prefer to travel in an RV than hotel hopping, but sometimes, she said, “You just need to drink in the shower.”

We powered through until lunch. The time flew. Crew members drove by serenading us with their car radios. My parents and aunts would randomly pop out of bushes, or stumble through parking lots. I think they were at most rest stops.

Just after Mile 11, it was lunch time. Good thing too - we could feel the delirium setting in. I grabbed a rice & bean burrito, chips, granola bar, and cookies. It hit the spot. By the time Becky and I sat down, Jill and Rachel joined us. Baby A enjoyed being on her feet, while we all took the time not to be.

Jill looked like she was hurting. When she took her shoes off she had blisters along the sides and tops of her feet. Her pinky toes were swollen to the size of her big toes and she had no interest in putting her shoes back on anytime soon.

All the stops have a medical tent for blisters and whatever else might happen. Jill went over to get her feet wrapped, but then decided to just return to the hotel, soak them, and rest.  My parents took off. Rachel, Becky, and I continued on. 8 miles and change left.

We stayed together for a while. Rachel and Becky discussed parenting for a while and then we merged into our families and grandparents, who have all since passed. The funny vegetation lightened the conversations.

The second half of today was mostly on the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Along the sides of the trail were large fields. Becky asked if it was a drive-in, and I kept looking for a screen. Rachel suggested that they were the cranberry bogs. This made the most sense. Or Cape Cod has a lot of drive-in movies and people with wild imaginations.

We stopped a few times. Becky told us she was getting tired and didn’t mind if we walked ahead of her. For a while we stayed paced near each other. In the last 3 miles, we lost sight of Becky but contacted her to be sure she was good.

Soon we could hear shouting and cheering to the left. Rachel and I heard it at the same time as the team, Kat Attacks, did behind us. We all knew this meant we were close and the finish line was just around the corner.

We turned off the trail and went up the road. The fence posts at the Sea Camps were lined with balloons and streamers. Aunt Irene peered over the hedges to greet us. My parents and Aunt Mary were further down, but in a good spot too - at the porta-potty.

Shortly after we arrived, Rachel’s family pulled in (Robin and the boys). They drove up to the top of the driveway, while we waited for Becky at beginning. She arrived less then 10 minutes after us with Emilie, who Becky and I met before lunch.

Congratulations and thank-yous went around. Jill sent out a text from the hotel room too. We marched up the hill to see Rachel’s boys and get popcorn.

Now to bed to do it all again tomorrow, but a different route and with ocean. Cross your fingers the blisters stay away!

Thank you everyone for all the support you’ve given, and continue to give us! 20 miles closer to a cure, 30 to go!

Bluff Butterflies

My Challenge is to Walk - Your's is HERE!

Bluff Point is always a scenic walk. From the planes clipping the tree tops to land at the airport across the bay, to the strangers climbing the massive rocks at the point to fish, something new or different always pops up.

Or hops. A small bunny was supervising the trail this day. He hopped along with us for a few feet before scurrying into the woods.

It was Monday night, before the big walk. Jill and I met at Bluff Point, the trail of many of our early training walks. I'm not sure how far or long we walked. I didn't track it, nor do I think that my sister did either.

The trail is good for 3-4 miles. If I had to guess it took us just over an hour. But it's all minute in comparison.

We've been doing the double-digit miles since at least July and they take quite a few hours. After the long walks, nothing beats a good nap. When I got home from Bluff Point, I was energized and ready to do more.

It may have been the most quiet walk we’ve done. Sure, each walk has its lulls, but this one, Jill and I maybe spoke a whole 15 minutes. I was busy collecting my thoughts about the big walk and thinking what other questions I needed to ask. I don’t know what she was up to in her head.

By the time I was driving home, I had a pretty good packing list in my head and I felt ready to walk.

The next morning, however, it seemed to hit me. It took a short jaunt in the woods for me to realize how far we’d be going this weekend and how far we’ve come.

During the days to follow, my arches began to ache and my toes felt anxious. I can only chock it up to butterflies in my feet. As if they were separate from the rest of my body and knew they had many things riding on them this weekend.

After work, I’d rip my socks and sneakers off and go barefoot as much as I could to let the butterflies out. It didn’t make sense to me. I knew I could go the 20 miles on Friday without a problem. My feet would be ok. But they apparently had their doubts.

So much of the preparation for the walk is focused on the feet and then the legs. The right shoes, the blister treatment, the massages offered. My feet were feeling the pressure.

The result: In packing on Wednesday night, I managed to fit every foot care product I own into my bag, as well as a variety of shoes. I gave myself  a good stretch in each foot on Thursday and could feel the tension release.

Let’s see what Friday brings to my feet!

Come on Irene!

My Challenge is to walk - Your Challenge is here!
Terrain: Road / Bike Path
Path: East Bay Bike Path, Prov. - Bristol, RI
Time: 5 hours, August 13th, 2011
Mileage: 14.5 miles
Blister Count: 0

I feel the need to title this walk as such because of the obvious storm and publishing coincidence, but also, I’ve been procrastinating the actuality of sitting down and typing this post. Plus, it’s fitting because Aunt Irene traveled with Becky and Baby A to Rhode Island to be our support through the almost 15 miles.

Up at 4:30am again! Within a half hour, Jill and I were on the road. We headed to Providence to meet Becky, Baby A, and Aunt Irene for a long training walk.

The plan was to meet at India Point Park, the start of the East Bay Bike Path, and walk to Bristol, just past Colt State Park. The bike path was measured at 14.5 miles from beginning to end. Most people do it in sections; we did the whole thing in one straight shot.

Becky, Baby A, and Aunt Irene beat us to Providence. That’s a first! Once we got situated and Aunt Irene figured out where to meet up with us, we were on our way. Or so we thought. We meandered around the park a bit and read the map before realizing that the bike path does not start in the park.

Once we found the path, we followed it across the Washington Bridge and through the streets of East Providence into Riverside. For a little while the path alternated between running along bushes and roadway.  Bicycles painted on the roadway helped us to know we were on the right path.

We knew we were definitely in the Providence / East Bay area when a guy on a bike on his cell phone passed us. He was having a loud conversation; we heard him coming a mile away. As he went by us, he tells the person on the other end of the conversation, “You know de motto, don’t be a dope ‘something’ hope.” We laughed for a while.

I couldn’t help but wonder if he was referring to our state motto, “Hope.” But then I figured that was too simple.

Just before we did a walk-by of Aunt Irene at the second parking lot, there was a mess in the roadway. Upon closer inspection we realized it was the remnants of an early morning car accident. My eyes went right to the NASCAR plate left on the front bumper. Irony that it was a black car with a #3 Earnhardt plate?

After passing Aunt Irene, the path turned off the road and ran down along the harbor. The path was scenic. The gas refineries provided a nice backdrop, along with the cranes and old train tracks.

A Mobil-Exxon screen blocked the view of a nice lighthouse. Signs were posted all over the place warning against trespassing. We wondered if instead of posting the fine, if they’d donate to the walk. Doubtfully. So I snapped a photo anyways of the lighthouse fortressed by their fences and signs. Prison can’t be that bad; we discussed the social implications and alternatives that would make time acceptable to serve.

Aunt Irene met us at Riverside Square. Unfortunately it was still early and no bathrooms in the area were open. Jill and Becky thought about going right in the square, but a cop was sitting on the corner. We continued down the trail until it was safe to use the organic toilets.

Maybe it was the green walls of the organic toilets that flushed Becky’s brain, but after we crossed one of the roads, she was admiring some houses across the water. We couldn’t figure out what mansions she was talking about wanting to live in. All we could see were run-down houses - because that’s what they were.

The East Bay Bike Path was quite busy this day. The weather was perfect to be outside, but not quite a beach day. Along our walk, we met two women whose lives were directly affected by multiple sclerosis. Jill was able to relate to their stories, and they were very interested in our training and walking. Each conversation lasted a few tenths of a mile.

I saw it as just a slice of what the Challenge Walk will be like. In a path filled with people, two people took the time to tell us their stories and share their hope. Next month, the walk will be filled with people eager to share their tales and motivate each other.

Speaking of tenths of a mile…None of us had a pedometer on us for this walk. But it was nice to have an idea how far we’ve been and had to go.

I noticed the mile markers on the path early. However, they were not consistent and it took me a little bit to realize they went both ways and were labeled ‘north’ and ‘south.’ Who knew?!

Apparently Becky did. She threw me for a loop when she mentioned the ½ mile markers also.  I didn’t believe her that they existed. It was a few miles later, she was finally able to point them out to me.

It made sense to me that the ‘north’ and ‘south’ markers did not line up. The path was 14.5 miles so there should be a mile marker every ½ mile, and thus there was no need for ½ mile markers.

Apparently I was wrong. I still (two weeks) later do not have a logical answer for this. Becky tried to explain it to me: “If you have a pizza and it’s sliced into 16 equal pieces, you take away 2 slices. How much pizza is left?“ Becky looked at me puzzled when I answered 1/8. “What did you want, 2/16?” She did.

In a grand epiphany on the car ride back to East Providence, Becky announced she was right. It was not the fraction that threw her off, but that I answered the question backward…or so she claims! Next time I’m bringing a recorder…

Last time we did a long walk, we had a dragon. This time we had pizza slices. I can only imagine what 50 miles will bring!

Dragon Delirium

My Challenge is to Walk - Your Challenge is Here!
This is part II of long walk
Terrain: Road
Path: Station 2 - Watch Hill loop - Misquamicut loop - Station 2
Time: 5 hours, 39 minutes
Mileage: 16.1 miles
Blister Count: 2 almost (one callused, one not popped) - 1

At the car we refueled. Trail mix, banana, granola bars, and ice gave us the push to finish the loop. Plus, the fact that we were at just over 10 miles helped. Well past half-way we might as well truck through the end.

And that we did. After helping some tourists out with bridge photos and giving parking directions, we marched on.

Over the bridge and around the corner we went. We kept an eye out for seals, but the water is just too warm. However, we did find another contraption. It took a minute to figure out what we were looking at. It wasn’t a seal, or any other animal we could immediately place.

In the midst of this appearance we were commenting on how we’ve never walked down Langworthy Rd. Driven and ridden down it many times, however, distance has a different perception on your feet. We had no idea how long, or short of a walk it was to Shore Road.

As we neared the end of the pond area, the snorkeler meddling on the surface became more apparent to us. Jill asked if I wanted to go clamming. No thanks. All set with sticking my feet in mud where animals might bite.

We got to the traffic light and ran out of sidewalk. Again. Though we decided the sidewalks on the Weekapaug side are much nicer than the Misquamicut ones; yet they are very much like the Watch Hill ones in that they start and end at their leisure. Shore Rd. has no sidewalks.

Unfortunately the winery was not open yet for refreshments. We misscheduled that pit stop.

I turned around to Jill and apologized for forgetting how many hills Shore Rd. has as we descended one and another faced us head on. She murmured something in the background.

As we approached the crest a loud noise shuttered through the woods across from us. I turned again to Jill with a questioning look. “It’s just the dragon,” she replied ever so casually. The dragon continued to rumble, and we continued to walk.

Shore Rd. is one of those roads that seems to never end when you are walking it. Or maybe that’s just the walking delirium setting in. Somewhere along the line we were spotted. A car bursting with excitement came up to us. It was our parents.

They had a cooler full of ice. I immediately asked if they had gotten it from the station. Mom looked puzzled and Dad chuckled. I explained that I could tell it was ice from the station because of the ‘cubage.’ The ice machine there produces ice shaped differently than that from the freezer. Simple.

They tried giving us directions to walk back. We declined and continued our walk down Shore Rd. with the dragon close by. When we came to Glacier Park, Jill decided we needed a pit stop. It was a good spot to turn off and explore a little.

I only went a few feet in. The trail was clear and the Land Trust has done a nice job with marking it. One of these days, I want to go through all the trails there. And find the two geocaches…

Once we were all set we continued on. A fox was in the preserve by Winnapaug Road. He scooted away before I could take a good picture. Meanwhile, we debated whether he was hunting the dragon, or prey for the dragon.

Jill was ready for more electrolytes. We stopped at the convenience shop where I bought her another Gatorade and she impressed the cashier with our walk. The shop was also air-conditioned. We didn’t want to leave right away.

After doing a few stretches on the sidewalk out front I was ready to go again. My hands were doing much better this time; I could move them and they looked normal, unlike during Beach Logs. (This was good and noticed in case I needed to fend off the dragon.) We were on our last leg. According to Jill’s pedometer we were at mile 14 or so. She doubted it but I thought it sounded right.

I told her Ocean View Highway was just around the corner and from there we had maybe a mile.

Yeah. And what a long mile it seemed! I thought Shore Rd. wasn’t going to end; then we finally came to a sign for a stop sign. “Look Jill! It’s our sign - we can stop ahead!” It was better though when we finally came to the stop sign.

We went island hopping across the intersection.

Watch Hill Road the second time, didn’t seem to end either. I kept waiting for my feet to pass me by the intersection with Winnapaug Rd. But, I swear the road got longer in the hours since we had last walked it.


It’s a busy road. One of us suggested crossing and walking against the traffic as we should, but Station 2 was on the same side as us, so we didn’t.

Once we came across the historical cemetery on our rights, I knew we were close to Winnapaug Rd. Thus, also closer to Station 2. I pondered whether there were any geocaches in there, but I don’t think so.

Again we went island hopping across Winnapaug Rd.. The walk from here to Station 2 seemed much, much shorter. We used the cross walk at the end of East Ave. and scooted down the hill at the triangle. Around the next corner, we found Station 2.

I had never been so relieved to return to where once I’d been.

Loop d'Loop

This is Part I of our longest walk to date. At just over 1K words, I thought you might get tired and need a break. I did!

My Challenge is to Walk - Your Challenge is Here!
Terrain: Road
Path: Station 2 - Watch Hill loop - Misquamicut loop - Station 2
Time: 5 hours, 39 minutes (July 31, 2011)
Mileage: 16.1 miles
Blister Count: 2 almost (one callused, one not popped) - 1

It’s not a typo. Jill and I walked just over 16 miles on Saturday.

We were inspired by an MS Challenge Training Walk held in Brockton the same day. However, Brockton itself is a bit of hike, so we stayed local and logged our miles.

I found the route on Runner’s World a few weeks ago. Someone had submitted it as a 15.2 mile route. Their start / end point was just south of where we started.

Jill parked her car down at the Weekapaug Bridge and I met her there with my cooler and snacks. We combined our goodies, dumped ice over it, and hoped to keep cool.

We shuttled to Westerly Fire Department Station 2. The sun was just breaking the eastern horizon. Our water bottles were full and we were ready to take on the miles.

Our town is filled with funny intersections. We encountered one in Walking Westerly and Saturday morning we crossed another one. It takes skill to master these forks in the road.

As we walked down Watch Hill Road, we commented how quiet it was. It was still early in the morning and very few people were out. Unlike the other night during our Watch Hill Walk , traffic was not an issue. Jill reminded me, though, that on the way back we’d probably be inhaling exhaust fumes.

I appreciated her positive attitude that we weren’t going to stop at her car and drive back to mine. But it was still early. The sun was still on the rise.

We crossed Winnapaug Road and continued down a section of Watch Hill Road that is barely car-friendly, never mind pedestrians or bikers. The road dips and turns, while a stream runs underneath. Fortunately, we were walking against the traffic and the road was desolate.

A flip flop was on the side of the road. I told Jill she could grab and switch if blisters started. It was a large shoe, so I also told her we could cut it in half so she could have two. She declined.

Places always seem closer when you drive. As we approached the intersection of Shore Road with Watch Hill Road, Jill realized that were here last week. Her comment, “Now we are where we were before,” made it clear.

We dipped into Watch Hill and passed a few runners, bikers, and families in the village. The sun was higher in the sky and people took to the streets. The village shops were closed up and the cafés were beginning their brews.

FYI the public restroom isn’t open at 7:30am and the horses are individually alarmed. We continued walking up Larkin Hill and past the Ocean House. The sun was just cresting its roof.     


No sprinklers were running this time on Ocean View Highway. Too early I guess. We didn’t realize Watch Hillians were such late risers. The temperature was rising with sun, but we were feeling good. Minus the bathrooms being closed.

The Misquamicut Club had their golf carts and tractors out manicuring the greens. It wasn’t too early for them. Nor was it too early for the power walkers. They passed by with their arms swinging, sweat dripping, and  a solid pace going on. Jill said that was how we should be walking. I don’t think they were doing the mileage we were.

We cut down Bayberry to get to Misquamicut. Some fast bikers and southern walkers passed by. Of course the southerners said hi, as is the general practice when passing folks. But the bikers were in their own world.

For the Misquamicut stretch, the last ones to say hi to us were a family leaving the beach on Maplewood. Jill noted we were apparently out of the HI-zone.

In front of the Pleasant View House, I tried posting on Twitter that we were almost half way through our walk. It was 8:30am. But our pace was too quick for my Ipod to latch their guest network and send the tweet out. I also failed to think of stopping in there for toilets.

Finally we came to the Misquamicut State Beach where we pit stopped and assessed our progress. We were at mile 7.something and it was 9:30am. Jill thought it felt later; I had no time concept.

We also assessed our feet. She felt a few hot-spots, and I was feeling good. The thong of my left foot was a bit raw, but not painful or hot. We continued on.

She was ready for some electrolytes. We stopped in the only open, convenience type store by there and they only had water. It was still warm so we kept walking.

The good thing is that while we are practicing our walking, our friends and family are practicing their support. Just after we passed the commercial east side of the State Beach, we hear someone yelling at us. “Move faster, what are you doing!?”

Jill was ready to turn around and start yelling at the rude pedestrian. But then it was Paula. She had her husband drop her off on our route to say hi. He didn’t loop around though like she suggested and just followed us conspicuously along the side of the road.

Paula’s visit added flavor and a break from the ‘zone’ we were walking into. She offered to grab us some Gatorades and anything else we needed. We would be good with the drinks. She and Pete disappeared.

They came back what seemed to be minutes later. This time Pete pulled over on the side of the road opposite us. Paula popped out with a drink in each hand. The Gatorade Fairy descended on us with sweet, refreshing nectar.

The bridge is just around the corner, maybe a ¼ mile, Paula claimed. Jill had noted earlier not to trust anyone who says ‘just around the corner’ because it’s always ‘just around the corner.’ I don’t think Paula was too far off though. I think were maybe ½ mile from Jill’s car.

Either way I was anxious to get there. I looked forward to a break, a chance to sit, and to eat.  It was just after 10 and though I had breakfast, my stomach was growling.

Pomfret Preserves

My Challenge is to Walk -Your Challenge is here
Terrain: Road
Path: Barn Loop - not sure what roads
Time: 1 hour, 51 minutes  July 24, 2011
Mileage: 5.4 miles
Blister Count: Almost 1 -0

Double duty weekend. We walked Friday night, then Jill texts me to walk on Sunday night. The plan was to meet Becky and Baby A at the barn and do a loop around there. I had to meet Jill at her place at 4:30pm.

We rode up to Pomfret together. The barn wasn’t far from Becky’s place in Putnam, and I had some idea of where we were.

This time I remembered bug spray. Jill did too. We doused ourselves once we arrived at the barn. I also remembered a legit flashlight, but I left it in the car. Fortunately we didn’t need it. It wasn’t as late as Friday night.

It’s been a long, long time since I’ve seen Becky’s horses. She came out and gave me the tour. I met the whole clan, and couldn’t even try to remember all their names. They were massive. Their heads were the size of my torso and they stood shoulder to my head. The horses welcomed our presence and one kept an eye on our every move. The goats came out too, but they weren’t as exciting as the huge horses.

Once Becky and the baby were bug sprayed too, we set out on our walk. We had two choices: left, busting right into the hills; or right, finishing with hills. We went left.

The hill was gradual but large. I seem to power up hills. Maybe it comes from my hiking days when we were encouraged not to stop until we were at the top. A few more hills presented themselves to us and we took them on without any problems.

The only problem we had, mostly me it seemed, was the bugs. Or more correctly the gnats. I was ahead of Jill, Becky, and Baby A and they seemed to swarm to me.

My eyes. My ears. My hair. The gnats were all over the place. Becky had brought her bug spray with her and I reapplied at one point. It made no difference.

My arms were swinging above my head swatting the viscous bugs the entire walk. The next day it took me a little while to figure out why my arms were sore. Yeah. Becky said it added to the calorie burn, and Baby A got a big kick out of my walking style.

We rounded bends and corners. Traffic was a non-issue as we were in the middle of nowhere. But there were fake dogs on the yards and a telephone pole that was in This Old House apparently. 

The area was surrounded by land trusts, preserves, and just spotted with homes. On the last leg, we passed an orchid type area enclosed by a large hill. The sun was setting just above the crest and shined deeply on the greens below.

We were hot, tired from the day, sticky, and buggy. I looked forward to arriving back to the barn and going home. Anything to get away from the bugs! I also thought I might nap on the way home. However, we arrived back to the barn and my arms didn’t know how to hang still. On the way home, the cool breeze kept me awake and fresh.

After a quick shower, I slept the night away.

Watch Hill Walk - July 22, 2011

My Challenge is to Walk - Your Challenge is here
Terrain: Road
Path: Larkin - Ocean View Hwy - Shore - Watch Hill Rd - Bay St
Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Mileage: 4.8 miles

Friday nights are good for winding down from a long work week. People will do it a number of ways. We walked.

Becky and Baby A came down after feeding the horses, and I met Jill at our parents’ house. They had provided dinner.

Again it was a hot summer day. We decided to walk Watch Hill. Becky followed us down and we searched for parking.

Friday night on a clear summer night - parking is a premium in Watch Hill. Just an FYI. We found a few spots just off Larkin. After loading up the stroller we took off up Larkin toward Bluff Ave.

People passed us on the sidewalk after a day at the beach and the Ocean House bustled. Fancy cars and streams of people moved about. We walked on.

Baby A began playing games. Drop the Toy is one of her favorites, where she tosses the closest object and hope it lands outside of the stroller. If it lands in the footwell, she kicks at it until it’s out. Another favorite is Pass the Bottle. Baby A takes a few sips of her drink and puts in the cupholder. Then she takes a few more and passes it to whomever is near. That person is expected to hold the sippy cup until she whines for more. This kept on through most of the walk.

Dusk settled The bugs threatened us. We all had bug spray in our cars, but didn’t think to put it on. Fortunately they weren’t much of a problem. I think the sweat and pace kept them away.

As the sun set further, we were rounding Shore Road from Ocean View Highway making our way back to the car. Becky mentioned a flashlight. Another forgotten item.

Half way down Shore Road toward Watch Hill Road and after some cars came a bit too close, I remembered I had a flashlight on my phone. Albeit it’s a dinky light, but a dinky light is better than no light.

I kept the light on and pointed downward. It swung with my hand in the arm closest to traffic. I’d like to hope it made us more visible. We didn’t get hit.

But that fortune may also be a result of Becky’s serenading to soothe Baby A and keep the cars away. Watch Hill Road is busy and blinding at night.

For a tourist village there weren’t many sidewalks. The majority of our walk was on the road itself. When we could crossover to the sidewalks, they were crowded. Crowded either with bushes that wouldn’t yield, or people who also wouldn’t yield.

The moon reflected off the bay and the illuminated the ships in harbor. We came down Bay St. in hopes of the Public Restrooms still being open. They weren’t. But the ice cream parlor was busy and tempting.

It was past 9 at night and we were tired. Rather than unwinding and relaxing, we were exhausted and beat. We made our way up the rest of Larkin Hill to our cars and said our goodbyes.

I went home and slept the rest of my night away.

Walking Westerly

Terrain: Road
Path: Apartment to Cemetery, and back
Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes  July 11, 2011
Mileage: 6.35

Jill texted me other day to walk that night. I was free. She met me at my place. We had no plan or route set. 

The day was hot and humid. Work was stressful and I made it a point to leave on time to meet her.

She showed up at my place about 30 minutes after I got home from work. After catching up a bit, we decided to head out. We decided parking would be a premium near the beach. She left her car at my place and we went out the door toward town.

The evening was on the brink and downtown was just picking up. People were heading out for dinner or home from work.

We crossed by the Post Office and headed down Main St. It didn’t take very long.  Our perception was off. We expected it to be more than a mile to this point. So we kept going forward. 

At Beach St. we weren’t sure how to cross.  The intersection is more like a triangle than anything else, with an island in the middle. We ended up crossing Elm St. just before Beach and continued South.

We were going well. Jill made fun of me for taking a picture of Moore’s. I like the way greens grow on the textile building.

The sidewalk ended at State St. so again we crossed. Just up the road a bit, the sidewalk bulged up. Jill dared me to jump on it. In my flip-flops. When she realized I was game for it, we started discussing the legal/safety implications.

Once we got to River Bend Cemetery we decided that would be our turning point. Jill was certain we could go to the end of the cemetery and cut through to Margin St. I couldn’t figure out what she was talking about so I followed along. Curiosity piqued.



Of course, at the end of the cemetery is a house, with a fenced in yard. Oh and no cut-through to Margin St. “Maybe I have the wrong cemetery” Jill defended herself.

We headed back toward my place. On the way back, I pointed out St. Sebastian’s Cemetery to her as often as I could but she didn’t want to walk through that one. She had enough of cemeteries for the day.








We cut down Clark St. to Margin St. and walked along the river. The sun was setting over Connecticut and the boats at the marinas made a nice view.

It was weird to walk down Main St. again. A section of it is one-way and it seemed disorienting to go the opposite way. We strolled through downtown again and turned up Friendship.


After just over 6 miles we were back at my place and I was ready for dinner!

On the Road

Terrain: Road
Path: Loop in Glastonbury
Time: 97 minutes and change
Mileage: 3.9

Rachel came north this week so we made a plan to all walk together - the whole team: Jill, Becky, Rachel, and myself.

After many emails we decided to walk Gay City State Park early in the morning. Between Becky's crazy work schedule and Rachel's mother hosting a picnic we thought this would be a good place to sneak in a training walk.

Yet as life would have it no one runs on schedule and things happen. I got to Jill's a half hour late which made us arrive at our aunt's half hour later than planned too.


It was almost quarter of 10 when we finally got on the road. We were heading to Gay City for our walk until Jill's GPS popped up and estimated we had a 20 minute ride ahead of us.

We turned the car around, parked back at my aunt's house and took the to road by foot. Rachel knew a loop near the house.

What Rachel didn't mention was the hills, the direction, or the deer. It was my first walk on the road that involved hills. I've done some hills on the trails, but it's different on the pavement. Step by step.

For part of the walk, I felt we were just walking where ever the road lead. My sense of direction was completely off. I'm still not quite sure of where we were. Rachel knew where to turn and cross, but they were good long stretches.

And then there was the deer. It crossed out ahead of us and I wasn't a fan...The deer noticed and stopped in the road to look for the noise I had made. While Jill and Rachel were busy laughing at me, I was just hoping it would move off quickly before a car came.

We passed the section where he had trotted off and I kept checking over my shoulder and all around for a second deer. I never found another one, and picked up my pace.

Many orchards (deer food), tractors, and a brook that ran all over decorated our route. The orchards had pick-your-own signs and advertised homemade baked goods; my stomach grumbled. The gentleman on the working tractor passed us with a friendly hello. We also passed a few other people out running, biking, and gardening.


Our 4-mile loop was peaceful and quiet. It was just cool enough to keep us going, and just enough exercise for us to want naps before the family picnic.

Sat Out Sunday

Sunday’s walk didn’t happen. The intent was definitely there, but the timing and motivation to get-up-and-go were absent. 

The most I walked on Sunday was around Wilcox Park, on the outside for our Firemen’s Memorial Parade. I had my pedometer in my pocket, but forgot to turn it on. It was maybe ¾ of a mile. Maybe. 

But it was also pouring rain when we were the furthest from the station (starting and ending point). I think that figures in some bonus points, or bonus miles in this case.

Jill, Julie, and Russ all showed up for the parade and we enjoyed a full spread at my parents’ house after the parade. My father made quiches, ham, fruit         salad,  French toast casserole, and bacon. 

Between our full stomachs and Aunt Dot’s stories (who is 93 and sharper than most people I know), we were captivated. As time passed, the house emptied. 

Then Becky and baby pulled in. The idea was that after a short visit with my parents, Becky and I would walk a few miles in town or at the beach. 

It stayed an idea, and short turned into a few hours. As we had all been caught up in Dot’s stories earlier, we were now entertained by baby and all the things a 16-month old can discover and overcome.

I left just before 6pm to play in a softball game. Becky and baby were still there with my parents. While none of us got our walking in on Sunday, we all got moments that we wouldn’t trade.