True Grit

The Walk schedule had to be adhered to because of the permits granted, commitments made, people waiting. Once the leg muscles got toned and the blisters calloused over, it wasn’t usually too hard despite the long miles There were not too many mosquitoes, not too many no-see-ums, not too many ticks and no one found a snake in a sleeping bag or boots. There were many sunny days just right for being outdoors, some a little too warm, others too cool. There were only two days of thunderstorms.

Then, there was Monday, March 11th. the words of Dave Hartgrove:

It was 43 degrees. The wind, 30MPH and gusting higher, made it feel much colder. And it was raining. The drops, driven by the howling winds felt like tiny ice cubes slamming into bare skin. Simply standing in this meteorological mess was a challenge. Walking 17 miles was an experience beyond description. Tears of desperation and determination did little to warm their numbed, weather-beaten faces. And still they walked. A stranger’s compassion allowed them a warm respite for lunch. But after an hour they put their recently thawed feet back into their cold, wet boots and walked back out into the storm’s fury. When you’re out on a mission for future generations, you do what needs to be done. It was a truly inspiring sight.