Shake the Bear !

Real quick. We were in our room and all of us thought we felt shaking. We looked around at each other and thought, "No way". Well, yes, we were feeling an earthquake. Never felt one and to locals this one may not count, but to us it does. We do hope no one was hurt.

Day 1: Put the "beat down" on me. HAHA

Today was Day 1 of walking. We got to the Santa Monica Pier around 7:45 am and got the Baby Jogger SWITCHBACK HYBRID ready. I got a phone call from Pete Braley, from WBSM, and gave a quick update to the radio listeners back home. After that Carl, Steve, Eric and I headed to the ocean to get some of the water from the Pacific Ocean. I've read about some other cross-country walkers bringing water from one coast to the next, so I thought who am I to break tradition. My first step was around 8:20 am (P.S.T.)

I can't believe how heavy the Baby Jogger was and it didn't have all my junk in it. I ended up covering 18-20 miles today. Here is a partial SPOT map of where we were today. It shows where I hit the "check in" button, not the actual route.

Once I decided to call it a day we headed to West Covina, to the hotel for the night. Tomorrow, we will go back and pick up where I left off. We have 58 miles from were we stopped to the next hotel. I hope to cover a little more ground then today.

Today was harder then I thought it would be. There was actually a moment when I questioned what I was doing. I was holding on to the stroller and I noticed on my left arm was my breast cancer bracelet and on my right, LIVESTRONG. That's what I'm doing. I'm making a difference, my way. I'm making it to Boston.


Also today in The Standard-Times, my local paper, there was an article about the walk.

I just want to say a quick thanks to everyone that I hear is reading this blog. Please leave comments so I have something to read and keep me going.

1 day down.

I kicked the map into the river

The morning sight-seeing started out by going to a restaurant called Caesar's. The reason for the trip is that it was a location in David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive". In the movie it was called "Winkie's". Here is the crew enjoying another cup of coffee.

Our next goal was the Griffith Observatory to see the Hollywood sign. Seeing the sign for the first time reminded me of my first trip to the Statue of Liberty.It's just one of those things everyone should see.

After the observatory we headed to Bronson Canyon, to go to Bronson Cave, where we believe "Robot Monster" was filmed. Because of my expert map reading (by that I mean leaving it in the car) we ended up walking about 6 miles round trip to no cave. The upside is that we walked as close to the Hollywood sign as you can.

Once back to the car we asked for directions and went about 50 feet in the opposite direction and found the cave. Hope that isn't a sign for future directions.

I needed to go to REI to get fuel for my camp stove so we headed out to Santa Monica to the store. Once again my map reading paid off by sending us east instead of west. Once we found the store and grabbed some food it was time to head back and pack.

I packed the Baby Jogger SWITCHBACK HYBRID and loaded it in the mini-van while the guys got there stuff together. We plan to be at the pier for sunrise, we'll see. Tomorrow is the big day. No more talk, no more training, no more anything besides walking.The next blog will be after the first full day off walking and filming. Here we go......

First morning in LA

I'm sitting in the lobby waiting to go sight seeing in LA , enjoying some oatmeal and coffee.

It's crazy to think that tomorrow this really starts. I will be taking the first step towards my 3,800 mile goal, LA to Boston. I've been telling people that it still hasn't really hit me that I'm WALKING back. Obviously, I've never flown somewhere to walk back , so this still feels like I'm on vacation. That will change tomorrow when I'm standing on the Santa Monica Pier with my Baby Jogger SWITCHBACK HYBRID , loaded with 5 months of stuff.

The planes fly right over the hotel, I mean right over. I just saw one through the window and I could see the people. Okay that's not true, but they are wicked close.

we've landed. 23 hours(roughly) till I walk.

Kiss me and smile for me. Let me know you'll wait for me.

So we got to T.F. Green at 4am this morning and we're greeted by Walt Buteau and John, our friends from WPRI Channel 12 News. They did a short little piece that will air on Friday night in the Street Stories segment. Walt talked to my mom so watch for her and John was right there for all the good-bye hugs.

All seemed well until the 45 minute delay. No big deal it went by quick, but then the next plane got delayed also, this time with us on it. So now we were leaving Providence 3 hours behind schedule. Needless to say we missed our connection in Philly (where I'm writing this) by only 20 minutes. So here's what we look like right now.
Me......

Carl, trying to sleep......

So Eric and Steve are going to beat us to LA, but we have the keys to the car and the hotel so.......

The new t's look great. We may be putting up a link so you can buy them, with proceeds going to the different organizations. Also the SPOT update map should be going up soon.

Time to get something to eat....Philly steak & cheese anyone. Some how I don't think the airport version will do it justice.

1 1/2 hours till we continue to fly. 1 full day until I walk.

One last shout out from New Beige

It's 10:45 pm on Monday night and I'm ready for bed. We have a quick little "team" meeting at 2 am before we leave for Providence. WPRI Channel 12's Walt Buteau will be meeting us at the airport for a quick send off interview. That will be great.

Once we land I hope to be able to announce my new sponsor. There are a few loose ends to work out but they should be easy.

Okay going to take a nap with Kelly and wait for Matt to call with the t-shirts.

0 days till we leave (now it's 7 hours). 2 days till I walk.

Singing, shoes and a sponsor

I just wanted to thank everyone that was able to make it out last night to the Bayside. It was so nice having all my friends and family in the same place having fun. Thank you to Dr. Moore and Dr. McNally for the great going away gift. Thanks to Joe for the hospitality and Tara, of Taraoke, for the entertainment. Actually, thanks to all my friends that took a turn entertaining the crowd. Some very memorable performances. I look forward to the "Welcome Home" celebration.

I'm currently "Couchsurfing" at Mom and Bob's house. It's been awhile since I've slept here, but home is always home. With two full days left, I'm scrambling around wondering where everything is that I need. Today, I ran out to Village Bicycle to grab some last minute things for the Baby Jogger SWITCHBACK HYBRID. Jim, as always, helped me get what I needed.
Also I had to grab a couple new pair of sneakers. Still looking for a sponsor for some more pairs.

On the subject of sponsors, I'd like to announce a new sponsor for the walk, Trek Light Gear. Thanks Seth, I can't wait to get and try out the hammock.

With only a few days left before I start my walk across the country, my eyes and ears are on someone finishing in a week or so. My new friend, BJ Hill, has been walking since January '08 and as of today has covered 4,000 miles. Check out his blog, Walk America 2008. Great job, BJ.



2 days till we fly. 4 days till I walk.