The Great American Journey

GAP WALK JOURNALS - VIII

Saturday - October 18,  2008  Day 227   8.3  miles

Total Maryland miles - 89.6        Walking Days - 106

Washington D.C. miles - 15.9  Cumulative miles 1832.7

Well, that’s the total mileage for this walk. We finished walking
today at 2:20 pm at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
What a fun day, though it ended with mixed emotions for me -
that’s nothing new. It’s always a little hard to end a walk.

This morning Dave and Austin and I drove to our starting place.
Then Dave went to pick up Anne Foster, her daughter - Dotti,
and granddaughter - Elspeth, at the Metro station. Within a few
minutes he was back with them. After a time of prayer we
headed off. It was about 10:15 am I think.

The temperatures were cool - sunny, but breezy. It was beautiful
really. As we walked we talked non-stop, enjoyed the scenery -
beautiful homes, old churches, and several embassy’s. The trees
are still turning - most are still green.

At one church there were several people out front doing yard
work. We stopped and talked with them, then continued on. A
little later we came to our first turn - from 16th St. onto New
Hampshire Ave. As we made the turn we noticed a Starbucks. I
usually don’t stop for these in the middle of a walk - the end of
the day is preferable for me - but we decided to stop this time
(maybe to celebrate a little ahead of time).  Then we continued
on to DuPont Circle where Anne’s granddaughter left to ride the
Metro back to her home in Arlington, VA.

From Dupont Circle we continued on New Hampshire to 23rd St.
And now we were on the home stretch. Before long we could
see the Lincoln Memorial. I could hardly believe it was almost
over. Joni called while we were on this part, and she and I talked
for a bit. I also let her talk with Anne for a little while. We were
both sad that Joni wasn’t able to be here to end with me. She
really had hoped to be able to fly out and surprise me, but it just
didn’t work out. I was SO glad she called though.

As we came a little closer to the Lincoln Memorial I took a
picture with my phone to send to Russ. He had planned most of
the route, and this was his finish for me. He had picked me up at
the Lincoln Memorial on July 3 when I walked into D.C. from
Virginia on the southern portion of the route, and this was where
I was now coming to. A little bit later I gave him a call to let
him know I was finished. He and I talked for awhile.

Then Anne and Dotti said, “good-bye” and headed off to catch
the Metro back to their car. Dave, Austin and I walked over to
see the Korean War Memorial where I noticed engraved into the
sidewalk these words, “Our nation honors her sons and
daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never
knew and a people they never met.  1950 - Korea- 1953″ A good
reminder that we are all on this earth to help and encourage one
another, and must never ignore those who need our help. I thank
God for men and women who care enough to reach out to others
in this way.

There were large groups of veterans around the Memorials
today, and I took time to talk with a few of them and thank them
for serving our country. One man reached out and hugged me.
What a blessing.

Then the three of us walked to the Arlington Visitor’s Center
where the van was parked. From there we drove to the Iwo Jima
Memorial. And then to Starbucks before heading home to
Evelyn and Harri’s.

Just a reminder, I do plan to continue these entries until I arrive
back home at the end of November, so stay tuned.