Winnie Walks and Makes the News!

While packing up Winnie for the first day of the walk, two t.v. news stations arrived at the barn to cover the story. One aired yesterday on ABC and you can see it by clicking on the title of today's blog or use this link:
http://www.abc40tv.com/Global/story.asp?s=10467316

Winnie, my daughter, and I walked about ten miles the first day, from Pelham to Hadley. Mary Hatt from Rock Creek Farm gave us quite the send off, inviting well-wishers to share a good-bye cake. Winnie's new pal, Chiquita, and her mom rode beside us part of the way. Other fans greeted us along our route. Our long time friends, Lori and Dr. Cornish, met us at the South Amherst Common, where we crossed over to Pomeroy Street and headed toward Moody Bridge Road. We met "Sparky," a Native American woman, who gave us gifts and offered us tips for fighting exhaustion. Four young girls alerted their dad to stop the car when they saw us and said they were Winnie fans. More well wishers waved as we passed through their neighborhoods, and one kind man offered Winnie a bucket of water, which she enjoyed.

Day two proved more difficult. We wanted to use the Norwottick Rail Trail to cross the Connecticut River, but our special use application was denied by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Instead we had to cross on the main Coolidge Bridge with all the car traffic! Luckily the friendly Hadley Police Department provided an escort, thanks to the Police Chief, who sent one of his officers, Adam, to assist us. While waiting for the escort, Winnie enjoyed the grass at Long Radio on Route 9, and, due to their gracious hospitality, also got a cool bucket of water! Mister Albino, President of Winnie's Fan Club, and horse lover, Karin O'Brien and her daughter, served as road crew for the rest of the afternoon.

Once we got beyond the bridge, some kind fans on Ferry Street helped us determine the best route through downtown Northampton, offered restroom relief, and water. Winnie kept calm throughout the day, even in downtown NoHo during rush hour, except for one minor "spook" shortly before we conquered busy Route 10. Apparently the metallic fringe flags at a car dealership looked pretty scary to her, whipping in the wind. I was thankful for the breeze after a long, hot afternoon of hiking.

The last couple of miles challenged Winnie, my daughter (JayaMae) and me. Winnie asked to be unloaded, and Mister Albino and Karin O'Brien took her pack into their cars. JayaMae had to ride with Karin for a few blocks while she ate an energy bar, and once she recovered, I put her in charge of Winnie, so I could lag behind for the final mile. The ten miles we planned on had somehow turned into 13, due to my great math and routing skills. Winnie is thinking this is going to be a very long trip to California.

I have so many folks to thank for the help we received on our first two days of the walk--I want to say here how much the buckets, bottles of water, tea, energy bars, and kind words of encouragement have meant to us along our route. Thanks to all those drivers who patiently tolerated the backup created by our Coolidge Bridge crossing, motorcyclists who softened their engine noise, truckers who passed wide, and cars that slowed down.

Big thanks go to Karin O'Brien and to Mark McPartland, for serving like true heroes yesterday. Winnie wants to tell Nancy how much she is enjoying the space to roll at Carrier Farm. Thanks especially to Barb Macon and her husband, Jeff, who are hosting us with the most astonishing hospitality I've ever experienced, and who have given us additional days to rest and recover. We expect to resume travel on Friday or Saturday.

Today we were interviewed at Carrier Farm by Kala Rama of NBC.