N2N-TCP Week One Summary

Well, we’ve managed to survive the first week.  Although we’re off to a bit of a slow start, I feel pretty good about how well “we’ve come up the learning curve” as Dad likes to point out.  Tonight, we’re tenting in yet another illegal, or stealth, location. This time we’re in a Massachusetts Wildlife Management Area. It’s not the best tent sitte, but we set up before dark, and since there is a 100% chance of rain later this evening we seem to be in a good spot.

Here’s the spot….Pretty stealthy overall.

For the weekly summary, we’ve managed to cover between 105 and 108 miles.  There’s a minor discrepancy between Google Maps and Nike Running Plus on these figures, but the important thing is that we’re averaging about fifteen miles per day.

We’re both tired, but we both appear to be getting stronger.  The first day up Aquidneck Island from Newport was only 13.69 miles, and I was worried about our ability to continue after that one.  I need not have feared. After a good night of rest and a good breakfast, we put in a long second day. From there the distance rose up to the current average, and we’re making good time.  We’ll have to pick up the pace a little, but I’m confident that we’ll get fitter as the time progresses. I can already feel that progress happening.

Walking makes the days feel longer.  You really get to sense and feel the area as you move through it.  You can feel the optimism of the town that’s trying to turn the factory down on the river into a pet and wellness centered business area.  You can sense the concern that it might not work out, and if it doesn’t that’ll me that some people will have to abandon their ideals of building a community in a small town and head back to the cities to find a way to earn their keep.

Mostly, you get a sense for how good people are in this country.  For whatever reason seeing people walking seems to bring out the best in people.  They introduce themselves to you and give you their phone numbers. They tell you to call if you need help.  They give you a friendly honk and wave on the road. I’ve met more “strangers” walking in the last week than I have in the last year of grinding away in DC.  Some people say that unity in this country is something that had its day in the sun and has vanished without a trace never to be seen again. I can tell you that’s not my experience.

I am grateful for the people who have offered us help.  I am grateful to see that so many people care and are willing to go out of their way to help their fellow humans.  I’m grateful to be reminded that we can find the best in each other if we will only take a moment to get to know our friends, neigbors, and people just walking through town.

Well, we’ve managed to survive the first week.  Although we’re off to a bit of a slow start, I feel pretty good about how well “we’ve come up the learning curve” as Dad likes to point out.  Tonight, we’re tenting in yet another illegal, or stealth, location. This time we’re in a Massachusetts Wildlife Management Area. It’s not the best tent sitte, but we set up before dark, and since there is a 100% chance of rain later this evening we seem to be in a good spot.

Here’s the spot….Pretty stealthy overall.

For the weekly summary, we’ve managed to cover between 105 and 108 miles.  There’s a minor discrepancy between Google Maps and Nike Running Plus on these figures, but the important thing is that we’re averaging about fifteen miles per day.

We’re both tired, but we both appear to be getting stronger.  The first day up Aquidneck Island from Newport was only 13.69 miles, and I was worried about our ability to continue after that one.  I need not have feared. After a good night of rest and a good breakfast, we put in a long second day. From there the distance rose up to the current average, and we’re making good time.  We’ll have to pick up the pace a little, but I’m confident that we’ll get fitter as the time progresses. I can already feel that progress happening.

Walking makes the days feel longer.  You really get to sense and feel the area as you move through it.  You can feel the optimism of the town that’s trying to turn the factory down on the river into a pet and wellness centered business area.  You can sense the concern that it might not work out, and if it doesn’t that’ll me that some people will have to abandon their ideals of building a community in a small town and head back to the cities to find a way to earn their keep.

Mostly, you get a sense for how good people are in this country.  For whatever reason seeing people walking seems to bring out the best in people.  They introduce themselves to you and give you their phone numbers. They tell you to call if you need help.  They give you a friendly honk and wave on the road. I’ve met more “strangers” walking in the last week than I have in the last year of grinding away in DC.  Some people say that unity in this country is something that had its day in the sun and has vanished without a trace never to be seen again. I can tell you that’s not my experience.

I am grateful for the people who have offered us help.  I am grateful to see that so many people care and are willing to go out of their way to help their fellow humans.  I’m grateful to be reminded that we can find the best in each other if we will only take a moment to get to know our friends, neigbors, and people just walking through town.