On Day one we got up at 4 am to catch a shuttle (bus) from the host hotel to Stone Mountain where opening ceremonies would be held and where we would start walking! We arrived at Stone Mountain, hopped off the bus and handed our luggage to one of the MANY WONDERFUL CREW members who put it on a truck for us. A very uplifting yet moving Opening Ceremonies started at 7 am with the sun rising and then off we go! A large crowd cheered us on our way. During our 20 miles on Day One there were three official cheering stations were people can come and cheer you on. Many people hand out coffee, drinks, candy, food and kleenex!! There are many survivors who can't walk that are at every cheering station all three days thank EVERY walker personally for walking. There are also Grab and Go stations which consist of - porta pottiess, water, gatorade and snacks. There is also the Pitt Stops which have - porta potties, water, gatorade, lots of snacks, and medical. We also stop for lunch - there is food, dancing, stretching, medical and yes more porta potties!! At each of the stops there are the Crew - and these people help make your 20 miles a day the best! At each pedestrian crossing there are two off duty cops - dressed in pink - helping make sure we are safe. Sweep Vans - three in all - drive by the line of pink walkers making sure we are safe and picking people up that can't walk anymore miles. The Sweep Vans blare LOUD music that keep us moving. Mary's friend, Allison, who walked with us was 25...she knew NO 80's music from the 80's Sweep Van. It was horrifying! She also has never seen Pretty in Pink, 16 Candles, or St. Elmo's Fire. Tragic!
Our "camp" was held in the Georgia World Congress Center. Susan G. Komen decided to hold "camp" inside this year since it gets COLD in Atlanta in October and 30% of camp packed up last year because they were so umcomfortable. Now to all my Montana peeps...keep in mind that most people from the South don't have warm enough sleeping bags to camp in 30 degree weather. Soooo....we had "camp" indoors and it was delightful!! There were over 2000 pink tents set up - the Crew handed us a tent as soon as we got to the GWCC on Day One and we put the tent together by ourselves. I was lucky enough to have a tent to myself this year!! I had my tent up before my two teammates - Mary and Allison - had theirs up. Yes, I beat them and I did mine by myself. You can't take Montana out of this girl! After we got our "camp" set up we went to have dinner after walking 20 miles. Have I mentioned I just walked 20? I was hugry and they fed us good!! At "camp" there is a food line, a stretching area, shopping, medical and massages! The only thing we did outside for "camp" was showere There were large trucks lined up with 8 shower stalls in each one. They NEVER run out of hot water....I don't know how, but it is wonderful!
At "camp" there is a sea of poink tents...but there is also a special place where white tents are placed. There is a white tent for every city that the 3 Day takes place. On these tents you can write message to loved ones that have passed. The tents that have not been "inked" are the cities that the 3 Day event hasn't taken place yet. Altanta's white tent was placed in a bigger tent that was called the "Memorial Tent" that has candles, books, and pictures of past 3 Day walkers who have passed away due to breast cancer. It is very emotional to read the notes that loved ones have left. I feel blessed to have been a part of helping find a cure!
Day Two, to me, was the hardest. I got up....knew I had to walk 20....and come back to "camp". It was a gorgeous walk on Day Two however....with LOTS OF HILLS!! Atlanta is not flat. With only seven miles to go I had to talk my walking partner, Mary, into not hopping on a sweep van. I told her "she could do"...that "blisters were better than chemo". It helped that we walked past a bar that had a sign that read "Bombs $5.00". I drug her into the bar...we had a couple of Cherry Bombs (vodka cherry and red bull) and off we went to walk the last 7 miles!! I am a great motivator. During Day Two (and Day Three) there were the Grab and Go's, Pitt Stops and Lunch like Day One.
Day Three....ahhhhhh, only 20 more to go!!! Except at the end of these 20 miles is my family waiting for me to cheer me on!!! I woke up at 5:15 to get my bag packed, tear down my tent and pack it neatly back in the bag. Yes, I beat Mary and Allison at that also!! I wrapped my feet, because at the end of Day Two I was starting to get a few blisters, put on my sneakers and off I go. The mornings were always very chilly so it helped there was a Starbucks close by....they made A LOT of money with all of us stopping for coffee in the morning. By day three Starbucks had about 15 extra people working!! Our walk and Day Three was another hilly, but gorgeous walk. I walked past Martin L. King's house that he grew up in. His Memorial where he is laid to rest with his lovely wife and the Historic Ebenezer Church that MLK attended just a block away from his house. Our Closing Ceremonies were being held at Turner Field where the Braves play. I think I ran the last mile knowing my Family was there waiting for me!! I saw Bryan first and he ran and gave me the biggest hug....he had lost his first two teeth while I was gone. Then I saw Chad, my mom, and ALL my kiddos!! They had gorgeous pink roses for me and many hugs. They all kept telling me how proud they were of me!! I have to admit, it felt so good. Closing Ceremonies are very special....all walkers are given a white tshirt, Crew has grey, and ALL the survivors are given pink. We all raise our shoes in the air when the Survivors walk into the ceremony...it is very touching.
I met many wonderful people on my journey. Some of my favorites: There were two men who met while their wives were going through chemo together....their wives both passed away two weeks apart. This was Alex and Ryan's fourth year walking together in honor of their wives.
A older lady and her husband were walking together....he hopped on a sweep van. So she walked with Mary and I for awhile. She was just diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago and has been married for 47 years. I asked her what the key to marriage is. Her response, "don't own a gun"!! Love it!!!
The youngest survivor I met walking was a 22 year old named Ava. She was walking with her fiance and was hoping to have some hair on her head when she got married. She was beautiful and will make a gorgeous bride without hair!
Enjoy the pictures of my incredible 3 Day, 60 mile walk!! I hope some day there is a cure and I can say I was a part of it.
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