Day 13 - Miamisburg to Franklin
When we heard that Saturday was going to rain and snow and be in the thirties, we almost re-thought our decision to walk. Although we thought about detouring toward Bob Evans for a hot breakfast instead of walking, we did not and pulled into the parking lot at the launchsite.
We geared ourselves up to brave the cold and rain. With so many layers, I looked like I was pregnant, although the birth would have been a Rice Krispie treat, granola bar, bottled water and chapstick. And of course they wanted to take a picture at the launch, so I had to hide behind the sign, to conceal my belly. My co-worker and I decided that we would assign a topic to each mile....Mile One, Work, Mile 2- Boyfriends, Mile 3, Work, Mile 4, Relationships, etc , etc. We figured each mile was a 20 minute conversation and it would make the time go faster.
We started on the bike path along the river with some interesting sites and smells. A dead duck and a foul smell was our entertainment. At one point we had to detour off the bike path, which forced us to climb a cement wall with ferocious (caged) dogs barking and bearing their teeth on the other side. We thought we had passed the scariest part of the walk...we were wrong. Imagine 5 girls walking along a state route where the speed limit is 45-50 mph and there is no where to walk but the 2 foot side of the road. Several people honked. We weren't sure if they were supporting our cause, mad at us for being in the way or were warning us that they were approaching. We know it was not because they were trying to pick us up...we were looking rough!
Once we stopped at the RV for a potty break, more food and a clue of how much longer, we were psyched that we would soon be dry and sitting. We made it through a residential detour and came upon an assisted living building. We joked that they could bring our wheelchairs to us at any minute. We were getting tired and the end was in sight.
While crossing the Meijer parking lot, we thought about grocery cart races to make a faster finish. We saw the Mid First Credit Union sign and a welcoming committee outside. The staff from Mid First CU was there with sandwiches, pop, chips and hot chocolate. They were wonderful! As we were getting ready to leave Mid First and get into the warm car with visions of a hot bath and dry clothes, someone mentioned the medallion. I had worn it.
At the beginning of the walk, they had said that anyone who had an affiliation with Children's could wear the medallion. One of my best friends has a little boy who has spina bifada and a little girl (my god daughter) who had to have a pacemaker when she was first born. They have spent countless hours in Children's Hospital, Cincinnati and Dayton. As I slipped the medallion from my neck to hand it over to the next group of walkers , I felt good. I was proud I had made it the ten miles, I was proud to represent my credit union and I was happy to have an opportunity to support my friend and Children's Miracle Network.
Thanks to those individuals that participated on this cold, rainy day:
Kristen Kildow (Dayton Firefighters FCU)
Dave Hurlburt (RV Driver/SRFCU)
Karen Young (SRFCU)
Kristina Hurlburt (SRFCU)
Shannon O'Neill (Dayton Firefighters FCU)
Catherine Herring (Communicating Arts CU)
Agnes Kenney (Carlisle FCU)
Pam Adams (MidFirst CU)
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