Day 20!! 500 mile Journey to Salem. Keysville, VA to Randolph, VA. 18.6 miles. 54,000 steps. High temperature 67. Bright blue sky. Rolling hills. Great rural roads for walking. Stunning farm scenery. Only 138 miles to go!! Fast pace today. The team walked like a well-oiled machine, due, at least in part, to the gorgeous weather, scenery, and truly ideal road conditions. We walked straight through (with a couple of stretch breaks), determining to have lunch after we completed the walk. We passed a family decorating their yard to celebrate their Dad’s 35th birthday. We told the children to tell their dad happy birthday from us (he wasn’t outside when we passed). In just a couple of minutes we heard him shouting after us, “Thank You!” It was a really delightful encounter. We watched a carnival pass by on trucks during our stretch break at the Drake’s Branch Dollar General, and met an elderly gentleman land owner who wanted our drone (not really ours, one of his own!) to monitor hunting on his property. We loved his curiosity! Several of us discussed, while walking, the power of breaking seemingly impossible tasks or dreams into manageable pieces – how the impossible becomes the possible. How do you walk from Pennsylvania to North Carolina? Not by thinking about the 500 miles, but by thinking one day at a time. Anything is possible if imagined through the “best” lens. Lunch was in a very rural general store, prepared with love by the owner on a flat top grill, our food customized to order. She called her “regulars” by name, took care of their food needs, and uplifted all with her wonderful attitude. She fills a critical niche, connecting communities in our rural landscape, as do thousands like her across the country. It was an honor to participate in her normal day. We arrived at our hotel earlier than normal and have taken full advantage of a little extra rest while also catching up on laundry. Numerous sore feet, some persistent blisters, some painful ankles, but all in all a strong day. Hope everyone had a great weekend! Good night and sleep well. We really look forward to seeing many of you at Salem really soon now! #mysalemjourney. #journey2salem
– Lucy Rose C’76
Day 20 Journey to Salem! Today, we walked like a well oiled machine! The cool temps made it seem so easy! And, starting tonight, we have 2 nights in the same hotel, which makes this stop feel restful already. Loved walking on the back country roads again today. Weather was perfect. 🌞🏃♀️💜💛💙 #mysalemjourney #journey2salem
– Debbie Faires A’82
