Ohh Oprah…Where are you?

The other day we stayed at a hotel and watched Oprah’s show and I thought, “we are totally Oprah-worthy.” So just our luck, my love to swim, though I shouldn’t exert any wasted energy, proved beneficial. I met a man named Jason who’s cousin works for Gayle (Oprah’s homegirl). A girl can hope right?

Anyhow, North Carolina has treated us well. After we left Kenny and Trudi’s we crossed into North Carolina. Every state border makes my eyes sweat. We are that much closer, and so many said we couldn’t do it, HA! When we first started our Walk (seems like years ago at times), people would ask us if we are crazy. Now, it’s not even a question, rather it’s a statement of fact.

Picture this: 109 degrees, farmland, hungry, no water and not a gas station or business for seven miles. I wanted to cry. There were a few houses scattered thorughout the farmland but we had no choice but to knock to get some water. We knocked on the right door. After the Registers had confirmation that we were not Jehovah’s witnesses, they invited us in to cool down for a while. They fed us lunch, called the Whiteville paper, gave us money and hooked us up with a place to stay for the night. We thought we had found compassionate, giving farmers but they weren’t farmers at all; they sold billiard supplies online. I guess I wasn’t paying attention to a cardinal SAPA rule, never assume. Valerie, I don’t know if I will ever meet another soft-spoken, hospitable woman who’s clam chowder can ever compare. Spencer, you have a real talent, best of luck selling your ocarinas. And Carl, thanks again for re-evaluating us and allowing us to come in.

North Carolina-Please consider paving a straight country highway North/South. These country highways with all these twists and turns that lead to nothingness are killing me. How many items does one need to have on its shelf to call itself a store? In my opinion, at least more than 10 can goods, 2 types of candy bars and 2 different beverages. Tucked away on these so-called stores are men who sit around and chew and share bad jokes. At least it provides us with a different perspective. And that’s all I want to say about that.

In Whiteville, we had the opportunity to speak with some really good people. We spoke with Mr. Ray, the reporter, who was just as excited to talk to us as we were to him. A pentecostal Church treated us to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, where I was able to practice my diminishing espanol, thank you again P. daddy, Nathan, Charity and Friends. Special thanks to Charity for allowing us to crash at her place.

Remember that 109 degree weather I previously mentioned? Well, that was a heat wave with record-breaking temperatures that North Carolina was having. We needed an escape, so we went to NYC with Carrie Bradshaw and the rest of the sexy ladies. A super-awesome guy from the theater not only let us see Sex and The City for free but also supplied us with some complimentary popcorn. I really wish I could remember his name…

Days later we were interviewed at Subway and put in the Fayetteville Observer. Big thanks to Don for being our host that night.

Being in the paper was so rewarding. People continuously honked at us for encouragement, stopped us to chat on the side of the road, and practically threw money at us to pay for our lunch. Fayetteville, NC reserves a special place in my memory. The people who we met and spoke with there are the reasons why we continue walking. It also brought us to Ms. Green, the unforgettable Ms. Green. She tracked us down, called the newspaper and invited us to stay with her and her “Christian Ladies” for the night. Ms. Green ran a home for women who had found themselves homeless, for whatever reason. People say that we are brave for walking but they are brave for surviving. I couldn’t even imagine. I’m so grateful for that empowering experience and for Ms. Green trusting us and taking us in.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY GREG!!! Greg, Kate’s Dad, came out to walk with us for the weekend. I never knew Dads like Eric Camden (Seventh Heaven) actually existed, but apparently they do. I cannot speak for Kate (although I often do and do it well) but that was a very precious time and it meant a great deal for him to travel all that way and spend all that money for just a weekend, but I cannot be more happy that he did. Thank you so much for lending me a temporary replacement to call my Dad.

We met Bill, Jerry and Josh at a little coffee shop ministry that we stopped at to eat. They overheard our mission and without even speaking with us beforehand, invited us into their home. My only regret was once again, not having more time to get to know them, especially after Bill dropped that biker bomb on us just before we departed.

Two walkers with huge green backpacks walk into a buffet and come out with a waitress who has invited them to stay at her place. The story seems to repeat itself time and time again, yet it never gets old for us. Thank you again Leslie, Deb and Theresa from Western Skillet.

Weird, other people are passionate enough to walk for causes, but what is the chance that we would share the same side of the road. We met a group of families who were walking for the abolishment of the Death penalty from Raleigh, NC to Washington, D.C. That was a refreshing coincidence. We wish you all safe travels as well.

*To all the people who take the time to read our ridiculously long blogs and then dare to maneuver the site’s option to leave a comment, THANK YOU. We walk so much lighter knowing that we have us all with us. All the prayers have, no doubt, lead us to the best people the world has to offer. It’s working and we can never use enough encouragement or prayers. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

One more time for the cheap seats: Thank you,

theWalkers