Throughout the Million Step March, Kathy and Gary are joined by at least one "guest walker" each week from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Kim Ashley, program manager in Commercial and Government Operations, joined the walk recently and gave us this report from the road:
Old U.S. 70 ended at the Pisgah National Forest "Old Fort" picnic area where we met up with the support van. From there, we walked into the town of Old Fort. Unable to resist, we stopped in for a quick break at a local coffee/art house, and ended up spending quite a while there. Good coffee, interesting local art and crafts, and very interesting people.
It's always fun to watch people's faces when they ask how far we're hiking, and the answer is "to Wilmington." Everyone is interested in the story and seems to be captivated by the idea of walking across the state. We often hand out pedometers and give the Web site URL out, and I believe the folks we talk with will participate.
Not only am I enjoying myself in this portion of the walk, I'm developing a greater respect for and understanding of the work that the company is doing toward cultivating healthy lifestyles and choices. Conversations on the road are giving me a glimpse into the motivations and passions that drive our viewpoint, and I find that I 100 percent agree with and support those motivations. What a good feeling!
During the final mile of the day, the rain that's been predicted since Monday finally hit. The worst part of the rain may be the splashing as the cars go past. Ick.
One piece of advice for the walkers: Jacuzzi! After a 13-mile hike, you must take advantage of the hotel Jacuzzi. It does wonders for the muscles and the spirit.
After 100-plus miles on "The March," we finally took a big right hand turn and headed south toward Charlotte. All things considered, the walking effort is going well.
Just one issue: THE WEATHER? This is the only state I've ever worked in where the weather forecasters are actually right! When they predict rain, it's rain. When they predict sun, it's sun. I'm from Boston, of course, where we are down to three seasons officially: fall, winter and road construction.
So it's downpouring and we're walking on farm roads – but I'm wearing a plastic poncho (which is very slimming) supplied by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina as well as my trusty blue "urban sombrero." It's a blue nylon and Velcro hat I bought at Gaylan's Sports Store back home, and it's been with me ever since on every walking campaign we've done. Add to this already impressive "road warrior" wardrobe an iPod, cell phone and headset, and I'm a high-tech urban cowboy.
We are looking forward to the event on the Green in Charlotte on Wednesday and our Bobcats Arena event that night. Kathy and I are holding up fine and getting stronger by the day. I haven't had time to search for a scale so I won't be doing any "girth announcements." But I do feel great and I know I'm losing weight. We've also had great people on the walk so far – interesting and fun people. Life is good on the Million Step March.
Kathy, Gary and the other walkers on the Million Step March team aren't hoofing it alone. Wherever they are on the road, lurking somewhere nearby is the big Million Step March tractor-trailer rig.
Since not everybody gets a chance to come out to one of the events on the road, we thought it would be a good idea to give you a virtual tour. Our videographer, Rod Rich, put together this quick look inside the truck.
At some Million Step March events, the truck will be home base for cooking demonstrations and a look at how we might work - and work out - in the future. See for yourself through the video tour, led by Gary and Kathy.
We've put up the official video capturing the Million Step March kickoff in Asheville. This three-minute clip captures the essence of what the march is all about. It's worth a look on YouTube.
