Distance = 10 Miles; People Met = 2
A poignant moment happened for me today. We stopped at a small mall in Redlands for lunch and access to wifi. Dre, the diver for a rafting tour that gave us water in the Cisco desert, left a comment thanking us for our walk to address the issue of Housing. Not long after we met Brandon, who works for Safeway. He lives in a trailer and wishes some day to have a house, currently an impossibility for his income. He talked about wanting to be treated fairly and was really, really enthused about what we were doing. The kind of enthusiasm that makes you feel like you are doing something worthwhile. The kind of enthusiasm that, in the case of a rather sappy person like me, led to teary eyes later.
Brandon, Safeway Worker
So I started out wanting to spread a message to Lions Clubs, and that will continue. Two days into Colorado and I now have two new missions: spread the message to the young as well and tell the stories of working people who are looking for a voice. Both Cindy and I are feeling like something awesome is beginning to happen.
Speaking of awesome, that describes the hospitality of the Lacey family. Marie left a message on my phone that they were hoping we would stay with them. Well now, we couldn’t pass that up now, could we? Ah, but to do so we had to decline another offer from Eileen, another bicycler who came up to us that day to find out what we were doing.
Cindy and Eileen
The Laceys took us for a tour of the California National Monument, which may very well lead to another photo album on our facebook fan page. The Laceys are retired now and, from what we could tell, are living life to the fullest, hiking and bicycling whenever they get a chance. They both have very effusive, lighthearted personalities and were a pleasure to be with.
Dave and Marie at Colorado National Monument
I want to tell my friends in Denver about when you will be there and what your path will be. How do I do that? Though I grew up there most friends have moved elsewhere, as has the family I had there. But I do have a cousin in Evergreen and another in Kitridge and many friends from Highschool. But I don’t know how to tell them to find you. You guys are amazing! Nancy
Thanks, Nancy. We will be in Denver on 9/24, Kittredge shortly before. Near the top of our home page is our schedule. They could always send me an email at hiking.humanitarian@gmail.com. Hope things are going well for you back there.
Yeah Brandon. We’ve know him for years. It’s great you met him. He is one enthusiastic guy. We haven’t seen him for a while; glad he has a job.
I don’t know how anyone in working in the service sector can afford to live in Grand Junction. We have been here for 33 years and have our house paid for, bought when prices were low. We couldn’t afford to live here now on a retirement income if we weren’t debt free.
Yes, enthusiasm is a good word for him. I think he would have liked to hike with us. If you are the Ron we met at the University talk, thanks for the peaches. They were delicious!