Hi Everyone,

I am a couple of days late in writing this journal since we stayed in San Francisco after the walk and never even got to a computer!

I was tired when we arrived in SF on Thursday before the walk. I thought I might be coming down with something and was tired from a busy week; actually busy since the Denver walk. I am writing this almost a week later and am still 'under the weather’!

My daughter Debra and her friend Laura came up to do this walk. It was great fun having them with me and the walk went much easier, because we were talking much of the time. It is amazing how that helps the time to pass when you are counting down the miles. It was a real highlight sharing the walk with them.

The walk began in Golden Gate Park and we walked over the Golden Gate Bridge, into Sausalito, and on to Mills Valley, then turned around and came back across the bridge. The weather was nice and clear. Going across the bridge in the morning the weather was relatively mild; however by the time we were crossing it at the end of the day the wind was blowing and with the traffic whizzing by I thought my head was just rattling and my cheeks were tingling. It really is a spectacular experience walking across that famous bridge and viewing the skyline and the water.

The 'pit stops' were terrific. The medical tent was set up to take care of our 'Paws' (feet) and all of the medics were dressed like dogs with tails. It was really cute. One of the medical stops was set up like "Mash". One of the fun sweep vans was the 'PimpMobile'. Also on the route to support us were the Hookers for Hooters. They had 3 cars full of mostly women dressed (sort of!) as hookers and playing out the role really well. One of their members is Andre, a tall, buff, African American male, in mesh stockings and a very short black leather skirt. He was a riot when he tried to sit down on the grass in his very short skirt! They supported us both days, and I look forward to seeing them again in San Diego. The San Jose Police on bikes were there to provide security along the route. It seemed like there were more than usual and they are the hit of the event! Everyone wants their picture with the policemen!

It was wonderful to see Martha, who I met in Chicago. She was the survivor speaker at Opening and Closing Ceremonies. I was delighted to meet her husband Rob and son Will. I know we will meet again and remain in touch.

All of our children were in SF by Mon to celebrate Debra's birthday. So we all did some celebrating for a couple of days.

Some of the special times of these events happen before or after the walks. On Thursday, Bob and I were shopping and the young woman taking care of us asked what we were doing in SF. She then told me that her mother was a survivor and I gave her a pin and a card. When I got home she had written me the most beautiful e-mail thanking me for what I was doing. I was so touched.

Also, on the flight home I was wearing my jacket. On the back is the ribbon/heart embroidered in silver and pink with my tag line arched over it that is: I walk because I can't walk away. The flight attendant asked me about that and then I discovered she had been diagnosed in 1998, the year I began walking. I gave her a pin and then she bought a bracelet and wanted a copy of my fundraising letter. That was a nice end to a great week.

Thanks for making the time to read my journal. 3 weekends off and then back to Boston for the first 3Day event for 2006.

Hugs,

Barbara Jo

I love when those encounters happen. They always seem really special and memorable to me.