3-day Cleveland--day 2

I had an interesting night. To quote Heather "I didn't feel like slept well, but I felt rested." It was a chilly morning and I was grateful I was snuggled up in my fleece blanket. Heather and I nudged each other out of bed and then Heather rolled over to hit the tent Erin was asleep in to make sure she was up. I am not sure if Erin appreciated the well intended wake up call, but hey—it was sure fun.

I was so excited for breakfast that morning as breakfast meant oatmeal. Lovely oatmeal. I know that is a strange thing to be excited over but it was a highlight for me last year in Atlanta. There is something that they put in that oatmeal which is addictive. It will keep me coming back year after year.

We started off the journey with a hug from hug lady and then a cheer and encouragement from Jerry. The morning was gorgeous. It always amazes me how quiet mornings are and how much three dayers accomplish before the sun really comes up. I have thought of that a lot this past week, how much I truly enjoy those first few moments of morning.

We moved at a bit of a slower pace that morning. The three of us all blistered and a bit sore from the day before. Though moving slower we still clipped through the morning. Bouyed by each other’s company and quoting West Wing and Clue. It will never cease to astonish me what a bunch of nerds/geeks we all are. The girls I walked with also amazed me. Erin was (and is) so kind to anyone who crossed her path. Her patience with everyone is a true example to me. Heather is so full of compassion it is incredible. She made sure that day that she took something from every child that offered it. No matter how full she was, how much water she had, or what she was already carrying.

I got the ‘My Grandma’ flag at pit one. I was so proud to carry it for my grandma who is a survivor for over 40 years. She is one of the reasons that I do this walk every year. I felt honored to carry it for the two miles I did before passing it over to Erin.

After leaving Pit two (in which I was able to answer a trivia question about Elvis because I watch Doctor Who—thank you David Tennant) we realized that we needed something else to keep us entertained so we began to go through Mia’s Disney CD. We sang Old McDonald, This Old Man, There’s A Hole in my Bucket, and a host of other songs. This got us over several crossings of I-90. We wound our way through neighborhoods where Heather realized that she had to use the restroom. We were once again about a mile in a half away from the pit and in a residential area so we had no other option. We walked by a small cheering station who asked if we needed anything and Heather yelled out, “I need to pee.” To make a long story short one of the kind men out there let Heather use his home bathroom. The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze me. After Pit three we headed to lunch, the three miles were long and almost unbearable.

There was yet another bathroom van called for Heather and Erin and I went on alone. For some reason those two miles seemed to never end. It was hot, and I was moving faster than I probably should have. I was still amazed that I didn’t have shin splints, and despite an annoying blister on the bottom of my foot that was still giving me trouble, I was okay.

Finally, after devouring the best Otter Pop I have ever had, I made it to lunch. I was ready to collapse, but we were stopped at the crosswalk by a funeral. Those of us waiting there tried really hard not to have feelings of exasperation as we waited for a very long funeral train(?) to go by. It was quite annoying—yes, by that point I was hot, tired, hungry, and had a full bladder; I no longer felt charitable.

I finally made it to lunch and collapsed next to Erin and Heather, my feet were relieved that we got to stop for a while. We had a great lunch before we headed out again. Once again, a mile away from lunch and two away from the next pit, we had to use the bathroom. Thank heavens there was a Shell station around that the three of us were able to do.

We spent the next bit of time to vote each other off the team for various infractions. Heather seemed to be the only one safe as she was the ride to the airport and we had no way of getting home without her. The day wore on and not even Doctor Who quotes could lift our spirits. It was hot, really hot. We tried to cool off with a nice soak from a super soaker from Pit four, but it was of no use. We were on another three mile stretch that never ended. Heather and I had really seemed to slow down, while Erin was booking it closer to the grab and go. Finally, not able to go any longer Heather and I hopped a sweep van forgetting to yell up to Erin what we were doing.

The bright side to this was the sweep van was the coconut bra van—the van that Heather had waited for. We soon found out this was the best van to take a rest in. There was A/C, candy, pins, and a grab bag. Though they could not take us to the Grab and Go they did take us to Pit five to wait for Erin. They did however stop long enough to let Heather take her picture.

I knew that I needed to work on my feet and headed over to medical to take advantage of our time. I took my shoe off and noticed that I had grown another toe in form of a blister, funny as I never felt that blister. The size though was troublesome to the medical staff there and they told me I would not be walking the 2.5 miles back to camp. In fact they told me to go hop a bus, I was done for the day.

An intense feeling of failure swept through me. The one promise I had made to myself is I would not get on a SAG bus, there was no reason for it. I was determined to push through to have them pop it and send me on my way. I had time, I could wait till the popping or care was done. I knew they were right though, and I headed to the bus. I finally got a hold of Erin and explained what happened. Heather was going to wait for Erin to come, but Erin mentioned she would catch a van anyway. So Heather and I headed back on the bus, but we got a pin out of it all.

We arrived at camp and since I am such a Hermione I knew that I couldn’t go to medical until I had showered, and that I could not shower until I ate, and we wanted to wait for Erin. So after realizing that the ten was about 90 degrees we headed over to the 3-day main street.

It was here that Heather and I discovered the love of our three-day life—the i-squeeze machines at the Bank of America’s booth. Those five minutes were some of the best five minutes of my life. And when the lady tried to cheat us out of a minute Heather quickly put her in her place and told her we had more time. Not only did these miracle chairs massage our legs it also attacked our backs. We hobbled into that booth but walked out standing tall and proud. It was fantastic. Those machines work miracles and I am determined to try the one in my faculty room more often this year.

We then wandered over to Energizer and signed up for chair massages. While we waited for Erin to come for our team massage we played the Energizer game. We found we did not like the game as much but the questions were fun and Heather and I took turns asking each other questions and making new friends.

Erin got back in time for the massages—she did not hop a bus but had walked the rest! A woman named Penny gave me a wonderful shoulder and leg massage. I still had some kinks but it worked wonders. We went over to stretch the last of the kinks out and I had an enjoyable conversation with a woman from Connecticut. I know I have said it before but it bears repeating I love that there is so much more that connects us and binds us. So many women from all over truly coming together and showing that we are stronger than any of the things that divide us.

It was finally time to head to dinner but I was not feeling well. I hadn’t drunk anything since we left on the bus and I was now dehydrated. I managed to pick at dinner, but I didn’t eat much. The cake though was fantastic, I kinda wanted another piece.

We finally went to the showers and it was so nice to feel the water run over me. It also stung in a few places but the showers were fantastic. Finally I made it to medical and a very nice RN took care of my blister. We chatted and she was just fantastic. Blister popped and drained we headed to the remembrance tent to pay respect to those who have been lost to breast cancer and those who keep fighting, the real reason that we walk.

Like last year this was an overcoming experience. To be surrounded by the pictures of so many lost. It didn’t even matter that I never had met these women. There is a kinship there one that exists between any 3-day walker. Much like the bond between marathon runners or triathlon participants, you share the same hardships and the same triumphs.

We went to go get settled in for the night when, to the delight of Heather and myself, someone stopped and asked about our pink Tardis. It was made our little geeky sci-fi hearts leap in joy. It then took the three of us to get the tents ready for the rain that was going to threaten us that night and hunkered down. 43 miles down and only 17 left to go.

Team FBG at Pit one

Carrying the flag for Grandma

Ah, the king of rock and roll



Look who I found- and he has drinks Look at my team following rules and stretching


One of my favorite vans--they played ABBA Mile 35!!


So excited to be back at camp At the remembrance tents

Heather's indecent picture--I love it I feel surrounded by pink


Waiting inside the Tardis--is the Doctor coming?

I'd like to see Paris before I die. Philadelphia will do.

That is the mantra I should have lived for. I disliked Paris. Never need to go back, have no desire to go back, wasn't that keen to go anyway. But anyway, I guess it was alright. Paris really is a city for lovers. It was rather romantic and maybe that is what turned me off to the whole city..you know me...maybe it was the bus ride. Maybe it was the reek of urine, maybe it was the chaos after the order of England. I am not sure.

We took the night bus into Paris and got there at 5 am. It was odd to try and communicate that early in the morning in a language that I don't speak. I wanted to slip into Spanish all the time. Of course, since I got home, I now want to answer merci to everyone. Go figure. We trekked to the hostel only to find that we couldn't check in until two. They let us crash in the chill room and we slept for a couple of hours. Okay that sets up all the pics below the cut.

This is what that I took to Paris. That little back pack. Of course that made it easier to carry around with me.

At the Louvre. We didn't actually go in as I am not an art fan. But this appeased my mom enough, at least for now.

Ah this was kinda fun to see.

This is my favorite picture that I took in Paris.

Um, this is my first bee sting. I got it on a bus tour. It hurt like snot and I hope the bee died a painful death. This is right after it happened, yes I took pictures before I sought medical attention. My whole arm ended up in rash and swollen, did I mention painful death?

The view from our hostel room. We ended checking in at three and crashed for the rest of the day. I think we went and got pizza too but for the most part it was was just a catch up on sleep day. We did call home to wish our father's happy Father's Day. I have to admit this was the first day that I was homesick and I was grateful that we had a room to ourselves. The hostel was fantastic and I would stay there again.

The next day I was feeling slightly more chipper and though Paris still stank of urine I liked it a bit more than before. Notre Dome was fantastic.

We saw all the big sites that day and realized we could have done Paris in a day rather than three and been perfectly happy.


The Sacre Coeur was my favorite part. Other than the men grabbing at me and calling me baby and sexy. That just made me angry. We had some great crepes (the food in Paris was fantastic) and then we walked around the church and the Montmarte which was fantastic.



I read six books on the trip most I read in Paris as there were days we would sit in the park for hours and read. One day I saw a couple snogging rather intensley, this lead to groping, which lead to some other things that I didn't think you should be doing when a seven year old is playing in the fountain next to you. That was a bit odd but we saw it more than once.
We took a boat trip which was okay, the London one was better. But the best part is that we got to see the Effiel tower at night.


Our last day we went to Versailles. This is the one thing I always wanted to see in France. So it was nice to go. I rode a bike for the first time in 15 years and realized how much I enjoyed it. The fact that I almost hit a small child who cut in front of me just made it more of an adventure.

We got there in time for the fountain show which was great.

Halfway there on the bike trip. The only way to see the Park and the gardens.

On the stair case at Reinette's house. It was so cool.

The gardens!

The hall of mirrors. The palace was packed and we didn't get to see it very well but this was so cool.
After we went to the d'Orsay which was great. The only reason we went was that we both like the impressionists. We really only looked at the fifth floor. But it was fun to see the paintings I actually liked.


Then we started our Pastry tour of Paris and ate our way through every bakery that we could find. Ah the food was fantastic. As we ate dinner this fine man came up and showed us why Paris stank.

And this was my reaction


So we left Paris that night and I did not sleep all that night. I caught about four hours when we got to London then it was off to the airport where we got upgraded to first class. I don't know how it happened, but it did. That was fantastic too. I felt so well taken care of and just adored. The final night of the trip we stayed at Amy's house. she is fantastic and I wish I had more time with her.

Well that brings the end of my journey. i loved it. I would go to England again in a heart beat and I have plenty of pictures if you want to see more.

O, it's a snug little island! A right little, tight little island!

So here is part two. Nancy and I rented a car and took a week to discover England. We went to so many places and saw so many things. It was fantastic. We ended up getting a sat nav which was both our salvation and the bane of our existence. For the most part it was fabulous I wish we had spent more time in Scotland and the Lake District. That was the one part that I would have expanded.


We went to Winsor Castle to tour it only to find that the Queen was there so we didn't get to go in. We got some great stalking pictures in though and I began to hone my techniques.

I loved Stone Henge. I was so grateful we stopped here. It was fantastic and so peaceful-even with all the other hundreds of people.

Bath was pretty fun, even if everything shut down at six. It was fun to go and visit a place that Jane Austen writes so much about. It was fantastic. We sampled some of the water and I learned why people were cured. That water was so gross that I wanted to throw up after that. We wandered and visited the Jane Austen Center. It was fantastic.
We went to Wales and I loved it. I want to move there and learn Welsh. Believe me it was fantastic. Our first stop was Tinturn Abbey, this is one of my favorite poems and visiting was so powerful. I loved it. It was peaceful and serene and just incredible.


I took so many pictures here. It was inspiring.

We then went down to Cardiff to full my Doctor Who obession. It was fantastic. I loved Cardiff, except for the Traffic. We went to Cardiff Castle and that really sucked, Not a fan and not the best place we visited.

Then it was off to the Doctor Who stuff which Nancy was great to indulge my fangirl personality.


Look Heather., It is Jack's coat...sigh.

Oh why does that man look so good?

Another Tardis!!! I want a ride! I won't bore you with the rest of the exhibition pictures-I took a lot but this was in the top three favorite things.

Then of course we had to visit Torchwood. I really just loved Cardiff and Wales all together.
The next day I finally had the chance to visit my idols home. Stratford was fantastic and after ten days of being in the country as I stood in front of Shakespeare's birthplace I finally knew that I was in England. I started to cry at that moment. It was rather overwhelming. We stopped at Anne Hathaway's cottage first, it was overcome with tourists, but still we had a great time.

I have so many pictures from the gardens and of Stratford but after that visit we headed to Warrick Castle that reminded me a bit of Disneyland yeah, it was odd. Pretty grounds though even if it was overrun with school kids.



Then we went to York that had the best food and the coolest church. York Minster was the coolest one that we saw!
We went to Scotland the next day. I loved Scotland and it was fantastic. We tried to tour Edinburgh Castle, but it was closed due to the installation of someone. We did make it to Holyrood Place though, which was lucky as it was closing that day for the queen to visit. Dang her, she was stalking us.
Ah Scotland the land of my forefathers.

We got caught in a rain storm that lasted three minutes, but we were soaked after.
Look, it is my new Scottish boyfriend.
Yes, I ate at the Hogshead. It was a great pub with some great food.

Isn't that gorgeous. If we had more time we would have hiked it. Oh well.

nance doing her laundry, I had done mine the night before In York. when nance sends that picture I will pst that one.
At Holyrood House.
This is Hogwarts, right?
Honestly Scotland is so pretty. I loved it there.
We stopped at Hadiran's Wall on our way back into England. That is the wall behind me. We were too tired and didn't want to pay for parking to walk up to it.

We decided if anyone asked we would tell them that this was the wall.

We swung through the Lake District and it was fantastic there. I want to honeymoon there, I want to retire there, I want to go spend weeks there. It was fantastic.



See how pretty. We tried to go to the Beatrix Potter sites but they were all closed on Fridays.
That night we stopped to see the Preston Temple. We didn't get a chance to visit it as the hours didn't fit in our schedule but all the more reason to go back.

On our way back to London we stopped at Pemberly, oh I am sorry Chatsworth House. It was one of the other top three things that I saw (the Lake District rounded out that top three). So here are my fangirly pics.





So that is it. I will do Paris as soon as I get home from the grocery store, or maybe shower and put the groceries away. But it will all be done soon.