Highway 7 to Carleton Place

Day 1 of the Love Walk went without a hitch! There were nine walkers who, in two cars, were shuttled to the beginning of Hwy 7 at Capital City Speedway, Ottawa. Within minutes of embarking on the first leg of what seemed to me, an immense voyage, the New RO arrived and chatted with mom; hopefully the first of many interviews. (The New RO is a local TV station.) The walkers received many honks of support from passing vehicles to which they responded with waves of appreciation. The walkers were: Peter Anderson, John Zegers, Ron and Cathy Hannah, Melody Conlon, Marietta Stenman, Dorothy Proctor and Bill Kirkpatrick.

The image of five 50+ woman, after carefully weighing the pros and cons of holding it...or not, and instructing the men to turn and face the traffic, attempt the acrobatics of relieving themselves by the side of the van, will forever stick in my mind!

We stopped for lunch near Ashton, at an antique dealer, who welcomed us with open arms, dragged out her best lawn chairs, and sat and chatted with us while the walkers took in the well-earned nourishment.

We had one traffic scare when a vehicle slowed down considerably to check out the gray haired, walkers with their red Love Walk t-shirts. The car behind it, also stealing a quick glance and advancing at a much greater speed than his leader, was forced to veer on to the shoulder. Luckily, h regained control, but the near miss brought to light that some sort of "just honk-don't hang" signage might be prudent.

The walkers arrived at their daily destination (well, disappointingly 50 steps short of the Carleton Place town sign) by 2:45 pm at which time Rachael Crowder, the designated driver for the day, pulled over and scooped up Pat for her 3 pm interview with the mayor. Bryan Costello is a delightful man. He regaled us with historical stories of the region, presented us all with official town pins and shared his municipal chambers with us - all moments before hosting a memorial service for the thousands who were lost, or had suffered, in Tuesday's tragic events in the U.S.

We then delivered Pat to her first billet of 15 nights on the road. Then we set off to soak in baths and prepare for the next day.

Day 2 - Friday, September 14, 2001

Carleton Place to Innisville

Today we are four: Ron and Cathy Hannah, Rachael Crowder and, of course, Pat Love. Friday, September 14, 2001, was declared International Day of Mourning, so we worked our schedule around it. We stopped for lunch at St. John's Church at Innisville even though I had to ferry the walkers 2 or 3 km in the van in order to get there in time. We positioned ourselves on the steps of the church in the warm sunshine. At 12:20 we listened to the words of condolence by Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson, PM, Jean Cretien and the U.S. ambassador to Canada. We were only five of the millions of people around the world, who reflected, during the three minutes of silence, on the devastating loss of life and incredible suffering as a result of the terrorist attacks on the U.S.

I then drove the walkers back to where I had picked them up for lunch and they arrived at their destination, the Innisville town sign, at 2:15 - ahead of schedule.

Day 3 - Saturday, September 15, 2001

Innisville to Perth

Today, another gorgeous autumn day, was represented in good numbers - Garth Bulmer (rector at St. John's Church in Ottawa, John Zegers, Ruth Morrow, Tony Lovink, Graham (Love Walk co-coordinator) and Ron Hannah. We rendezvoused at Mr. Norm's Fast Food joint in Innisville, the proprietors of which had just gained ownership a month prior. Great place for a pit stop; gracious hosts! Our lives were enriched by a chance rest stop along the way where we broke for lunch. Rock Wall Gardens, at the Drummond turn off, is a peaceful sanctuary not to be missed. Here, Judy and Phil operate a perennial nursery that's truly a slice of heaven.

We were welcomed in Perth by Reverend Brian Beveridge of St. James Church. He invited us into his church where we sat and discussed the walk as it had unfolded so far. He mentioned the challenge he faced in preparing for Sunday's service with the juxtaposition of four baptisms and the celebration of life and, in the same breath, trying to make sense of the horrific events that took place on September 11; by which, it seems, not a person was untouched. We had arranged for Pat to attend the service to say a few words about the Love Walk.

Her billet, Pierrette Lindell, thought perhaps she was tired and preferred to return 'home' for a rest - no, she wanted to walk! I think we've created a monster, a walking monster!

Day 4 - Monday, September 17, 2001

Perth to Silver Lake

Today we are four again - Marietta Stenman, Gay Richardson and Sharon Scholler, St. John’s new associate priest. We were lucky to have Sharon today as she nearly found herself in Sudbury having taken the wrong exit. She met her team about 2 km west of Perth where she parked her car at a rest stop. Lunch was enjoyed in Wemyss, at the only commercial establishment on the highway - the Harley Davidson shop. Gerry, the owner, who helped his father erect the building in the 1940, seemed quite delighted (in his own quiet way) to have five women dining on his back deck. We admired his selection of leather jackets and other assorted H.D. merchandise and came away with a fridge magnet and baseball cap.

Our Silver Lake destination was cut short by about 8 km due to the hot sun. Pat, looking somewhat like a lobster upon our arrival to the Silver Lake Motel, wasted no time hopping in the shower, throwing on her favourite, red flannel nightgown and cracking open a beer. We enjoyed a glass of wine and delicious casserole (donated by Marietta Stenman) which the motel owners, Frank and Mary were happy to microwave for us. After a picnic table supper, we sat by the lake, chatted for a while in the setting sun and, back in our room, watched the American TV show, Wheel of Fortune (Mom, a fanatical crossworder, always knows the answers).

Day 5 - Tuesday, September 18, 2001

Silver Lake to Sharbot Lake

Early to rise (6:30 am) to pack up, have breakfast and greet our new recruits at 8:00 am. We had to step up our finish time today in order to make our 2:30 pm appointment in Kingston with the Deputy Mayor, Don Rogers. Kathleen Arsenault and Gloria Fox joined Pat today. The walkers arrived at Sharbot Lake provincial campgrounds at noon where we stopped for lunch and called it a day. We drove them back to their car at Silver Lake and headed off to the Kingston city hall. We had understood that someone from the Whig-Standard was to rendezvous with us, but were disappointed to find no sign of the media.

We spent the night at the home of Kay Yull, the mother of a high school friend of mine. Her daughter Caroline Yull dropped by after dinner to offer a few words of encouragement and share a few laughs.

Day 6 - Wednesday, September 19, 2001

Sharbot Lake to Arden

After a delicious breakfast whipped up by our gracious host, we made our way out of Kingston shortly after 8 am and arrived at Sharbot Lake by 9:30 to meet the day's team - Peter Anderson, Melody Conlon and Bill Kirkpatrick. Due to a wee bit of miscommunication and tardiness on our part, they had been waiting for over an hour for our arriva,l but had located a coffee shop, so all was good!

We broke for lunch at the Olden Ball Field where we sat in the shade and imagined the many hours shared playing ball by the local residents. Shortly after getting under way again, we came upon a dilapidated motel where we met Bob McKinnon and his dog Sable.

Bob had purchased the property a year earlier and, when discovering at the local town hall that there was much need for low cost housing in the area, decided to renovate the units into rental apartments. He had already landed one tenant in the small house on the property with another party reserving a two-bedroom unit with two months advance payment. His greatest expense, he explained, was going to be replacing the electric heating system in the motel units with a propane furnace. He had researched government grants to assist with the overhead, but had found nothing. I captured his story on video - a surprising addition to the Love Walk mission.

We made good timing on our arrival at 2:15 pm to Sayler's Inn in Arden, our home for the night. For the first time since our departure, Mom seized the opportunity of 40 winks before dinner. We watched the beginning of the Town Hall discussion on the terrorist attacks on the U.S. televised on the CBC and turned lights out by 9 pm.

Day 7 - Thursday, September 20, 2001

Arden to Kaladar

We awoke to the sound of rain on the roof - the first wet day since departing a week ago and, after breakfast, were greeted by Pat's lone partner Mary Frances Marshall (M-F). We made a pit stop, not even an hour after departing, at the irresistible picnic area at Salmon Lake, and indulged in M-F's ginger cookies. We reached Kaladar (20 km from start point) at 2:30 pm, and as we had to return M-F to her car anyway, decided to lodge a second night at Saylers Inn. It had been a pleasant experience - clean, spacious rooms with hospitable hosts Bob and Joanne Seguin. We listened to President Bush's address to the Senate about winning the war on terrorism and said a quite prayer for the events to come.

Day 8 - Friday, September 21, 2001

Kaladar to Actinolite

Breakfast was on Bob this morning! We packed up the van and made it to Kaladar by 10 am to await the new team - my 10-year-old son Patrick, Robin Wenzil and Graham Smith (who has agreed to share the driving). Graham stopped at a make-shift rest stop at noon where he treated us to his curry rice dish and apple peach tarts. He is now top of my list of picnic partners!

Patrick and I drove on ahead and waited for the walkers at a beaver dam by the roadside where we looked in vain for its inhabitants. We took pictures of frogs and played a quick game of cribbage, which he won. We packed it in at 3 pm, 8 km short of our target, as we had about an hour's driving before reaching our next home for the night in Belleville - at my in-laws Fernanda and Marco Vani. After a delicious meal of homemade Italian pasta and meatballs, Pat indulged in her new, evening pastime - a hot bath followed by a foot massage - updated her journal, and went to bed early.

Day 9 - Saturday, September 22, 2001

Actinolite to Madoc

Today we are joined by Patrick's 13-year-old cousin, Nick Vani, who had is own agenda of preparing for an upcoming March of Dimes, 10 km walk. We departed Belleville at 9:30 am and met the day's team at the Log Cabin Restaurant near Actinolite on Highway 7 - Garth Bulmer and Lanny MacDonald. We backtracked 4 km to begin walking to compensate for the short day yesterday and stopped for lunch at the Peace Park, a privately owned memorial garden dedicated to the lives lost in the world wars. Sadly, it was overgrown and badly in need of a face-lift, but was nonetheless, extremely pleasant and moving.

We rendezvoused in Madoc with my cousin Jodee Scott, who was to shuttle Pat back to Peterborough where she will spend the weekend with her sister (and Jodee's mother) Barbara Scott. Barb has been instrumental in the plans for the final reception in Peterborough. We returned the walkers back at the parking lot at the Actinolite junction, said goodbye to Nick, his parents and Patrick. Then I headed back to Ottawa.

Carefully clocking the mileage back to Mile 0, I was amazed to confirm that my mother had indeed walked 150km! On her behalf, I would like to say a million thanks to the dozens of people who have supported Pat along the way.

Day 10 — Monday, September 24, 2001

Madoc to Marmora

Today was a washout in terms of meeting our target. I left Ottawa at 9:15 am with Graham Smith and my sister Karen, who had taken a train from Vancouver to join Mom on the walk. We met Mom and her sister, Barb, who had driven her from Peterborough at the OPP detachment in Madoc. By the time we had visited with the officers and snapped a few photos with Constable Dan McCauley, the rain had started its slow descent. By noon, only about 3 km after departure, we had to put a halt to walking due to a torrential downpour. The walkers, at that point, were clearly a hazard on the already dangerous highway.

So they all jumped in the van and we headed off down the road to find a suitable spot to enjoy an intimate vehicular picnic. We succumbed to the fact that walking was not to be today and decided to make our way up Highway 62 to Bancroft, to the home of Debbie Jeffrey. Deb has helped immensely in rallying support from her mayor, Lloyd Churchill, whom I understand has sent a letter sanctioning the walk. She had also arranged an interview at her country home with a reporter from the Bancroft weekly paper. The kitchen table discussion with Barry began at 7:30 pm, and continued well into the evening. We talked at length on the topic of the housing crisis and other critical social issues, all of which he had a keen interest in.

Day 11 — Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Madoc to Marmora

It was a better day today with only a slight drizzle of rain but it seemed to hinder walkers Debbie, Karen, Graham and Pat. We stopped for lunch at an Antique Diner where we set up picnic in the parking lot. We quickly browsed the collectibles and pursued the road again until 5:30 pm — to date our latest finishing time. We wrapped it up at a roadside restaurant in Marmora.

Back in Peterborough that night, Barb and Jodee treated us to some real comfort food — meatloaf and baked spuds and afterwards Barb and Graham delighted us all with tunes on her baby grand piano.

Day 12 — Wednesday, September 26, 2001

Norwood to Indian River (outskirts of Peterborough)

The leg from Marmora to Norwood had to be excluded from the itinerary due to road closures so we decided to add an extension at the end of the route.

Another dreary day today with a lone walker, Graham, to accompany Pat. After hearing warnings of snow flurries on the local radio station, I popped into the Norwood Home Hardware store and purchased some gloves, albeit the gardening variety, to warm the hands of the walkers. What a change from last week!

We treated ourselves to a bowl of hot soup for lunch at a roadside restaurant about 8 km west of Norwood, and we all agreed that we preferred our picnics with donated treats and sentiments (no fault of the dining establishment). Graham and Pat plodded off in the drizzle again and we called it a day just short of Indian River. It was a pleasant surprise to be visited by Pat’s oldest sister Margaret and her husband Don Tansley, daughter Judy and 27-year-old son David, who I had never met before.

Day 13 — Thursday, September 27, 2001

Indian River to the Otonobee Inn

Sadly (I’m sure everyone shared the sentiment), our last day of walking! Pat insisted on starting early to make up for all those missed miles in the Havelock area — she wanted to make sure that we didn’t skimp on any part of this leg! As it turned out, our estimation of the distance was off and we were finished walking at 1:30! Nonetheless, we had a great time and new friends were made in the process.

Mom, Graham and I met our crew at 9 am at the Cango Gas Station at Indian River, where quite by surprise, we were presented a small bag of money - $13.65 — a donation by the staff and regular diners there. We thought fondly of their generosity at coffee time a little while later.

Molly Edward, Barb Westropp, joined Pat and Graham today and Don Benniger (all ex-colleagues of Mom’s from her probation/parole days in Peterborough), Peter and Rosemary Anderson from Ottawa, Debbie Jeffrey and her husband Keith Keatley. It was a dreary day, cool enough for gloves and wool hats, but it wasn’t long before everyone needed a pit stop to shed unwanted layers.

We stopped for lunch at Burnham Provincial Park and set up our banquet under the protection of canopy. We carried on and soon reached our destination at The Otonobee Inn and decided to celebrate with draft beers all around!