| Day One - Avon 3-Day Walk |
Opening Ceremonies
7 am: the Opening Ceremonies unite us in kicking off this endeavor, with short speeches
culminating with the ring of breast cancer survivors (both women and men) proceeding to
the front of the First Step starting line.
First Step
7:30 am: Our walk began at the Pergola, so I cannily made my way there
rather than getting near the stage. Most of the Opening Ceremony was drowned out for
us by the friendly news helicopter overhead. The First Step process aims to release
a pre-determined number of people in an orderly fashion so that we don't stampede and
crush each other - a very wise process. By positioning, I was in the second group
released.
We Start
7:40 am: My walk begins and as we leave the campus our Crew hands out more water and
sports drink and urges us to hydrate - urinate - and stretch. We head out in orderly
fashion on the sidewalks, obeying the police and Crew who are stationed at intersections.
I am pleased that they are very considerate of the local population, who still need
to get to work and school despite our noble event. 
I keep my horses in check and
pass only where it is considerate and polite to do so, and say "Passing on your
left" when I pass others. Frederick is a lovely historic town with colonial
roots, visited by George Washington, as well as in the thick of the Civil War.
Many
of the downtown buildings trace back to colonial times. I regret that I didn't get
my Travel Form back in time to get a Day Zero hotel there (mine was in Gaithersburg) and
have time to explore it.
Next page > Pit Stops and Grab 'N Gos
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Photos copyright (c) 2001, Wendy Bumgardner, licensed to About.com
