| Day One - Avon 3-Day Walk |
Tents
The tent area was set up neatly with baggage dropped nearby. Although I arrived at
this area around 3 pm, already most of the tents had been pitched by the Crew and were
ready for the returning walkers. However, we had been warned not to lay down in a
hot tent as this was a risk of dehydration and heat sickness.
Showers
The showers were provided in shower trailers. These have an open area for changing,
and shower stalls with curtains for showering. Long lines form later, so it is wise
to get your shower while the line is short. The towel service is available and a
table full of Avon shampoo, soap, moisturizer, and other comfort products for your use.
Store
I decided along the walk that my waistpack was far too ungainly - I had a waterbottle
holder that was a separate unit and kept slapping against me. The Pallotta TeamWorks
waistpack looked far more ergonomic and so I bought one, as well as some packs of 3-Day
thank-you cards for my sponsors.
Ideas
I stopped by the Idea trailer to give a suggestion that occured to me along the walk.
Dinner
4 pm - 9 pm: Dinner is served at the dinner area, with a huge tent with tables and
chairs to rest in the shade, enjoy the meal and meet new friends and old. Dinner
tonight was a chicken or tofu fajita, beans and rice with tossed green salad and pecan
pie.
Evening Programming
Each evening there is a short nightly news report and program, followed by entertainment.
A 12-Step meeting is held each evening. On Friday there were Shabbat Services
and Saturday there was a Catholic Mass at the Conference Tent. There is a
Conference Tent with evening 12-Step meetings. Times and places are announced in the
3-Day Today. There is a camp message board for leaving notes for other walkers.
Phoning Home
A small set of pay phones are provided for those who have the urge to phone home, or you
may use your cell phone in camp. (But never while walking).
Perchance to Sleep - Quiet
Please
9 pm: This is the designated quiet time. The walkers were coached on how to
quietly shut the PJ door instead of allowing it to bang shut, and this was vastly improved
from previous walks. 
Talking in the tent area should be kept to a whisper, and no
radios or music after 9 pm. Everyone is tired and many have never camped, so respect
for each other's comfort is a priority. All that said - bring earplugs and a
sleepmask and practice sleeping with them beforehand. Your possibility of a good
sleep will be vastly improved. In fact, practice sleeping in your bag on your pad
with sleepmask and earplugs as part of your training. Our first night resulted in
many sleepless people because of the nearby train tracks, with passing trains about every
hour through the night. Also - the Crew have long long hours and some are just going
to bed after midnight and others arising at 2 am to get things ready for us.
Next page > Day 2
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Photos copyright (c) 2000, Wendy Bumgardner, licensed to About.com
