It's here the last day of an amazing 2 week journey!  There is so much to reflect on and so much to be thankful for!   I thank God that we all made it safely to this day in one piece and in good humor.  I also thank Him for my amazing family and friends whom without I could not have gotten here.  My sister Mari and brother Curt did all the work without any of the glory they deserve a bow. My brother Bruce and sister-in-law Kathi watched over me and walked with me and left me needing nothing.  My good friends Pat, Dr. Pat Fry, Gloria,and Becky for giving me a chance to know and love them even more through carefree conversation.  I am thankful for all the beauty and good weather that God surrounded me with as I walked.

Curt, Mari, Diego, and I started out at about 9:15 down Grove Rd to GA-42.  We arrived at City Hall shortly after 10.  We were greeted by the Mayor, City Manager, The Chair of Henry County, reporters , and most importantly Jama, Diane Smith and the wonderful family and  staff of Noah's Ark. After many hugs and a talk with the reporters.  We started out on our last 4 miles to Noah's Ark.  We were also accompanied by two rescue dogs from the Ark Luna and Kaiser.  It was wonderful getting to know everyone and the 4 miles just flew by.  Then there IT WAS!  It brought tears to my eyes. The web site can not do it justice.  You have to see it to believe it!  Acres of free roaming animals.   At the gate I was greeted by so many children and adults. I did not know where to look first.  It was such an amazing moment.  Very humbling. I  spoke to reporters and many wonderful people. Fran a staff member told me that just as I crossed through the gate a patient called and said they had just heard about the walk and donated 100 dollars.  She then took my face in her hands and said "you are a good girl you did what God told you to do" and then she hugged and thanked me.  It was worth every blister for  moments like that! Meeting Jama and Papa was like meeting celebrities although they to not fit the part at all. They are very kind, quite, humble, soft spoken," salt of the earth "kind of people. Who work tirelessly to keep their dream alive! My very favorite part of the day was meeting and spending the day with Diane Smith. Jama's personal assistant and the person who organized it all from their side.  She is every bit as wonderful as I imagined her to be, and I feel I now have a very good friend in Locust Grove! After a golf cart tour and lunch we headed back to Mooresville to see mom who had not been well and so unable to walk the last mile with us.

Sorry this took so long to write. A lot to be done when I got home and much needed time with mom took precedence! Will blog more on the return later.

FYI- Although the Google walk map lists 274 miles. The actual mileage with road crossings and wrong turns( only 3) clocked by Garmin was 307.5.