Day 12 was a good day. I was joined by the Blankenship family. Annette Blankenship had contacted by e-mail first. Her husband Donald had stopped on the front lines the day before to drop off water and juice. I mentioned him nameless earlier seeing I am terrible keeping names straight. Anyway this morning I began walking as the sun was coming up. The sun roasted me the day before so I wanted to get a good 10 to 15 miles head start early in the morning. Annette was on her way from I believe near 100 miles away not sure but it was a distance. She was gonna pick me up, to then go get my gear from the hotel to move it on to the next stop.Before Annette reached me I had somehow made a wrong turn walking about 2 miles out of my way. I was walking at traffic so Annette could see me so I could read the sign's. I got off the road an slipped into an Exxon station and called Annette to pick me up there. While I was waiting I had a great talk with the woman working behind the counter who agreed with me 100% on the death penalty issue. She was great peoples, she fed a soldier a sandwich and coffee on the house. Bless her. I gave her a Stop Execution button and moved on.Annette found me and we sure enough went and got my stuff from my hotel room. She was joined by her son Jeffery and his step grandma. Small army put we packed a lot of power.We first drove some 40-50 miles and found me my next hotel in Danville, VA I couldn't find support out in these neck of the woods. Anyway after I checked in and dropped of my stuff, we hit the road.I had about 15 miles already giving myself credit for the miles I strayed off, now Annette's son Jeffery was ready to walk the next 10 with me. Jeffery is 17 a high school student. He wants to be a professional wrestler. I think that is fantastic. He is young and already working hard towards his dream. I hope I get free tickets when he makes the big times, cause I have no doubt he will get there, just like he got to the end of 10 miles up 2 huge hills.It was great walking with Jeffery, he talked non-stop even when he was out of breath. He was funny and just had great energy. After like 2 miles we came up to a hill. Not steep but hella-long, about 3 miles. I thought I was going to lose Jeffery a couple of times but for the most part he did not slow me down at all. He kept up the pace jogging at times to catch up. Just as we reached the 10 mile mark, we hit hill number 2. Not as steep as the first, but to us it looked like mount Everest. Jeffery was running out of gas, but he didn't stop till I said it was 10 miles. After that, it was hard to get him up to even get in the car. 10 miles at 3.5 miles an hour is serious, up hill is insane.
Jeffery Blankenship. A true soldier fighting on the front lines of the struggle.I have to mention that Jeffery's grandma and Annette were doing roadside. At one point they stopped to give us water. We were paid a visit by 3 sheriff's cars along the road side. This was classic. As the first officer arrived he pulled right up to me in the shoulder. I was holding a sign END The Death Penalty NOW. It was like right in his face. He got out of the car smiling along with his posse. I paid them compliments, their hats that is. They wore wide brim hats that could keep 5 people out of the rain. Anyway they stopped smiling when I explained what I was walking for. They said just stay out of every ones way. I was like ahhh ok. I have nothing bad to say. They ran Annette's plate, checked her license and drove off one at a time.
The last of our friends leaving the scene. Virginia's finest on highway 29-S.After our little pow-wow grandma and Jeffery took over on the roadside and Annette walked the next trek with me. The road was busier reaching into Danville, VA so we walked with signs. Hundreds seen our opinion. We walked and talked and kept up the pace without problem. The day went well, they always do when I am joined by other soldiers willing to make that sacrifice. I am so grateful for the Blankenship family. After a number of miles we took some photo's as we spread the word, bid our goodbyes and I walked the last 10 or so miles solo, reaching my hotel after sun down.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
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Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Day 5 Walk 4 Life. Annapolis, MD
This here is just one of the reasons I walked so hard the first couple of days. This is why I didn't let shin splints slow me down. I actually wasn't supposed to arrive in Annapolis till the fifth, but when they offered me the chance to speak at the Stanton Community Center on the forth, I told them I would be there. They asked how and I told them I will walk faster. Little man in the picture with me made every bit of pain I went through worth it.I spoke to a room full of kids and parents. I am not some amazing speaker, I just just share all the wrong choices I made in life hoping people listen so they won't make the same ones. I did a little accapella and that about it. It meant a lot to me because I came from the projects. My pops did bust his back side to get us up out of there but I ended up back in the projects. Talk about walking 4 life, I pray Micheal there in the picture took what I said to heart and fights for his community. Places like Clay street where little man lives is where authorities go to find occupants to fill prison cells. Yea including the ones on death rows.The evening was in remembrance of Martin Luther King. A film based in these times was the main event of the evening. You're going to have to look it up trust me it's worth it. http://www.pipandzastrow.com/trailer.htmI was watching the film and little man snuck up to me and said "you did a great job" and then he gave me a little bear hug. I never met him before but let me tell you I love this kid like a brother. By the end of the evening me Michael were homeboys without question. I will be returning to spend more time with him. I wanna do all I can to make sure the state of Maryland keeps they hands of him. I love kids so any time I get asked to work with kids I drop everything and I am there. It takes a village to raise a child is my favorite saying because it's so true. If we as a people would stop being so dependant on those that oppress us, imprison us and even kill us and we came together maybe there wouldn't be so many brothers and sisters sitting on death row. We need each other but for some strange reason we have forgotten this.I have to thank brotha Zastrow who was in the house and of course my brotha Timmy Grins for making this happen. Don't get it twisted this event had everything to do with the Walk 4 Life. I got to tell the 150 some odd peoples there what I was doing. They all seemed to agree with me on the death penalty. There was a lot of love up on Clay street. Enough to gas me up for day six. Word up, I could still feel little mans arms squeezing me. I feel like I was touched by an angel. Yea; I was. Peace love and progress.Howard Neal - MS death row (on death row for 28 years)Sammy Capers - CA death row. I walked for these brothas, prayed for these brothas and will continue to do so.
Posted by Capital-"X" Walk 4 Life at 9:43 PM 2 comments
Day 5 Walk 4 Life. Annapolis, MD
This here is just one of the reasons I walked so hard the first couple of days. This is why I didn't let shin splints slow me down. I actually wasn't supposed to arrive in Annapolis till the fifth, but when they offered me the chance to speak at the Stanton Community Center on the forth, I told them I would be there. They asked how and I told them I will walk faster. Little man in the picture with me made every bit of pain I went through worth it.I spoke to a room full of kids and parents. I am not some amazing speaker, I just just share all the wrong choices I made in life hoping people listen so they won't make the same ones. I did a little accapella and that about it. It meant a lot to me because I came from the projects. My pops did bust his back side to get us up out of there but I ended up back in the projects. Talk about walking 4 life, I pray Micheal there in the picture took what I said to heart and fights for his community. Places like Clay street where little man lives is where authorities go to find occupants to fill prison cells. Yea including the ones on death rows.The evening was in remembrance of Martin Luther King. A film based in these times was the main event of the evening. You're going to have to look it up trust me it's worth it. http://www.pipandzastrow.com/trailer.htmI was watching the film and little man snuck up to me and said "you did a great job" and then he gave me a little bear hug. I never met him before but let me tell you I love this kid like a brother. By the end of the evening me Michael were homeboys without question. I will be returning to spend more time with him. I wanna do all I can to make sure the state of Maryland keeps they hands of him. I love kids so any time I get asked to work with kids I drop everything and I am there. It takes a village to raise a child is my favorite saying because it's so true. If we as a people would stop being so dependant on those that oppress us, imprison us and even kill us and we came together maybe there wouldn't be so many brothers and sisters sitting on death row. We need each other but for some strange reason we have forgotten this.I have to thank brotha Zastrow who was in the house and of course my brotha Timmy Grins for making this happen. Don't get it twisted this event had everything to do with the Walk 4 Life. I got to tell the 150 some odd peoples there what I was doing. They all seemed to agree with me on the death penalty. There was a lot of love up on Clay street. Enough to gas me up for day six. Word up, I could still feel little mans arms squeezing me. I feel like I was touched by an angel. Yea; I was. Peace love and progress.Howard Neal - MS death row (on death row for 28 years)Sammy Capers - CA death row. I walked for these brothas, prayed for these brothas and will continue to do so.
Posted by Capital-"X" Walk 4 Life at 9:43 PM 2 comments
UPDATE
Hey; I am still in Virginia. This is what I have left about 3 days or so. Really need help at least moving my gear so I can walk freely.
14: Take the US-522 / VA-3 ramp toward CULPEPER / FREDERICKSBURG. 0.2 miles 15: Turn LEFT onto US-522 S / VA-3 E / GERMANNA HWY. 0.4 miles 16: Turn RIGHT onto ZACHARY TAYLOR HWY / US-522. 3.4 miles 17: Turn RIGHT onto RAPIDAN RD. 13.1 miles 18: RAPIDAN RD becomes E MAIN ST. 0.8 miles 19: Turn LEFT onto US-15 / S MADISON RD. 0.2 miles 20: Turn LEFT onto US-15 / CAROLINE ST / VA-20. Continue to follow US-15 S. Pass through 1 roundabout. 60.3 miles 21: Turn RIGHT onto US-60 W / JAMES A ANDERSON HWY. 7.7 miles 22: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto VA-24 / HOWE FLOOD HWY. Continue to follow VA-24. 19.0 miles 23: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto VA-131 / UNION BLVD. 0.2 miles 24: Turn LEFT onto US-460 BR / CONFEDERATE BLVD / VA-131. Continue to follow US-460 BR / CONFEDERATE BLVD. 0.6 miles 25: Turn RIGHT onto N CHURCH ST. 0.5 miles 26: Turn LEFT onto EVERGREEN AVE. 0.2 miles 27: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto EVERGREEN ST. 0.3 miles 28: EVERGREEN ST becomes VA-727. 9.8 miles 29: VA-727 becomes RED HOUSE RD. 0.9 miles 30: Turn RIGHT onto LAWYERS RD. 0.9 miles 31: Turn LEFT onto SUGAR HILL RD. 9.3 miles 32: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto WICKLIFFE AVE / VA-40. 3.1 miles 33: Turn RIGHT onto LYNCHBURG AVE / VA-40. <0.1 miles 34: Turn LEFT onto MAIN ST. 0.5 miles 35: Turn LEFT onto LUSARDI DR / US-501 / VA-40. Continue to follow US-501 / VA-40. 1.2 miles 36: Turn RIGHT onto STAGE COACH RD / VA-40. Continue to follow VA-40. 12.6 miles 37: Turn LEFT onto HERMOSA RD. 0.5 miles 38: Turn RIGHT onto WHITE FALL RD. 3.2 miles 39: Turn LEFT onto RICEVILLE RD. 4.0 miles 40: RICEVILLE RD becomes JAVA RD. 5.7 miles 41: JAVA RD becomes SPRING GARDEN RD. 10.2 miles 42: Turn LEFT onto US-29 S. 0.7 miles 43: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto US-29 BR S. 8.6 miles 44: Take the US-58-BR W ramp toward MARTINSVILLE. 0.1 miles 45: Merge onto US-58 BR W / RIVERSIDE DR. 0.3 miles 46: End at 3020 Riverside DrDanville, VA 24541-3425, US Total Est. Time: 6 hours, 24 minutesTotal Est. Distance: 246.58 miles
I am in Culpeper right now. Thank you. "X"
14: Take the US-522 / VA-3 ramp toward CULPEPER / FREDERICKSBURG. 0.2 miles 15: Turn LEFT onto US-522 S / VA-3 E / GERMANNA HWY. 0.4 miles 16: Turn RIGHT onto ZACHARY TAYLOR HWY / US-522. 3.4 miles 17: Turn RIGHT onto RAPIDAN RD. 13.1 miles 18: RAPIDAN RD becomes E MAIN ST. 0.8 miles 19: Turn LEFT onto US-15 / S MADISON RD. 0.2 miles 20: Turn LEFT onto US-15 / CAROLINE ST / VA-20. Continue to follow US-15 S. Pass through 1 roundabout. 60.3 miles 21: Turn RIGHT onto US-60 W / JAMES A ANDERSON HWY. 7.7 miles 22: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto VA-24 / HOWE FLOOD HWY. Continue to follow VA-24. 19.0 miles 23: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto VA-131 / UNION BLVD. 0.2 miles 24: Turn LEFT onto US-460 BR / CONFEDERATE BLVD / VA-131. Continue to follow US-460 BR / CONFEDERATE BLVD. 0.6 miles 25: Turn RIGHT onto N CHURCH ST. 0.5 miles 26: Turn LEFT onto EVERGREEN AVE. 0.2 miles 27: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto EVERGREEN ST. 0.3 miles 28: EVERGREEN ST becomes VA-727. 9.8 miles 29: VA-727 becomes RED HOUSE RD. 0.9 miles 30: Turn RIGHT onto LAWYERS RD. 0.9 miles 31: Turn LEFT onto SUGAR HILL RD. 9.3 miles 32: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto WICKLIFFE AVE / VA-40. 3.1 miles 33: Turn RIGHT onto LYNCHBURG AVE / VA-40. <0.1 miles 34: Turn LEFT onto MAIN ST. 0.5 miles 35: Turn LEFT onto LUSARDI DR / US-501 / VA-40. Continue to follow US-501 / VA-40. 1.2 miles 36: Turn RIGHT onto STAGE COACH RD / VA-40. Continue to follow VA-40. 12.6 miles 37: Turn LEFT onto HERMOSA RD. 0.5 miles 38: Turn RIGHT onto WHITE FALL RD. 3.2 miles 39: Turn LEFT onto RICEVILLE RD. 4.0 miles 40: RICEVILLE RD becomes JAVA RD. 5.7 miles 41: JAVA RD becomes SPRING GARDEN RD. 10.2 miles 42: Turn LEFT onto US-29 S. 0.7 miles 43: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto US-29 BR S. 8.6 miles 44: Take the US-58-BR W ramp toward MARTINSVILLE. 0.1 miles 45: Merge onto US-58 BR W / RIVERSIDE DR. 0.3 miles 46: End at 3020 Riverside DrDanville, VA 24541-3425, US Total Est. Time: 6 hours, 24 minutesTotal Est. Distance: 246.58 miles
I am in Culpeper right now. Thank you. "X"
Monday, April 7, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
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