On April 18 Mary wrote:
We’ve got about 40 people trekking across the country — a few are “spirit walkers” who are dedicated to walking each step of the way, but others are willing to trade off on driving some of the support vehicles. We have an eco-commode with 3 booths; it’s the most sanitary and eco-friendly outhouse ever. Waste is separated in solids and liquids and the cedar sawdust eliminates the odors that all too often plague outdoor toilets. We have a solar trailer that hauls along solar ovens and a solar generator. We have a gear truck to tote the tents and sleeping bags and camping stuff we need. We have a food truck to haul groceries and propane cookstands and utensils. We have a couple of Prius cars to serve as a “sag wagons” (stationed along trail to rescue anyone who is blistering or suffering and needs a ride to camp) or shuttles.
The scenery is gorgeous. Each day we fall more deeply in love with Mother Earth as we explore her nooks and crannies. We sleep on the ground, under the stars, listening to whispering pines and/or gurgling creeks. The side of the road is littered with all sorts of stuff that also catches attention as we trudge those 15 mile stretches.
We’ve taken to writing President Obama a letter every day. We’re hoping that if we consistently plight our case, he may be more willing to meet with us when we get to Washington, DC. Along the way we gather stories and cards and ideas and concerns to share with our elected officials when we get there.
At night we gather in circles to talk and share food and drink. Some nights, when conditions allow, we have a campfire and share the heat and light, just like our ancestors have always done. There are meetings, too, reminiscent of Occupy Tucson. And just as I did then, I typically crawl off to my sleeping bag with my dog Birdie instead of sitting up for the duration of the meeting.
A common theme of the last meeting was Marchers feeling they do not have enough time to themselves to enjoy the journey. I don’t have that complaint because I do not have a computer, a smart phone, a watch, or a camera. Those seem to eat up a lot of time, leaving little for quiet contemplation. I’ve felt disconnected from my friends and supporters, but very in touch with Birdie and quite serene.
Our path has taken us through Maricopa Pima Apache Reservation land, through the Tonto National Forest and the Sitgreaves National Forest. It is stunningly gorgeous. It makes me all the more aware of what hangs in the balance if we don’t get climate change front and center in everyone’s brain. We’ll lose this beautiful planet. And we are in the land of the deniers, based on some of the outreach encounters we’ve had.
This coming week includes Earth Day. I’m so glad we’ve shared space and time on our planet. I hope future generations will be as lucky as we’ve been to experience the natural beauty of our Mother Earth.
On April 19 she wrote:
Last night the Climate Marchers stayed at Camp Shadow Pines near Heber, AZ — wow, what luxury here after camping in national forests the last few nights. There were hot showers, laundry facilities, a dining hall, playground equipment, and dormitories with bunk beds. Comfy, indoor accommodations with thick foam mattresses up off the ground. Sheer luxury!!
I’m loving this experience. I am so very grateful for the support you’ve each offered to allow this to happen in my life. I feel like a carefree kid on a grand adventure. Birdie is having a wonderful time of it, too. One of my written entries made it onto the website www.climatemarch.org about my adventure with Birdie.
We saw an online symposium of the Pachamama Alliance last night (www.pachamama.org). It was eye-popping to see the costs we are off-loading onto the poorest of our global neighbors so we can pursue unlimited growth. Ugh. I feel very chagrined – like I unwittingly committed a faux pas that everyone can plainly see (an all too familiar feeling, unfortunately). Being on the Climate March helps me reconcile that feeling somewhat. Yeah, I messed up in using way too many resources and in supporting the dominant hierarchical paradigm for way too long, but awakening to that fact and taking action to nudge others into awareness along the way is a true blessing. And I have a great safety net in all of you to allow it to unfold this way.
So I’m very grateful this morning. I carry you each in my heart. You lighten my load and brighten my way.
And on April 21 she wrote:
Here is an adorable video of a couple of our young Marchers in a skit about transforming big oil (the bull) into clean renewable energy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tqHOfIElhY&feature=youtu.be It will give you an idea of what happens around camp — this campsite was at a rodeo ground in Tonto National Forest. Lots of music and entertainment and laughs and love!
We’re joining a solidarity campaign with Cowboy & Indian Alliance to protest the Keystone XL Pipeline. Yesterday we filmed the marchers making individual statements about why each of us opposes KXL.
Today we are in Snowflake — a big Mormon town, and lots of deniers here. Still, I get to be in a bakery with wifi!! Life is wonderful.