On May 6 Mary wrote:
Another person just joined the march, and our ages now range from 18 to 91.
It has been magical to walk through native American land. The hospitality just can’t be beat and the scenery is stunning.
We’ve walked up one side of the Continental Divide and down the other side. It really puts us in touch with how enduring the earth is — nature doesn’t need us, but we won’t survive long on a hostile planet.
Our letter-writing campaign to the President continues. We include tidbits from the conversations we have with locals along the way and urge more consideration of a sustainable environment and less consideration of corporate concerns; we remind Mr. Obama that we are coming to see him and would like time on his calendar to talk about what we are learning.
I’m just sorry I can’t stay in better touch with all my loving supporters. I can do my part on this March only because so many of my friends have helped me financially and emotionally. My gratitude is deep! For anyone who wants to keep closer ties to the march, go to http://wagn.climatemarch.org/ where you can become a virtual Marcher.
And on May 13 she wrote:
So much is happening on the Climate March, and I have so little time on the computer to reach out and share daily details.
Bottom line is Birdie and I are having a blissful adventure across our country. There have been challenges (frozen dog bowl, sand storms, lack of showers, goat-head sandburrs, and missing each of you!), but the good far outweighs the bad.
Instead of badgering my local elected officials, I now write a letter each day that is signed by all the Marchers and sent to President Obama. We were invited to sleep on sacred ground by the Laguna Pueblo authorities and given a police escort through their land. We get visits by local activists in the communities we pass through – a few nights ago we heard from Danny Lyons who was a photographer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee during the Civil Rights Movement. We get prayed over and blessed and thanked — what a life!
The food is great so far (delicious, nutritious, plentiful, and healthier than I made for myself in Tucson). The camping conditions vary from place to place. The pace is pretty fast (15 miles on average each day, and setting up and taking down tents & equipment each day). The scenery is spectacular! And so many wonderful rocks. Our planet will be just fine, even if it has to rid itself of the humans who seem bent on destroying our host.
There are the endless meetings, of course, and disagreement about tactics and protocols — good thing I have all that experience with group dynamics from the Green Party, Occupy Tucson, and Tucson City government, eh? But so many good people to connect with — it keeps my spirits high.
Birdie is having the time of her life, too. She’s the only dog so far, so she enjoys special treatment and gets lots of love. She hates her little doggie booties, despite the need for them in the prickly parts of the walk (one local said, “if it doesn’t prick, stick, poison or sting you, it isn’t native!”). The cart has been very helpful, too.
Thanks to all of you for helping make this adventure possible. I so appreciate the financial & moral support that you have each given! And please spread the word — I haven’t had time to catch up with all my peeps, and if you see mutual friends, please update them on what is happening. For anyone who wants more details – visit www.ClimateMarch.org. There’s info on routes, schedules, marcher blogs, and other stuff. Lots of Marchers use Facebook (John Abbe, Jimmy Betts, Ed Fallon, Sarah Spain..), but you know what a stick-in-the-mud about that I am.