March to Mandaree day 9 & 10

Day 9 March to the Capitol

Day 10 Graveside Service for Mehrer and Van Zoest

More photos of these and all the days are available by clicking HERE.

To learn more about March to Mandaree and how you can support our efforts, please visit www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com

Getting to Happy – a BlogHer Book Club review and giveaway!

I finished reading “Getting to Happy” by Terry McMillan for BlogHer Book Club.  This is the sequel to her book, “Waiting to Exhale”.  If you were a fan of the movie or have read her book, you’ll enjoy finding out what happens next….. want to find out what I thought?  Head over to BlogHer Book Club and read my review HERE.  Comment on your thoughts back here and I’ll choose one commenter to receive a copy of this book!!!

March to Mandaree days 5 thru 8

Days 5 and 6 were cold and rainy.  That kept us from taking too many pictures, but the guys went out each morning and endured.  I stayed at the campsite and tried to maintain my sanity  while entertaining kids who couldn’t play outside.  Tuesday (day 5) Nathan Kemp, a war buddy, joined Steve and Arnold for the march despite the rain.  We decided to stay at Jamestown RV park rather than move the whole camp ahead and chose to do the same Wednesday.  This was the first time our kids have spent any time in Jamestown other than passing through, so we made sure they got to see the world’s largest buffalo.

 

We saw “White Cloud” the white buffalo.

I visited the old family homestead (hahahaha!!)

The weather was pretty cold and windy, but by Thursday (day 7), the clouds parted and we saw some sun! 

The photos I’ve pulled from the cameras this week are amazing.  I am keeping a gallery HERE that I will update as time (and internet service) allows. 

We’ve kept on schedule, getting started each day around 4:30 or 5 am and usually finishing by lunch time.  Thursday night we camped in Hazelton and we reached Bismarck by Friday (day 8) afternoon.  The Goodiron Family met us to escort us in, and members of the Mehrer family marched in the last 5 miles. 

Due to flooding we are NOT camping in General Sibley park, but at the Bismarck KOA, where we will spend the next 3 nights.  We plan to march from the armory to the capitol at 9 am Saturday morning.  There is also scheduled to be a graveside service for Mehrer and Van Zoest in the Veteran’s Cemetery at 12:30 pm Sunday. 

We are so grateful for the welcome into Bismarck and look forward to meeting up with everyone before we move on Monday morning.  Thank you to all the families who have offered meals while we are here, we appreciate it so much!!

To learn more about March to Mandaree visit www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com .

March to Mandaree week one mini update

We are coming up on the end of week one on this march. Until we are back in the land of internet, my phone will have to do. The guys are starting out around 4:30-5:00 am each morning to escape marching in the heat of the day, although the last few ended up rainy. We are usually done marching in the early afternoon but we have decided it is in everyone's best health interests to stick to the itinerary as it is (http://marchtomandaree.blogspot.com/2011/05/march-to-mandaree-itinerary.html) and not try to add in extra miles.
This afternoon we arrive in Bismarck! I will post a better update later tonight.
To learn more about March to Mandaree visit www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com .

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Day 3 and 4

As I mentioned before, the Patriot Guard came to Enderlin early on the morning of the 19th to escort us out of town.  Among four marchers, the burden was a lighter one and they finished in good time.  We spent the remainder of the day saddling up for our stay in Little Yellowstone park. 

Piper got to have a little birthday celebration at our campsite!

 

Steve and Arnold were up at 4am and ready to tackle day 4 with enthusiasm.  They split the miles between them and at the end of today we are still on schedule.  When we have enough walkers, we are considering trying to get ahead of schedule if the day allows.

Because the guys didn’t need me today (I’m actually a little disappointed, I like the quiet time walking provides!) I spent the day entertaining the kiddos in the park.  We threw rocks in the stream, collected and then freed caterpillars, and played on the nice playground equipment.

 

For more information about March to Mandaree, click HERE.  Our full itinerary is HERE.

If you can’t participate in person, your support in this march is always appreciated.  Just click the “Donate” button on the March to Mandaree sidebar to help us with our expenses!!

A quick morning post

The ND Patriot Guard rode out to escort our marchers out of Enderlin this morning.  We were joined for today by Ron Martel, Jr. and Nicole Beston-Martel who came from Mandaree to walk.

Our marchers today (L to R) Nicole, Arnold, Steve, and Ron

To learn more about March to Mandaree please visit www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com

Day 1 and 2

From Mel:

We are off! We started in Wahpeton and in two days we have arrived in Enderlin. Our first day started out a bit rocky with some rain, but soon it cleared and the past two days have been great. Steve was joined by Arnold Lenoir from White Earth who plans to walk with us the entire way. The White Earth veteran color guard came to start us off as well as some of the Goodiron family. Two news crews came out to film, and several papers published small blurbs about the march.

Day one ended around 5pm with 38 miles behind us, a majority of those walked between Steve and Arnold (I got to finish off leg #3!). Our oldest two, Aria and Max, walked one mile with me as well.

Day two was an early start with both Steve and Arnold walking their leg of the journey at about 5:30 am, I finished after lunch and we had the afternoon to nurse tired muscles and tend to any blisters.

We are all in good spirits and are excited to meet those who will be joining us as in the days ahead!

You can learn more about March to Mandaree at www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com

March to Mandaree: Day 1

There are 1.3 million steps from here to Mandaree and to remembrance and healing.  Today I take the first.

Follow along on this journey at March to Mandaree’s blog.

Friday Fragments of March to Mandaree

These last two weeks have been intensely crazy, so I’ve had little time to think, much less blog.  Let me sum up what’s going on.  I think this is more of a mental list for me, too, so I can get my poop in a group if you will.

• Thursday, May 26, we heard about the major flooding happening in the western part of the state (Bismarck, Mandan areas).  Hubby called his Guard officers to find out if there was a possibility of activation for flood duty.  He was told the chances were slim and to proceed with our Memorial Day plans.  Those mostly included grilling with friends while I slept off night shifts at work.
• Friday, May 27, I headed off for my first night of work.
• Saturday, May 28, 0730 Hubby gets a call to be at the armory at 0900 ready for 10-14 days of activation.  I scramble to get him there and find sitters for the kids so I can sleep (which didn’t happen) and get to work.
• My In-Laws did their best, then my BFF called and came from 2 hours away to take 3 of my 4 kiddos to her place for the weekend!!  I told her I’d find a home for JC for the weekend, five kids at her place should be plenty without the toddler.
• I don’t know how I survived the weekend, but I worked all my shifts and headed to BFF’s Tuesday and stayed until the following weekend (and I didn’t bring my computer! gasp!)
• I had an awesome time at BFF’s and she offered to have us longer, but she started teaching summer school this week, so I declined.
• I have since been trying to do my best to get everything done for March to Mandaree, which may now be postponed at least a week if hubby does not return in time.
• Hubby informs me that the 10-14 days he was initially told to prepare for, may be more like 4-6 weeks.
• I set up a “Donate” button for PayPal and March to Mandaree
• I have also typed up a letter for soliciting donations from local businesses as well as started taking orders on our T-shirts. Do you want to order one?  The cost is $17 for any size – we’ll even ship them to you for $3.   If you’d like to order online, just use the “donate” button and specify in the comment shirt sizes and shipping address.  You can also email us at marchtomandaree[at]hotmail[dot]com

• JUST IN:  Hubby miraculously came home!!!  We are set to March on schedule (as long as they don’t recall him.)  We still have a lot of planning to do. 

Head over to Mrs. 4444’s Half Past Kissing Time for more Friday Fragments!!

Girl In Translation–a Review!

I finished Girl in Translation for the BlogHer Book Club, and I would like to let you know what I thought….  So check out my review HERE, and you can read others’ input as well!!  Next up: Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan