May 16th (Day 16)
Walter treks up the mountain!
At the base of a mountain in the Continental Divide, Walter starts his hardest day yet. Staying last night is the small town of Hope, NM (population 107) with an elevation of 4,085 feet; today's ride is uphill for 80 miles, 6% grade to the top of Cloudcroft pass over 8,600 feet. Good Luck Walter!
"As I leave Hope, New Mexico, I am reminded that "Hope" is what our youth need for a brighter future and that inspires me." Walter
Kids support Kids! - At Anza Elementary School in El Cajon, Ms. Fine's Kindergarten class of 20 students has started a class fundraising project for San Diego's homeless kids. With a goal of $300, all money gathered will be presented to Walter next Thursday, May 22nd at the finish line. The kindergartners would like to challenge other classrooms to do the same so Walter has even more money to help kids!
Come join us as Walter crosses the finish line, De Anza Cove, Mission Bay, May 22, 2008, 7:45am.
May 14th (Day 14)
Walter is within 1,000 miles of home!
Walter spent last night in Eunice, NM having a home cooked dinner with Mayor Matt White and his family. Sharing the importance of family and caring for kids was easy conversation and the mayor gave Eunice's support and $100 to those kids without families in SD.
A follow-up story from Walter's visit last week with a Kid's Club at the First Methodist Church of Kountze, Texas. Today Pastor Jobe sends a message about Texas kids supporting San Diego Kids....
"I am pleased and proud to report to you that between what the kids raised, matching funds from my wife and I, and donations from our Missions Committee, we will send you a check for $200. The kids were very excited about this effort. Many of them have been following the "journey" on your website and asked if we could continue collecting money for kids who are scared and alone. We told them we would. As I shared with you, this is a very "mission-oriented" church and this important part of outreach ministry has been passed on to and embraced by our children and youth. I think the most outstanding thing about all of this is that the whole idea for an offering started with a suggestion from one of our 1st graders and then caught on like wildfire among the other kids."
May 12th (Day 12)
Walter rides his third day in Texas with miles of nothing but cactus; few towns. Ending the day in El Dorado, Walter gets a Texas style meal "on the house" as the owner of Katdaddy's BBQ makes him great BBQ sandwiches and a few for tomorrow's lunch on the road. Katdaddy was taken by Walter's ride and story, especially because it's to help the kids in San Diego; giving a donation he posted a flyer on his bulletin board for town support.
Reflection from Walter - with a lot of time to think, today, Walter thoughts remind him that each night in San Diego, three thousand youth are homeless, sleeping in parks, at the beach, couch surfing and this 3,000 mile ride is for them - please donate a penny a mile $30 and ask 10 of your friends to donate as well.
May 11th (Day 11)
Walter passes the 1500 miles mark on Mother's Day!
A good weekend for Walter - after a long day of riding on Friday, his family joined him that evening in Austin, Texas. Walter took Saturday off from the saddle and visited the grand opening of Lance Armstrong's new store "Mellow Johnny's." He met Lance's long time coach Chris Carmichael who pledged $100 to support the cause and ride.
Riding the hilliest terrain yet, Walter completed the first half of his trek back to San Diego. Great job Walter! Biking through a lot of open country in West Texas where there are very few towns, he spent last night in a little town called Ingram, Texas.
May 8th (Day 8)
It is "all about the kids!" Walter finished one week of riding, passed the 1,000 mile mark, with typical days riding 9 to 11 hours…..Walter shares a special experience...
"I was able to speak to a youth group in this little town in Texas, Kountze; population 2,000. "Wednesday Night Kids Club" has about 20-25 kids meeting this evening at the First Methodist Church of Kountze. I talked with them about San Diego Youth & Community Services and the ride and why I was doing it. They were amazed and had a million questions. One young girl was really cute as she asked "is what keeps you going, knowing that you are helping more kids get help?" What insight for a middle school aged kid! Pastor Jobe put out a challenge to the kids to bring in "offerings" next Wednesday to help the kids in San Diego and support Walter's ride. He and the church will match whatever is raised and send a check to SDYCS. As I'm sitting here typing this, one of the Mom's from the church group came by the RV and dropped off a picture of me with the kids and a $40 donation. After a very hard day with a lot of strong head wind for over 40 miles, tonight was truly rewarding."
May 7th (Day 7)
Traveling across Louisiana on back roads and through many small towns, Walter spends his last Louisiana night in Oberlin. Feeling strong, he leaves for the Texas border today (and many more days biking through the state of Texas).
Mid-day, Walter bikes past the 1,000 miles mark - one third of the way back to San Diego! Go Walter......
"I stop for a quick break every 1 ½ to 2 hours with a longer (1/2 hour break mid-day for lunch). Other than that it's a lot of alone time riding, just focusing on completing each mile. What keeps me going is knowing that the homeless, abused and at-risk youth we serve will benefit from this ride. I'm doing what I can to help these kids and I'm asking all of San Diego to pitch and join my support team." -- Walter Philips
May 6th (Day 6)
Walter spent last night at the quaint, historic town of St. Francisville, Louisiana, 30 minutes from Baton Rouge; true setting of the South, large trees covered in moss and two centuries of architecture. Today, Walter crossed the Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River riding rolling hills and passing farmlands - overcast but good day for riding around 75 degrees F. Looking to end today at Oberlin, Louisiana, Walter approaches 1,000 miles tomorrow!
"I'm doing what I can to help these kids and I'm asking all of San Diego to pitch in and join my support team. Taking less than 5 minutes of your day and donating at least a penny a mile ($30) will make a huge difference in the lives of these youth. As I get close to finishing my first week of riding, I know that there are many San Diegans who will join us for the rest of my journey. Help me get home and help these youth by donating today." -- Walter Philips
May 5th (Day 5) - Walter crosses four states
Walter left Poplarville, Mississippi for a perfect day of riding conditions, cloudy and in the 70's. Walter hits the 700 mile mark of his 3,000 mile trek today in Louisiana riding along beautiful countryside on Highway 10 passing farms, lush forests, spotting many birds and dodging armadillos. Headed for St. Francisville, Louisiana for this evening's rest stop, Walter has biked through three states, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. Two crew members support and follow Walter in a van and RV providing food, bike checks and maintenance and a place to lay his tired body at the end of the day.
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