One More Pink Tent Post

Charlotte, NC ~ 1st Morning of Avon Walk

I've decided to give you the scoop on the things that I was not adequately prepared for. I need to state very clearly that most of this was my fault. Most. {I'm referring to Our Pink Tent Weekend}

It's no secret that I'm not a morning person. And yet, when I got my volunteering gig I had to be out the door by 4:00 A.M.!! Yep! Really. Crazy right? I worked the 1st and 6th Rest Stop. My crew leaders were all about getting set up early. Thus, I had to leave my warm bed at 4:00. 

The Opening Ceremony started at 6:30 a.m. So the walkers started walking around 7:30 a.m. Walkers began to arrive at the 1st Rest Stop around 7:45 or 8:00. Do you know what time we were ready for them? 6:30! Or maybe even earlier. Yep, that's what happens when you head out before 5:00 to get ready for walkers to arrive in 2 or 3 hours! 

But, it was worth it when the walkers started coming by. I got to be one of the first persons to cheer them on to their next stop. And when my daughter showed up I was beyond excited.

At 9:00 all of the walkers had moved beyond our stop which meant we now loaded up the truck with our supplies so that we could travel to Rest Stop 6 (i.e. the Last Rest Stop). Since Rest Stop 6 was the last stop, walkers were expected to start arriving around 2:00. Guess what time we were ready for them. We were ready between 10:30 and 11:00 A.M.!! Do you know what you do when you work crew at Rest Stop 6 between 11:00 A.M and 2:00 P.M.? Nothing! Absolutely nothing. Did I expect this kind of downtime? Nope. Did I have a book or anything to occupy me? Nope. So, FYI...always carry a book or a Kindle.

The best part of Day 1 {for me} was seeing D. come walking up the road to Rest Stop 6! She was less than 2 miles away from her goal! I was proud and kind of sappy as soon as I saw her. The coolest part? My crew leader let me walk the last leg with her. 

I got to walk with my girl as she arrived at the 26-mile marker! I got to walk with her as she got to the 1st Day's "Finish". And, let me just say... I am completely out of shape. And my walking that last leg gave me even more awe and respect for D and every walker out there. 

I need to give a shout out to some of the people that made the day easier. They were what gave D. the energy to keep going: The Motorcycle Crew! OMG they are fun. 

These men and women on motorcycles dressed for the occasion! And they decorated their motorcycles for the cause as well. They played rock and roll music and stopped traffic as they escorted the walkers safely across several busy roads.

They encouraged each walker with levity! These men and women made the event a safe one. And they made it a fun one! 

This guy was too fun for words. He was one of the motorcycle crew that was at Rest Stop 6! 

His antics made my time at Rest Stop 6 much more fun too!

And, after all of the walking {and dancing} was over...God gave us an amazing pink sky to help us celebrate the day. 

I gotta say...I'm so glad my daughter did this. And I'm so glad she included me in this venture. It was AWESOME!