Judi's Trek Blog
October 9, 2006
Fast-5 LLC 904-685-5117 888-352-8439 P.O. Box 5671, Jacksonville FL 32216 info@fast-5.com
It poured rain all night. It was raining when the alarm clock sounded its wake-up call. We had planned to delay our start by an hour in the event of rain, so I reset the alarm clock and went back to sleep. The rain stopped shortly thereafter and the change in background sound awakened me. Mom and I talked about the morning plan. She called Gary to discuss our proposal. We agreed to try to get started with feet on the ground about 7 or 7:15. Mom and I completed our morning routine then drove to Gary’s motel. He told us that Darren Houpt, a family practitioner we had met a day earlier wanted to take a picture and join us for the walk. Gary knocked on Darren’s door and Darren joined us. We took pictures then all piled into the car to drive to our morning starting spot. It was a pleasant walk as we talked with Darren about medicine, his choice to do locum tenens (short-term practice, moving from
place to place) and his plans for future practice. We shared stories of the road (his migrant medical practice and Gary’s journey) and discussed obesity in America, weight loss, Gary’s perspective on how overweight and obese individuals struggle and countless other topics. We discussed animal studies addressing anti-inflammatory and auto-immune disease processes and how they may relate to the Fast-5 lifestyle.
We talked about the paucity of research available to determine what the reversibility is for congestive heart failure with proper diet and exercise.
About 3 miles into the walk, John Larson, a reporter from the Mountain Mail Newspaper, met with us to conduct an interview and take a few pictures. It was an enjoyable interview. John talked with Gary about his experience on the road and his weight loss. Gary walked ahead while John spoke with me and then with Darren for a few minutes.
John Larson of the Mountain Mail with Gary
I was proud of Gary because he independently exercised the initiative to continue the walk knowing that we could catch up with him. His dedication to doing whatever it takes to meet our 20 mile per day walking goal is significant and is a strong demonstration that he is fully confident in his ability. He truly sees himself as a strong and healthy man on a mission.
We finished the first 5.7 miles at Gary’s and Darren’s motel. Darren said good-bye and went into his room to shower and prepare for his day. Gary, Mom and I drove to the Conoco station right there in Magdalena to take our 5-mile break. Mom and I drank a cup of coffee and Gary drank a diet soda. We sat in an area where there were a couple of tables and visited with Nick, the Conoco owner, who reviewed the topography of the remainder of route 60 across New Mexico.
We talked about the power of positive thinking and how one changes the world by believing that he or she can. It was interesting to talk with him about the Magdalena area and about relationships. He is retired from the police force and clearly in our conversation, he had a long and honorable career. We talked about some of his days on the force and conflicts associated with New Mexico land grants. While we were there, Darren Houpt joined us. He dropped by the Conoco to say good-bye and to remind us that he is very interested to know what Gary’s cardiac evaluation shows when he returns to St. Louis. Nick and Darren and our team talked together for a while.
Gary gave Darren and Nick the “scoop” on mine and Gary’s relationship over the past two months.
Gary said, “You know she is a doctor, right? Well, sometimes when issues come up that require my older and wiser perspective, I say, ‘now I’m talking to you as your older brother. Remember now that you are the LITTLE sister.' Then after we resolve whatever issue required the change of relationship, we stop being brother and sister and go back to being the doctor and the fat man.”
Nick and Darren both laughed with Gary as he finished the explanation. I think the warmth of the relationship that Mom and Gary and I are developing was evident in the story. It seems that through all of the hardships, the mutual respect that we each have is carrying us to success.
Mom gave us the five minute warning to tell us that we had to get back out on the road. Gary shared with Nick and Darren that we sometimes call Mom “the warden.” We acknowledged how much we enjoyed Nick and Darren’s company during the break, said our good-byes and drove to our walking spot. We finished our second 5-mile leg of the morning walk at 12:55 then drove to Socorro for our 10-mile break. We went to the Walmart and unhooked our camper. Gary talked to the manager. We were grateful that we were given permission to leave our camper there overnight.
Gary, Mom and I shopped for some supplies we have needed for some time finishing about the same time. We drove back to our walking spot. It threatened rain, so Mom stayed close by in the car. As we completed 3.4 miles of our third 5-mile walking segment for the day, it started to pour rain and we saw lightning strikes. We got into the car to wait it out, but it rained harder and harder. Gary took the opportunity to take care of some business obligations at home. Despite the complexity introduced by
the rain, thunder and lightning, we nearly reached our 20 mile goal for the day in a piecemeal fashion of walking sessions. It is important that I share one of the things that Gary said to me during the afternoon walk. He said, “I am happier every day.” That may seem like a little deal, but it is huge. He went on to tell me more about his feelings and I was struck by the joy and hope I was hearing in his voice and seeing in his face and his stride and his body posture. Gary has been more alive and focused over the past three days than during any other time since I have known him. He is literally growing stronger everyday before my eyes. I am proud and inspired by his effort and his accomplishment. He is planning each day and planning his future.
After we finished the day’s walk, we drove to the home of Liz and Bob Hayward who fed us a wonderful meal of spicy chili and offered us incredible hospitality. Mom and I were thrilled to take a shower. Our last shower was at the Pie-O-Neer Restaurant in Pie Town. It was great to talk with the Haywards about kids, science, careers, travel, relationships and the journey. We talked about how we met Gary and the events that led to Mom and me joining him for the LA to St. Louis portion of his journey. Bob and Liz have led a fascinating life. When I talked with Bert earlier today he was very intrigued that Bob is a senior engineer at the Very Large Array (VLA). I look forward to returning one day with Bert and the kids to visit again with the Haywards and to tour the VLA.
Gary modeled a shirt he bought today and beamed as he noted how well it fit and how dapper he looked in his new duds. We took a bunch of pictures and congratulated him on his success. Mom initiated the goodnight ritual and scooted us off to bed. We thanked our hosts for their generosity and kindness. Our day has been sprinkled with some fun diversion with new relationships and for that we are grateful. We now have to rest well and focus on tomorrow’s job of carrying our important message one step at a time to a nation in need of an answer.
Gary sporting a new shirt in the Haywards' kitchen
Mom, Liz Hayward, and Gary
Bob Hayward and Gary
