Sunday morning we woke early, packed our bags and went down to the Blister Busters to prepare ourselves for the final 10 miles. There was a very long line for the Blister Busters so Jana sat in it and I went to get us breakfast. I brought breakfast down to the line and we ate. I took our bags to the luggage truck. We put sunscreen on (I had to put it IN my ears because apparently I missed that spot in the two previous days). Jana finally got her blisters fixed (I skipped it, deciding my little blister would be fine) and we got on the bus to the starting point of the day's walk.
Our spirits were high and we made good time for many miles. We giggled and chatted and reminisced about our adventure. Then sun stayed hidden behind clouds so it wasn't too hot. We walked along the harbor towards downtown, visiting with many different groups of walkers. Everyone recognized me from my speech the night before and the candle ceremony, and many people thanked me for sharing your story. It was touching - and a bit of a relief to know that my speech was well-received.
At 11am or so we made it to the pre-finish park (9 miles in [49 miles overall]) where they hold walkers until everyone arrives so we can travel the final mile in a group as a "victory march." We found a shady spot and all of Karin's Kids team members were there (except our Crew member Conrad who was hard at work). We took some group photos. People were dancing at this park! After 49 miles of walking, people were dancing. Amazing. We changed into matching T-shirts, orange for walkers who have MS (and choose to share it) and white for everyone else.
Then we left for the final mile as a group. The police stopped the traffic for us as we walked. We came toward the finish line and there was a high school marching band there to lead us through the arch. There were so many friends and families of everyone there that it was overwhelming. I couldn't stop smiling! Everyone was hugging! It was such an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Jesse and his parents were there with flowers for me, and Jana's husband and mom with gifts for her. All of the walkers sat in rows of chairs in the shade and we had a closing ceremony, complete with each walker coming to the front (in rows) and having a volunteer place the medal over our head. What a feeling! Then a band started playing and we got our lunches and found a nice shady spot on the grass to eat. Many people swung by to congratulate me, and I made my rounds to congratulate many others.
~Beth
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