Preparation

The walk project began early last fall when Ron asked what I’d think of walking from Pennsylvania to Ringwood. Did I think it was crazy? Nope. You have to be kidding. After working through the recovery from heart bypass surgery he was feeling well enough to do this. Fantastic! So the more we talked about the idea with friends and family the more real it became.

Where to begin? Well, we read books about the immigration of Mennonites from Pennsylvania to Ontario - like The String of Amber and Trail of the Conestoga. We contacted family members from the Manheim area. We looked up the rules and discovered that we can’t walk on interstate highways and therefore must choose rural routes. We walked the route through Google Earth using maps from Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario. We figured out where we would be every day at a rate of eight miles a day and factored in some slack for weather and trip fatigue.

Ron at Whistle Radio in Stouffville

talking about the trip and supporting

Sunnybrook Foundation

We kept talking to friends who started to ask if we were raising money for a cause and decided to do so for the Sunnybrook Foundation. Ron set up all the arrangements with Sunnybrook and carried out a one-person publicity campaign to ensure that money is raised. We planned the means of transportation looking at mileage costs, need for rest and storage and settled on a second hand van with a clunk. People have been amazing. Peter at Bruce’s Auto in Stouffville analyzed the clunk problem - for free! and sent Ron to Jim at Automatic Plus on Red Maple Street in Richmond Hill. Jim spent twenty minutes making adjustments to the van and, like magic, the ride was smooth - again for free! (Thanks, guys.) Ron went to Patty Lynn Interiors to purchase a carpet for the van. When she saw him, Patty asked Ron if the carpet was for the trip. It was and Patty contributed the carpet to the cause. (Thanks, Patty!) Finally we packed the van. Ron built a bed including cushions from a neighbour’s recycling. We’ve put in bear bells, walkie talkies, a propane stove (birthday present to Ron), a 12-volt fridge (on loan from Carol), cooking pots and dishes, cooking basics, pills!!!, band-aids and creams, clothes, three pairs of running shoes each along with many pairs of socks.

The last day of packing was a little frenetic. We each climbed the CN Tower going up and down our stairs. A bathing suit and makeup were lost short term but eventually found. Ron remembered to build a potty chair for the most rural section of the trip and was delighted to re-use the green toilet seat from our recent bathroom renovation in this project. What food could we take? No oranges or meat or fresh veg but surely no one would mind some olive oil, herbs and dry pasta. What will the border guard say?

Finally the start date of March 23rd. We’ll take three days to go to Manheim testing several routes along the way, checking out places to stay and medical options (Be prepared!). We’re off! The adventure has begun.