As I've said before, this walk would not be possible without the generous support of my readers and the strangers who have helped me as their own. Aside from gratitude for the many of you who stopped to talk to me, and who have shown me interest and encouragement, and some of you who even walked with me for a stretch, here are some very special thanks, to some very special people, who went above and beyond to aid me on my journey.
Friends of the walk
Friends of the walk are people who have given direct financial contributions, either through the website or in person.
Some names I didn't get, or may have written down in a journal sent back home. Surely I am forgetting a couple of donations, but I will do my best to remember each and every one! Please let me know if I have left one out!
The BEST FRIEND of the walk, for all her consistent and generous support, is my Tia,
Evy Weirich!!
We have endured a hard year of family loss. Thank you for being at my side, in spirit, throughout, and for all your contributions to the walk.
Dianna Baldwin, San Francisco, CAAndres Castro and Patricia Garcia, Indio, CA
Erin Schmith, Portland, OR
Jennifer Wright
Eric Voyles, Portland, OR
George Throop III, Pasadena, CA
BLM ranger Wes, Chiriaco Summit, CA
Javier Huizar, Palm Springs, CA
Broken down Disneyland-bound family in Blythe, CA
Alex at thrift store, Wickenburg, AZ
Evolve Love guy, Phoenix, AZ
Micah, Phoenix, AZ
Local Artist, Phoenix, AZ
Bruce, Marana, AZ
Guy on bike in Tucson, AZ
Rick Vaske, Savoy, NM
Customer at 5am donuts in Deming, NM
Crazy truck lady in Akela, NM
Red car lady, El Paso, TX
Martin ? El Paso, TX
Angie’s Restaurant patrons, Fort Hancock, TX
Mayo ? Odessa, TX
Jackie Redmon, Pyote, TX
Truck guy in Garden City, TX
Brian, Sterling City, TX
People lined up in traffic, Fredericksburg, TX
Main Hall cafe patrons, Bastrop, TX
Rosa at Giddings Library, Giddings, TX
Gentleman at Cheryl's BMA concert, Brenham, TX
The Amelang Family, Brenham, TX
Unknown gentleman checking mailbox, Chappell Hill, TX
Judy and Allen Jackson, Chappell Hill, TX
Other Contributors:
These are folks who hosted me, donated supplies, provided meals, paid for hotel accommodations, or otherwise helped.
California
Joshua Kotfila, host, vegan meal, Santa Monica, CA
Daniel Hayes, host, cupcakes, Santa Monica, CA
Xan, host, Santa Monica, CA
Tom and Kristin, hosts, nice dinner, Silver Lake, CA
George and Marsha Throop, lovely dinner, Pasadena, CA
Carlos and ?, hosts, Pasadena, CA
Kyle Neil and roommates, hosts, Azusa, CA
Andrew and roommates, hosts, Redlands, CA
Taylor Henderson, host, Claremont, CA
Ally Hunt, Bart Ticket on SF weekend, Claremont, CA
The kids in front of Starbucks, flowers, poems, songs, photos, Claremont, CA
Lady in Rancho Cucamonga who bought us dinner, RC, CA
Shane and Mary Hilde, hosts, meals,sunglasses, Beaumont, CA
Ashley Winchester, host, Palm Springs, CA
Javier Huizar and family, socks, sun hats, tacos, tooth extraction, Palm Springs, CA
The couple who invited us to dinner in Indian Wells, IW, CA
Patricia Garcia and Andres Castro, hosts, Joshua Tree guides, Indio, CA
Liz at the Patton Museum, host, tons of canned food, Desert Center, CA
Rudy at the Patton Museum, free coffee and camp, Chiriaco Summit, CA
Ranger Wes, Lots of food and blister care supplies, Chiriaco Summit, CA
People with water at Wiley's Well, Nowhere, CA
Tearra and Stefanie at Starbucks, hosts, free coffee and pastries, Blythe, CA
Mayor of Blythe and other contributors to hotel room, Blythe, CA
Arizona
The pizza fairy lady, Cienega Creek, AZ
Truck guys, water and sandwich, Wickenburg, AZ
Blue turn-around car with gatorade, ?? AZ
Brooke, Mike and Olivia Shamhart, hosts, meals, Phoenix, AZ
Homeless shelter, shoes, Phoenix, AZ
Jeremiah Rose and roommates, hosts, Phoenix, AZ
Lauren Farrah, donut, Phoenix, AZ
Ethan Tennant, host, Phoenix, AZ
Mario, huge feast, Phoenix, AZ
Conspire Cafe, putting the word out, Phoenix, AZ
Guy who bought me a bracelet, Phoenix, AZ
Random homeless guy, sandwich and a drink, Marana, AZ
Chris Kelley, host, walking dress, Tucson, AZ
Turkey sandwich--exchanged for veggie sandwich-- guy, Tucson, AZ
Dick Gase, host, Tucson, AZ
Nico Ratoff, half a couscous bowl and a book, Tucson, AZ
Tucson county fair people, French Fries, snacks, water, Tucson, AZ
Nathan, mac and cheese and water ?? AZ
Crazy voodoo chanting ladies, donuts, and snacks, Benson, AZ
Safeway dumpster, Tiramisu cake, Seed Bread, Pub cheese, eclaires, Benson, AZ
Rachel, host, Bowie, AZ
Sharon, road food, computer use, Bowie, AZ
Bowie truckstop guys, coffee, Bowie, AZ
New Mexico
Jorge, bag lunch, Lordsburg, NM
Mitzi, host, Lordsburg, NM
Rick Vaske, dinner, Savoy, NM
Savoy Travel Center, warm shower, Savoy, NM
Deming Chamber of commerce, coffee, computer use, Deming, NM
Bob RV, host, tea, lucky charm, Deming, NM
Bill and Karen @ 5am donuts…lots of donuts!! Deming, NM
Marjorie, coffee, shower, Las Cruces, NM
Spirit Winds girls, coffee and pastries, las Cruces NM
Jovanna Payan, host, dinner, Las Cruces, NM
Ryan at co-op, hummus and snacks, Las Cruces, NM
Joe Miele, care package with road snacks, Las Cruces, NM
Maria Sanchez, sandwiches, and home-made salsa, Mesilla Park, NM
“Never give up!” guys, gatorade, Mesquite, NM
Party house at state line, dinner, Anthony, NM
Texas
Baha'i house, host, good food, coffee, batteries, Anthony, TX
Albert Salinas, host, dinner and beers, tour of city, El Paso, TX
Brent Sipes, lunch, coffee, granola bars, walking tour, El Paso, TX
Bolweevil exterminator guy with snacks, ?? TX
Angie's Restaurant and patrons for dinner, hotel stay, breakfast, Fort Hancock, TX
Cornerstone coffee shop, a book, Van Horn, TX
Michael's restaurant, lunch and coffee, Sierra Blanca, TX
Caretaker Jose at empty truck stop exit 87, host, snacks, nowhere, TX
Kent truck guys, snacks and water, Kent, TX
Aaron, Ride to Tucson and back, meals, Kent, TX
Maria at the Christian home, host, meals, shoes, Pecos, TX
Sally at the Pecos Library, computer use and helpful info, Pecos, TX
Maintenance guy, warm meal, apple, soda, Barstow, TX
Jackie Redmon, host, meals, Pyote, TX
Guy at truck stop, sandwich, Wickett, TX
Random couple in car, cold soda, Monahans, TX
Ice cream truck guy, ice cream, ?? TX
Vero and Sam, their church, dinner, hotel room, extra funds, Odessa, TX
Starbucks in Odessa, coffee, Odessa, TX
Cafe between Odessa and Midland, ice cream, Midland, TX
Midland Motel, highly discounted room, Midland, TX
Kids in Garden City, soda and a few miles ride, Garden City, TX
Denise at City Cafe, shower and meals, road snacks, Sterling City, TX
Couple in Dairy Queen, meal and drink, Sterling City, TX
Police station in Fredericksburg, hotel room, Fredericksburg, TX
Andy, Greater Grace Christian Coffee Shop, host, Fredericksburg, TX
Chism Weinheimer, host, meals, coffee, tour of region, Stonewall, TX
Jason and Julien Lamar, hosts, meals, batteries, Johnson City, TX
Brad O’Donnell, host, Austin, TX
Cody, lunch, Austin, TX
Coffee shop, free coffee Austin, TX
The Treehouse, hosts, Austin, TX
Daniel Hayes (reunited!), cupcake, Austin, TX
Chism Weinheimer (reunited!), coffee, Austin, TX
People in Garfield, water and snacks, Garfield, TX
Subway girl, cookies, Bastrop, TX
Sharon @ Tommy Guns Cafe, french fries, host, coffee and pastry, Bastrop, TX
Giddings homeless charity, hotel room, Giddings, TX
Mel's diner, free breakfast, Giddings, TX
Angel in Ledbetter, ice cream, Ledbetter, TX
Ginny? Pig and Whistle Pub, dinner, Burton, TX
Joe, host, Burton, TX
Andrew and family, hosts, meals, Brenham, TX
Jay, computer help, Brenham, TX
Cindy and Bever's kitchen, lunch and pie, Chappel Hill, TX
Judy and Allen Jackson, host, meals, shoes, Chappell Hill, TX
Rosa and family, hosts, meals, Hempstead, TX
Random post office guy, road food, Hockley, TX