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In this update: 8/13
New walkabout pictures for our final day,
Information on new leadership
New walkabout team picture
Changing of the Guard
The Walkabout has a new Head Poison Ivy! (CEO) Anthony Mercadante assumes command from Frank Cipriani.
In order for the roots of a plant to spread, it needs to be repotted from time to time. I am proud to entrust the leadership of the Walkabout to such a capable man as Mr. Anthony Mercadante. For the last three years he has been charged with the safety of our youngest walkers, with the setup of the camp, and often with the details of laying out the route, the signage, and every other small detail that keeps the leadership awake long after the walkers have gone to bed. I have confidently left the safety of my own children in his capable hands, and know that his work ethic, his willingness to learn, his innovative and playful nature and his faith in God will carry the Walkabout to new heights and further adventures. I can't wait to walk under his leadership. 6ez so0 xe-k' anthonyu!
Another Successful Walkabout completed! 251 miles walked, 3,125 trees planted! We thank our venues, walkers, parents and our friends at Thunder 98.5 for all of their support.
At the beautiful campus of Monmouth University.
July 11: We met in Liberty State Park, travel to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Then, we'll be sleeping in the Liberty Science Center. Jersey City is the greatest!! (warning: lots of photos may slow page upload, and lots of corny captions)
July 12: We went to Montclair State University and sleeping at the dorms, living the college life. (some pictures, more to come)
July 13: Entered the Skylands of New Jersey, and saw our first bear. (some pics of our first night in Bear Country)
July 14: Waywayanda State Park, or Bear Country, Park Two. (two pics)
Why we got lost in Boonton
July 15: Ogdensburg, further close encounters with bears, and the triumph of the Gummy Apples. (2 pictures)
July 16: Sleeping at the Clinton Elks, day One. (2 pictures, both actually from the day before)
July 17: Balloons and bicycles. (Lots of pictures, all aerial shots)
We're in there!
July 18: Bound Brook and the Somerset Patriots. ( a few ballpark shots)
July 19: Old Bridge- NJ's friendliest town, 2009 (pics, more to come)
July 20-21: Two wet days at the shore with the US Coast Guard.
July 22: Monmouth University, and our friends in West Long Branch.
July 23: Bike trails, rain and church.
July 24: A BlueClaw day, and the YMCA.
In 2007, just after we planted over one thousand trees and were interviewed by Bob and Marianne on WOBM AM, we got a phone call asking us to confirm that we we had planted all those trees and were intending to walk hundreds of miles. The call was on behalf of a man who wanted to write us "fan mail".
While we were on the road, the fan mail arrived. The man who wrote to us took time out of his busy schedule to congratulate us for "Discovering the unexpected beauty of New Jersey and celebrating the importance of trees."
In honor of our walkers, their families, and the many volunteers in hundreds of towns across our state, we publish that letter, and congratulate the author of the letter on his own impressive accomplishment.
You can find out who the man was and read the letter here
View Larger Map to see Maps & Itinerary
Click here to see Photos
Click here to read about our 2008 journey.
Members click here to work on internal documents.
THANKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE who helped us plant over 1,000 trees this year!
Our walkabouters plant in West Long Branch
See all the NEWS about other years' Walkabouts and check out
our YouTube videos!
WE MADE HISTORY IN 2007
On 7/7/07, 4 teams of 7 set out on a journey of a lifetime. It was an incredible 2-week, 194-mile trek across New Jersey to promote our state's unexpected beauty and celebrate the importance of its trees.
Grandfather Little Hawk was our inspiration and spiritual guide throughout the Walkabout!
Our teams have planted over 1200 trees to commemorate the Walkabout as we promote the unexpected beauty of New Jersey.
We are honored to have theNew Jersey National Guard Counterdrug Task Force Drug Demand Reduction Unit helping us this year.
This is us, 3,125 trees ago.
Coming in August.. We rebuild the hut!
©2009 The Gatherer Institute. All Rights Reserved.