July 17: Franklin Twp
This year, we had so much help from our new friends, the Elks. Even though James, our connection to the Elks, left on the day we lost Devin and Brandino, His mother's connection to the Elk's club was instrumental in helping us get the water and financing we needed to complete our Journey. Our Elk friends in Lacey and in Clinton are owed a debt of gratitutde.

Thanks to Jazmine Bonelli for the pictures.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks has about 1 million members across the US, and is very active in procuring scholarships. Its mission is noble:
"To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism.." and exactly in line with our own philosophy and mission. .Each year, the Elks provide close to 4 million dollars worth of scholarships, are active supporters of veterans, provide anti-drug, tobacco and alcohol information to youth, and support many worthwhile causes in the community. The Clinton lodge was happy to put us up for two nights while we backtracked 24 miles to Stevens State Park.

So why go backwards?

Well, on Friday morning, the American Balloon company took us on a ride. Everyone who wanted to ride got the opportunity. The nature of ballooning necessitates a very early start, so our early risers were up and watching the balloon fill. Mr. Tom of the American Balloon Company picked a pine cone off a tall Norway spruce as the balloon ascended. After the ride, the ballooning tradition is to sip champagne (in this case, non-alcoholic) in celebration of the flight. We missed Katie on the ride. She'd departed that day. Her letter had inspired Mr. Tom to take everyone up, instead of just the winning team.

After the balloon ride, we walked back towards Stevens State Park, on what we thought would be under 24 miles of walking. We were supposed to take a rail trail, but preliminary scouting showed that a section was washed out, so we had to backtrack and find another way. Mr. Jay Boyle helped us shuttle to a the new route, but the roads were poorly marked (no street sign even for Main St!) Then, as we walked the bike and rail trail, a rainstorm broke out, with torrential rain at times. A kind family at the head of the rail trail allowed us to be sheltered as we waited to be shuttled back to the Clinton Elks, where the Odebede family had prepared a true feast for us.

Miles walked: 24.1 miles Overall miles= 135.4