On to the Next One…
First, we’ll start with saying sorry for the delay. The past week has been a little hectic; a couple of hotels and a bunch of nights in a hotel. Okay, so from Forest Lakes, which was when we last blogged, we have made quite a few long walks which have taken us over the border into New Mexico. Since then, we have walked nearly 150 miles and spent some uncomfortable nights in a tent on the side of the highway behind bushes , next to a dumpster, and in a trucker rest area along interstate 40.
Apparently, between the eastern end of Arizona and the western end of New Mexico there isn’t much civilization. The only refuge we found was usually under the overpasses we came across on I-40. Although we weren’t supposed to be walking on the interstate, the police have been pretty cool about it.
One cop however, took down our information because he said, “In case you guys get splattered on the road we will have a starting point to identify you.” I am sure he didn’t mean to make it sound the way it came out but it was pretty absurd to word it like that. I have to mention though that he did sort of redeem himself because when we got stopped on I-40 he apparently contacted the interstate police to tell him we would be coming down that way.
From Holbrook we cruised 39 miles on I-40 and felt surprisingly good coming off a day’s rest. We pitched our tent behind a shed next to a dumpster at the Navajo Travel Center. From there, it was a tough 34 mile walk on little rest to the border of Arizona/New Mexico. Again, we stopped for the night at a gas station/rest area where we pitched our tent on a rocky road next to a fleet of tractor trailers. Thankfully, we were able to shower at Speedy’s Trucker Stop so we didn’t have to go three days without showering. The third day we were pretty banged up but motivated to walk the much shorter 18 mile walk into Gallup, NM.
Along the way to Gallup, we walked historic Route 66, which runs parallel to I 40. We were greeted by about 8 bulls who just were grazing on the side of the road. Our hearts were racing to say the least, as each one of their eyes were focused on us. Sorry we didn’t bust out the camera for that one, but making any sudden movements at that point in time probably wasn’t the smartest move.
While there is nothing really enjoyable about these long walks in the wilderness, we did have a few highlights. If anyone happens to be travelling near the ghost town of Chambers, AZ, make sure you stop at this wonderful restaurant Apple Dumplin’. It was a pleasant surprise, which served a great breakfast and even better apple pie. Look for the picture of Anthony with the owner (she’s wearing a red cowboy hat), in our photo section. Strangely enough, we had a ton of conversation with her and somehow never exchanged names. Great woman though.
Also, in Gallup we have been graciously been put up for the night by Lynn Perkins, a member of the Holy Spirit Church here in Gallup. We are anxiously awaiting dinner with her and her husband tonight at their home in Gallup.
Lastly, we also have to thank Jackie and Arlene (Thelma and Louise), for seeing us walking down the street in Gallup and offering to buy us lunch at the famous El Rancho Hotel. Great friends from southern California, these two women packed their bags last week for a cross country road trip together. Gotta love it. Thanks for a great meal and even better conversation and have a great time on your trip.
As we are happy to have entered our third state, it will be even nicer once we are out of it. Thankfully, my mom and two aunts will be out here to help us get through a big chunk of the state. These Southwestern states are just so massive and there is only so much desert and rock you can look at. We are now about 130 miles west of Albuquerque and 190 miles from Santa Fe. After New Mexico, it will be a huge relief to be out the southwest as we begin to enter the more populated part of the country.
Robbie and Anthony! So happy to see the new blog up and your pics with Thelma and Louise and cowboy hat Apple Dumplin’ lady. I stay up nights waiting to see what’s going on or asking mommy if she had a phone call. I can’t wait to see both of you on Sunday! I can’t believe you have already walked one month. Went to St. Pat’s in NYC this week and said a special prayer for the two of you. Missing you and you both are never out of our thoughts and prayers. Glad the bulls did not get curious about the two of you and hopefully you didn’t have any red on. See you Sunday!!!!
Ant & Rob- It’s so wonderful to see you smile! It makes me appreciate everything I have. My joy is to see you guys happy & healthy. This was a perfect start to a perfectly beautiful day. The weather here is gorgeous. Talk to you later. We will be booking our Wichita, Kansas flight today. Love you!!- Mom
Hey guys, even though we talk every day, it is so great to see your videos and actually see you. I can’t wait until Sunday and being able to spend 8 days with the two of you! Everyone here sends their love and I know they will be happy to see your blog and video because people get nervous when it is too long of a wait. Reinforcements are on the way, see you Sunday and again thanks to everyone who has helped the boys these past few days. It is unbelievable what complete strangers have done for Ant and Rob!
VERY Simply put. You guys are my HEROES!
If guts were mountains you guys would be the himalayas
Hi guys…hope this finds you well. You are going to
LOVE Santa Fe. We stopped by the local newspaper office The Mexican and told them you are on your way.
Gave them your names…hopefully the townsfolks will give you a proper “heroes” welcome. You will be in our thoughts and prayers at least until mid Oct. You made a great memory for us on our “bucket list” trip.
God bless you and keep you safe.
Hey Guys,
It’s about 7 a.m. on Sat., and we just got the Star Ledger. You have front page coverage! What a wonderful article and deservedly so!!
So now you guys are “famous” heroes.–
What a journey you are on, not only physically, but emotionally too. I can’t even imagine what it’s taking for you two to endure these days “walking.”
What a blessing that all of those people are welcoming you. Because you are both such wonderful guys, I can’t imagine anyone not.
Just think of all of the memories that you will always have with your videos, pictures, and just talking about this in the future. This is how history is made!
Love to you both. Stay safe, stay calm, keep the faith and your sense of humor always.
Hey guys! Sorry I haven’t written in a bit but I have been following your travels online. Awesome article about your walk in the Ledger today. Hopefully that will provide some great exposure. Hope your are feeling well as I continue to be amazed by you both! Keep it up as we are all very proud back in your hometown of Nutley!
Hi,
It is so wonderful what you are doing and you are both so inspiring. Tim Campana told me about your journey and know that even people you haven’t yet met are thinking about you and sending you good wishes.
Hi Guys! It’s 4th of July night, and I’m attemping to leave you a message for the 3rd time since yesterday! Each time I’ve submitted a message, it didn’t go through…lol. Anyway, what I was trying to tell you this morning, was that while I was watching the golfers prepare to tee off across the street, and our fellow residents gather around the pool, you entered my mind. Golfing and swimming are only a couple of the many things that we look forward to summer for. However, you decided to give up your summer and fulfill your own desires, in order to help others. That doesn’t happen everyday, and I just want to remind you of how proud we are of you! Seeing the beautiful picture and article in the Ledger yesterday is just the icing on the cake!
We hope that you have a wonderful time with Mom B and Aunt Lorraine this week…you deserve it!!
We love you!!
Aunt Donna and Billy
Hi Rob & Anthony! I have been writing by clicking on contact so Lulu told me how to comment when I visited NJ last week. Missed seeing you there but I think of you guys and check your blog daily! You are such a great inspiration for being so selfless and thinking of others. Glad Ginny, Lulu & Cassie are with you this week. Love to you both!!!! GREAT JOB!!!
Hi Guys! Sorry I didn’t write on the last blog. I do go on everyday though to see if there are any new updates or new pics. I always love reading about your journey and all the wonerful people you are meeting along the way. Seeing you both on the front page of the Star Ledger made my day, what a great article. Ant, your father is bringing us over T-Shirts today. Can’t wait, I will wear it with PRIDE. When you guys get home I will make you one of my homemade Apple Pies. Jimmy gives it Two Thumbs Up!
Always in my thoughts and prayers. Happy Trails:)
Hey guys! So happy you’ve had the company of Ginny & the girls. Ant, when I mentioned to you on the phone that day that “maybe you’ll make the front page”, I thought it would be a slim chance!! I was thrilled! Brad and I went everywhere on Saturday to buy a copy, and finally at a 7 Eleven in Wayne we finally found 2 copies (I guess everyone wanted it because you 2 were on the cover). Ant & Rob, wait until you see the menu for our wedding, it’s insane, we even have a Philly Cheesesteak and Slider Station – wooeee! Love you very much and miss you both!
Kelly and I were sitting in the living room with our Coast to Coast for a Cure bracelets and our Coast to Coast for a Cure T-shirts listening to your radio interview. As soon as it was finished I had to jump on the computer to tell you what a great job you guys did. You totally made our afternoon! Thanks to WLIP for having you guys on. Hopefully they will have you back on again soon and hopefully people who heard the interview will go to your website and make a donation. LOVE YOU GUYS, GREAT JOB!
Damn you’re a master
thanks for that dude! awesome idea and thoroughly interesting read. i been trying to convince my boys that we should have a proper curry night in instead of going out every week, and actually did it last week. superb success it was, i can tell you! i found a tasty korma and a few others from this wicked curry recipe site, and even made the naan myself too! who said guys cant cook!
Truly! just what an example! Thats notion! Delightful.. Fantastic