What's Up!

Mark your calendar for these dates, please:

Feet of Memory Inc. invites you to its Launch Reception

Wednesday, October 24 from 5-7 pm

Jackson Library, Massillon, Canton, Ohio

9:00am Geoffrey sets out on the walking path for a 24 mile walk, representing the average number of miles he will walk each day on his 2,400 mile trek from Key West to Ft. Kent, Maine March 17-July 4, 2013. Come walk with him for all or part of the day. Gather up some support for your walk then donate to Feet of Memory so we can continue our support of the Alzheimer's Association and their work in research, education and support services.

5:00 Begin to gather at the Library

5:30 Welcome from Board of directors and CEOs. Performance sampler by Geoffrey Darling

5:55-6:15: presentations by Rose Daring, Loren Veigel, artistic director of VOCI, and Alzheimer's Association.

6:15: Official launch

6:30 Balloons of Memory launch

6:45 Future events and raffle drawings

November 17 - 6-8:30 pm: Wine Tasting at Maize Valley Farms' Pavilion on Rt 619 Hartville.

$25.00pp includes 4 wine tastings of your choice and appetizers.

Additional opportunities include a Corn Hole Tournament, raffle baskets including a wine basket from Maize Farms, and 50/50 drawing. Live music in the lounge.

We'll see you there!

Contact feetmemory@yahoo.com for additional information.



Stick to the Plan

.... and the plan will stick to you. That was the mantra on the Ohio and Erie Canal towpath yesterday. Stick to the Plan, Stick to the Plan, Stick to the Plan - the chant that echoed in my increasingly empty head. The rhythm of the 4mph walking reinforced my determination to stick to the plan - it's so easy to veer off the original intent - this day the plan was 12 miles fast walking to compensate for the lack of time for anything else. The beauty of an out-and-back walk, compared with laps around a track is a greater incentive to "Stick to the Plan" - and you can always come home faster than you went out. The plan is rarely made until arrival at the start - but the big rule is to stick to it once it's made - At 40 Corners three women were girding their loins for a run - almost daring each other to set off, and so they did about the same time I did. With three it's easier to stick to the plan, no-one dares to cry off as a lone wolf can easily do. The women's slow jog, an estimated 5mph, contrasted with my rapid walk - 4+mph and meant they stayed in sight for some time on the long straights and large curves of the towpath, but eventually they disappeared and just acorn-laden squirrels and the resident blue heron accompanied me - no cyclists on this still, almost drizzling morning - plenty of time for the mantra - "Stick to the Plan and it will Stick to You" - four strides worth of wisdom which we have heard throughout our lives. Keep Your Eye on the Goal; No Looking Back etc - and the plan - as regular readers will know - is enormous; to walk from Key West in Florida to the top of Maine  in 100 days to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer's Association - the plan is unfolding, we just need to stick to it. Fitness is the first thing we have found - the 30 day walk under the belt now we just need to maintain - organization comes next and that is well underway with the launch of Feet of Memory Inc. on March 24 in the Jackson Library, Canton and a winetasting at Maize Valley, Hartville, on November 17.
That's the Plan and we are Sticking to it

MORE UPDATES

I apologize for my absense...my sister had a stroke last week, and my oldest son got married. Of such opposites is life.

Speaking of opposites, when I worked in a long term care health care home, it was often difficult to see residents begin the downhill descent into the darkness of memory loss. As activities diector, it was my job to devise programs to help keep minds stimulated, and to bring out hidden talents or interests. A very elderly Chinese resident had a wonderful gift of art and never knew it until he joined my watercolor class. In his first class, he painted a beautiful scene...in a delicate, Chinese style. He became a prolific painter! His English was not good, and his hearing was very bad so he could not communicate well with people. But he could paint, and paint he did! His verbal communication was not good, but his visual communication was beautiful....opposites in action.

Even people with memory loss may find such hidden or latent skills. In 2013, we will add to our Feet of Memory program a drama club for those with mild memory loss. It will be a club where they can learn lines, express themselves in drama and music, and stimulate portions of the brain.

But first, the extreme endurance Walk from Key West to Maine will be completed in 2013. Geoffrey continues to train so the walk will be successful. As you know, this walk will help raise Awareness and Funds for Alzheimer's research, education and support services.

We now have several events planned to help make this walk possible. Here is a list for the next few months:

October 24: 5-7 pm Launch reception at Jackson Library, Canton/Massilon, Ohio. Geoffrey will embark on a 24 mile walk at 9am. You are welcome to join him! Then at 5:30 Geoffrey will give a dramatic presentation followed by other presentations by Rose Darling, Loren Veigel, the Artistic Director of Canton's VOCI, and a research update from the Alzheimer's Association. The official launch is at 6:15 followed by a Balloons of Memory lift-off and updates on events, and raffle drawing.
Nuts 'n Chocolates to enjoy, raffle, and "Pat's Corner" jewelry by Lynn Marie Jewelry, and teeshirts.

November 17: 6-8:30pm Wine Tasting at Maize Valley Farms near Hartville, Ohio. Tickets are $25.00 each adult and include - Four wine tastings of your choice (you keep the glass)
Appetizers
Live music in the lounge
ADDITIONAL:
Raffle including a wine basket from Maize Valley
Corn Hole Tournament
50/50 drawing and more!
You may contact us at feetmemory@yahoo.com for tickets. A list of places where you may purchase tickets in the Canton area will soon be posted.

December:The Christmas Party Hop...Dance the evening away to the sounds of the 60s and 70s at our Christmas Party at Lake Cable Clubhouse!! Date and details to be announced soon.

Event dates

We are busy, busy organizing the walk and fund and awareness raisers to make it possible. This weekend we will look at an RV that may be a donation for the duration. Our new Creative Team is helping us with the planning and implementtation of these events.
So if you are in the Canton, Ohio area, here are a few dates for your calendar.

Launch Reception: October 24 from 5-7 pm at the Jackson Library on Fulton Road. Meet our Board of Directors, enjoy guest presenters, Nuts 'n Chocolates, the official launch with Balloons of Memory at 6:30. Please join us!



We are tying up loose ends for a fun fund-raiser at Vinoteca. Dates to be verified but should be November 16 and/or 17. Meet a past "King of Olde England," enjoy wine and a cheese/bread board, and live entertainment by professional musicians and Shakespearean actors. Details and ticket prices to be announced soon.

In December, come to the "Christmas Party Hop"! Again, details are now being confirmed and will soon be posted.

January features a Winterfest....hope there's some snow this winter!

February has an extra-fun, special event for the whole family to enjoy....but it's a secret for now......shhhhhhh.

As you see, we are very busy....if you can volunteer or help us out in any way, please write to us at feetmemory@yahoo.com

Feet of MemoryInc is a nonprofit organization with the purpose of raising awareness and funds for research, education support services oto help end Alzheimer's disease. Through extreme walks, such as the walk planned from Key West to Maine on historic US Rt 1 in 2013, Geoffrey and Rose Darling, along with a support team will present programs and walkathons from town to town along the way. Visit www.feetofmemory.com for more information. FInd us on Facebook, too.

About Geoffrey Darling

We've focused a lot of Geoffrey's 100 day walk in 2013, but I"ve not shared too much about his other "Feat" of memory. Geoffrey is an experienced, well-trained and awarded stage actor. In addition to his marathon-long walks each day, he offers solo performances of one of several plays. "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," "Ludwig Van The Ancient Mariner," and "Tenacity," an original play about a conversation he had with his mother prior to her journey into the deep clouds of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease which she had for 24 long years.

Geoffrey has performed in numerous plays from the heaviest of dramas such as "Macbeth" to light-hearted comedies like "My Favorite Year," and even musicals such as "Porgy and Bess." His New Zealand training under Dame Ngaio Marsh at Canterbury University in beautiful Christchurch, New Zealand allowed him to discover his powerful voice and stage presence. Geoffrey has performed throughout New Zealand, London, Australia, Ireland and in the United States.

He has a great deal of experience in walking all day and performing at night. In 2002, he walked the length of the South Island of New Zealand on a fundraiser for the Bible Society After a days' journey, sometimes in chilly wind, rain and even snow, he performed a 90-minute dramatic presentation of the Gospel of St Mark.

The Secret Garden at the Magical Theatre in Barberton, Ohio

Geoffrey Darling offers his stirring performances to churches, Alzheimer Association chapters, senior community groups and others as he walks this journey from Key West to Maine. For more information or to book Mr. Darling, contact him at feetmemory@yahoo.com.

Behind-the-scenes

It's a behind-the-desk and on-the-phone kind of day today as we work on press releases, networking and other 'operational'  things necessary to move our efforts forward. We are getting a new workstation/desk today and that means messy office time while we re-organize.



I strongly suggested that our Walker get out on the trail for awhile, so he left for the Towpath and all is well.



Our official Feet of Memory launch date is Wednesday, October 24 from 5-7 p.m. at the Jackson Library in Canton, Ohio. YOU are invited....and bring a friend!!! Details coming soon.

Feet of Memory supports research, education and services of organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association that help bring an end to Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Geoffrey Darling will walk 2,400 miles from Key West to Ft. Kent Maine starting 17 March 2013 to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer's Association.  This walk honors his mother Pat who had AD for 24 years before passing on in March 2012.

Services you help provide

How do donations translate into literal help for those dealing with Alzheimer's Disease? There are numerous hospitals, research labs, service organizations and governmental agencies that work to find an end to Alzheimer's Disease. Monies raised by organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association go toward advancing research, on advocacy for greater emphasis on Alzheimer's disease by government agencies, on education, and services. Local chapters and groups offer group support meetings, conferences, libraries, and speakers who can share what's new in research as well as practical advice on dealing with the challenges brought on by memory loss. Of course, Alzheimer's disease knows no geographic boundaries as people around the world deal with the devastating effects of memory loss and dementia.

Some of the groups may or may not include people with the disease. Often, as they slip into deeper memory loss, social activities slip away. A few years ago, I co-wrote and offered a "Bible study" program for those with mild to moderate memory loss. Family members were invited to participate and we were thrilled to find many sons and daughters bringing their parents to these interactive gatherings where they sang old hymns and responded to biblical stories they had heard as children. Many tears were seen in the eyes of family members as they witnessed their loved one singing and reciting songs and verses learned long, long ago.


As Geoffrey walks the 2,400 miles from Key West to Maine, I will gladly present this program to older adult church groups, retirement communities, support groups and others that are located within driving distance of his walk on historic US Rt 1. Just write to Rose at feetmemory@yahoo.com asking for Lessons in a Lunchbox (c)

Labor Day

One pair of shoes worn out...How many shoes will Geoffrey wear out on his 2,400 mile walk? Two? Four?

It's Labor Day and a lovely one at that! So our dear Walker is out on the Towpath continuing his training.

We hope you have a restful day and spend some time with family and freinds.

Deer Hawk

You never know what you will see along the Towpath. While on a 30-mile training walk yesterday, Geoffrey came across this stately hawk and soon realized its wing was injured. Park ranger phone numbers are posted along the Towpath, but he could find none, but fortunately someone had, and as Geoffrey walked nearer, he heard the call about a distressed hawk. Hopefully help was swift and they were able to help it.
A large deer also bounded from the wooded areas across the path...a bit startling, but wonderful, to see!
During these last weeks of summer and early autumn here in northeast Ohio, color abounds. Already we notice spots of red and yellow on trees, and the bees are out full force doing what they do this time of the year.

If you have a loved one with mild to moderate dementia, why not take them on a walk or in a chair if needed, into a place of natural beauty? This may trigger memories of years gone by, and if not, they and you, will enjoy the beauty of the outdoors as well as the company of someone you love.

The Alzheimer's Association offers education and support services for families and friends of those with increasing memory loss. Visit www.alz.org for information about research and much more. Find a support group in your area. Support fundraising events for this important work.

Feet of Memory was created to support the Alzheimer's Association through endurance, extreme walks and theatrical performances. We will soon have a calendar of events you may attend...and we hope you will if you are in the area. We will skype these events as much as possible so you may be a part of it, too!

We have a wish list that you can help us with. They will soon be posted on our website which is under construction, but available to view now. These items such as gift cards to chain restaurants and gasoline stations will help Feet of Memory fulfill its goal to raise money....LOTS of money for the Alzheimer's Association and its research, education and support services. Geoffrey will walk the 2,400 miles from Key west to Maine along historic U.S. Rt 1, through "Americana" at its best as well as some of the largest cities in the USA. You can join him on portions of the walk near you! We will post a map on the website at www.feetofmemory.com. Gather some friends, and pledges, and walk 5, 10, 20 miles with him to help end Alzheimer's disease. You'll never know what wonders of nature YOU will discover along the way.

Contact feetmemory@yahoo.com for details.

Tappan Lake

It's off to Tappan Lake, Ohio, today to relax and enjoy the company of theatre friends...and perhaps get in a good walk, too.

Enjoy your weekend!

Feet of Memory is dedicated to raising funds and awareness to help end Alzheimer's disease.

Extreme walks are the ultimate means by which we meet our goal. Geoffrey Darling will walk 2,400 miles on U.S. Rt 1, the historic highway from Key West, Florida to Ft. Kent, Maine beginning 17 March 2013 and ending Independence Day. Help us make this walk successful and help bring and end to Alzheimer's Disease by supporting the research, education and support services of the Alzheimer's Association. www.alz.org

Watch this blog for events and opportunities to honor your loved ones through the

Board of Remembrance.







Special jewelry designs

Geoffrey's mother Pat was born on St. Patrick's day, March 17, and the birthstone for that day is aquamarine, Lynn Marie Jewelry is creating handcrafted aquamarine jewelry especially for Feet of Memory. Each will have a little fairie charm at the clasp to commemorate Pat's enchantment with them. Some jewelry pieces will be available for purchase in the near future. Above is a little sample from her school colors line in pea pod and bird's nests designs. Check out her website at dmp.jewelry.webs.com.

We are establishing a Board of Remembrance where you may recognize your loved one(s) who walked through the thickening clouds of memory loss and Alzheimer's Disease. We will give you details on how you may honor them in the near future.

In the meantime, we hope it's a lovely day for you and that you will get out and take a walk! Geoffrey is out on the Towpath this morning keeping up his training for his extreme walk from Key West to Maine!

Please visit us at Facebook.

Goals

Our Walker just got home feeling quite energetic after a 25-mile walk on the Towpath today. In just a few months, he'll walk that far nearly every day for 100 days as he journeys up historic US Rt 1 from Key West to Maine.
Have you set any new goals for yourself...improved fitness...education goals...better relationships? If you have no goals, you won't reach them. Set some small goals for your life and as you meet them what a sense of accomplishment you will have! That feeling will spur you on to more goals and new accomlishments. It's your choice.

You are never too old to dream new dreams...CS Lewis.

Super Saturday

YOU can help get Feet of Memory up and run...errr...walking as we work toward the mega-walk, an extreme walk, and endurance walk from Key West to Maine. Geoffrey is out doing about 16 training miles this morning. He is so dedicated to his goal of walking those 2,400 miles from March 17, 2013 to Independence Day.

We seek five (5) to ten (10) volunteers to host a SALE...garage, yard, moving, bake, or other, in October for a Super Saturday Sale Day. We would prefer all the sales to be on one Saturday in October, but if that is not possible, any Saturday in October will be great!

Watch for details here tomorrow.

PLEASE link your friends and family to our blog so they may get involved, too!

The Mission of Feet of Memory (non-profit): Enabling endurance walks and presentations in support of research, support and education to end Alzheimer's disease.

Sunday's reflection

Sunday afternoon is a time for reflecting on the sermon  - and getting reading for an hour's training - all we have time for. The sermon seemed so apt - "to those who have been given much, much shall be demanded" - which I have always conceived as  "if you have a lot, you have to give a lot" - so armed with big strong legs and a good memory it's time to get the show on the road - in this case US-1 - and remember all those who did not make age 64 sound enough in wind and mind to even contemplate this. Now we have four board members to make up the requisite for establishing a non-profit business another step's been taken in the right direction. All able and innovative people and with eight months to go there is much to  be done - but Geoffrey's body is calling out for a hard training session at the gym - better answer the call and keep that target steadily in view.

Facebook Connection

Geoffrey out on a training walk along the Towpath

Our favorite Walker is out on a gorgeous day following a terrific Board meeting. Things are rolling along now and in the next few days and weeks, we will have a great deal more specifics to tell you. But for now, the daily training continues, fundraising events are in the planning-process, and we are getting the word out about Geoffrey's extreme walk. Will you help us please? If you read this blog, will you share it with friends and family, and also go to Facebook and search Feet of Memory for additional exposure to the general public.

On FB we are starting a discussion about how Alzheimer's disease has touched your life. Did or does your grandmother have memory loss? How do you feel when your loved one doesn't know your name? Please go to Facebook and ehlp start the discussion.

Itinerary looks dauntingly fun

St Paddy's Day minus 223 and all's well - with 450 training miles under the belt and 1950 to go - until I realise that, when translated to the actual walk from Key West to Fort Kent, Maine, that does not even get us out of Florida. Or even to the second scheduled rest day. At mile-peg 450 we will be a day's march from St Augustine Beach and still three days from reaching Georgia - so even though a gentle nine mile walk beckons today we know the time has come to put in some testing 25-miles plus walks. Question is, when can we spare the time for the all-day effort and the all-week recovery.  As summer threatens to close down temperatures in sunny Ohio and bring this Golden Weather to an End, I want to get the daily average required to below 8 miles per day by the beginning of December - because I want to have walked 2400 miles in training since May 23 ( when records began, as they say in the weather forecasts) - the  required average is still 8.71 daily miles and the completed average - well let's math the do. 450/ 82 is 5.48 per day! - that's a revelation. I thought things were better than that.  Too many days off, too much self-indulgence and not enough reality. Nevertheless the physical results are still good and the pulse rate is 46.
So take a quick look at the schedule and see if you agree that, even at eight months out, we need to get urgent -

Florida                                               miles

March 17:  Key West to Big Pine Key     30 

March 18: Big Pine Key to Marathon     18

March 19:  Marathon to Layton              20

March 20: Layton to Key Largo               31

March 21: Key Largo to Homestead       30

March 22: Homestead to Cutter Bay     12

March 23: Cutter Bay to Miami Beach   23

March 24: Miami Bch to Ft Lauderdale 24

March 25: Ft Lauderdale to Delray Bch  29

March 26: Delray to West Palm Beach  19

March 27: Day off walking

March 28: W.Palm Bch to Hobe Sound  27

Good Friday: Hobe to White City           24

March 30: White City to Vero Beach      27

Easter Sunday: Vero to Grant                 22

April 1: Grant to Palm Shores                                21

April 2: Palm Shores to Titusville           30

April 3: Titusville to Bethune Beach       24

April 4: Bethune to Daytona                   23

April 5: Daytona to Flagler                     20

April 6: Flagler to St Augustine Beach   28

April 7: Day off walking

April 8: St Augustine Bch to Bayard       25

April 9: Bayard to Jacksonville                17

April 10: Jacksonville to Callahan           20

Georgia

April 11: Callahan to Folkston                                22

April 12: Folkston to Waycross Forest   27

April 13: Waycross F. to Alma                                32

April 14: Alma to Baxley                         20

April 15: Baxley to Toombs Central        19

April 16: Toombs to Oak Park                 24

April 17: Day off walking

April 18: Day off walking

April 19: Oak Park to Swansboro            18

April 20: Swansboro to Louisville           30

April 21: Louisville to Blythe                   29

April 22: Blythe to North Augusta          21

April 23: North August to Ridge Spring  32

South Carolina

April 24: Ridge Spring to Lexington        28

April 25: Lexington to Dentsville            18

April 26: Dentsville to Camden               25

April 27: Camden to McBee                   27

April 28: McBee to Cheraw                    28

April 29: Cheraw to  Rockingham           20

North Carolina

April 30:  Rockingham to Aberdeen       26

May 1: Day off walking

May 2: Aberdeen to Sanford                  30

May 3: Sanford to Jordan Lake               21

May 4: Jordan Lake to Raleigh               25

May 5: Raleigh to Wake Forest              17

May 6: Wake Forest to Henderson        27

May 7: Henderson to Palmer Springs    24

May 8: Palmer Sp. to  Meredithville      26

Virginia

May 9: Meredithville to McKenny          18

May 10: McKenny to Petersburg            26

May 11: Petersburg to Richmond           22

May 12: Day of walking

May 13: Richmond to Ashland               16

May 14: Ashland to Co.606                     27

May 15: Co.606 to Aquila Park               24

May 16: Aquila Park to Springfield         27

May 17: Day off walking

May 18: Springfield to College Park       24

Maryland

May 19: College Park to Baltimore        26

May 20: Baltimore to Bel Air                 23

May 21: Bel Air to Rising Sun                 22

May 22: Rising Sun to Kennett Square   24

Pennsylvania

May 23: Kennett Sq. to Drexel Hill         24

May 24: Drexel  to Philadelphia East     24

May 25: Phil. East to  Princeton             25

New Jersey

May 26: Princeton to Woodbridge         26

May 27: Woodbridge to Newark            15

May 28: Newark to Pelham Manor        27

New York

May 29: Pelham Manor to Rye               9

May 30: Day off walking

May 31: Rye to Norwalk                         19

Connecticut

June 1: Norwalk to Milford                     21

June 2: Milford to Guilford                     24

June 3: Guilford to Old Lyme                  25

June 4: Old Lyme to Mystic                    23

June 5: Mystic to Kingston                      30

Rhode Island

June 6: Kingston to Cranston                  24

June 7: Cranston to South Walpole        24

Massachussets

June 8: South Walpole  to Quincy          22

June 9: Quincy to Revere                        15

June 10: Day off walking

June 11:  Revere to Newburyport           30

June 12: Newburport to Portsmouth      20

New Hampshire

June 13: Portsmouth to Kenneburk        26

Maine

June 14: Kenneburk to Portland              26

June 15: Portland to Brunswick              26

June 16: Brunswick to Damoriscotta      26

June 17: Damoriscotta to Rockland        27

June 18: Day off walking

June 19: Rockland to Belfast                  20

June 20: Belfast to East Orland              22

June 21: East Orland to Hancock            24

June 22: Hancock to Addison                  31

June 23: Addison to East Macha            22

June 24: East Macha to Pembroke         27

June 25: Pembroke to Calais                  26

June 26: Calais to Princeton                   20

June 27: Princeton to Houlton Road       26

June 28: Houlton Rd to Amity                                30

June 29: Amity to Monticello                 27

June 30: Monticello to Presque Isle       28

July 1: Presque Isle to Caribou                13

July 2: Caribou to Van Buren                  22

July 3: Van Buren to Madawaska           24

July 4: Madawaska to Fort Kent             20         

    

Board on a Mission

Nobody likes meetings...unless they are the exciting planning meetings to get Feet of Memory up and walking from Key West Florida to Ft. Kent Maine! Saturday, the Board meets to plan and organize all those details that make a project successful.

On the community fundraising side of the drawing board are several ideas including theatrical performances, a Winter Wonderland Walkathon and Festival, super-Saturday garage and bake sales, and lots more. We even have special hand-crafted jewelry and products you can wear with pride and to show support.

Statistically, Alzheimer's Disease is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. However, few diseases span as many years with such devastating tolls to the individual, their family, and friends. Geoffrey's mother Pat had A.D. for 24 years with progressively deteriorating memory and physical losses. In her honor, and to help end, yes, END, this dreadful disease, Geoffrey will do his extreme walk of the 2,400 miles of U.S. Route 1, the historic highway. Along the way, he will ask the community to come out and walk with him, to sponsor special events which may include one of his solo theatrical performances. Geoffrey is a trained and highly skillful international stage actor with a long list of theatrical credits. You will soon be able to view a snippet performance on the website that is currently under construction.

The Alzheimer's Association offers education, research and support services for those touched by A.D. and Feet of Memory's mission is to raise money and awareness toward this work.

We need volunteers and resources to make it happen. We need you and soon we will post a new website with details on the Feet of Memory organization and its work and how you can help us make a major difference in research, education and support to end Alzheimer's Disease.

12 and counting

Another training walk of 12 miles is now history as Geoffrey racks up more and more miles toward 2,400 training miles prior to his actual extreme walk. He has 1976 training miles to go in 226 days - an average of 8.74 per day. With an occasional day of rest, he is out pounding the pavement or dirt track. To remind you, he is walking 2,400 miles on US 1, the historic highway,to raise funds for research, education and support services offered by the Alzheimer's Association. www.alz.org.

Maintaining fitness over the coming colder weather (yes, it will come in a few months) will be a bit challenging, but that's what Planet Fitness is for!

Geoffrey aims to be as lightweight as possible for the extreme walk from Key West to Ft Kent Maine. He'll have to carry some essential items like fluids, rain wear, first aid items and food which, of course, will add to the weight.

Some fundraising and awareness-raisers are on the drawing table and we will let you know when we have some definite plans!

And moving right along....

As we begin to set up our board for our non-for-profit organization that will raise funds to support Alzheimer's Disease research, education and services, we have two board members signed up --and received our first donation toward the walk!

There is much to be done...fundraising, continuation of physical training toward the extreme walk from Key West Florida to Ft. Kent Maine, media coverage, and volunteers to make it happen.

Here are some of the ways you can help:
Donations of gift cards to national chain restaurants, gasoline gift cards, hotel rooms along the route, and the biggest - loan of a small RV or camper van as our support vehicle AND point-to-point volunteer drivers. I'll repeat these as we gain more readership. If YOU can help, please respond. All cash donations will be tax-deductible when the non-profit status is finalized.

A website will soon be prepared to more fully outline the project and how you can help make possible this 2,400 mile extreme walk to help end Alzheimer's Disease.

Put One Foot in Front of the Other

Follow us on a 2,400 mile journey from Key West to Maine to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's research and support. 

This "feet for memory" honors Geoffrey Darling's mother and family who suffered the effects of Alzheimer's Disease for 24 years. Each 100 miles equals every year.  

The trek begins with the launching of this blog  May 1, 2012 and the walk starting in Key West on March 17, 2013. It sounds a long way off, but time does fly!

Follow along our journey ... and please, lend your support.