Been There, Done That, Proudly Wear the T-shirt

Something surprising happened on my recent trip to Minnesota: I joined an ALS walk!

This was supposed to be purely a be-with-the-family vacation, a bucket list visit with the kids and grandkids – and it was, wonderfully so. But, thanks to a hot tip, it also included an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful day lakeside with the family while supporting the organization nearest and dearest to my heart, the ALS Association.

Granted, this wasn't the "nearest" chapter, home-town speaking nor the "nearest" event, ditto. That, the Golden West ALSA bike ride in Napa, was taking place without me there to cheer on the riders. Bummer. So when I heard that the Minneapolis ALS walk was to happen during my visit, I jumped at the chance to join in – well, as much as I can jump, anyway, and as much as I can join.

We (three generations in two cars, along with diaper bag, tote bag, camera bag, jackets, snacks, and a wheelchair for me, which ended up toting the aforementioned bags, jackets, snacks, etc.) arrived at Lake Harriet, a beautiful municipal Park and a favorite for joggers, cyclists, and dog walkers, about an hour before the walk was to begin. And the place was packed! There were pavilions set up by walking teams, live music in the band shell, tents for registration, donations, T-shirts and refreshments, and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of walkers. This was a really big event. When the signal was given to start the walk, it took nearly a half hour for everyone to pass through the balloon arch.

There were teams walking in honor of friends with ALS, past and present, "pALS" in wheelchairs or on the hoof, old folks, little kids, school sports teams, babies in strollers, and dogs, dogs, dogs. (I think it must have been a rule that only purebreds were allowed: I have never seen so many gorgeous dogs of so many breeds in one place outside a dog show. And all were "Minnesota nice.")

Grandma's support group

And there was me. Not all the way around the lake, mind you – even with my leg brace, I'm a bit too weak and wobbly for that. Not for me the full 3 mile route: more like 300 yards. But I was there, in full support, and so was my family, rallying around their gimpy grandma and the organization that helps her.

(Although I think the kids were more interested in the lake minnows, the balloons, the free string cheese, and all those dogs…)

The walk was a success on so many levels. There was great participation. There were lots of supporters to cheer on the walkers. Even the weather cooperated with beautiful autumn sunshine. And I actually got to be part of an ALS event.

Oh, and by the way, the walk raised $300,000. Ba-da-bing!

PS – Thanks for the tip, Nancy.