Walking Together and Walking Alone

Friday, June 26

As I’ve already noted, we were blessed to be hosted by Mike and Mattie. For me, personally, there’s a serendipitous connection. Lindi and I have been married 40 years this year. Mike and Mattie celebrate their 50^th this year. For all four of us, these are our second marriages. Our children came during our first marriages and not in our long, current marriages. Mattie and Mike engage with each other in ways similar to Lindi and me. That “look” and that knowing smile. I trust that Lindi and I will be as close as these fine folks when we celebrate our 50^th. My nightly FaceTime calls with Lindi bring big smiles to both of our faces when our calls begin.

We began walking at 11:00 this morning. It’s a bit cloudy, but thankfully not raining. It’s cool with a light breeze. Much preferred over the rain all day yesterday.

We passed two people on bikes and said hello to them. They ignored us. Walking not far behind them were two women, one in a tie-dye shirt. I said to Matthew they will say hello to us because you can always trust someone in tie-dye. He laughed. But as they passed, I waited and they said hello first. I said hello right back. We all stopped as I shared with them my theory about tie-dyes and the woman who was with her said, “Always trust a hippie!”

A mile and a half in and I already have another big smile on my face.

When Matthew and I walk together, we have some wonderful conversations. Today we talked about the great divide between the so-called “right” and the so-called “left” in this country. What is it going to take for people to acknowledge, accept, and even understand each other and our various beliefs. What will it take to create more acceptance in place of discord. It reminds me of the work that Braver Angels has been doing for many years in bringing together people from the right and left politically for weekend retreats, to truly listen to one another. It’ll take a lot of work, kind of like Restorative Justice as opposed to punitive justice. It’s a lot of work, but the benefits are clear. You do the work to help someone become whole and healed and the discord and animosity break down.

We made it through the day without any rain and we’re grateful. Most of today was walking on the trail next to the canal. There were some sections where the trail crossed over the canal and we were between the canal and the highway, which was a lot noisier. It’s so lovely listening to the birds sing over on these long quiet stretches along the canal with the highway far away. To see deer walking nearby. A butterfly landed on Matthew’s hat and a big frog let us get a close-up photo before it jumped about 5’ to get away!

Today ended up being one of our longest walking days, but it doesn’t really feel like it. Our bodies are adjusting.

I remind myself how proud and blessed I am to be in good enough physical condition to participate in #FreedomWalk2026 from start to finish. At 72-years-old, I’m feeling good. I’m reminded of the words Janis Ian sang on the first song from her last album, The Light at the End of the Line. The song is, I’m Still Standing.

See these lines on my face

They’re a map of where I’ve been

And the deeper they are traced

The deeper life has settled in

And I would not trade a line

Make it smooth and fine

Or pretend that time stands still

I plan to rest my soul

Here where it can grow without fear

Another line, another year

I’m still standing here

CLICK HERE to watch a brief Relive video of our walk on June 26.

Saturday, June 27

We bid a bittersweet farewell to Mattie and Mike this morning. They hosted us in their home for the past several nights, making delicious dinners and spoiling me in particular with having vegan options each night. The conversations around the dinner table were all deep and fascinating, covering a wide range of topics, mostly related to social justice. We talked about books and films and marriage and the Underground Railroad and the abolition of slavery. They have regularly opened their home to people visiting Rochester, whether they know them or not. We will see them again on July 1, which is Mattie’s 83rd birthday. She’s going to celebrate by walking with us into Canada.

Then Lynda drove Tony, Matthew and me to where we stopped walking yesterday. We needed to walk almost six miles to finish up the stretch we did not complete yesterday. That will take us to where we boarded the Seneca chief several days ago. Then we will be transported to where we got off our boat ride to continue on the next stretch. It isn’t clear how far we will walk today.

We began walking right at 9:30. It’s quite peaceful today as we walk on a trail right next to the canal. The train tracks are several hundred yards to one side and the highway several hundred yards to the other, so, not much noise. Just the birds singing and the fish jumping.

About 3 1/2 miles in, a father and daughter were riding toward us on their bikes. The dad steered off the asphalt trail through a gravel strip onto the street that parallels the trail here to give us the right-of-way. When his daughter attempted the same thing, she didn’t turn at 90° angle, so her wheel caught on the side of the asphalt and she fell. It appears that a scraped and bloody elbow was the extent of the damage. Thank goodness she didn’t break any bones. After a few minutes, we saw them both continue down the trail on their bikes.

CLICK HERE to watch a brief Relive video of the 1st part of our walk in the morning on June 27.

We’ve walked some sections out of order for convenience’ sake in terms of driving distance. So, we drove a little more than 30 minutes to a spot where we finished the other day in Spencerport. I went back to the terrific little ice cream shop that I visited last time. Yummy!

And then we began to walk again. We were joined by Lynda this afternoon, our dedicated driver. I’m not sure how this whole project would’ve worked without her. I’m deeply appreciative of her volunteer efforts.

I’m thinking about my wife and my granddaughter today. They are more than 50 years apart in age, and they’re playing in an annual tennis tournament back home in Central Oregon this weekend. They won their opening match yesterday and were playing in their second match as I walked. I’d later learn they didn’t win, but it sure is inspiring that these two enjoy playing together whenever they have the opportunity.

Lynda told me about Emergent Strategy, a book by adrienne maree brown. The idea is to be open to what emerges rather than having everything planned down to the minute, every little detail, and location. We’ve had a few people (mostly online) suggest “you need to go here” and “you need to do that” and “have you studied this?” and “have you learned about that?” but our #FreedomWalk2026 team are pretty good (and getting better) about allowing things to emerge organically and, realistically, we only have so much time available to us for walking, activations, other events, eating and sleeping. Other good words we use are “serendipity” and “divine” regarding how things unfold.

Lynda headed back at the 3-mile mark near a drawbridge over the canal. So, she’ll get in 6 miles and then drive her car to pick us up in Brockport. We discovered amongst everything else she and I talked about that her father was born one day before my mother in 1933. November 3^rd and 4^th. More connections. Her dad was a big baseball fan and loved the Boston Red Sox. I’ve been a Dodgers fan all my life but enjoy the Red Sox as well. She says we both have similar senses of humor. I think her dad and I would’ve gotten along famously.

Today’s walk is completely peaceful as the entire thing is on the trail next to the canal. Birds singing and flying about, as are butterflies. Flowers growing along the way. Tranquil is the word that comes to mind.

I passed a young man who was fishing and asked him if he was having any luck. With a big smile on his face, he said yes! Got a small mouth and a large mouth. I assume that means Bass, which I confirmed with Dr. Google.

This turned out to be a very gentle and uneventful day. Nice conversation with Lynda, but mostly I walked by myself as did Tony and Matthew. I listened to the birds a lot, watched people fishing and riding boats up and down the canal. No herons or swans today, but I did see one Oriole and a few Ospreys. But it’s the singing of the little birds that’s such a nice accompaniment while walking.

Giavanni arrived this evening. She and Lynda and I went out to pick up dinner and bring it back to the Air BnB where we’re staying. There are eight of us sitting around the dinner table and Matthew asked a similar question to what Mike asked the night before. What’s the origin story that led to each of us deciding to join #FreedomWalk2026? Everyone had some very deep thoughts about what led them here. Common themes included being part of this community, highlighting history, and learning more about ourselves. It was something Giavanni said that resonated deeply with me. She said we all grow up hearing a bit about Harriet Tubman in school. But being here in places where she walked and lived adds an entirely new level of consciousness and connection. I sure feel that. Each day, as I think about Harriet Tubman and all the other Freedom Seekers, I am awed by what they did.

CLICK HERE to watch a brief Relive video of the 2nd part of our walk on June 27.

Sunday, June 28

I found out around 10:00 last night that I would be walking alone today. Tony will be walking by himself overnight to revisit an overnight walk he did 30 years ago. Consequently, Tony will begin walking tomorrow night where I am starting this morning. Matthew is going to church this morning instead of walking. Lynda is staying with friends while we are in Buffalo. Simon and his father, Jim, have another car and they’re staying in a hotel. I texted Simon last night to see if his dad could drive me, but I didn’t hear back until I was already asleep. I woke up just after six this morning and texted everyone who has a car, including Lynda, Simon, Matthew, and Venetia who flew up yesterday. I ended up having James, the statue driver, take me to Brockport where I began walking at 9 o’clock. And, yes, I stopped at a swing set to inspire my inner child…

There was a good chance I would not be walking today if I couldn’t find someone to drive me. Part of what I’m learning on this journey is flexibility and acceptance as plans change (emerge!) on almost a daily basis. Even with that intention, this one kind of threw me for a loop. And I thought about the Freedom Seekers. I’m not in any way comparing this walk in 2026 with what they experienced in the 19th century. It’s completely different. Yet I thought about what someone must’ve felt finding out late at night that the person who was trying to help them or walk with them the next day was no longer going to be there with them. What would they do? They must’ve felt even more isolated and alone. And yet, against all odds, they persevered on their way to freedom. And though what I am doing in no way compares, it does inspire me to think about Freedom Seekers and my admiration continues to grow as Giavanni spoke about last night.

Three men on bicycles just passed me and each of them said “Hola.” and I said the same back to each of them. During this journey when we are highlighting history where white people treated African American people so atrociously, I’m reminded it was not just people of African descent who were harmed by Europeans. It was also Indigenous people and Asian people and Hispanic people. I know it may be considered a small thing, but it felt good encountering three Spanish speakers on this trail.

I also got to witness a drawbridge going up to allow boats to pass under. It’s quite enlightening and gratifying seeing so many things I’ve never experienced before in my life.

Lynda helped arrange for me to be picked up by a woman named Sue Kim. She’s a member of Coming to the Table and was at the National Gathering last June in Minneapolis. She and her husband apparently just arrived here. What a community this is.

I got to a stopping point after about 10 1/2 miles. I texted the address of the house near a bridge to Sue and her husband Brendan. While I waited on the side of the street, a truck pulled up the driver and asked me if I was lost. I was so grateful for his kindness. I’m encountering so much more kindness than animosity on this trip. It’s really quite gratifying.

Another song pops into my head that reminds me how we should all try to live. This one is by Tracy Chapman from her Crossroads album: All That You Have is Your Soul.

So don’t be tempted by the shiny apple

Don’t you eat of a bitter fruit

Hunger only for a taste of justice

Hunger only for a world of truth

‘Cause all that you have is your soul

CLICK HERE to watch a brief Relive video of my walk on June 28.

COMMUNITY ACTIVATION

The Activation in Buffalo took place in the afternoon at the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor. The program included some wonderful musical and dance performances as well as tours of the Nash House and the Michigan Street Baptist Church.

Jomo Akono, a carpenter who helped build the Seneca Chief replica, opened the afternoon Activation playing an African drum with everyone in attendance clapping along (do yourself a favor and watch his engaging performance HERE). Later in the program, Denise Chapman Acosta performed a powerful dance that you can watch (and trust me, you need to watch!) by clicking HERE.

One of the speakers reminded everyone in attendance that Harriet Tubman showed us the way. Frederick Douglass showed us the way. All Freedom Seekers, even those whose names we do not know, showed us the way. “There are young people today waiting to stand on our shoulders, for us to light the way forward.”

Amen.

I’ve heard Tony speak many times, but this was one of the most powerful. People in attendance were clearly inspired. He asked, as he always does, what people want to see in the U.S. over the next 250 years: “Equality.” “Freedom.” “Justice.” “Reparations.” “Healing.”

A reminder to everyone reading these words:

You aren’t required to walk this same path. You do need to do all you can to work for truth and freedom and justice and equality.