Route 66, Burma Shave, and GMO Free Billy Williams

Running Route 66 has its ups and downs. On some days the miles come easy, and on others they never seem to end. Sometimes the road signs provide some unique photo opps. Believe me, I was less than pleased to discover that Flagstaff remained 89 miles away between two signs placed ten miles apart. As it turns out, both signs were wrong in our case because we took a long detour to keep us off Interstate 40. (Two or three different locals said we can legally run on freeways in Arizona, but I have an aversion to semi trucks, VWs, and every other projectile traveling at 75 MPH.)

I also have an aversion to GMOs, Turns out that I’m in good company. Bill Williams, the founder of Williams, Arizona, posed for a great GMO Free USA pic.

I’m no poet, but here’s my attempt at a Burma Shave type of poem:

Running Route 66
Takes some time
Enjoy the photos
And don’t fret the rhyme

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A Day in the Life of a Family Transcontinental Running Team

Prior to the run, I naively believed David and I might be able to finish each day’s run by 10 am or so. Now, nearly four weeks into the run, we’ve found our feet usually haven’t hit the pavement until 10 am at the earliest. Yesterday was probably out fastest mileage at about 10 minute miles. That lasted for 16 miles or so. The 9 miles that followed were considerably slower. We were glad to see Kris and Olivia at when they pulled into the parking lot at dusk at the Keepers of the Wild Nature Park in Valentine, Arizona.

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Speaking of Valentine, today is Valentine’s Day so it’s fitting that I thank Kris for the endless work she performs to keep us going. She’s got far more on her plate than any one person can or should be expected to do. In addition to taking care of our needs on the run, she’s working with folks back in Sitka to make sure things get done there and she’s phoning ahead trying to figure out where we’re staying each night down the road.

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Recently, my cousin, Helen, volunteered to set up GMO free events in the towns we’re running through. Thank you, Helen!!! Looks like we’re speaking at a library in Flagstaff and we’re available for additional presentations, seed swaps, book signings, pot lucks, media interviews, etc.

As the youngest living person to run across the country, I’m convinced David’s got a future as a motivational speaker. David’s not as convinced as I. What do you think? Would you like to hear David talk about his love for running and lessons learned from tackling such an enormous undertaking?

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In the mean time, we’ll continue to “Watch For Ice” as we run in balmy shirtless Arizona weather. We’ll take in the legend of historic Route 66, and we’ll take side trips like Hoover Dam when possible.

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If you’d like to be part of our team, either from your home or with us on the road, please let us know and we’ll put you to work.

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If you’d like to donate, PLEASE DO SO! Donations continue to trickle in on our website and we’re in need of mucho mas dinero. Thanks to everyone who has contributed thus far!

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So as usual, we’re getting a late start this morning from Valentine. But off we go with GMO Free USA seeds in our pockets and books in our seed stroller. The number one question we get when we talk to people about GMOs is this: “What’s a GMO?” We love the conversations, love sharing the seeds, and spreading some knowledge as we Run For a GMO Free USA.

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See you on the road!

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