Crossing the bridge into Oregon this morning I thought about all the surprising and wonderful things we learned about our home state as we walked. Walking really does offer such an up-close and personal look at everything, in both the natural and human realms. 

Many times we were up at 4AM and needed ice for our cooler and the only place open was the local WalMart. It was surprising to see so many people already up and into their work day. At the same early hour we’d pass men in the apple fields and wheat fields, doing the work required to feed us all. 

Our thanks and gratitude to the many Washingtonians who work hard every day and were always willing to help us find our way across the state.