Backpacking Bill

Short recap. Tina’s cousin, Sharon, and her husband Bruce joined Tina and me in New Mexico for the Bataan Memorial Death March. Bruce and I did the march.

Bruce and I were dropping off at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) as instructed at 5:00 am (Or, zero dark thirty). We joined the other marchers.

There were nearly 5,000 marchers registered. We met people from all around the country. The opening ceremony started after 6:00 with welcome speeches, the national anthems of the Philippines and the USA and a prayer.

The ceremonies started a little after 6:00. There were welcoming speeches, the national anthems of the Philippines and the USA and a prayer.

We started at about 6:45. The marchers were released by category of marcher: Runners, Wounded Warrior, Military Light, Civilian Light, Military Heavy, Civilian Heavy then Honorary. Heavy meant that they did the march with a 35 pound pack. We were “Honorary” no pack and walked (at our ages we figured that we had done our share of the stupid stuff). Honorary also did a shortened 15.6 miles instead of the full 26.2 miles of the marathon. Note: the marathon was eliminated due to the predicted high temperature so everyone did 15.6. (You can believe me when I say that was definitely enough at 95°)

We were at the starting line about 7:00 am. There was a group that gave out small tubes of honey, that was surprisingly good.

One of the ROTC units (I think it was Oklahoma State) carried 5 foot long 4X4’s in addition to the packs. Another unit carried crosses made of 4X4’s.

There were water stations every couple of miles with water Gatorade oranges and bananas. There were other unique opportunities along the march.

The misting station was really welcome. I could have gone through six times but I only did one.

I was going to take this young lady up on her offer until I learned that the Uber would meet me at the finish line, not out in the desert.

Toward the end the hydration stations offered pickle juice. At the last one the last one they had people who would spray your face with a water mist. We heard one older lady say to the young man that was spraying her “Oh, I’m in love with you, I want to marry you right now”

We finished

This is going to be a short one. Have to get up at 3:45 am to get to the March before 6:00 am. If I’m not there by that time, by the rules, I can’t participate. So I am getting to bed early.

The day started when we picked up our packets for the March at WSMR (White Sands Missile Range). That was an ordeal because of all the Marchers in line to enter the base. Saw one guy in handcuffs; don’t want to think about what the issue was. The base is in a great setting:

After we picked up our stuff (and bought some merch) we went to the White Sands National Monument. That is always a great experience.

Then we went into Alamogordo for lunch.

Then back to WSMR for a meeting with my NMMI alumni team and the cadets that were going to do the March.

I am cutting this one short but, will expand after the March

We asked the Uber driver who we used to get to the hotel – “what are some things we should do while we are in EL Paso?” He just looked at us with a quizzical expression. Then, after much thought, say that there is a “Border Patrol Museum.” He did, however, have a good suggestion. His was to visit Cloudcroft. Cloudcroft, NM is a great place but it’s a two hour drive from here.

Got up, met Sharon and Bruce then headed out to see El Paso before driving to Las Cruces.

We drove the “Scenic Drive” that starts in a very nice upscale neighborhood. There are places on the drive to pull over a look across the city.

Not much wildlife but did see a Roadrunner

Before we left EL Paso we took a short detour to see the Great Big Beautiful Wall.

We made it to Las Cruces and had lunch at a great restaurant with an interesting name, “Si Señor”. The restaurant was suggested by our interface for the march. Then found our VRBO. What a great place.

We are all packed and ready to go to the airport. The TSA is still not being paid – doesn’t give me warm fuzzies about expectations at the airport. I did get a pile of gift cards from Starbucks to give to the TSA agents. Not a paycheck but better than nothing.

Anticipating long lines at TSA, we arrived at the airport early. There were no lines. I did give out a couple Starbucks cards. Getting them seemed to be a regular thing. I am pleased that other travelers are doing the same thing – or so it seems. At least I wasn’t arrested for trying to bribe TSA. It’s good to know that they can’t be bought for a Starbucks gift card.

Had dinner at the airport – I have never seen such a limited menu. Since there is no competition; there is no incentive to excellence. And the price, the price was high for the meal, even if it had been good, the price was high. I do have to admit that the service was excellent.

We made it on the plane for the first leg to Dallas. We even found a place for our luggage. The flight is completely filled. So much for people not flying due to the TSA issue.

And made it to the plane heading to El Paso. So far no issues. Seems like 80% of the passengers on this plane are ill. Everyone around me is sneezing. I will have to take the suggestion a friend told me last week when I told him that I was flying. His doctor told him to take a shower and wash his clothes as soon as he gets off an airplane. I think I will follow through with that advice.

Made it to El Paso. Met Bruce and Sharon at the airport. Avis wouldn’t rent us the car a day early so we Ubered to the hotel. It’s 12:00  midnight here but 2:00 am our time.

Good night all. I promise more pics and less pontificating tomorrow.

It’s hard to imagine our departure day is just a couple days away. Trying to get everything in order. I have a new pair of Hoka Speedgoats, I just need to use them on a long walk to make sure there are no issues. I thought that I had a hydration bladder for my pack – couldn’t find it. I probably tossed it as I am paranoid about mold growing in it. Thanks to Amazon, a new one was delivered yesterday.

I was going to use Gatorade for hydration but, I learned that, due to the high sugar content, it is a poor hydration alternative for a long hike. I am planning to pick up some hydration tabs today. I will also have to remember Sun Screen, Moleskin (for blisters), Shorts, Long Sleeve Hiking Shirt, Hiking Socks, Hat. Hmmm – probably forgetting a lot of stuff.

One bugaboo sitting on the horizon is the fact that TSA has not been paid due to the imbecilic posturing of our elected representatives. No politics here; they are all to blame. Heard on thing that I may do: some people are purchasing gift cards to give to TSA agents. I could get a stack and give them out as we traveled. My only concern is that I would not want any of them to get into trouble or think that I am bribing them to let me take contraband on a plane. If there is an issue, I will be drinking a lot of Starbucks,

My regimen has been to do my prep routine at the gym one day followed by a long walk the next. Yesterday my total mileage for the day was a little over ten miles. The long walk was a little over eight. Today I am taking a day off.

Later this month I will be traveling to the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, to participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March. Tina will come with me as well as her cousin Sharon and Sharon’s husband Bruce.

The Genesis of this adventure is my High School (The New Mexico Military Institute) alumni association. They send a group to the march every year. Although the official march is quite a challenge (run a marathon with a 35 pound pack on a course that includes loose sand), I am planning to do a less challenging activity. I will walk a 15 mile section of the course with no 35 pound pack. That will be quite enough challenge for me. Also, I plan to walk with Bruce not my high school team. Hopefully Tina and her cousin will find a place to enjoy margaritas while Bruce and I walk.

I did participate in the marathon (but walking) a  few years ago during Covid. I was able to participate in a virtual mode with a tracking app. I have recently learned that some 5000 people will be participating in the event at White Sands this year, mostly military. So, Bruce and I will have a lot of company.

I found out recently that the reason my alumni association participates is because there were a number of graduates in the original march in the Philippines.

I am trying to get ready for this adventure by walking and, alternately, working out at the gym. Yesterday I did 8+ miles. The gym director has suggested a number of exercises to get me ready. I have a way to go but little time to get in shape. We leave for New Mexico on the 18th.

I have not been diligent in my Christmas blog. Now back in South Carolina, I will do a little catch up. One of the highlights was a dinner we had at a country inn called Tavern at GrayBarn. The manager is a friend of Jim. Great service great food great evening.

And we could not leave the area without going to Colony Pizza

Well, we packed up and headed south. Emma James and Noodle went to New Haven to catch a flight.

Tina and I went to MD to visit her cousin for New Year celebration. Got to meet some new additions to their extended family. A wonderful time with wonderful hosts.

When we left Connecticut Jim was coming down with a flu. Then Tina came down with it. Although we were planning to take two days for the drive from Maryland to South Carolina, we elected to do it in one. That was due to my coming down with the same thing.

This evening we went to a pizza place. Don’t know why but, Connecticut has the best pizza.

On the way back to the VRBO we stopped at Stu Leonard’s. Shared an ice cream cone dipped in butter. It was actually good, who could have guessed?

After shopping in Westport, we went to an Irish Pub to watch Manchester United.

Then we were treated to a snowy New England evening.

The entire family is here.

We had a great Christmas morning but, I didn’t take any photos.

As usual we are eating well.

A walk on the beach.

Although I did not take a lot of photos, this was a great Christmas.

We were reinforced in our decision to move south to a warmer climate.