DAY 9
October 11
 
Today, Marshall walked through some of Spanish Fork Canyon, and he does not have access to the internet so I am writing on his behalf.  I spoke with him on the phone this evening and he seemed to be in good spirits. He said, “It was a beautiful walk.  Lot’s of people honked and waved.”  When I asked about his feet he said, “They’re looking good.  My blisters are almost gone.”  He appreciates all the blister advice he received.  It seemed to work.  

Marshall doesn’t like to complain so he wouldn’t tell you this, but he is experiencing a lot of pain in his feet aside from the blisters.  After about an hour of pain each morning as he walks, he says his feet go numb and he is able to finish the days.  Although, the last couple of days have been especially hard.  One foot is giving him a lot of problems and he said that he had to limp the last few miles of his 20.5 mile walk through the canyon today.  He is optimistic and thinks he will be able to work through the pain and cross the border on schedule.  I’m his wife, so it’s my job to worry.  I hope he’s right.  

Marshall was a little discouraged, however, by the stories in the news today.  The New York Times did a story about a new Iraqi casualty estimate that numbered over 600,000.  
Additionally, the AP ran a story today that revealed plans by the Bush administration to “keep current troop levels in Iraq for another four years, a new indication that conditions there are too unstable to foresee an end to the war.”  These news stories just reinforced our dedication to doing all we can to push for a responsible withdrawal of troops so that no more lives are lost.  

Several people have e-mailed recently telling us of their plans to join Marshall through central Utah.  He looks forward to meeting you.
 
Thanks again for all your support,
Kristen (Marshall’s wife)

 

Added Oct 12 - DAY 9
October 11, 2006

Today was a quiet day. Doug and I walked through the first part of Spanish Fork Canyon. Lots of people honked and flashed peace signs, which was nice, but it was also nice to turn off the main highway for some peaceful walking.

Utah’s abundant wildlife has been evident to me by how many different kinds of animals I’ve seen flattened on the road. I’ve seen countless deer, skunks, raccoons and porcupines. Today, however, I saw a great horned owl and bobcat. I’ve never seen either animal in the wild and I was sad that my first up-close look was with road kill.

We did run into a living rattlesnake, however, later that day. He was just a little fell, which I hear are the worst kind to run into. According to what I’ve been told, which may or may not be accurate, the younger snakes are more easily spooked and dispense their venom faster. We stood a healthy distance away and Doug shooed him off the road so he wouldn’t be another edition to the growing list of indigenous road kill we’ve observed.

In the end, it was a beautiful walk in a gorgeous canyon.