"A friend recently sent me an e-mail about her walk down the West Coast, one that started in Alaska.
“I am in Eugene, Oregon. Yes!!!” wrote Missoula's Linda Juneau, who began her walk four weeks ago with Native Griz team members.
Actually, more than 2,000 teams and 41,000 walkers are participating in the >a href=http://www.4women.gov/woman/>WOMAN Challenge - Women and Girls Out Moving Across the Nation - a national walking event that ends July 7.
The eight-week challenge allows teams and individuals to choose from six virtual walking tours. The Native Griz chose the path from Alaska, down the West Coast and to Hawaii. We log our miles on the WOMAN Challenge Web site.
I first wrote about the challenge on Mother's Day, after learning about the Sistergirls team in New Mexico and Arizona, whose captain is Brenda Manuelito. Last year, two of its walkers logged more than 1 million steps, including Manuelito's now 75-year-old mother.
That averages out to some 500 miles in eight weeks. The Navajo elder inspired me to walk.
I was invited to join the Sistergirls this year. But interest grew among friends and acquaintances in Missoula, so we created the Native Griz. We grew to 18 members in three states. I've been keeping up with the team via e-mail from Oregon, where I'm on assignment."
Get the Story:Jodi Rave: A long walk for fitness, fellowship (The Missoulian 6/17) Relevant Links:
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