The Finale and a Show by the Lacombe Brothers! -- Sunday, November 13, 2016

Everyone involved in the CROP Hunger Walk sponsored by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of Pearland has returned to the starting point and the play area at Laura Ingalls Elementary School near Kingsley Drive and Shadow Creek Parkway in Pearland.  

We end the Walk and we help to End Hunger by donating to Pearland's Meals on Wheels.

Andrew and Austin Lacombe now get their turn on the very popular rock wall.   They have quite a bit of experience in rock climbing, and first get their harnesses on.

Up they go!  Is it a race?  They seem like such experts and get to climb several times, since there are no more waiting in line.

Austin stops for a moment to watch Andrew arrive at the top, then reaches for the next hand hold to resume his climb.

Ah, I think I see a hint of a smile on Andrew's face as he enjoys his descent.

I love to watch Austin, also, -- but oh my -- I am on the wrong side to see his face.  I don't dare run to the other side for fear of missing the photo ops!  Down he comes for the last time.

 I see his face!  And he is smiling at his 'fan club.'  Way to go, guys; thanks for the show!  Did I forget to say they are my great nephews in law?

Austin

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   November, 13, 2016

CROP Hunger Walk Complete (Part 2) -- Sunday November 13, 2016

It is 2P in the afternoon of Sunday, November 13, and many are gathered to begin the 5K walk for Crop Hunger Walk in Pearland.  Scattered clouds protect us from the warm southern temperatures, although some are wearing sweaters just in case it gets too cool.

Find Willie's sweater (behind the camera)....

Judy and Debbie give a few instructions on how it works.  Balloons mark the start and we should just follow the leader.  There will be people at a couple of places where the walking path forks to direct us to the way we should go, and some yard signs are placed along the path as well.  They mention places where one can turn around and go back if they want to walk only one mile, or two miles.

We are excited to begin and see how far we get.

The bridge is the turn around spot which will get you one mile when you arrive back at the registration desk.  I don't see anyone turning around.  What I do see is many people are ahead of me and only a few behind.  I greatly admire the lady who has a wrapped knee and walks without bending her leg.  (No photo)

I walk with my sister-in-law Jenny and her grandsons Austin and Andrew, and strain my eyes to see a white dot between the trees ahead to identify Herb and brother-in-law Lloyd from Louisiana.  Far, far ahead.

Will I be the last one returning?

There are still enough of us hanging together to be able to find the way and know we need to cross the street, but I suspect the job of Ed on the bicycle (center of photo) is to herd us when needed.  Just ahead of me is Team Allegro.  Leading us across the street are Austin and Andrew.

Well, Herb and Lloyd are 'picking 'em up and puttin' 'em down.'  They have already crossed the street and started back down the other side of the lake.  I hear them calling to Jenny and me.  One must really strain the eyes to see them.  Again, Herb's white hat is a clue.  I think they are getting close to the re-fueling station.

This cropped photo makes it easier to see them --

Lloyd and Herb

Yay!  I make it to the halfway point, where Fr. Jim has set up ice chests with bottled water or Gatorade, and a table of healthful snacks -- granola, juicy oranges and crisp red apples.  We refuel and rest for a few minutes before starting back.  My feet thank me.

Time:  Willie - 1.85 miles in 30 minutes.

Christine

On the way back I stop long enough to take a photo of the guides who keep us on the right course.

Connor stands at the starting gate to get a photo finish of everyone as we return.  

Time:   Willie - 1.85 miles in 40 minutes.  No sprinting on this leg....

It's playtime!  In the background is Wilder Elementary, the headquarters of the Walk.  I see some young people are already climbing the rock wall after their 5K.  What energy they have!

I hurry to get closer in order to catch some of this young man's action.  He carefully chooses his footing as he ascends.  

Down he comes!

And now for a safe landing.  He has his eye on the spot where he wants to touch down.  I can just hear the adrenaline flowing as he enjoys the cheering of the crowd.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   November, 13, 2016

Ending Hunger One Step at a Time (Part 1) -- Sunday, November 13, 2016

On Sunday, November 13, Herb and I join a group of people from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Pearland, folks from other local churches, and residents of the community in the Crop Hunger Walk, a 5K walk to benefit Pearland Meals on Wheels.  We are also pleased to have relatives from Louisiana participate with us.

Jenny and Lloyd of Louisiana

And their grandchildren Austin and Andrew of Pearland

Balloons and yard signs lead the way into the subdivision where the walk will occur.

Registration begins with each participant receiving a gift bag containing nourishing snacks to sustain them during the walk, as well as stickers to reward the walk.  Additionally, included are information about the church's 'church away from the building' in a shopping center across town.

Lively music is played as people gather, and a poster asks us to include the hashtag on photos we post on social media.

It takes many people to organize and execute activities.

Roxie figuring things out

Ed getting ready for bike patrol

These young ladies show purified bottled water that we can buy in a store; then have pitchers of water representing the heavy loads of water (about 20 litres) that women and children in Africa and Asia must carry on their heads, walking an average of over three and a half miles in some parts of the world.  This causes severe damage to the neck and spine over time.

Rice is a staple food in most of the developing countries, and a bag purchased at H-E-B is marked with our cost of $2.50.  It can fill many snack bags of rice, shown below.

This map shows the prevalence of food insecurity averaged over the years 2012 to 2014.  States in red have the highest, and Texas is among them.  

There's lots of time to visit with friends and meet new ones as we wait for the walk to begin.  I don't think Paula brought a baby along; possibly the stroller is for her dog.

Anticipation is high checking out the playtime area for the children once the walk is finished.  A few enjoy climbing the rock wall.

Rock Wall

When participants sign up to walk and/or donate funds, they are asked to join a team or form a new one.  Herb and I join Roxie and Ed's 'Team Mosaic' and invite several friends to come along.  A few have other commitments, but give a donation to the cause.  Some of the other teams are kind enough to pose for the camera today.

Team Skittles

Team Allegro

Oh, and about those stickers in the gift bags, these young men found a perfect place to wear them.

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   November 13, 2016