Our march is 11miles past Payson this afternoon. We are beginning to ascend the Mogollan Rim. The ‘Rim’ is hundreds of miles long and rises several thousand feet above Payson. Locals told me it catches most of the rain Arizona gets. Elevation gain means it’s getting colder as we climb and the group expects cold nights and cool, breezy days. We are also expecting to see a little rain in a few days.

Too bad we didn’t have more time in Payson. Community members arranged activities like the a potluck dinner, home showers and camp space at the Payson Christian School. It was quite uplifting to have dinner and interact with the townsfolk. The City Council presented a proclamation about the climate march, and recognized local efforts toward sustainability.  A Payson minister said, ” I approach the climate issue with the serenity prayer; God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” I honor his approach, but I hope this also leads to a willingness to engage the political mechanism. It was encouragement none the less.

20 mile haul into Payson

Pat joins the march

Photo furnished by Kate Martin

I had another wonderful day of walking. We seem to now have moved past my cactus friends. The road is gaining quite a bit of elevation. Stunning views of the mountains around me. I feel inspired as I slowly make my way on the highway that winds its way up and up and then comes down again to dry desert stream beds. The vultures soar overhead riding the winds and occasional hawks visit me along the way. I spent most of my walk alone today. It isn’t always a message bearing “March” across our country. Sometimes it’s a time to be alone and to reflect on the beauty of this earth and my footsteps. This old man was first to arrive at camp today. Hip’s a little sore but spirits higher than the mountains surrounding me!

Still hot & dry but we are easing out of the Sonoran desert. We are nearly 50 miles from Payson, Arizona on Highway 87. The views are growing more beautiful by the moment as I continue my 3 mile per hour pace. The desert seems to be greening up today and a proliferation of Saguaro cactus fill the hills along the highway. The road leads me to Four Peaks Mountain for tonight’s campsite. Cactus seems to take human form as I spend so much time with them. I see dancing couples, madonnas, noses, bunny ears, and lots of waving hands. Cactus seemed a happy bunch to me, but fellow marcher “Jane” from NYC says the cactus all seem to have their hands up as if being robbed … funny how we all have our own way of seeing those Cacti.
The elevation change is coming. We will climb to more than 5000 feet in the next 3 days.  Elevation in Phoenix was about 900 feet.

We marchers are a tired bunch with limited water & services available. This should be a challenging 3 days.