FAQs

As we Iron Grannies prepare to leave on our walk across America on Feb 6, 2016, we would like to answer several FAQs about our venture:

1)  WHO'S GOING, HOW OLD ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
      Mary Kay -83 in Feb, Silverthorne, CO
      Pat - 76, Tampa, FL
      Maxine -70 in April, Tampa and Silverthorne
      Jacque - 68, Silverthorne
      Eva - 63, Silverthorne

2)  WHERE DID THIS CRAZY IDEA ORIGINATE?
        Two years ago, Maxine heard a friend, Richard, talk about his experience running across America in 2011 and thought it would be a great way to celebrate her 70th birthday.  She enlisted Pat to go with her, and then when she was in Colorado and talking about the venture, Eva, Mary Kay and Jacque said they wanted to go, too.

3)  ARE YOU DOING THIS FOR A CAUSE OR TO RAISE MONEY?
        Our cause is only to raise awareness that "older grannies" can do this and to set and example for our grandchildren, especially our granddaughters.  We each have at least one, and Maxine has 5.  No, we are not raising money.

4)  HOW FAR DO YOU PLAN TO WALK, WHERE WILLYOU STAY,
        AND HOW WILL YOU CARRY YOUR GEAR?                                              
       We think we can walk 17-20 miles a day, we plan to stay in motels, and we will have a car and sag ourselves.  Four of us will start (Eva will arrive in March), and we plan to rotate a driver every day, so we will each walk 3 days, and drive one day, which will serve as a day off.  This is a group effort, so each of us will not walk every step of the way, but someone will walk every step.

5)  WHAT IS YOUR STARTING POINT AND WHAT IS YOUR DESTINATION?
        We will dip our toes in the Atlantic Ocean on Jacksonville Beach, FL on Feb 6 and walk West through Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and stop in Abilene, Texas, which is about halfway across the country.  Then we plan to go home and return in Feb '17 and walk the rest of the way to San Diego, CA.

6)  DO YOU HAVE FAMILIES AND WHAT DO THEY THINK OF THIS TRIP?
        3 of us are married, one has a live-in boyfriend, one is a widow, and we all have children and grandchildren.  Most family members think we are crazy, but they are resigned to the fact that we are going.  The grandchildren have been the most supportive.

7)  HOW OFTEN WILL YOU POST ON THE BLOG?
          When we have something interesting to report, hopefully at least weekly.