Salem, OR

Before leaving Woodburn to proceed into Salem, local reporter Rachel Cavanaugh of the Woodburn Independent spent an hour with me, recording my story and snapping some pics before I proceeded on foot to Salem and the Oregon Capitol.

Though I’d hoped for the mayor of Salem to meet with me, I hadn’t heard from her, and I was unconfident that she’d be contacting me.

An even greater long shot was the message I’d sent to the office of sitting Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, who was busy with a million responsibilities amid Oregon’s economic woes.

I didn’t hear from Salem’s mayor; however, halfway into the day’s miles to the Capitol building, Penny, Governor Kulongoski’s assistant telephoned me to tell me that Governor Kulongoski would like to meet and walk with me the following morning.

WOOHOO!!!

I quickly alerted a close handful of family and friends, and we prepared to meet Governor K the following morning. My dad in addition to some other family members came to town for the big meeting.

Today’s route:


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