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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

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Walters makes it - cuts and bruises and all

By MATT ERICKSON

Staff Writer

The Walters family made it to Washington, D.C.

With in-line skates as their sole mode of transportation, Gary Walters and his son, Jackson, left Baxter on Aug. 13 for Walters' latest challenge to raise money, awareness and mentors for Kinship Partners. Walters also was joined by daughter Jessica, who biked the entire trip; and wife Lisa, who followed in the family sport-utility vehicle.

At 4 p.m. on Labor Day, after traveling more than 1,150 miles and finishing two days ahead of schedule, they unlaced their skates for the last time at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

"We hit the Arlington Memorial Bridge (Monday) and I could see the Washington Monument in the background. It was like, 'Wow, we made it. I can't believe it,'" Walters said. "It was almost a pinch myself moment. Then I hit a crack in the road and fell flat on my face on a highway with six lanes of traffic."

Gary Walters and his family met with Congressman Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., Tuesday in Washington, D.C., after Walters completed his Rollerblading trek to the U.S. Capitol steps to build awareness and raise funds for Kinship Partners. Gathered on the steps of the Capitol were daughter, Jessica, who completed the more than 1,150-mile journey on her bicycle; son, Jackson, who also Rollerbladed; Oberstar; Gary Walters; and his wife, Lisa, who followed with the family sport-utility vehicle.

Walters was unhurt and shared a good laugh with several people who had stopped to help.

Such has been Walters' trip across half the U.S. He's had his fair share of falls, scrapes and bruises but said he's met many outstanding people on the way who have helped him find good routes, good places to eat and, most important, listened to his message for mentoring.

Now we know where he is

In his latest adventure to raise funds for Kinship Partners, Gary Walters and his son, Jackson, are Rollerblading to Washington, D.C.

Check out his progress through Monday: The Walters goal was met as they finished their journey from Baxter to Washington, D.C., taking off their skates at the Lincoln Memorial. On Tuesday they planned to skate two miles to the Capitol to meet Congressman Jim Oberstar, D-Minn.

Miles traveled: 43 miles.

Total miles traveled: 1,153 miles.

Total funds raised: $11,620 in donations.

Daily destination reached: Finished at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Mile musings: We had ups and downs, hard days and some easy days but we have done it. As a father I am so proud of my kids. They did something almost no kids in today's world would even consider doing. They really are fantastic children and I am just plain lucky to be their dad. Lisa was waiting patiently nearby and had a huge hug for me. You could see she was proud and relieved.

For more information or to donate, contact Kinship Partners at kinshippartners.org or 829-4606.

He planned to take that message to Congressman Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., Tuesday afternoon and with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and other congressional representatives Thursday.

What he will talk about with the politicians will depend on how much time he's given.

"I will talk about mentoring to some degree, but also the fact that from my perspective, we need more people to do small things in their own communities," Walters said. "It's mentoring not only kids but other people. If we did that we wouldn't need big government. If everyone took care of their own little corner of the world and made it better we wouldn't have the problems we have today."

As to his Rollerblading challenge, Walters called it his toughest since he started his Kinship challenges in 2003, when he biked from Baxter to New Orleans. In 2004, he camped out for more than a week on top of Brainerd's historic water tower. In 2005, he walked the length of Minnesota in 17 days. In 2006, he swam across Lake Mille Lacs. In 2007, he lost 100 pounds in a year. In 2008, he unicycled around the track at Adamson Field in Brainerd.

This year's challenge wasn't just tough physically, though he said it may take weeks for his feet to heal. Also difficult was coordinating routes on trails and roads across seven states.

"I will never ever do this again," Walters said.

Walters also said he has no plans yet for next year's challenge and wondered if this may be the last one he does. However, he conceded he says that after every challenge.

"This year I may actually mean it," Walters said.

Still, he raised more than $12,000 in donations for Kinship Partners as of Tuesday and figured that total would rise to about $14,000. In seven years he's raised about $100,000 for the nonprofit organization that matches adult mentors with children.

He also got to spend a lot of quality time with his family.

"That's the best part of all. Having the kids there, I can't describe how good that was and having Lisa navigate made it so much easier," Walters said. "I wouldn't wish Rollerblading from Brainerd to Washington, D.C., on anyone at all, but if they could do something monumental like this with their family , that's the best part."

His only regret was not finishing this year's challenge in Brainerd.

"When we finished yesterday the four of us looked at each other and were going, 'Wow, we're done, we did it,' and there were hundreds of people standing around us who had no idea what we (had accomplished). It almost felt like we were alone," Walters said. "When we've finished in the Brainerd lakes area it feels like we're with family when we finish. It's a warm feeling with a high emotional aspect. I wish more people understood why small towns and medium towns are the best to live in."

The Brainerd community will have an opportunity to thank the Walters family for their efforts to raise awareness as well as funds for Kinship Partners.

A welcome home event is planned from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Brainerd Kinship office, 910 Pine St. Mentoring partnerships and the entire community are invited to show their appreciation for Walters' fundraising efforts. A short presentation is planned for 6 p.m. Cake and ice cream will be served. There will be games for children as well.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.

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