#1 Day of March! AVL to Black Mt.
Please join us for the March on Sunday, March 22nd. What a great way to shepherd the brave folks who will be walking to DC., symbolizing our energetic and physical support of their journey and intent.
The START Details: 192 Riverside Dr. near Craven Street Bridge
Park HERE.
9a WATER CEREMONY with Mare Cromwell
9:30a Start Walking!
There are numerous ways you can join and support the prayers, celebrations and actual walking on Sunday.
-There are no disposable plastic water bottles used this march, so please bring your own water bottle. There will be filling stations every 3 miles or so on Sunday's route.
Start time:
-9am water blessing at RAD, 192 Riverside Dr., near Craven Street Bridge with Mare Cromwell. Everyone is welcome.
Please park here and walk up the riverwalk 100 yards to the boat launch
9:30am Great Mother March commences.
Walking options:
You will need sun protection and water to take with you.
There are 4 different walking options that are encouraged, based on walking pace, numbers of walkers, etc.
There will be route stewards helping with crossings and safety.
You could start walking with us from the river OR join us at ArtSpace to start your walk!
Please join at Ingles to join for the final leg to Bush Farmhouse and bring new energy and enthusiasm to those who have been walking from the start!
3.3 miles total to David's Bridal where we will be regrouping and hydrating before crossing onto Rt 70. This 3.3 mile route is all sidewalks and goes through the tunnel on tunnel rd. passing the bathrooms at Pack square with more bathroom options after the tunnel. This route would be a good choice for families with smaller children or those with physical limitations. Park a car at David's Bridal so you have a ride back, or catch a ride with someone offering to shuttle folks.
6 miles total to Ingles parking lot Cheering Station across from VA hospital
This route has almost all sidewalks with 3 large street crossings (there will be route stewards helping with crosswalk safety ). Probably 2 hours total depending on pace. Good for those who want a nice challenge. Park your car at Ingles ahead of time or make use of volunteers who will be offering to give lifts back. There will be cheering station here, which will include snacks and a hydrogenated water fill up station, bathroom options, as well as various other offerings to support the pilgrims
9.6 miles total to Artspace Charter School. This is where you want to join to walk the last 7 miles to Bush Farmhouse. After leaving ingles cheering station there is only a little over a mile more of sidewalks, then the terrain changes. Starting at the 7.3 mile mark by exit 55 of I-40 there will be a police escort for the next 4 hours. This route is precarious Over 50% of the route for the next 7 miles hasn no sidewalks or adequate shoulder. We will be walking alongside, and on, a four lane highway where the speed limit is often 55mph! Although the police will help by keeping cars out of the right lane, this is a much more precarious section not suitable for young ones etc. There will be a cheering station with refreshments and a hydrogenated water machine at Artspace with a bathroom next door at the dollar store that we may use if needed.
12 Miles CVS at exit 59 of I-40 is a parking option if you want to do 12 miles. plenty of bathroom options available at the 12 mile mark.
Consistent sidewalks start again at 14.6 mile mark at silverados music venue. Total walk from RAD to Bush Farms restaurant is estimated at 17.2 with most of that along or on a 4 lane highway.
We will divide ourselves into 3 groups of walkers based on estimated walking pace and intended stopping point with front and back Route stewards assisting the entire route.
We walk to MAKE VISIBLE our shared commitment to LOVE + PEACE, to infuse the March with AVL Community Strength + Power + Love.
Asheville is the starting point because we know how to come together, how to BE in community and how to LOVE each other, our neighbors and our Mother Earth!