I’ve been trying to write a blog post about reaching the Atlantic Ocean and the end of the Journey.  I’ve sat down every day with my laptop and searched for words…
And for the moment I’m giving up because there are plans afoot in Minot and a parade in the works and I need to fill you in and also to ask for a little help.

I would LOVE to have a flag in the parade from every state I’ve ridden through on my Journey.  They’ll be carried by riders in the parade, then hung around the grange hall during the dinner and festivities and then I am planning to make them into a quilt this winter in between writing chapters of the book.  I have flags promised from Oklahoma, Ohio, Texas, Maine, New York, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Massachusetts, and I think Pennsylvania and Kentucky.  Still need flags sent from Arizona, New Hampshire, Vermont and Tennessee.  If you would be willing to send a flag from one of these states Please let me know.  The best size is probably around 2’x3′ – tho at least one that I know of will be 3’x5′.  The flags need to be in Minot by Friday 8.November if you’re mailing them.
The address is: Sea G Rhydr c/o General Delivery   Minot, ME  04258.

If you’re bringing a flag with you (rather than mailing it) the muster for the parade is at Hemond Moto-X (695 Woodman Hill Road, Minot) at 11am!  There is Plenty of parking for horse trailers and setting up portable pens.  It looks like there’s going to be a good turn out.  Please feel welcome to come join the parade even if you don’t have a horse to ride – especially in (warm) costume.  My nephews will be walking and carrying a banner, there will be a boy scout troupe marching and I’ve heard rumors of a few bicycles along with a hay wagon and maybe even a women’s motorcycle club!  I’d love to find a horse drawn conveyance of some sort for my parents and my Auntie Pat if anybody has ideas for that!  Gryph would be absolutely delighted by a bovine.  The parade will be slow – probably about 2 mph and will go from the Speedway roughly 1 1/2 miles to Mesannie Wilkins’ old cellar hole on Jackass Annie road where there will be a brief ceremony.  From there, with anyone who wishes to continue, we’ll go on to Mesannie’s grave.  This is 2 1/2 miles via horse or on foot, 8 miles by road.  Not far from the cemetery we have a barn and several paddocks available for horses.  There will also be volunteers to help shuttle people back to their trailers, etc.

At 4:30pm dinner will start being served at the West Minot Grange Hall – suggested donation $6 – proceeds to benefit the Minot Historical Society.  There is parking available for trailers and vehicles not far from the Grange Hall – where you won’t need to back up or do a lot of maneuvering.  There’s also a smallish parking lot just across the street that we’re trying to reserve for people who would honestly have a hard time walking 1/4 mile.  There are people attending to tell stories about Mesannie Wilkins who are in their 80s – so if you’re blessed with mobility please plan to use the far lot!  The speeches and stories and Mesannie Wilkins Documentary and other festivities will be taking place upstairs in the Grange Hall following dinner.

One other request – I’d love to have one or more people there video taping the event – prep and parade and grange hall, behind the scenes, etc – it would honestly be great to have several perspectives!  If you have the talent and technology and are willing to come film – Please be in touch!