A Member In Remembrance
by Judy Dare
Walking Connection Member Since 6/95

This was the scene: Many months ago, Habitat for Humanity Tucson (HFHT) found a parcel of land, had it surveyed, found it could be platted for 11 houses. One of my family partners, Maxi (single Mom with three children) who is a Board member and a Habitat homeowner, said " . . . let's build 11 houses on Sept. 11. . ." The idea took off!

Leading to this special day, which found us standing on this plot of land near Sentinel Peak ("A" Mountain) in Tucson, Arizona, at 5:00 AM, waiting for the sun to inch over the Rincons, looking at 11 slabs of cement with plumbing stubs and lumber on the side -- as the flag was raised at sunrise.

At 6:30 PM, on Sept. 11, 2002, we were all standing at attention as the flag was lowered for sunset; there were 11 houses standing on those slabs, with walls, roofs (some tar-papered for shingles, some with foam board and chicken wire for stucco). Eleven crew leaders lead the beginning of a house for 11 new families, with more than 50 sponsors, more than 1,000 volunteers. It was a HAPPENING in Tucson, the likes of which we will not see for some time, I suspect.

One on-going Habitat for Humanity Tucson project will be landscaping for the 11 homes begun on Sept. 11th. HFHT has been here 22 years and has built 180 homes in the Tucson area. My involvement with Habitat has been mostly with family partnership, a program that takes the newly selected Habitat family through the whole process of fulfilling their sweat equity hours to becoming homeowners. After families move into their new home, Habitat sometimes needs to go back and fix leaks and crannies that naturally occur with new homes and expected issues with new home ownership! So it is upward and onward to build affordable houses in the Tucson area.

In between getting Habitat homes and families going, I am planning my next Walking Connection Travel Experience!

"My first trip with Walking Connection was to Ireland in 1996. My sole mate and travel companion, Jim, had departed for his next life, and I needed a substitute "travel companion". Well, the Walking Connection had an article in the Arizona Republic, "going to Ireland" -- and I guess the rest is history.

Shortly thereafter, I moved to Tucson, restoring a historic house near the University of Arizona. Despite my departure from Phoenix, my "connection" with the Walking Connection was only the beginning. Six years hence, I have had the privilege of traveling with the Walking Connection to China, Africa, S. America (Peru), New Zealand, Canada, Alaska (well, kind of…) with Walking Connection.

What adventures! And more to come…

For More – Read The Editors Take!

Intrepid Traveler
Judy Dare is Daring, by Gene Taylor

The Walking Connection had a small ship adventure cruise scheduled for the Inside Alaskan and Canadian Passages on Sept. 14, 2001. Our space reserved, 26 of us had airline tickets in hand and were ready to go. Most all of us had planned to fly out of Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport on that morning. September 11th changed all of that!

Due to the events of that day we were working furiously to collect information about the ship’s itinerary, whether it was still going to sail, and what would happen if we literally couldn’t get to Juneau, Alaska, our departure point. After calls to the US State Department, the cruise line, the airlines and many other calls to guests, we decided to postpone the trip until May of 2002. Because of the limited flight schedule of most airlines, many of us simply would not be able to fly to Seattle and then on Juneau. Once we made the final decision not to go, we got on the telephone and e-mailed everyone to let them know of the postponement.

We were able to contact everybody except one person…Judy! Because she lives in Tucson, but was flying out of Phoenix, she decided to drive to Phoenix the night before our departure. Because we didn’t know where she was staying we could not reach her by any means. The morning of the 13th, we missed a telephone call from her from the airport telling us she was unable to find the group and that she was continuing on to Alaska and would find the group there. Her plane departed before we got her message so again we were unable to find her. We waited. At about 11:00pm on that night she called us from Juneau again asking where the group was. She was weary, tired and of course disappointed that the rest of the group would not be meeting her. At that point, all we could do is lay out the options she had. She could either return home and sail with us in May or to continue on and sail with the ship. She opted to sail with the ship, its staff of 20 and about 20 other passengers. Since the ship is designed for 72 guests it was quite empty. But according to Judy, all had a fun time though they did miss having the Walking Connection group on-board.

To this day we are not quite sure how she managed to get to Juneau since most all of the flights were still cancelled and those that were flying were going out were on a standby basis only.

Judy is truly an exceptional person and lots of fun to travel with. She has been to 5 different continents with the Walking Connection and she always manages to keep all her travel mates entertained with her incredible stories.

RELEASE: Exercise is only one part of being healthy, seeing your doctor is another! If, at any time during a training session (whether it is a group session, individual personal training session, or self-training session), you suffer any mishap or injury, we urge you to stop your activity immediately and seek professional medical attention. The information contained on this site is intended to give information about personal health and fitness, not to act as a medical manual or guide to self-treatment. Keep in mind that exercise, health and nutritional needs vary from person to person, depending on age, gender, family medical history, current health status, and other individual factors . Before engaging in these, or any other exercise or recreational activities, we urge all individuals to consult a physician. He or she is most-qualified to advise each about your specific health status and needs. By participating in any Walking Connection walk, hike or event, now or in the future, I have and do hereby fully assume all risk of injury, property damage, emotional trauma and death, and it is my intention for me and my heirs, executors and administrators to waive any and all right and claims for damages I may have against Gene and Jo Ann Taylor, Taylor Marketing and Management, LLC., The Walking Connection and any individual associated with these walks, hikes or events, their representatives, successors, and assignees, and will hold them harmless for any and all injuries, mishaps and loss of property suffered in connection with my participation in these walks, hikes, events.