THE RECORD

June 04, 1997

BACK TO THE EGG

Suzanne Trevis

In 1979 my brother, Andrew Lord, did the Great Walk to Tahsis. And he did it every year after that, I think, until 1984. He then left school and town otherwise he'd probably still be doing it. Some people are crazy that way!

He came in first, that second year, with his good buddy Doug Cartwright and our dog Sweep. Sweep must have clocked a minimum of 60 miles running backwards and forwards from the boys to Mom's car. They were 13 years old.

When asked why he had participated in the walk my brother Andrew commented, "We walked for the free hamburgers." (Marcello & Giovana Baccichetto of the Tahsis Motel served up a free lunch and drinks for those who walked) "I've never been to Tahsis so I decided to walk it."

Doug echoed his comments adding, "Walking is one way to come and I'm happy we made it."

Gerry Morgan walked again that year, joined by his son, Sean. Sean, who was 10, made it 28 miles.

Public Works Superintendent Peter vonHarten also finished the walk and vonHarten's 16 year old Japanese exchange student Taki Kuramoto joined walkers for more than 30 miles.

Gerry and Peter, with their Frick and Frack shirts, were congratulated by Gold River's new Mayor, Anne Fiddick, who claimed, "It takes considerable stamina to do this walk and we are very proud of them. We were all pleased and grateful for the reception Tahsis gave the walkers."

When Gerry arrived in Tahsis he looked and felt much better than he had the year before. When asked if he'd do the walk a third time he replied, "No Sir! I'm sending my shoes to Bill Lore and he can have them bronzed if he wants!" (The start of the burning boot trophy?) But later the following week he changed his mind. "I felt good on the walk this time . . . I even danced with the Tahsis Mayor's wife at the dance. Imagine what would have happened if I'd trained? "

Now I have to admit in thirty one years I've never had any great desire to WALK to Tahsis. I don't mind the ride, there is some crazy in me too, just the lazy kind. If you've never been I guess this is your opportunity. I've always found the people extremely friendly, especially to walkers! And the scenery is incomparable.

Good Luck to all those walking in this, the twentieth year. And thank you to those Gold River and Tahsis residents who have worked so hard over the years to truly make this North America's toughest walk-a-thon. Our hats, and boots, go off to you.