[Oe List ...] Fwd: GMCA Aug 11-12

[David Zahrt via OE]

*MON AUG 11** Valley Junction to Des Moines (DSM), IA*



Since Ed is from Des Moines I figured he would be able to recommend a good
route to Des Moines. He said that there was a bike trail to Des Moines
within a ½ mile of our campsite. I rode ½ mile on the gravel and found the
bike trail, which was next to the railroad. There was lots of shade,
gradual inclines, and no traffic. When I reached Park Ave. in DSM, I
stopped for some cocoa and phoned Margaret Weiner who had invited me to
stay with her and Jerry. Since the schedule was tentative I said I would
contact her later in the day. After a 20 mile ride I came off the bike
trail at Locust and 18th St. My destination was the Ritual Café at Locust &
W 13th St. I rode east to 13th St.. There were no Marchers and no support
vehicles.



So I rode down to 5th St, went up to 4th floor and said “Hello” to all the
staff at Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) that were in the
office—Diane, Lisa, Anita, Sherry, and more—can’t remember all the names. I
wanted to give them a hug but I was wet with perspiration. We symbolized
hugs and I gave them my personal background on the March. Then I went back
to the Ritual Café. Sierra Club friends, Barb and Jim Redmond, were on
their way back from a family gathering in Wisconsin and had planned a
rendezvous with me in Des Moines. They had lunch in the café and we shared
recent developments. I needed to get my bike up to the parking lot near the
Capitol where the trucks were going to park during our stay day in Des
Moines. Jim volunteered to take my bike in their van. We went up and
dropped the bike off at the Iowa Community College office and came back to
the cafe. Then Jim and Barb left so they could get an errand done for their
son on the way home to Sioux City.



As the Marchers arrived I got information on the afternoon and evening
schedule. I phoned Margaret Weiner so she could participate in our
activities and/or know when and where to pick me up. The Climate Justice
Gypsy Band began playing at 4:00 pm. Simultaneously there was an ice cream
social on the sidewalk right outside the door of the café. After the Social
people gathered to March to the Capitol. We had police escort. The crowd
filled both lanes of an entire block. We marched a mile and ½ to the park
on the west side of the Capitol steps. On the way over I talked with many
people—including the Democratic candidate for governor, and a member of
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. I found out that Cary is still
working for ICCI and asked him to say “Hello” to her for me.



Sarah Spain was the MC at the Rally. The band played some introductory
numbers. There was no electric outlet so I didn’t play the bass. There were
numerous speakers and all  addressed the issue of climate change—the Mayor
of Des Moines, State Rep Robb Hogg, and many more. The number of people
gathered for the Rally was encouraging—200-300. The presentations ended at
8 pm and Izzy got the Marchers up to sing the Sunset song to end the Rally.



As I was taking my bass and amp back to JJ’s truck, Margaret Weiner
approached me and introduced herself. She reminded me that she was a
retired Episcopal priest, that she and Jerry, who’s Jewish were newly
married and requested dinner at our B&B.  Even though we haven’t had
practice serving dinners, I said “Yes” and they were our guests. When we
got my gear in the car she headed home to Urbandale. Since all I had for
dinner was ice cream we stopped at a Subway on the way home.



*TUE AUG 12*—*a Stay Day in Des Moines*



By the time I got up Margaret was walking to her physical therapy
appointment. She had granola, yogurt, and green tea out for breakfast!
After breakfast Jerry took me to the dentist who did some repair on one of
my molars. He also took me to the bike shop so I could get a replacement
for the taillight I lost on the way back to the cafe from INHF on Monday.
Jerry was tentative about it but finally decided to cook lunch. We had a
late lunch and an afternoon nap. All 3 of us attended the potluck at the
Unitarian Church. It was another chance to meet local people concerned
about climate change. David, a periodic Marcher, showed an hour and ½ DVD
of his sailing in and around the Arctic. It was personal, concrete evidence
that the Arctic is disappearing. We came home and went to bed. Tomorrow
morning we would have to eat breakfast and get to the Capitol by 7am.
-- 
Peace, David
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