<div dir="ltr">Dear Climate March Friends,<br><div class="gmail_quote"><br><div dir="ltr">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26)">Tue Jun 10</span></b><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26)">—There seemed to be no
rush in the morning; an 11-mile walk into Colorado Springs. The trucks left the RV Park for
Colorado Springs College, where we left the solar trailer. We took the Gear truck to America the
Beautiful Park where the Marchers would meet at 4:30 to pick up their banners
and posters to prepare for the Rally.
Later I took the Gear truck to Acacia Park so the Marchers would be able
to load their equipment when the Rally was over, and caught a ride back to
America the Beautiful Park for the 1-mile march procession. At 5:30 we marched with approximately
50 residents who joined us. There were additional local residents that joined
us at Acacia Park. The master of ceremonies was a local journalist. The Gypsy
Band played several numbers to convene the presentations. The presentations
were outstanding—Unitarian pastor; civil servant at local military base
establishing renewable energy resources; Sierra Club—to name a few. During the
presentations a thundershower sprinkled rain on us. It didn’t last but it got
us wet!</span><br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(117,117,117)"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26)">When the
presentations ended the crowd made its way ½ mile to the Unitarian Church for a
Potluck dinner. The dining hall was full. There must have been 75-100 people.
After the meal was finished we broke up into discussion groups. Each group had
a topic phrased as a question. I participated in a group that had the topic <u>What
Kind of New Laws </u>do we need?
Several of the participants introduced the Citizens’ Climate Lobby that
is promoting a carbon tax. My suggestions were 1) $1/gallon tax on gasoline
that would be transferred to fund renewable energy resources; 2) $1 charge with
refund on aluminum cans and plastic sacks. The small groups re-convened and
shared insights and suggestions. When the meeting concluded we opened the Gear
truck and distributed personal belongings so the Marchers could go with their
home-stay host. Once everyone had
their gear I moved the truck back to the Colorado Springs College parking lot
and went home with Ian Askill, my host.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26)"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26)">Wed Jun 11</span></b><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26)">—I was the only
Marcher staying with Ian Askill. He lives about 6 miles from the church. Last
night we didn’t get home and get settled until 9:45 PM. Because it was that late I chose to
forego the community breakfast at 7:30 this morning. Ian takes a 2-mile walk at
5:30 every morning during the week and a 4-mile walk on the weekend. He’s had
his colon replaced and is keeping his hiking up for his health. I slept in, then got up and took a bath and did my laundry. I discovered
that Ian eats granola and yogurt and drinks green tea! That’s my kind of
breakfast! </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26)"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26)">Ian took me
to a pharmacy on the way to work and I got my scripts renewed.
Then he
took me to work with him where I waited for Cliff, who was taxiing Marchers
around town. There was a
barbershop that donated free haircuts, so I got a haircut and beard trim. Cliff then took me to do some errands, we had lunch, and then I was dropped off at Ian’s house. When he got home he suggested that we go out to a
Mexican restaurant for dinner. I
had a margarita! When we returned
I packed up and got ready to depart by 7 AM tomorrow.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26)"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26)">Thu Jun 12</span></b><span style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26)"> – I am getting
eager to ride my bike and will as soon as we get out of the mtns. My bike gets banged up in the Gear truck
with loading and loading everything each day. Today I had to do some minor work on it while I was waiting
for people to get into camp.
Reports are that we had a successful time in Colorado Springs and even
bigger rallies are planned for Denver when we get there in a few days.</span></p></div></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr">Peace, David</div>
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