*TUE AUG 26* *Davenport, IA to Hampton, IL* It was an early morning—especially for Doug. Pat had said “Goodbye and Safe Journey” the night before. We got to the Gear truck at LeClaire Park by 6:30am and loaded our gear. Doug stayed and socialized until 7am. His class at the university begins today so he’s back to work. We were to March across the Mississippi to the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island. We marched across the footbridge, stopped at the center of the river, rehearsed our journey through the states, said ‘Goodbye’ to Iowa, and welcomed Illinois. The Botanical Center had a welcoming ceremony in their hoop house auditorium. Toward the end of the ceremony there was lightening, thunder, and 20 minutes of torrential rain. We were pleased that we were in out of the rain. The rain ceased and we set out on the March. Hampton was 11 miles east along the bike trail bordering the Mississippi River. We camped in Illiniwek Forest Preserve along the river. Dinner was a combination of left-over meals from the Davenport/Rock Island rallies. After dinner some of the Marchers taxied back to Davenport to attend a presentation Michael Dowd was giving at the Unitarian Church. I have heard several of his presentations—in Redlands, CA and Santa Fe, NM. I think he and Bishop Spong should get together. Spong is more concerned about the history, and details of theological perspective. Dowd relates the historical perspective to Care for Mother Earth. We need both of them and it would be great for them to collaborate. I didn’t go because I've heard him before. As I reflect I realize that I should have gone and raised the question of collaboration with Dowd. JJ repeated his presentation on Climate Change for some of the Marchers—especially those who joined in Davenport. Tomorrow is a 19.4 miles walk so wake-up will be early. I spread my sleeping gear out on one of the many tables under the amphitheater and went to sleep. -- Peace, David