Howdy y’all,
So I left Durham on Sunday after spending 5 nights in Bull City. I’ve since made it into Virginia, but wanted to show my appreciation for the wonderful experience I had while in town. So glad that I got to spend time in this great city and glad I met so many friendly people (you all made it easy). I was fortunate to be hosted by some great folks while in the city, so thank you to Marc (from BikeDurham) and Debra (from the East Coast Greenway) for each hosting me, also thank you to the Durham Hotel for having me for a free night while in town. Additionally, a huge shoutout to Bike Durham (and Nancy especially), she helped me get connected to all of my hosts as well as facilitating so much that kept me busy while in town. I really enjoyed getting to meet with Bike Durham and they are doing such incredible advocacy to make Durham a better place for folks walking, biking, rolling, and using transit.
If there was one major takeaway from my time in Durham it was the overwhelming sense of community and friendliness. On the very first day of walking into town, I was joined by 2 students from Duke (who I hadn’t met, up until that point). As soon as we got into town we both recognized someone that we knew. Throughout the entire rest of the experience while in Durham, everytime I walked somewhere, I inevitably ran into someone who I knew, knew me, or knew the person I was with. I got to meet with the head of the department of Transportation, Sean, just because he was biking downtown and stopped to say hi to me. I also met a guy, Robert, on the street, who had walked across America back in 1990 with a group of others. No other city that I’ve walked to and through was quite like Durham in that regard. By the end of my time in town it felt as though I really connected with folks.
In addition to meeting lots of incredible people I also felt like I got to do and see a lot. Such as getting a full architectural tour and getting to check out the campus of Duke with Nicholas, this super knowledgeable guy. I got to meet with the folks at Bike Durham multiple times and then popped over to the bike co-op at Duke park. Me and Smiley (my stroller) met up with the folks at the East Coast Greenway. I attended a lecture by Isabel Wilkerson at Duke and then hopped outside for a RAD ride. I highly recommend doing a RAD ride (slow, social and conversational bike ride) especially if you’re trying to meet new people. Grateful that I saw the dinosaur in Northate Park. Finally, I had some adult beverages at Parts & Labor, Accordion Club, and Surf Club. Felt busy non-stop while in Durham, but I know there is plenty more to see as well.
Although I feel called to return to Seattle once my walk ends, a place like Durham really made me reconsider that notion. I don’t think this will be the last time I visit Durham, hard to think that I wouldn’t come back after the city left such a great impression. You all really have such a friendly and welcoming city and I say that as someone who has been fortunate to have been hosted by many cities over this walk. Even as I was leaving town, I was blessed to be joined by some of the folks that I had met while here for a short little walk. And as folks were peeling off after North Roxboro St and Old Oxford rd, I was joined by the head of Bike Durham, John, for a couple of miles with his dog Atlas.
Durham left a strong impression in all the right ways and I was genuinely sad leaving the city. So I am thankful for the great time I had while in your city and I hope to return to Bull City one day.
If anyone is interested in supporting and learning more about AmericaWalks, check them out at AmericaWalks.org. If anyone is interested in learning more about my walk or following along, the best place is walk2washington.com or walk2washington on IG/FB.
Thanks again Durham,
HMR
Walk 2 Washington 