A Running America Halloween

As we get closer to NYC, we are all even more aware and vigilant about how Marshall is doing.  He has come so far, we have all come so far - the crews (both film and runner's) and we can't wait to see him achieve his dream.

He's a real pro - always quick to smile, come up and throw a joke your way, and then keep on going.  We know he appreciates the little things that break up the monotony of the miles so we try our best to provide him with a little diversion along the way.

This includes our cobbled together Halloween costumes.  Rick, our adventure cinematographer went as "Extreme Rick."

Kate and Amira went as witches...

And Cory took second place in the costume contest going as "Guy On His Way to Skynrd Concert."

I chose to go as his sidekick...

And the winner of the costume contest went to Dr. Paul, who dressed up as Amira - our tireless, mapping, driving, phone-calling foundation of much of this production.  Notice the level of detail: pens in the hair, stack of maps, fanny pack and keys around his neck...

Week 4 Wrap Up

Illinois -> Indiana -> Ohio

The states are starting to pass by quickly.  Maybe it's our familiarity with this lifestyle now, or maybe it's that they're getting shorter.  Hmmmm.  The corn just keeps on coming.

Lately, the production crew has been playing the "What character would you be in 'Apocalypse Now'?" game.  I've been voted as Kurtz twice and Willard once.  And Steve, our sound guy, now believes Fritos are vitamins.  Oh Steve!

Marshall and Charlie are still going strong.  "Time to make the donuts," Marshall will say as he heads off into the pre-dawn morning...

The Mississippi: Courtesy of Hannah and Lindsey

While crossing the Fort Madison bridge for the sixth time today (we go back and forth all day on one road for interviews, more running footage, or whatever most of the day) I glanced to my right and saw what was an unmistakable Huck Finn-style raft floating near the bridge.  I knew exactly who was in there the moment I saw it.  A free spirit (or spirits).   Somebody who wanted to float the river in what was the most primitive of ways.  We pulled around to the adjacent parking lot and I ran to the bank and waved to the skipper of the craft, a young woman trying to manuever into the channel for the drawbridge.  She yelled if I could contact the bridge control to raise it for them.  I yelled back "Yes, but can I interview you for our documentary first?"  And she brought the raft into dock for us.  We then spent a good two hours hanging out with Hannah and Lindsey, two twentysomethings who had a vision one morning while road-tripping alongside the Mississippi (we should be floating down this river!) and then made it happen over the next three years.  They constructed their raft from salvaged materials (completely recycled) and put-in last June at the start of the river.  They have a small motor (for emergencies) and use mostly human power to get down the river when the current is weak.

Their raft is a work-in-progress yet it is almost like a work of art.  They've completely made it their own. It's a wonderful example of inventiveness and the pioneer spirit.  Like us, they've met hundreds of people who have reached out to them, who they have effected.  They told us that almost every other person they speak with says they've had a dream of floating the Mississippi.  

Our interview with them was fantastic.  They have an idea of what's going on, but not completely.  When told that the economy was in the crapper and some people predicted a serious collapse they looked at us blankly:  "Right.  So...that's no surprise."  They also had some interesting theories on what would happen if Obama was elected in November.  Personally, I'm so glad I glanced to the right on that bridge, as we got to speak with (yet again) some people doing what they want to do, and really living their dream.  

We were sad to see them go, and both Andreas and I admitted to each other a bit of melancholy as they paddled down the glittering water.  Maybe it was a desire to throw work on the back stove and raft, boat, run, ride, climb (insert dream here) for six months or a year.  So it goes - they paddle, we drive, Marshall and Charlie run.  

Horsefeather Organic Farm - Lamoni, Iowa

A few nights ago we had the honor and pleasure of having dinner at Horsefeather organic farm in Lamoni, Iowa.  Kevin and Sophie Ryan were our gracious hosts who prepared a feast of grass-fed pork and beef, milk and butter from Clementine the cow (who we helped milk a few minutes prior to dinner) and also homemade ice cream, and assorted other delicious foods.  Neighbors came from as far away as 40 miles to eat with us.  Sophie and Kevin have an intelligent and funny son, Drew, who showed us the ropes on the farm. We watched as he brought in Danny and Dave, the plow horses, fed Phil the cat, and also set up Clementine the cow for milking.  Drew is thirteen years old and gets up at 5:30 every day to help his Dad with farm chores.  The Ryan's house was built completely from wood/trees/lumber on their acreage.  The building contains straw insulation, burns wood for most of its heat, and is beautiful and warm and inviting.

These folks are truly living the sustainable life and are humble yet opinionated on where our country is headed.  I can't say enough how wonderful it was to get to know them.  After spending so, so many nights in motels after eating chain-restaurant food it was incredible to be in a real home, eating real food, and talking to regular people who we don't see for a half an hour before jumping in our cars and moving forward.  The quietness of the farm just slowed us all down, and we really had a hard time dragging ourselves out of there.

I've spent some time at a few places that I would definitely come back to visit, and this was definitely tops on the list.  And again, huge thanks to Kevin, Sophie and Drew Ryan who opened their home to our traveling circus...  

2000 miles...

We make our way through Nebraska and into Iowa.  Iowa is almost through and we're about to cross the Mississippi early tomorrow morning into Illinois.  Earlier today, we all hung out on an empty Iowa road with lights, a cake, and a festive spirit as Marshall clocked off mile 2,000.  We cheered and clapped - just the crews, all of us having spent the last 35 days together watching this exact thing - Charlie and Marshall running, clicking off mile after mile.  Yet this last 300 yards seemed special.  He celebrated his 2,000th mile with a few puffs on a crewmember's cigar, a few bites of cake and a teary-eyed smile and then was on his way, toward mile 2001.  

At the beginning of this adventure Charlie told all of us, "this will change you, and you may not know how until six months after."  However, documenting this event gives us the privilege of both being apart from it and in it.  It's been a great 4 and a half weeks, and there is a bit of sadness as we move towards the East coast...

Dogs Across America

It seems every time we stop as a group alongside the road we collect a few dogs from neighboring houses.  They are nearly always friendly country dogs, looking for a little playtime and diversion.  We are often glad to have a reminder of some kind of life that is a little more stable than the traveling circus we are generally seen as.  Some stay as long as we are there, others come by to say hello and then head back to their home.  Either way, they seem to know we mean no harm and are there to simply eat, pass the time, shoot a little running footage and then continue on our way down the road.  They seem so interested I often interview them as well, asking them questions about the economy, the upcoming elections, and the bailout.  They are as tired of it all as we are, as one old black lab recently told me "He just wished the whole shenanigans would just stop so I can go back to chasing squirrels ."

Andreas finds a new friend

Steve spends some quality time after lunch.

Thoughts on Second Winds

“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.” -William James

On through Utah and into Colorado. The landscapes change but the motion doesn’t. One foot after the other. One mile after the other. Or, as we now know, in Charlie’s case - one pedal stroke after the other. It’s been an eventful week. Charlie’s MRI was negative, but Dr. Paul still has him taking it easy. You can’t hold somebody like Charlie Engle back. The man is a force of nature. He is an open, honest and compassionate person whose positive energy bleeds into everything and everyone around him.
As a filmmaker, you want people who are both compelling and able to express themselves, thus Charlie is a joy to work with and shoot. When I attended the Nehst Studio Filmmaker’s Boot Camp six months ago I never would have thought I’d be in the position I’m in now, to document and witness two world class athletes battling against the road and themselves everyday to move themselves across the country. Whatever happens, happens. But this is a true documenting of the will of the human spirit, and a true connection has been established with the people we meet along the way.

The second wind is a well-known fact of human endeavor, it’s pushing through when you have nothing left. When I ask people what they think of what Charlie and Marshall are doing, some just laugh and shake their heads, some nod in appreciation, while others don’t say anything but look past me down the road. Sometimes I see a look of possibility flash across their faces. I interpret this as a signal something has clicked in their head or body: I wonder what I could do if I set my mind to it?

Backtracking: This Was Nevada...