When the sun rose for the new day... we were ready. We had been camped for two nights at the same location. That's something many of us modern day human beings just take for granted. That at the end of the day... you will sleep in your own bed in safe and familar surroundings. Around the campsite there was talk about this. How many children live in a place that is not safe... or have no place to live? We will 'go home' when this Walk is over. But there are many children, women, and men who will not 'go home' tonight or any night soon. They're in hospitals or shelters after suffering abuse ... or on the streets because of domestic violence or alcohol and drug abuse. Everyday we are reminded of why we are walking. All children should have a safe place to sleep... a warm meal... and love.

For the Core Team of Walkers it will soon be an entire moon cycle since we have been surrounded with the familar... the routine of daily life. The pace of the Walk has been swift... and there just aren't enough hours in the day to do all that we want to do. We hope to have a day coming up pretty soon where the Walkers can take a day of rest and visit the sights around a local community. Or do other exciting things... like laundry .. or writing on the backs of the post cards that most of us have been collecting from the places we pass thru on this Walk.

We are energized by the people from the local communities who come to support us. We are comforted by the excellent work of Frank and Corey Adakai - the Regional Co-Ordinators for New Mexico - our needs have all been met because of the excellent planning and the support of various Tribal Services and individuals who volunteer to share their homes, food, and time with us. The Adakai's have journeyed with us continually since they met us at the New Mexico state line.

We pack up our belongings at the Center in Gallup and after a Blessing and a breakfast supplied by the Center... we 'check-in' with one another in a brief Circle and then the Walkers and the Relay Drivers continue to the East along old Route 66. Around mid-day there was a lunch break beneath a shade tree on the side of the road. People around this area are hearing about us and some honk their horns and a few stop to talk to us during our lunch break. That made us feel good.

By early evening we had reached our destination for this day... Baca Chapter, NM. Navajo Nation. We were met by people from the community and honored when several Elders carried the Sacred Hoop the last mile to the Baca Chapter Community Center. Once inside we were welcomed and honored by the Master of Ceremonies and the People of the Community shared their concerns and their hope for healing with all those who were gathered around the Sacred Hoop and the silhouette of Brandy. We shared with them the Story of the Hoop and the four gifts that it carries. And we were honored to have 3 children sing for us in their Navajo language. They were beautiful young children... dressed in beautiful regalia... singing the old songs of their People. These children we listened to this evening.. this is how it should be for all children. Standing in a circle of family and community who loves them. Being raised in a good way so that they can become one day the adults who will break the cycle of abuse and neglect that so many other children live with.

The Grandmothers and Grandfathers from this Community shared with us about the old ways and their concerns over the way 'things' are now .. in the homes and families in their Community. They each blessed the Hoop and the Walkers and assured us that they would be thinking of us and praying that we remain strong and carry a good message as we walk. It was good to hear from them... they carry much wisdom and we were grateful that they stood to share this wisdom with us.

After the Gathering we were provided with a wonderful meal prepared by local women of the Community. And we didn't camp outside this night... we stayed in the Community building and the next morning when we awoke the supporters were back with breakfast burritos and good wishes and prayers to see us off on the next section of our Walk. Thank you to all of the Community Members of the Baca Chapter.