Three weeks ago "Sadie the Trail Dog" embarked on an 800-mile journey that began in Annapolis, Maryland. She is taking the trip in a trailer pulled by her human, Dan McCrady.
The trip is a fundraiser for the East Coast Greenway Alliance (ECGA). According to the fundraising website, "The ECGA is the nonprofit organization spearheading the establishment of the East Coast Greenway, an urban version of the Appalachian Trail. Already 21% complete, the Greenway links scores of local trails to form a continuous, 2950-mile mostly-off road route connecting the cities of the eastern seaboard. It will be a pathway to adventure for walkers, cyclists, skaters, skiers and people with disabilities."
The Mayor of Annapolis saw Sadie off as she traveled the East Coast Greenway north towards her destination of Portland, Maine. She hopes to demonstrate her low `carbon footprint' by traveling the entire distance by muscle-power (and she’ll strive to minimize her methane emissions, as well). Sadie will raise awareness about the East Coast Greenway and constituent local trails that provide quality of place for people as well as animals -- sustainable transportation for man and beast.
When:
Saturday, June 13, 2009 @ 2:00 PM at Bug Light Park
Saturday, June 13, 2009 @ 3:30 PM at East End Park
BIKE RIDE: bicyclists (and dogs in trailers) meet at 1:00 PM at Wainwright Recreation Fields in South Portland for a 6-mile ride along the South Portland Greenbelt.
WALK: A little before 2:00 PM, dogs & walkers join Sadie for a ¼-mile walk from the Liberty ship memorial to meet Mayor Tom Blake.
WALK: At the ferry terminal, a little before 3:00 PM, walk with Sadie to East End Beach to meet City Councilman Kevin Donoghue.
NOTE: This is not a dog event. It is dogs and people showcasing active transportation and Portland's trail network.
For more information:
Sadie's daily blog -- follow the adventure!
Sadie's fundraising site
East Coast Greenway Alliance
South Portland Dog Owners Group
Yay for the East Coast Greenway! And I had no idea about the extent of the Alliance's success!
From Dan and Sadie:
Sadie finishes her trip from Maryland to Maine
Hello,
My trip with Sadie from Annapolis, MD to Portland, ME was
successfully completed last weekend. Thanks the help of many,
I've managed to raise over $5,000 so far for East Coast Greenway
Alliance. It's still not too late to accept donations. We still
have a distance to go to meet our goal of $10,000. Please also
forward this message to those you think might be interested!
http://www.firstgiving.com/danandsadie
Trip summary:
- met two mayors, one mayor's represenative, one selectman
- interviewed for TV 3 times (1 time in their studio)
- interviewed for newspapers 6 times
- interviewed for website 1 time
- on TV at least 8 times
- on radio at least 4 times
- on a blog at least 6 times
- received unsolicited cash donations on trip 11 times
(1 time while pedaling!)
- 2 flat tires (both on trailer)
- 2 accidents (both throwing Sadie out of trailer -
I was unaffected)
- 1 near accident (both Sadie and I would have been affected)
- 1 police escort into a city
- 1 bike breakdown requiring pickup
- 2 days biking in the rain
- 1 unsolicited offer to provide us lodging in their home
- 2 unsolicited offers to provide a meal and rest in their home
- 2 gifts of fresh fruit while passing by
- 2 offers to buy me a meal at a rest stop
- and my favorite: 3 meals at Subway!!
Dan
Video:
http://www.wcsh6.com/video
*** About donating online ***
It's very easy to support Daniel online -
visit: http://www.firstgiving.com/danandsadie to make a donation.
It takes a matter of minutes, is totally secure and you can even
leave a message with your donation.