Steps for Recovery
A Coast to Coast Walk for Suburban North Club
At Suburban North Club, we believe in the life-changing power of 12 Step Recovery—not just for individuals, but for families and entire communities. That’s why we, Jamie and Bill, proudly serve on the SNC Board of Directors. We’ve seen firsthand how vital this work is, and we’re stepping up in a big way—literally.
This summer, we are embarking on an epic 182 mile trek across England, walking from one British coast to the other. We are covering all our own travel and training costs, and we’re inviting Suburban North Club to walk alongside us in spirit. The goal? Raise $18,200 to support recovery, one step at a time. One mile at a time. For 182 miles in 16 days.
SNC is fortunate to be mortgage-free, keeping our doors open 365 days a year takes more than covering the rent. From utilities and snow removal to essential building maintenance and staffing, our annual expenses add up quickly. Meeting donations help cover wages, and SNC keeps the literature prices low to ensure accessibility—not profit.
Thanks to generous grants, SNC typically receives about $20,000 annually to help with major upkeep. Last year, we re-sealed the sidewalks. This year, it’s the parking lot—another $20,000 investment in safety and accessibility.
But Suburban North Club is dreaming bigger this year. The Board is looking for new ways to raise an additional $50,000 to support our mission of safe recovery for all. As the building ages, we will start to experience larger expenses. Window repairs, equipment replacement, increase in day to day costs - all impacting the budget. These all add up while SNC is also serving more and more people each year.
About the Walk
From Instagram Scroll to Epic Stroll: A Journey Across England for a Cause
We aren’t exactly Anglophiles. We don’t follow British soccer, sip tea at 4 p.m., or keep up with the Royals. But in June 2023, something unexpected happened. I, Jamie, was casually scrolling through Instagram when I stumbled upon a friend’s photos—breathtaking snapshots of rolling green hills, dramatic coastlines, and charming English villages. It wasn’t the London I had imagined. It was something else entirely—wild, peaceful, and utterly captivating.
Each day, my friend posted new images from a journey that seemed to unfold like a storybook. She was walking across England. Literally. From the Irish Sea to the North Sea. I was hooked. The route? The legendary Wainwright Coast to Coast Walk—a 193-mile trek dreamed up by British fell-walking icon Alfred Wainwright. It weaves through three of England’s most stunning national parks: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors. Since Wainwright first published his guide in 1973, the walk has become a bucket-list pilgrimage for hikers around the world.
For perspective: imagine walking from Suburban North Club to Evanston, Illinois—while climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest along the way. And I couldn’t stop thinking about it. One night, she said aloud, “This looks amazing.” Bill, ever the supporter, agreed. “Let’s do it,” he said. You have to know that we were also not (yet!) avid hikers. But just like that, a dream was born. Dreams don’t always come easy. I have battled a chronic foot injury for over a decade. Bill had both knees replaced in 2022. Add in full-time jobs and the logistics of taking weeks off, and the idea seemed impossible.
And yet—here we are. Every obstacle has been met with determination. Every “maybe someday” has turned into “why not now?” Every obstacle has been removed, as if by a Higher Power. We are not just walking for the views. We’re walking for Steps for Recovery, raising funds for a cause close to our hearts. This isn’t just a hike. It’s a testament to resilience, to second chances, and to the power of saying yes to doing something one step at a time. Just like recovery.
Steps for Recovery Donations
Important Dates
Celebration Dinner Tickets can be purchased through: August 15, 2025
Celebration Dinner: August 23, 2025
Come celebrate raising $9,000 for Steps for Recovery. Join us at Suburban North Club, 5:30 - 7 pm, for a proper English meal of bangers and mash! Bill and Jamie will bring their back packs and photos and they will share a few stories of how they practiced the principles of a 12 Step Recovery program while they were out on the trail. Let's go to any length for this final push to raise a total of $18,000 for our Suburban North Club.
Pledge and Donation Dashboard
Journey Blog
Day 16: Grosmont to Robin Hood’s Bay
Steps for Recovery – The final day
Opening Reflection
Our journey, Coast to Coast, ended on Friday! Sorry for the delay in the update but we were pretty worn out. Friday, we walked down the eastern coast of England for several miles and out on to the beach and Bill tossed our pebble from the Irish Sea into the North Sea. We had to take a few detours along the way, but our journey has come to a happy conclusion.
Friday’s Journey
We walked about 4 miles on Friday. Due to travel plans, we wouldn’t have time to walk each of the remaining 15 miles so we got a ride through the more mundane section of the hike. We had been told over and over to spend time looking back and to beware that there is a sad finality at the end. We were mindful of the looking back over the course of our 16 days, and that was really good advice. It was always interesting to get the additional perspective when we would stop and gaze over our shoulders. Seeing how far we had come was always inspiring.
But the idea of the end being sad was lost on me until the very end. Thursday evening, I was thinking about the advice and I completely resisted it. I was so tired, and I thought I was so ready for it all to be done and over with. So, when we were down the last quarter of a mile and it hit, I was so surprised even though we had been warned.
And I have identified the rock I chose to drop, but I will hold that detail close to my chest.
Trail Lessons
The trip was about more than 16 days, 183 miles, fundraising, or seeing a part of England that I knew nothing about. It was about a dream I had, asking for the dream to become a reality, and the dream not working out exactly the way I had envisioned, but the trip still being amazing. It was about spending hours with my husband and us learning new skills together. It was about experiencing experiences.
Steps for Recovery Update
We are halfway to our fundraising goal. The opportunity to raise money for Suburban North Club has been an magnificent addition to our trip to England. The T-shirts have been ordered, and we are starting to plan a celebration evening for Steps for Recovery at the beginning of August. We are still accepting Steps for Recovery contributions but that will stop in a week or so. Of course, SNC will gladly accept any future financial support; we just need to wrap this fundraiser up.
Thank you for taking this journey with us. What a wild ride this has been.
Journey Blog
Day 15: Blakey Ridge to Grosmont
Steps for Recovery – Day 15
Opening Reflection
English countryside
So high that it feels like we in the clouds
You can't see the sheep I can hear
Coffee with my husband
Slow start to a day
We are getting some laptop chores done and then headed to Grosmont for a touristy day.
So much of this trip has felt hurried - shuffling to airport terminals, showers before supper, breakfast before the first mile, that last mile... And so we have had to intentionally pause. I don't want to go home from a vacation feeling frazzled.
Tomorrow’s Preview
Today we are taking a day to settle and rest. It has been an adventure of a lifetime and we are pretty worn out. We get to sit down at a table and enjoy a pot of coffee, visit a train station, stroll around Grosmont, and do some laundry. Friday we drop our rocks.
Journey Blog
Day 14: Great Broughton to Blakey Ridge
Steps for Recovery – Day 14
Opening Reflection
Our time on this particular journey is coming to an end soon. The first thing we did was to walk out in the water pick up a pebble from the North Sea and we have carried our pebbles with us since. It is time for me to tell you about the last step of this Coast to Coast journey. We will walk out in the water and leave that pebble in the Irish Sea on Friday. I have spent hours wondering what I should leave there with my pebble. What rock should I drop? I will spend some more time pondering it today – What rocks do I carry? Which ones am I willing to let go of? Why do I want to keep some of my rocks – what comfort do they bring me? For those of you who don’t know about these ‘rocks’ - A book that is popular within the Recovery Community is called Drop the Rock. A quick AI search got me this summary of the book: Drop the Rock: Removing Character Defects – Steps Six and Seven is a powerful and accessible book for people in recovery, especially those working through the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or similar programs. The book focuses on Steps 6 and 7 of the 12 Steps:
Step 6: “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
Step 7: “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”
These steps are about letting go of the behaviors, attitudes, and fears that keep us stuck in old patterns—even after we’ve stopped drinking or using.
What Does “Drop the Rock” Mean? Imagine you're swimming toward a better life, but you're holding a heavy rock—your resentments, fears, selfishness, pride, and other character defects. The rock is dragging you down. The book’s message is simple but profound: Let go of what’s holding you back. Drop the rock.
Stopping the substance abuse is just the beginning
Recovery is about emotional and spiritual growth. Holding onto old behaviors can lead to relapse or emotional misery.Willingness is the key
You don’t have to be perfect—just willing to change. Step 6 is about becoming ready, not already changed.Humility is strength
Step 7 teaches that asking for help—whether from a Higher Power, your sponsor, or your group—is a sign of growth, not weakness.Progress, not perfection
You won’t drop all your rocks at once. The journey is about progress, one step at a time.Freedom comes from letting go
When you release your defects, you make space for peace, joy, and connection.
Today’s Journey
Wednesday was hard! We had stayed in a lovely hotel but I was ill on Tuesday night, so we started out in a deficit. Breakfast helped and then we got some fantastic advice that would add a mile to the overall hike but decrease some of the intensity of the first big uphill and downhill. The goal was to preserve some of my mental capacity for the last big push up. I have been struggling with heights because I am scared that I am going to lose my balance and topple over and slide downhill. This has been a cause of death for a couple of hikers and the wind on Day 2 was a real threat. It would help me if I wasn’t already maxed out going into that last push. It worked! I was able to get all the way up to the Wainstones and see how truly massive they are and then get down again with minimal whining. We found a nice spot for our lunch and then headed up the last big hill of our journey. The trail from there was long but relatively flat and it was a wide path that didn’t have too many trip hazards. It was nice that we didn’t have to watch our footing so closely, but it was a cinder path that literally made our feet feel hot.
The area is full of pheasants and adders. Adders are a poisonous snake, and we never did see any of those. There is also a pretty black and white bird that kept flying up and seemed to float as it hovered. They would get just above us and chirp. I wonder if it was warning other birds that more of those humans were around. They nest in the heather and there are signs up asking that walkers stay on the path so we don’t disturb them. And the pheasant are cute, the way they waddle quickly and then flap into flight.
I was getting a bit weary of it all in the last three miles and I kept watching for our hotel in the distance thinking I would see it as we rounded the next curve. Well, then, maybe the next one. Or the next. We finally saw it and we had 1.25 miles yet to go. I didn’t feel the relief I thought I would because between me and that hotel was one more long uphill walk. It wasn’t even all that steep, but the hill was there and I was tired. Getting my boots off sure did feel good.
Tomorrow’s Preview
Today we are taking a day to settle and rest. It has been an adventure of a lifetime and we are pretty worn out. We get to sit down at a table and enjoy a pot of coffee, visit a train station, stroll around Grosmont, and do some laundry. Friday we drop our rocks.
Journey Blog
Day 13: Osmotherly to Great Broughton
Steps for Recovery – Day 13
Opening Reflection
This post is a day late. We had a great day on the hiking trail, cleaned up and ate supper and then Bill fell asleep. At about that time, I started having an allergic reaction. I do this sometimes, just break out in hives all over and there isn’t a real good reason for it. It isn’t an emergency but it sure is aggravating. Sometimes I can get it under control with some Benadryl but sometimes I have to go to an urgent care center so I can get additional medication. We don’t know much about getting medical care here, I didn’t even know where the closest hospital is. I put on my slippers and went to the front desk to ask for hel. The hotel was fantastic, they answered all of my questions about possible places to go and how to get there, and I took some more Benadryl and hoped for the best but no luck. We needed to go get seen, so the manager put us in his car and drove us 20 minutes at 10:30 at night to seek assistance. After waiting an hour, that third Benadryl I had taken at the hotel finally kicked in and we decided to just go back to the hotel. Long evening and then a short night to rest for the next day on the trail.
While we were waiting, we heard all sorts of announcements over the public address system, and one was for alcoholics. The announcement encouraged the patient to please speak up if they had any concerns with their drinking. The health professionals would connect them with a coach to help them make decisions about their treatment options and they would ensure a safe detox. It was amazing! The announcement was brief and hopeful. It explained that they would add this consultation to the visit even if the visit wasn’t about the alcohol use primarily. You just have to ask for the help.
Today’s Journey
We hiked from Osmotherly to Great Broughton. We had some big hills to climb, and we walked along the prettiest moors. The heather changes the hues of the landscape from greens and browns to something magical tinged with purple and red. And at the top of the highest moor we got to watch paragliders. We were so high that the paragliders were eye level with us. And they floated on air – it really was a sight to behold. There is probably a message in here about faith and physics but I am bad at physics so I will let you piece that one together yourself. It was a relatively short day regarding mileage, but the inclines made for hard slow work.
Recovery Connection
This hiking can get boring. The same thing over and over. Mile after mile. If you let yourself lose focus, you can get sloppy and make mistakes. It reminds me to focus on the present moment, my current footing. The other 150 miles that we have already finished are important, but if I don’t focus on the here and now I can easily get hurt. We have been following the Mountain Rescue Teams social media accounts to learn about the risks that we need to understand and mitigate. Falls, weather injuries, getting lost – they help with it all. Since we have been here we have learned of several hiker deaths.
The same thing happens in recovery. People come into the 12 Step Rooms, some stay and some don’t. But some get some sobriety under their belt and then their lives get a little more boring and they forget that boring was actually one of the goals. A simple life that we didn’t feel we have to escape is the gift of recovery, but sometimes that gift starts to get confused. And folks go out and they make mistakes and sometimes they don’t make it back. I sure do wish there was a Mountain Rescue Team we could send out after them. Maybe they will hear the public address system announcement, and they will just ask for the help.
Tomorrow’s Preview
Day 14 was amazing and we will tell you more about that one tomorrow.
Journey Blog
Day 11 and 12: Richmond to Danby Wiske to Osmotherly
Steps for Recovery – Day 11 and 12
Opening Reflection
Doing the 4th and 5th Steps seem to get people a little wound up. The writing of the moral inventory is, in my experience, avoided with grand excuses and how little time there is in the day for such an exercise, or it is embraced wholeheartedly as an opportunity to put all the cards on the table. But, there is all kinds of time when the value of the Step work is the priority and those cards that were put on the table were done so with a limited perspective. Both ends of the spectrum end up skewed. And so the 5th Step comes to pass, and the Sponsor helps better inform the inventory and the actual output becomes richer.
I still make things bigger than they really are. I have worried about this one road crossing for a year. A year! I was just sure that it was dangerous, that people should petition the local government for a walkway over the road, that this was a ridiculous exercise and we should actually just avoid it. That road crossing was today, and it was no big deal at all. I had gotten myself so upset over it, I could barely eat my breakfast. I had gotten myself so wound up about it this past year, I had misunderstood and thought we were to walk across a 4 lane highway, wait in the medium and then cross another four lanes of traffic going the other direction. My only defense was to not attempt this at rush hour. I was sure that the traffic was going to be intensely busy, that I might trip and get hit by a fast car, or that we would have to wait and wait for safe passage and we don’t have time for this. We got there today, and it was not rush hour. And it was a total of 4 lanes, not 8. We did walk across two lanes of traffic and land safely in the median and then we got through the next two lanes with no trouble at all.
What other stuff do we make bigger than it is?
Today’s Journey
We didn’t hike yesterday, the weather reports looked dismal and so we puttered about in a café and planned other hikes. We also got some more laundry done which was fantastic. Today, we did hike and it was lovely! We got in almost 13 miles and my feet seemed to want to cooperate much more. I am growing a couple of blisters, but I was able to keep them tended to well enough. The landscape has changed to fields of grains and beans. There were horses grazing in a field today, and they were so majestic. It still feels weird to just walk on other people’s property without any permission, but that is the way they do it here.
Today’s Challenge
Blisters have the potential to be a real problem, so we are very focused on those. We have four more days left we could walk, and I would rather get the hikes in than have to take more time off.
Tomorrow’s Preview
Tomorrow we will hike almost 12 miles, but it will be a harder hike than today. Once done we will have arrived at Great Broughton and the hotel has recently been redone. It looks amazing on their Instagram, and I am so excited to check it out in person. The distance we will go is about the same as if we walked from SNC to Koteewi State Park. For our family in Alabama, it is about the same as walking from your old house to your new house.
Journey Blog
Day 10: Reeth to Richmond
Steps for Recovery – Day 10
Opening Reflection
To be successful in a program of recovery, we must be honest. Secrets make us sick.
I am not enjoying this trip like I had hoped. I told Bill that I am scared to walk on the roads even though it seems to be something that many people do. He has been trying to find more trail-based options for us but sometimes that just isn’t a possibility. I am also really struggling with wearing my hood while walking in the rain. I feel claustrophobic. I feel like I can’t hear as well, and my field of vision becomes too limited. So, we decided we won’t walk when we know if it is going to be terribly wet. I am really having a hard time with the pace. I can keep up; I just don’t want to. I want to go slow and enjoy the countryside and stop for photos, but I feel like I need to move it along.
We were at breakfast this morning and I had a feeling wash over me that I have had a few times in the past week or so. Previously I called it anxiety. My heart races, my tummy drops. I feel like crying and I am not sure why. We thought maybe I was nervous about what was to come. But as I sat with my feelings more, I realized the feeling was dread. Another day of hurrying to get done before the rain started and be at our next hotel in time for them to do our laundry felt dreadful. What a crummy vacation!
I am happy to work hard. I am open to a challenge. But this version of hard isn’t the same. There is something going on that I don’t have to choose to endure. Today I said it out loud. And we stopped to go over this realization some more. We decided to punt the walk for the day and catch a bus to the next town. Instead of hurrying over trails we got to sit for a little while in a café and we got to walk around a castle.
Today’s Journey
We got to Richmond today and enjoyed some of the local sights. We rode a bus with the locals and Bill loved seeing some of the historical sites. Admitting this is not my favorite trip he and I have gone on may have been one of the hardest things I have done in the past 10 days. But, it was honest, and that honors our relationship, and it respects his time, and it was the right thing to do. Now we can work together on the next steps.
Trail Lessons
Not every vacation is a winner! There are all kinds of reasons that some just don’t work. But, we can figure this out together. We have been doing life together for almost 15 years and we knew that this trip was a bit of a risk. No harm, no foul – as long as we are doing it together. Now we get to make the best of it. When we got married, we agreed to many things. One was the idea that ‘the best is yet to come’ because we choose to believe in that.
Steps for Recovery Update
We are still raising money for Suburban North Club via Steps for Recovery! Several of the blog readers have submitted pledges and we are very grateful for that. Each of you should have gotten an email asking about your preferred shirt sizes in the past couple of weeks. Please let us know what size you want if you haven’t already, we would like to submit the order tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s Preview
We are not sure that we will get to walk a traditional section of Coast to Coast tomorrow. The weather looks to be a bit miserable, and the trail looks to be following a road for a little while. Instead, we are going to embrace a fresh perspective to ensure we enjoy our vacation. We are absolutely looking forward to walking more in England later in the upcoming week.
Journey Blog
Day 9: Keld to Reeth
Steps for Recovery – Day 9
Opening Reflection
Ego doesn’t seem to last too long out here. There is no need to pack it. Either the weather or the elevation will eat your ego for lunch. There have been so many humbling experiences in this whole process – learning how to hike in the first place. Learning how to take breaks but not too many breaks and drink water but not too much.
For a long week I have been so proud of not getting blisters. Today I got one. It isn’t too bad, but if I don’t take good care of it, blisters are a common problem that sidelines folks doing this sort of day after day hiking.
Today’s Journey
Today we went from Keld to Reeth. We are officially halfway across the country from where we started. We got to meander the countryside alongside River Swale. It was a nice enough day – a bit of a breeze most of the day kept us cool and it tried to rain a couple of times, but we made it to the hotel before it really started.
Trail Lessons
Something happened when we were hiking on Day 2 that scared me. Well, several things happened that were scarey, but one of them must have left an impression. My feet lack confidence – it is sometimes a struggle to figure out the best place to put them when scrambling up a hill. Now when we are beside the river, I have fears about falling over. I am not scared of the heights, just what would happen if I slipped. I hadn’t had these fears about anything other than water crossings before Day 2. This slowed us down a couple of times today. We just had to go slow and work it out. But it was a bit of a drag. By the end of the day my brain seemed more able to focus, maybe I am past the worst of that now.
People Along the Way
We ran into several people today that we met yesterday. The trail was busier today than since we have been on it. It is nice to see familiar faces even though we don’t know them well at all.
At supper tonight, we met a man who is likely going to finish in 8 days. He is doing Coast to Coast in half the number of days we are. And he is camping most nights. No cushy beds and showers to help him get ready for the next day. Whew – good thing I didn’t pack my ego.
Tomorrow’s Preview
Tomorrow, we will hike from Reeth to Richmond. If we make it to the next hotel in time, they will do laundry for us. This would be a huge blessing, and it is worth the effort it will take us. We will go about 10.5 miles, and we will have some big climbs to manage. The weather should be mild with some sprinkles in the morning. The distance we will cover tomorrow is the equivalent of going from SNC to Elizabeth Seton. For our family in Alabama, it would be the same as going from your house to the dentist. Brush your teeth boys – we love you and we miss you all.
Journey Blog
Day 7&8: Orton to Kirkby Stephan to Keld
Steps for Recovery – Day 7 & 8
Opening Reflection
Those who suffer addiction have a common peril. Those who choose to use 12 Step Recovery have a common solution to the peril. Having things in common binds people in a way that those outside of addiction may not be able to fully appreciate. It creates a shorthand of sorts, and it also feeds some of the fellowship that can be so helpful. It is a similar bond of those who have served in the military together. They have a common experience, which likely includes actual peril, and they have their own language. They have their own brotherhood.
Having things in common has been a welcome constant in this Coast to Coast journey, too. The places people go to on this journey are pretty standard – say where you are going and people know where you came from. Sigh a certain way and people know you are referring to how hard a particular piece of your day was. Honistor’s Pass, for example, is a tough climb. Sigh after finishing Day 2 and people know you are thinking back on that part of the day. People are inclined to ask you about your sleep because so many struggle with it due to the daylight going past 10 PM and dawn starting before 5 AM. The food can be a challenge, too. And the rain with the wind. Everyone who is doing Coast to Coast has endured the same thing. Some make it and some don’t finish.
Bill has been incredibly patient with me. Day 2 terrified me. I got all in my head today about halfway up a 3-mile climb and we finally decided our best course was to return to the bottom. I was frustrated that Bill missed seeing Nine Standard Rigg. And when we got back to town someone asked, “Are you doing Coast to Coast?”. I said yes and I sighed. They knew. And they kindly smiled.
Today’s Journey
We were not able to hike our Day 7. We were all ready to go when revenge of English food became something not to be ignored. So, we tried to make the best of it and did a touristy stop at a chocolate shop. We had a pot of tea with our bed and breakfast owners and talked about their family some. They have children living in the US starting their career.
Today we were going about 12 miles, and the weather sure did seem promising. My knee was even tolerating it all well. But I panicked. We toyed with pushing through but thought better of it. So, Day 8 was a bit of a swing and a miss. Not a total forfeit, but not quite a win either.
Trail Lessons
We left later than our usual and I felt a false sense of pressure to keep a pace that I couldn’t. This started a spiral of negative thoughts that I fought for an hour but just could not shake. While I am learning these hiking skills, it may be best to stick with some routine, so I feel more anchored. We have had to do some walking on the roads from time to time. I am letting the traffic scare me, because road walking in the US is not common or safe. I need to trust where I am more. Road walking is very common here and if it isn’t a person, it is sheep that are everywhere out there. I just need to exhale and enjoy the moment and let go of some of the false fears. Bill says tomorrow’s route has my name written all over it. My fingers and toes are crossed!!
Steps for Recovery Update
We have now crossed the halfway mark for the number of days this journey will take. Next, we get to cross the halfway mark in fundraising. We will be collecting pledges and donations through the end of this, so there is still time to join us in supporting Suburban North Club by pledging toward Steps for Recovery. We would like to gather up all of the pledged donations by the end of July, so please do feel welcome to pledge now and pay later.
Tomorrow’s Preview
Tomorrow we are walking from Keld to Reeth. It will be windy, but not too cold. It will not include a dramatic incline, and it doesn’t look like there will be much rain. I am hoping to enjoy a nice freeing hike – one that gets me out of my head. A proverbial Independence Day celebration for our July 4th in England. We will walk the equivalent of going to SNC to Castleton Square Mall. It will be the same as walking from our godsons’ home to go get donuts at Pops.
Journey Blog
Day 6: Bampton to Orton
Steps for Recovery – Day 6
Opening Reflection
Sometimes shit just happens. Other times…
We found ourselves in a muddy spot and Bill had gotten out with a nimble hop, skip, and a jump. I wasn’t really sure how he had done that, but I noticed a spot where the mud looked much different and I assumed that different was good, so I aimed my foot directly for it. It was not mud. We have transitioned from sheep to cows as the primary livestock in the area and I was ankle deep in a cow pie. What a mess! There is probably an analogy for life in this story somewhere.
Today’s Journey
We left Bampton this morning after talking with the hikers we had met before that are from Washington, DC. We had planned a bit of a similar route, but we left far enough ahead that we never crossed paths, but we did see them settling in for supper. It was a pretty morning but then it turned a little gloomy and finally the rain came. Today’s trek was not too difficult, we had some time on the pavement getting to the trail, we had time in pastures where the grass can be a little taller and harder to get through. Our hotel room is a walk up several flights of stairs and my heart sunk at carrying all of gear up here, but the hotel clerk carried it all but one bag.
Today’s Challenge
We have got to get more sleep. Bill has been sleeping longer, but not well. I have been sleeping well but not long enough. The rooms are not air conditioned and at about 3:30 in the morning I just can’t stand it anymore. I had read that Americans really do struggle with this so I brought us cooling blankets. We tried those last night and it did help more than I figured it would.
Steps for Recovery Update
We are almost to 50% support of the goal and we are almost to 50% of the days walked. We need a few more pledges to come in. Steps for Recovery — Suburban North Club Pledges submitted now do not need to be completely paid for a couple more weeks so feel free to pledge now and donate later. We are so thankful for all of the support we have gotten for Suburban North Club so far.
Tomorrow’s Preview
Tomorrow we walk from Orton to Kirkby Stephen. It is the equivalent of walking from SNC to St. Elizabeth Seton. It is the equivalent of going from our god son’s house to Pop Donuts. (Donuts sound really good) With the lakes behind us we have some bigger mile days coming up but a bit less elevation change. It will be just over 11 miles so we figure it will take us about 6 hours counting breaks.
Journey Blog
Day 5: Patterdale to Bampton
Steps for Recovery – Day 5
Today’s Journey
Today we took the opportunity to experience the Lake District via boat and it was fantastic. Walking around the lakes it is hard to recognize how big they are. It is much easier to comprehend the amount of ground we have covered now.
The paths are very rocky. This helps them fight against erosion, but it makes it difficult hiking. We must focus on our feet rather than taking in the views. The boat was a great option for us.
People Along the Way
The trails are not full but we are starting to see some of the same people over and over. Today we ran into a family from the Washington, DC, area that we had met yesterday.
Today’s Challenge
We are starting to find our rhythm – changing hotels every day is necessary so we don’t waste time going back and forth to different places along the trail. But, it means we have to unpack everything each evening when we arrive and then pack everything again in the morning. We have opted to have a luggage transfer service move our bags for us and they require we don’t exceed our weight limit. Wet clothes weigh more! This has been a difficult math problem to master, but we are getting better and better. As we progress, we will use up more and more of the snacks and supplements we brought. The hope is we can be done to only 3 duffle bags by the end.
Steps for Recovery Update
We are approaching the half way mark for our days walking and for the fundraising goal! We are so excited to be serving Suburban North Club while we are on this adventure. Thank you so much for all of the support we have gotten so far, it really does mean the world to us. If you feel inclined to do so, you are encouraged to share the website with others.
Tomorrow’s Preview
Tomorrow we go from Bampton to Burnbanks, to Abbey Wood, through Shap, and on to Orton. It will be about 13 miles, the equivalent of going from SNC to Castleton Mall. In Alabama it is just about the same as going from our godson’s home to their airport. We should have a pretty morning. We need to have fast feet because the afternoon will include some rain and the less of that the better. We are going to go up and down, up and down all day. Most of the rises don’t look too intense, but they may feel different in the rain. Off to get some rest!
Journey Blog
Day 4: Grasamere to Patterdale
Steps for Recovery – Day 4
Opening Reflection
Bill and I needed a quick supper last night. We stopped in a grocery store for take away options and headed to our hotel for an in room picnic. When we were done eating, I bagged up the trash from the meal and the bag was too big to fit in our in room trash cans. The Bed and Breakfast we stayed in is not staffed overnight. When I went downstairs to find a larger trash can, I couldn’t locate one. So, I hung the bag on the Staff Office door. I wondered how weird they would think that was when they arrived in the morning.
All of our gear was drenched in the rainstorm on Friday, and our hiking boots had not yet dried out on Saturday evening. I decided to shove the nozzle of the hair dryer in a boot and let ‘er go a while. I shifted from the first boot to the second, and then to the third and I started to wonder how long I should let this go on. At some point this poor little hair dryer is going to give up on me. About that time the whole thing blew with a loud pop. I had toasted it.
You all have taught me not to live with regrets, guilt, shame, or remorse. I am to acknowledge these feelings, discuss them with a trusted advisor, and work through the next steps which may include making amends to someone.
The Bed & Breakfast we stayed in also operates a cute little café that serves breakfast and lunch. We ate there this morning. We were greeted by a friendly man who was already hard at work and wanted to make us coffee. When he brought them over to our seats, I acknowledged the awkward trash greeting and he just laughed. He said it was rather honest of me to even bring it up. When he came back around with our breakfast, I explained that the hair dryer broke last night and he assumed it had been faulty equipment. I corrected him, that I was trying to dry our boots and I had over committed. He was astounded that I even bothered to mention it. I could have left that hair dryer in the drawer and no one would have ever known it was me that made the mistake. But I offered to make it right and he wouldn’t hear it.
Thank you for teaching me that paying a small price for a simple mistake is worth the opportunity to lighten someone else’s load. The next guest that goes to use the hair dryer in that room will have one that works rather than be left in a lurch that he would have had to handle with no notice. Thank you for teaching me that I should always be able to hold my head high, and when it tilts down there are things I can do to raise it back up.
Today’s Journey
We had a lovely hike planned but my knees just wouldn’t play along. We got about a quarter of the way through the day when I felt we should turn back. Instead of taking in sweeping valley views, we got to hang out in a café and a park and wait for our transportation to the next spot. And my goodness, this place is grand! The service has been fantastic, and the property is amazing. This is our favorite yet because we are nestled at the bottom of a beautiful mountainside, but we have the most up to date amenities – best of the old world and the new world.
The weather sidelining us on Saturday and knees taking us out for the day were a little disappointing, but we are playing the long game. With two weeks yet to go, we must be smart.
Tomorrow’s Preview
Tomorrow we leave the Lake District and are heading into the Yorkshire Dales. We get to hike, take a steamer boat across a lake, and then hike a bit more. The hike will be relatively short, but it will be in the blazing afternoon sun – yes, we get sun tomorrow! The hike will be about the equivalent of walking from Suburban North Club to Fairbanks. For our family in Alabama, it would be like walking from your current house to your old house.
Journey Blog
Day 3: Seatoller to Grasamere
Steps for Recovery – Day 3
Opening Reflection
We can’t control the weather, but we can control our reaction to it. We are a little disappointed that the weather was so severe today, but we made the best of it. A slow morning in Seatoller led gently into a slow afternoon in Grasmere. Grasmere is an idyllic village with narrow streets and lots of people milling about. We didn’t have to worry about big winds or slick rocks today! Instead, we got to drive through the beautiful valley and see the area from a different point of view. I have fought off the false pressure to do this exactly as planned and we have enjoyed the day drying our gear and stretching our sore muscles.
Tomorrow’s Preview
We have started to stuff our backpacks ready for another day walking across England. We will remain in the Lake District tomorrow and then things start to get a little easier. Tomorrow starts with a wild climb like we had yesterday but I think we are better prepared for it. When we did our training hikes the climbs really did get easier each time we went out. We will walk from Grasmere to Patterdale. We will reach amazing heights and see some spectacular views over the course of 8 miles. For those in Noblesville, this is the equivalent of walking from SNC to Koteewi State Park. For our family in Alabama, this is the equivalent of driving from our godsons’ home to the Bass Pro Shop.
Journey Blog
Day 2: Ennerdale Bridge to Seatoller
Steps for Recovery – Day 2
Opening Reflection
I was having a hard time with my backpack during our Day 2 hike. It felt SO heavy. Not like I was tired, even though I was.
Jon Delony talks about the baggage we all carry. He likens it to bricks we keep in a backpack. He says that we choose to wear the backpack, and we choose to keep the bricks in it. He goes on to say that it is our job to identify the bricks and make decisions about them. If we want to be rid of them we have to choose to do the work to get them out of our backpack, to lay those bricks down.
I realized I was squirming in my backpack, and I figured out it was sitting too low on my hips. I asked Bill to tighten / shorten those straps for me and immediately I felt the relief. The weight was no longer burrowing into my shoulders, it was now distributed across my whole core.
What weight do we carry? What baggage do we bring with us? What bricks should we lay down? Are you willing to ask for help? That is not always easy for me.
Today’s Journey
Friday we hiked from Ennerdale Bridge, through Broadmoor, pass Bowness Plantation, into Wild Ennerdale, we took a break at Black Sail Hut, and carried on up Moses Trod to Honister Pass and Slate Mine, then into Seatoller. We covered 14 miles, climbed 3,173 feet, and it took us 11 hours including our breaks.
The weather was just awful. The sustained 40 mph winds made progress difficult, and the 50 mph gusts were terrifying. The constant rains drenched everything – us, the ground, the streams overflowed their banks, every layer of our clothes all soaked.
Trail Lessons
On a day to day basis, mainstream weather apps work great. We didn’t account for the difference between ‘city’ weather and how much more severe weather is at the top of these summits. We also didn’t account for unpredicted weather. While the weather apps told us the day looked gloomy, maybe even miserable, we didn’t realize that the Mountain Information Service indicated something far more grim. And then it was actually worse.
We didn’t pack our backpacks for this amount of wind and rain. We need to put everything in plastic bags. I had worn the proper amount of layers – base layer, t shirt, top layer, rain coat. I had brought an extra warm shirt but it was drenched. As we prepared to finish the hike after our break, I had to make the decision to shed two drenched layers and wear just the one drenched base layer with the rain coat that I knew was not going to keep me dry or warm. We would have to commit to keeping me moving for body heat. This would burn more energy so I was going to fight a calorie battle through the end.
Lessons learned – we have to have the right tools AND we have to use them correctly.
People Along the Way
Again, it was as if the Universe was here to tend to our needs. We were walking a lovely path where the locals walk their dogs and a nice man started up a conversation with us, asking where we were going. We told him our plans for the day and he seriously asked us to reconsider the route. We hadn’t understood the amount of rain they had already gotten and he said the way we had planned was just not safe. So he redirected us and it was still a fantastic opportunity to see Ennerdale Water.
We had met a nice couple from Holland on Monday. They helped us manage an encounter with cows blocking our way. We saw them again at the Black Sail Hut. BSH is a hikers haven – you can get warm water for coffee, they sell simple snacks, they have a wood stove and functioning bathrooms. If you book 6 months in advance, you can even sleep in one of their 3 hostel rooms. While talking at the BSH with the nice couple from Holland, I mentioned that the swift water scared me because I was afraid we could get swept away. She explained that we could get toppled over, but likely could fight the current because of how shallow the water is. We saw them again out on the trail and she remembered my fear as we approached a swollen stream. She waited a moment and offered me a hand across. This helped then, but also gave me more confidence for the many more streams we would cross in the afternoon.
As the hike was nearing the last 5 miles the weather was truly dangerous when combined with the rain and waning energies. We came across some other hikers that were also concerned about how to proceed. We decided to move forward together offering encouragement and sharing thoughts on the best route to take with limited visibility. We shared snacks and waited if one needed a break. We saw them again at supper in the hotel. We are all safe now.
Today’s Challenge
This was not a safe hike for us. Maybe others would be wise to proceed, but we did not have sufficient experience to endure that kind of weather. We talked to God a lot out there. He listened and answered.
Steps for Recovery Update
We have accomplished the first 29 or so miles of our Coast to Coast journey, Steps for Recovery, in support of the miracles that happen every day at Suburban North Club. 2 days done.
Journey Blog
Day 1: St. Bees to Ennerdale Bridge
Steps for Recovery – Day 1
We were walking along St Bees Head and it was rainy and so windy and chilly. I had noticed that the ocean sounded powerful and the sheep were bleating. The grass was so green. I found myself thinking it would be beautiful if the sun were shining. But I had asked myself earlier in the morning to be pleased with it all, so I corrected myself. Wasn’t it already beautiful even if the sun wasn’t out? How often do we miss the good because we had a particular idea already in mind and that clouds our perspective… The sun did eventually come out and we did have some nice weather after all.
Today’s Journey
We covered 14.6 miles going from St Bees, to Sandwith, then Moor-Row, Cleator, Ennerdale, and we stopped at Ennerdale Bridge. It took us 9 hours, and we hiked up 1896 feet which is our biggest climb ever. The terrain was challenging but I only fell once. Bill is more nimble than me.
We picked up our rocks. More on that when we tell you about our last day. SPOILER ALERT: We get to drop our rocks.
People Along the Way
The British people are so very encouraging. One man stopped his car to give us a small token of his excitement for us. He could probably see the weary written all over my face. He jumps out and asked if we were doing Coast to Coast. We talked for a few and he gave us a small note pad to write things down so we could remember things later. Other walkers were staying at the same hotel we were in last night. We had a nice chat with them this morning before we all set out.
Today’s Challenge
Long distance travel is a real strain on your body, so we knew we would be starting off in the hole having just come from the US. I slept poorly last night – I was too excited to fall asleep. Even with all that, today went fine. Rain didn’t stop us, even my achey knees held up pretty well. But we are pretty tired now and I imagine sleep will come easier tonight.
Steps for Recovery Update
We had pledged support today from Tom, Leigh, Holly, and Harold. We are up to 45% of our pledge goal! There is still time to support Steps for Recovery.
Tomorrow’s Preview
Tomorrow is another big day – lots of miles, many feet to climb. We will also have rain all day. (We have changed our route to a safer option.) Tomorrow’s hike is the equivalent of walking from SNC to the Carvel Club. For our godchildren – the hike is the equivalent of walking to your airport.
Journey Blog
Day 0: Travel Day (Depart)
Steps for Recovery – Day 0
Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, page 77
Today was about service. Bill and I were continually checking in on each other to make sure we were doing ok with the journey, had gotten some sleep, didn’t need another water. Looking outside of myself made the travel more bearable – had I been focused on my cranky shoulder or that guy that kept nodding off onto that shoulder, everyone would have suffered for it.
Acts of service came to us, though, too. There was a service representative that wasn’t confident she was being clear in her directions to ‘go around that corner and off to the left and then take a lift and then you will see…’. Instead, she left her post and walked us a block away to where she intended us to get. On several occasions the ticket takers would wave us through the queue so we wouldn’t have to stop to pluck our tickets from our pockets – they just kept us moving toward our goal. Another story of a human being kind to another human was after we had already changed train stations 3 times and I was getting fed up with the hustle and bustle. This particular train station didn’t have lifts (elevators) so we were lugging our 6 bags up and down regular stairs. Ugh, that inner dialogue was starting. And right when I needed it, a stranger / commuter picked up one of bags and winked at me. She carried it one flight of stairs without a word or another glance.
“We are all just walking each other home.” Ram Dass. How lovely is this world when we all behave as if we are in each other’s homes. That sentiment is probably worthy of its own post…
Today’s Journey
Starting Wednesday at 8 AM Eastern, we went from home to Indianapolis airport, to Atlanta airport, to London’s Heathrow airport. From there we stopped at several train stations to eventually land at the Stone House Farm Bed & Breakfast.
Jamie has never been to England before; Bill hasn’t been here in over twenty years When Bill has here it was all related to the US Navy and there was no time for tourism. Going from metropolitan London to the beautiful countryside was a lovely site from the trains. We saw cows and sheep, fields, and many hills. We passed through an area we will see again while on foot in a few days.
People Along the Way
There are two things we are very much looking forward to. One is to see an entire country by foot. To experience its highs and lows – mountains and valleys – seems unimaginable yet here we are. The other is the Coast to Coast banter each evening.
The journey we have decided to undertake is a Coast to Coast Walk from St. Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay. There is no official right way to do it but there are some typical approaches that many adhere to. Some folks camp, and others have lodging like we do. Each evening folks gather and talk about where they came from and about their plans for the next day. Will they take the high route and risk exposure to weather to experience the expansive sights? Or will they take the low route and experience a challenging rocky climb earning some bragging rights? Tonight is our first night to gather with the locals and other walkers.
Steps for Recovery Update
Thank you for the support we have already gotten for Steps for Recovery. We are already 45% to our pledge goal!! We continue to accept pledges while we are out here.
Tomorrow’s Preview
Tomorrow we expect rain and winds at about 15 mph. We expect to start at 50 degrees Fahrenheit and never pass 70. It will be mostly cloudy all day.
The journey from St Bees to Ennerdale bridge is about 14 miles and it should take us at least 7 hours. For those in the Noblesville area, this is the equivalent of walking from Suburban North Club to Wilson’s Farmer’s Market. Some of our family is Alabama is also rooting for us. We have three sweet godsons now, and another on the way. This would be the equivalent of them walking from their house to their dentist appointment.
Journey Blog
Packing and Preparation
Packing with Purpose: Gearing Up for 182 Miles of Recovery
When you’re walking across an entire country—182 miles from the Irish Sea to the North Sea—you don’t just throw a few things in a backpack and hope for the best. You prepare. You plan. You pack like your feet (and your mission) depend on it.
Because they do.
As we count down the final days before we begin our Steps for Recovery hike across England, we wanted to give you a peek behind the scenes at what it takes to gear up for 16 days of walking—and why every item in our packs is a step toward supporting recovery at Suburban North Club.
The Essentials: More Than Just Boots
We’ve spent the past year breaking in our hiking boots—because nothing says “I’m not ready” like a blister on Day 1. But boots are just the beginning. We’ve packed:
Four days of hiking clothes each (because laundry is a luxury, not a guarantee)
Rain pants and jackets (because England is charmingly unpredictable)
Gloves, hats, and base layers (for those brisk, windy mornings)
Sunscreen and sun hats (for the rare but glorious sunny days)
So. Many. Kleenex. (Seriously, why does Jamie’s nose run every time we hike?)
Evening attire - not your typical formal wear! One of the things we are looking forward to most is talking with the local folks about the area we just went through and what we have to look forward to the next day. We hope to make it to our next hotel with time to get cleaned up and have a nice hearty meal and get to know the area a bit.
Fueling the Journey
We’re carrying 16 days of electrolyte replacements to stay hydrated and energized, plus trail snacks to keep us moving between breakfast and our packed hotel lunches. We gravitate toward snack bars and jerky - nicely portable, small, and full of energy. And yes, we’re bringing Epsom salts—because after 15+ miles a day, a hot bath isn’t just a treat, it’s a recovery tool.
Safety First
We’re not just walking—we’re walking smart. Our daypacks (each about 20 pounds) include:
First aid kits with a variety of over the counter remedies for bug bites, congestion, and rumbly tummies.
Whistles and emergency blankets
Flashlights and backup batteries
Map apps and printed guides (because technology is great—until it isn’t)
And while we’ll carry the essentials, a luggage transfer service will move the rest of our gear from hotel to hotel. That means we can focus on the trail, the mission, and the people we’re walking for.
Breakfasts, Backpacks, and Big Goals
Each morning starts with a proper English breakfast (yes, we’re excited), and most days we’ll head out with a packed lunch in hand. But this isn’t a vacation—it’s a fundraising mission.
We’re walking to raise $18,200—one hundred dollars for every mile—for recovery programs that change lives. Every step we take is a tribute to the strength, courage, and hope found in 12 Step communities.
Help Us Carry the Load
We’ve packed our bags. We’ve trained our bodies. We’ve prepared our hearts. Now we’re asking you to walk with us—by pledging your support to Steps for Recovery.
Donate now and help us reach our goal. Every dollar supports the life-changing work of Suburban North Club.
Because recovery is a shared journey, no one recovers alone.
Journey Blog
Training Summary
Every Step Counts: A Year of Training for a Cause That Matters
When we first dreamed of walking across England—182 miles from the Irish Sea to the North Sea—we knew it would take more than just a good pair of boots and a plane ticket. It would take commitment, consistency, and a whole lot of steps. Over the past year, we’ve poured our time, energy, and hearts into preparing for this journey—not just for ourselves, but for everyone walking the path of recovery.
Training with Purpose
Our goal wasn’t just to get in shape. It was to build the physical and mental endurance needed to complete the Coast to Coast Walk—and to do it in a way that honors the spirit of recovery. Every hike, every neighborhood walk, every sore muscle was a step toward raising $18,200—one hundred dollars for every mile—for recovery programs that change lives.
We trained to:
Master hydration management—learning how to fuel our bodies mile after mile.
Use trekking poles effectively—to protect our joints and keep our rhythm.
Break in our boots—because blisters on Day 2 of a 16-day hike? Not ideal.
Build up mileage and elevation—gradually increasing distance and incline to prepare for the rugged English countryside.
The Miles Behind Us
We’ve logged hundreds of miles across trails, parks, forests, and city streets. From the flat paths of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail to the steep climbs of Low Gap Trail in Monroe County, we’ve walked through every season and every kind of weather. Some highlights:
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, VA – 15.2 miles of coastal beauty
Yellowwood State Forest, IN – 9.5 miles and 564 feet of elevation
Three Lakes Trail, Martinsville, IN – 11 miles with over 1,200 feet of climb
Low Gap Trail, Monroe County, IN – 10.75 miles and 1,575 feet of elevation gain
And countless more: neighborhood loops, greenways, and forest trails that tested our endurance and deepened our resolve.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just a hike. It’s a symbol of recovery—of taking life one step at a time, even when the path is steep. It’s about showing that with support, structure, and a little faith, we can go farther than we ever imagined.
We’re walking for everyone who’s ever taken that first brave step into recovery. And we’re inviting you to walk with us—by pledging your support to the Steps for Recovery campaign.
Join Us
Every dollar raised goes toward supporting recovery programs that offer hope, healing, and a second chance. Whether you give $10 or $100, your support helps us reach our goal—and reminds us that we’re never walking alone. We are 40% to our goal and there is still time for you to pledge your support. To pledge, Reply to this email or fill out a Pledge Form at Steps for Recovery — Suburban North Club
Donate now and help us reach $18,200—one step at a time.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We are so glad you are on this journey with us.