We all gather at the hotel pool. Isabella is given an 8th birthday party. Pauline soaks her feet with Aileen, Mildred, Nice, Edgar, Jill and others.

Monolo, the race director, gives finisher trophies to all. The kids, Bianca, Isabella, Maya, and me, swim merrily. Adrianna two kids under her arms enjoys the day. Janie and Eddie take in the pools side sights while Meserita and Edgar support us all. Edgar Allen and son join Day full of smiles. Matt and Vanessa as usual chase after Liam and Wayatt. Melissa, the Half Marathon victor, takes a break she has well earned while Vinnie and Gabriel rejoice over finally finding Denie the last finisher of the race. Rachel the hospitality host serves food and drink.

Pauline makes the rounds greeting the family and reads a proclamation form the Mayor denoting “Tom Kline Day in Key West”.

My sisters Diane and Jane finally relax. Steve is still hard at work recording the event for prosperity. Doris, as always, coordinates, facilitates and helps make everyone proud to be here.

And then…….That’s All Folks!

I offer Vinnie and Matt the opportunity to race each other to the finish giving each a chance to earn the $300 prize. They both decline and stay with me. And just like that My Dream Walk is finished. The four of us hold hands and cross the finish lie together. Onlookers cheer. I am content. Then Vanessa pushing the twins in a stroller and accompanied my Isabella [almost age 8] and Maya [age 6] walk their way too to the finish Isabella has a blister. The other six milers and three mile racers all finish. They are rightfully proud of their accomplishment. Those who could not participate in the walks are there to cheer us all.

It says we are 90 miles form Cuba. Tourists patiently wait in line to take photos at the monument. There is a buzz as folks learn that I have walked here from Alaska. The

family walk family gathers in front of the impressive monument. This wonderful moment is captured forever in video and in photos. Thank you family!

By mile marker two we are moving briskly along the sidewalk stopping now and then to wait for traffic signals. I feel a bit tired and plan my strategy for a fast sprint the last three hundred yards. This is an old racing trick of mine. Loose competitors at the very end, if I can!

Accompanied by some of the six mile racers I pass the event hotel which is three miles form the Dream Walk finish line at the monument denoting the Southern most point in the Untied States. Another group of family racers join us and commence their three mile race. Everyone is excite including me. This time I stop only for a short while. Vinnie pushes out ahead of me. With a smile I sprint, walking of course, to catch him. He is doing well. Matt joins us. Now we have a real race.

With less than a mile to go we spot Melissa. Even though she was far ahead in her half marathon she stopped and waited’ I want to finish with me Dad”, she confided to someone.

Melissa continues to run and walk with fluid motion. She is ahead of our pack and has to find here way alone. Wow, what a runner!

As I approach mile marker six a large crowd[ at least to me] cheers. They all wear the Dream Walk Finale tee shirt. I thought there were six competition but now there are a few more. No matter great fun will follow. We all start together, slowly. i drink hot coffee and eat a roll. Within a mile the pace quickens I decide to stay with the leaders. The sun is up. The heat impedes easy breathing. i douse my head with cold water and move on now quickly. At the first long traffic light four of us catch up to each other as we wait to cross. Everyone is smiling, I think!

Gabriel has some early difficulty at this distance and decides not to continue. Near mile marker 11 Melissa finally passes me. “My hip is hurting”, she says. We talk but within minutes off she goes running. “I will see you at the finish line”, I shout. And Melissa trots confidently into the distance.

An hour has passed. I glide past the thirteen mile post marker. But, those competing in the half marathon which I have arranged are not there to start with me. Shortly a car passes. The participants wave and holler. i momentarily turn around and see them exit the car. The race is on.

Sugarloaf Key and mile marker number 17 on route number one heading directly to Key West. The sun is not quite awake yet. The morning is cool but somewhat humid. After a brief greeting video i am off walking. I go against traffic. Fortunately, for the early miles there is a paved bicycle track for me to walk. I move easily. Early morning bikers are courteous as they pass me in both directions. The fast bikers, wearing colorful jerseys fortunately stay on the highway. The first miles pass easily. I keep on trucking, as they say!