Montgomery and Selma (ECT Days 66 & 67)

“We focused on the end we hoped to see and kept our eyes on that prize. We could not waste time harboring bitterness or resentment. We knew that our focus had to be on what we hoped to create, not the indignities we were pressing to leave behind. Hating our aggressors was like looking back when we wanted to move forward. We had to use our energy to manifest our dreams and entertaining animosity would have given more power to the status quo. If we truly believed in oneness, then we could not allow ourselves to engage ourselves in the same violence as our wayward brothers and sisters.”

– John Lewis (in Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America)

Pintlala to the Alabama State Capitol (Day 66)

• Hiked Today: 16.6 miles
• • Alabama Connector (114.4 – 131)
• Total Hiked: 1,445.5 miles
• Total Paddled: 99.5 miles

Weather: 40-72°F and mostly sunny

On March 7, 1965 on the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma, Alabama, 600 unarmed people were brutally beaten with billy clubs and sprayed with tear gas by law enforcement officers. These unbelievably brave marchers were peacefully fighting for the right to vote. The cruelty did not defeat them. Instead, on March 25, after five days of walking, they completed all 54 miles to the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery. The final rally swelled to 25,000 demonstrators. Months later, on August 6, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law. These events changed the world.

At some point when hiking through Florida, I got the idea in my head to include the Selma to Montgomery National Historical Trail in my route through Alabama. I put together a whole scheme that involved my own crossing of the Edmund Pettus bridge that actually coincided with the event’s 60-year anniversary, to the day. Ultimately, I decided against the plan choosing instead to stay closer to the “official” ECT route.

Yesterday, as I neared Montgomery, I did choose to veer off in order to connect with the historic route. Heading towards the city’s west side, I walked the last 6.5 miles of the National Historic Trail. There was signage explaining various landmarks, people, and events. Even walking this small stretch felt powerful. Something about walking in their footsteps grabbed my attention and caused me to try and imagine what it might have been like.

Entering into Montgomery, the walk followed a high-traffic road through a busy manufacturing type district…

I discovered that I was very close to another air force base. About 6 or 7 times I watched as these jets took off and followed the same exact flight pattern, shooting straight up into the sky and then disappearing as they curved towards the south. I’m always a bit in awe seeing jets fly around. Even more powerful was hearing them though… it was fun seeing them take off and then waiting for the delayed sound to hit.

The Last Leg of the Selma to Montgomery NHT

In 1965, the route the marchers took was essentially highway 80. Today, it’s a busy fast-traffic divided highway system which is the main reason I opted against walking the whole thing. My path today joined right at the point where the marchers would have gotten off 80 and started directly into the city’s downtown center…

Soon, the more industrial and commercial parts of the city started to transition to neighborhoods.

Continuing past St. Jude’s, there were houses lining the street, a barbecue restaurant that smelled phenomenal (I regret not stopping for an early lunch), and people doing all their normal daily things. Sadly, parts of the walk also showcased areas where buildings had been abandoned. Additionally, signage told how the interstate system split apart black neighborhoods. 

Getting into the downtown without even planning to, I came across the spot where on December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to vacate her seat under segregation laws. Her actions kicked off the 382-day Montgomery bus boycott, the first sustained mass demonstration against segregation. These refusals by women to bus out to the white affluent neighborhoods were critical to the boycott and with that being successful, movement leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. might not have risen to prominence (Davis, 2016).

I ended my walk today where the marchers ended theirs, at the steps of the Alabama State Capitol.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech there about continuing to march on. He said:

“Today I want to tell the city of Selma, today I want to say to the state of Alabama, today I want to say to the people of America and the nations of the world, that we are not about to turn around. We are on the move now…. The road ahead is not altogether a smooth one. There are no broad highways that lead us easily and inevitably to quick solutions. But we must keep going.”

An Afternoon Off 

I had made a plan with the team to stop early today and continue this dive into the history of the area. There is so much wisdom to glean from these world-changing events and I was in awe and inspired by people’s bravery and commitment to change.

After another picnic-style lunch, we planned to visit a museum, but found it was closed for a private event. Not sure what that was about, but this led us instead to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. It was a powerful experience. Art has a way of creating moods and emotions that might not otherwise get across. This was true here at the memorial when walking through various installations remembering the more than 4,400 people who were killed by racial lynchings between 1877 and 1950.

Selma 

The last thing we did before heading back to the campground was drive to Selma. The images of “Bloody Sunday,” are what have been on my mind since I started thinking about my route through this part of Alabama. I watched the movie Selma one of the nights in my tent and have been listening to one of John Lewis’ books. It was certainly out of our way to do this, but it was important to me that this be part of my ECT journey for reasons I don’t fully understand. 

I think it was more meaningful for me visiting this place today when it was more quiet as opposed to a few days from now when  thousands would walk the bridge together. Seeing that would no doubt be impactful too, but the more personal setting allowed me to try to envision myself in the marchers shoes. With an iced coffee in hand and having lived a life always having privilege, it was tough to imagine. Tough, but worthwhile to try, I believe. This whole experience today is one that will stay with me.

Alabama State Capitol to Wetumpka (Day 67)

• Hiked Today: 17.3 miles
  • Alabama Connector (131 – 148.3)
• Total Hiked: 1,462.8 miles
• Total Paddled: 99.5 miles

Weather: 50-72°F and mostly sunny

I slept in as best I could. Rather than jump into walking, I set this morning aside to try and get some errand-type stuff done. The main tasks I hoped to knock out were my tax return and renewing my driver’s license, which is expiring soon.

After making some headway on those things, I once again got dropped off to walk the roads. It was a pretty uneventful walk if honest. The highlight was when instead of staying on the busy Highway 231, I took a few quiet side roads that ran parallel.

I even got on a video chat with other long-distance hikers as part of the 2025 Thru-r Trail Team. Thru-r is an amazing community that my friend Cheer created. The mostly online platform helps folks connect, plan future thru-hikes, and build camaraderie with other one another. This year they even awarded scholarships to six hikers to help with their thru-hike costs! I’m pumped to be one of about 30-hikers on the trail team. And it was fun getting to introduce myself and hear about all other’s fun adventures across the world.

Mom and dad moved camp today to “Camp Sherrye on the Coosa,” in Wetumpka. Not even kidding, that’s what it was called. This new spot is north of Montgomery and my hike today actually ended very close to it, just about a mile away.

Album of the Day:

“Songs For Goldfish (Live)” (2005) by Ben Folds 

Audiobook of the Day:

“Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America” (2012) by John Lewis