Top Twenty Things We have Learned So Far

1. Do NOT drive West during the hours that the sun is setting.

2. Trucker hats do in fact have a purpose.

3. You can name a road or a river anything you damn well please (Ex. Bear Butt Creek).

4. Sometimes it is ok to talk to strangers.

5. Cute little prairie dogs CARRY THE PLAGUE.

6. When driving into red states anti-Bush bumper stickers…BAD IDEA.

7. Al Gore really isn’t a dumb ass.

8. You can not cross the Canadian border with Mace, but you can with a riffle.

9. You can buy a stuffed polar bear in Jackson Hole, WY for $35,000.

10. Cows and Bison always have the right of way.

11. Idaho has more than potatoes.

12. That Ohio doesn’t really get snow.

13. That wildlife also have to deal with the paparazzi.

14. Armpit hair can grow quite long.

15. Humans are slower than most animals…take that as you will.

16. Wal-Mart parking lots are great to sleep in, but their bathroom sinks are not adequately designed to
wash your hair in.

17. Everything sounds funnier in your head, and after you’ve been driving in the middle of nowhere for HOURS.

18. No matter where you go, EVERYTHING is made in China.

19. The best things in life are free. (or we are really cheap).

20. “Buffalo can weigh 2000 pounds, and sprint at 30 miles per hour which is three times faster than you can run”. - US National Park Services (See illustration)

The good people of Sandpoint Idaho and Washington State

Well, some may ask what is in Idaho? We learned earlier on this trip that Idaho has some very nice hot springs = ), but we learned today that Idaho also has really nice people!!!!
We took our time waking up in the luxury of the hotel room. It really kind of felt strange sleeping indoors = ) I went for a quick jog through town. Haven’t been able to jog for a while because… well have had to worry about bears and mountain lions eating me if I am alone in the woods = ). So it felt good to go for a run! Anyways after we got showered and organized the van, we set out to get Lenny (the van) looked at). We have had some problems with the power steering. I had checked and refilled the power steering fluid, but still the problem persisted so I called my lifeline (Daddy) and he told me the belt was probably loose. We stopped in at a place called Perfection Tire and spoke to Les. He said they were booked, but he personally looked underneath the hood and said that yes in fact the belt was very loose. He looked at us, hesitated, and then said he would squeeze it in and have one his guys tighten the belt. We said thank you, and then sat in the lobby area talking with him about our travels between customers that came in. We also heard him talking to some of his guys about them cooking ELK steaks in the back. They finished Lenny up in about 45 minutes and when they brought the keys back, Les told us there was NO CHARGE! We thanked them many times, and asked them about the ELK steaks we heard them speak of. They then brought us a piece to try and wished us luck with our travels. Oh we had asked the guys if we could buy ELK meat anywhere, and they told us that you really couldn't get Elk meat unless you shot it yourself. = ) What great guys!!! We decided to say thank you with a homemade pie from the “PIE HUT” we had read about and saw yesterday. We drove there and picked the boys up a three berry pie, and ourselves a piece of chocolate pecan pie. The two ladies working there said they had seen our Ohio plates and asked where we were going next on our road trip (without us even saying we were on one = ) I guess we just look like we have been on the road for a while = ) We told them about our travels and why we were there to buy a pie. Sandy asked the ladies if all the pies were made from scratch, and one responded “we buy the tins” = )They then gave us our pie, and did not even charge us for our piece of pie which is regularly a $6 piece of pie = ) We took the boys their pie, headed to get a few groceries, and then went to the park where we cooked up a veggie burger patty, mushrooms, peppers, onions, garlic, cilantro…well anyways we ate our delicious meal and then shared our even more delicious piece of pie. We then got on the road again and made it into Washington State where we slept at a Walmart in Omak, WA.

Today we got up and around and started our drive further into Washington. We drove through the unique little town of Wintrop, and through the North Cascade National Park.We stopped at the Cascadian Farm, a cute little place where you could pick your own blueberries or pumpkins, they had homemade icecream, and much more. We shared a sugar cone filled with their homemade icecream, and bought some Marinara Sauce. Turns out you can only pick your own blueberries if you are going to get at least 10 pounds of them. = )A bit more than we needed = ). I was disappointed.

We made it to this adorable town in Washington called Bellinham, where we now sit.
Our plan had been to take a train up to Vancouver, BC and then a ferry from there to Vancouver Island and back to Washington, but the train part of it did not actually work out. = ( We will have to ride the train another time. So the plan now is to stay here in Bellingham tonight. Then drive down to Anacortes, WA tomorrow sometime. From there we will head out on a ferry to Vancouver Island, BC on Tuesday morning early. We will then island hop our way back to Anacortes. We must leave Lenny in Anacortes and do a little backbacking, because some of the ferries between the Islands do not allow vehicles. So we will be packing in, and sleeping in the tent for a few days. While on Vancouver Island we will be in Canada, so no phones there. But when we jump into the San Juan Islands we will be back in the US and turn our phones on again. Hope this e-mail finds everyone doing well!!! We miss you and love you so very much!!!!
P.S. Grandma, today for lunch we had turkey, avacado, cilantro, peppers,and cream cheese on a Wasa Bread (It's kind of like a big cracker) = )

Out of Canada into Idaho = )

We woke up and drove down by the lake. The sun was just coming out. After it was light we went into town to a little café called Zuma and sat down to have a cup of coffee and share a bagel. We then took a drive to see Cameron Lake just about 12 miles into Waterton National Park. Another beautiful view! We didn't even get out of our pj's until we headed on down the road towards the United States Border. At customs we had to get out of our van and a huge x-ray machine went over about 6 cars/trucks. We were cleared to cross the border, and we headed back down into Montana, over the Crowsnest pass, and into Idaho. As we entered one town in Idaho we saw a group of folks on horses leading a bunch of cattle across the road. Some of the riders were struggling, and all we could figure is that they had paid to ride a horse and have the experience of herding cattle = ) Oh how our ancestors would laugh if they could see how we PAY to do, what they HAD to do in order to make a living = ) We also saw many wind power, energy systems just covering the hills, and signs warning of wind gusts. When we finally decided to stop for the night we were in Sands Idaho, and I spoke to my dad who filled me in on what was happening in the news. He told me of the presidential debate that was to take place tonight. He insisted we get a hotel where we could relax and watch the debate, and told us he would cover the cost. We did just that! It has been many chilly nights sleeping in the van, long drives on winding roads, and cleaning up in bathrooms where people give us funny looks! = ) It feels so nice to have a real bed, a warm room, and a private bathroom. It’s funny though, we’ve been on the road so long, it almost feels weird = ). Tomorrow we are going to give our “house”/van a good cleaning and get the fluids, tires, breaks checked, oil changed, etc. In other words a Spa Day for Lenny = ) Then we will head on down the road and into Washington State! Hope this blog finds everyone doing well!!! We love and miss you!!!!

Day 2 in Glacier and Canada

We had slept in our clothes last night because we were not sure if we would be run off at the lodge. So we woke up, threw on our boots, brushed our teeth, and were off to do one more path on the West Side of the park. We did the 4 mile round trip hike to Avalanche Lake. It was early and we tried to make noise so as not to startle any large animals. We did not see any Moose or bear but we did have a group of rowdy squirrels that made lots of noise and ran back and forth across our path making us very aware that they did not want us there = ) Once again a hike that was recommended by Ranger Doug was well worth the time spent. At the end of the hike we were sitting down by a lake, surrounded by mountains that have three waterfalls coming down the side of them. You feel so raw, so exposed when you look up in every direction and you are the smallest things there next to the stones beneath your feet. It had a very womb like feel to it. Oh and the water all over Glacier Park is like none that you have ever seen. The blue and green color is breathtaking, and it is so clear! Also on this path back to Avalanche Lake the majority of the rocks were a beautiful purple and green rocks. So wonderful! After the hike we went to say our good byes to Ranger Doug and eat some brunch. We headed on down the road, to the East side of Glacier and towards Canada. Our first stop was Two Medicine, and we sat on the beach there, looking up at the mountains, just like we had been told to do. We continued down the road , which was winding and occasionally blocked by free-range cattle = ) Our next stop was St. Mary’s Lake which had been featured in many of the books we bought for the trip, and it lived up to and surpassed our expectations. We then went on down the road to see the “Many Glaciers” and the hotel there. That is where Ranger Doug had spent his summers with his mother and the Blackfeet Indians. We then hurried up the pass to try and get to the Canadian border to cross over, before it closed at six. A nice young Canadian gentleman politely drilled us on why we were going into Canada and what we had with us. He ended up taking one of our Mace canisters, we did not tell him about the others = ).He suggested we buy approved Bear Mace instead. He asked us if we had any Reefer, we OF COURSE said no = ) and he let us cross the border. As we were leaving his office, they closed the border crossing for the day = ) Almost didn’t make it. We drove to Waterton where we saw the beautiful Prince of Wales Hotel, and then drove into the very tiny, downtown Waterton. Right smack dab in the middle of the town is a campground where we sit as I write this. There is a beautiful view of the lake, mountains, and many, many deer that just roam the campground and the town = ). We are going to shower this evening. It has been a few days = ) and try to get up early in the morning. The weather here is getting rough, so we have decided this is as far North as we will go, at this time. We are going to view the sites here tomorrow, and then start our journey down into Washington. It continues to be an amazing adventure! Love and miss you all!!!!

Ranger Doug’s Poem

Ranger Doug informed us that he began writing poetry after he heard God Speak to him. Ranger Doug is not an overly religious man, he jokes that he’s a part-time Presbyterian = ). However when many of his friends began to pass away, he said God spoke to him. Ranger Doug first mentioned that when God speaks to him, He always calls him Douglas = ). Ranger Doug went on to explain that God said to him, “Douglas, you little bald headed shit, get your act together” = ) The poems were part of that getting his act together stuff = ). The poem I am including here is entitled “The Tipi Ring Society”. Ranger Doug informed us that large stones were used by the American Indian women to hold down the buffalo hide at the base of the Tipi’s. From helicopters you can still see areas that have Tipi rings, indicating a village or society of American Indians inhabited that area. The term “count coup” found in the poem refers to; when instead of killing an enemy when they had the chance, the American Indians would strike them with a stick and allow them to live. This was said to be a much greater victory.

I stood alone
Not long ago
On the great plains
Where the north winds blow

In rings of stones
That circled round
Like a necklace
There upon the ground

A necklace placed
By some small hand
To hold the lodge skins
To the land

And to the poles
Stretched so high
Like fingers
Holding up the sky

And I wondered
What those stones had seen
And what their stories
Might have been

Did buffalo
In and endless sea
Pass by this place
Like you and me

Did painted men
On painted steeds
Count coup here
For glorious deeds

And what of those
With eyes so pale
Did they walk here
On the beaver’s trail

The sacred peaks
Rise there to the west
Did the trail start here
for a vision quest

Did children
Play in the prairie grass
And chase the tumble weeds
As they passed

To hear them sing
As they raced along
We’re wild, we’re free
But not for long

And now they’re gone
And what I’ve found
Is all that’s left
Here on the ground

A circle of stones
Welcomes you and me
To the tipi ring
Society.

Ranger Doug, Julie and Paul, and Day 1 in Glacier

RANGER DOUG: We arrived at Glacier National Park, MT on Wed. September24. As we arrived at the park we decided to stop in at the visitor center to become a bit more informed about the park and certain closings. So there at the Apgar Vistor Center is where we met Doug Follet, better know as our friend Ranger Doug. Ranger Doug retired after teaching history for 35 years, he is in his early eighties, has worked for Glacier National Park part time for the last fifty summers, and he is Canadian = ). He came over to us in the visitor center and asked where we were going. When he discovered that we were flexible he then spent the next three hours informing us about the park, making us laugh, story telling, and sharing with us poetry he had written that brought tears to our eyes (I will include one of his poems in a blog of its own). He told us where to hike, and told us to spend the rest of our life at Two Medicine..well he actually said it like this “You get a jug of whatever suits you, then you sit on the beach at Two Medicine and sip on it until you die”. At one point the phone rang and Ranger Doug went to answer it but not before saying, “If this is George W. again…if he can’t handle the work”, then he just smiled at us with mischief in his eyes and answered the phone. He would often say to the other visitors in the center that if they needed something they need to “yell or you will be adequately ignored” = ). He told many male visitors that if he had to choose between talking to two lovely ladies, or them…well you get the picture. He was ornery and delightful!!! He spoke of “Al Gore’s Prophecy (global warming)” and said “I walked back there every year for 25 years in denial of what was happening“… “always saying they would come back, they will come back”. He began to tear up as he spoke about how he now knows that they are not coming back.
Ranger Doug told us to “run with the sun” in Glacier. The rain and the snow often bring clouds that obstruct views. We were blessed with sunshine, so we heard that he had a program that night at eight in the McDonald Lodge. So after he recited to us four of his amazing poems, telling us the stories of their inspiration, he gave us a copy of each, and we told him we would see him at his program that evening. I must mention that the stories, with the poems, combined with the passion he had when reciting them was so moving. It brought tears to our eyes many times!!! We purchased the Glacier Magazine that featured him as a legend of the park, and he also had a plaque in a near-by store that said he saved the little store by pouring buckets and buckets of water on the building during a fire in 2003. It also motioned he had to be forcefully removed by officials = ) He would have been in his seventies = ).
Ok so we drove as far as we could on the “going to the sun road” that runs right up and over the center of Glacier National Park. We went to Logan pass and hiked to the Hidden Lake. It was three mile roundtrip. The first half was a decent incline and mostly in the snow. Yes folks we saw our first snow!!! The view of the lake and the mountains was spectacular just as Ranger Doug had told us. When we had almost made it back to the van we saw a group of people moving slowly, this was due to the dozen long horn sheep that were casually walking on, over, and around the path. We took some photos from a respectful distance and returned to the van. We stopped to photograph and experience a few other sites on our way back down the narrow, steep, winding roads of Glacier = ) We made it to McDonlad Lodge just as Ranger Doug was starting his program. As we walked in he stopped and said to the audience, “These two lovely ladies are from Ohio, they both have masters degrees, are over-educated, independently wealthy…” and on and on he went making us feel like superstars = ). His program told the history of the park, the railroads, the coal, gold, and silver mining. He told of the American Indian tribes that had inhabited the lands, and how his mother would bring him to Glacier every summer. She would take him into the fancy, expensive lodges and people would ask how long they were staying, and she would proudly say that they were staying the entire season. She would however leave out that they were not actually staying in the beautiful lodge, but with the American Indians in their teepees = ) He spoke of when the “going to the sun road” was completed. He showed a picture of thousands of people gathered on the opening day of this highway and said “this is when all the politicians came to make big speeches about great things, that other men had done. Just as they do now”. Ok, I could write a book about this man. I will just finish by saying that we went to see Ranger Doug before we headed on around to the East side of Glacier and into Canada and he spoke about how he wondered what kind of impact he has had on this earth. He said he always gave as much as he could, and just really wondered what that meant in the larger scheme of things. Ranger Doug makes everyone feel welcome and special, and just knowing him for a few hours has changed both Sandy and I. The impact we can have on other people and this universe is limitless. Ranger Doug wherever you are I hope you know that you have made a huge impact on this planet and on these two lovely ladies = ). THANK YOU!!!! P.S we both received Junior Ranger patches and badges.
JULIE AND PAUL: At Ranger Doug’s program we met two more beautiful people: Julie and Paul from Wisconsin. We told them about what we were doing, and they were so supportive and excited that we are taking the time to travel and just really experience life. We all talked for a few hours about our travels, backgrounds, future plans, and more. In honor of their son, Julie and Paul are starting a foundation for a small village in the Dominican Republic. We thank them for sharing themselves with us, and send our love to them wherever they are!!!
It was late when we left from our time with Julie and Paul, so we decided to risk trying to sleep in the parking lot of the beautiful McDonald Lodge. We were not interrupted and slept very well all night long. We joked the next morning as I took a picture of the beautiful lodge that we could show people the picture of the lodge and tell them “this is the beautiful lodge who’s parking lot we slept in” = ).

Missoula and Jerry Johnson Hotsprings

Well ladies and gentlemen, it was another fabulous day on the road. We woke up in Missoula Montana, a little chilly so I started a small fire to warm us up as we ate breakfast and got things packed up to head out. I did not feel well this morning, so i was a little concerned about how the day would go. We got kind of a late start, but we finally got on the road. We had decided to make a detour off our path to Glacier National Park, and head just accross the Lolo Pass into Idaho to get into some natural hotsprings we had read about. It was about an hour drive up, down, and around the mountain pass. Most of the way you could see the river winding right along side the road. It was beautiful, and unlike most things in the US, the Lolo National Park was free. We stopped at where we thought was Weir hotsprings. We hiked back into the woods, and off the beaten path, and deeper into the woods then we proably should have and were unable to find the Weir hotsprings. So we head back slightly to where Jerry Johnson, or Warm Springs trail head was. It was only about a one and a half mile hike back to the hotsprings. We made it back to the first stop and were informed that there were two more pools up ahead. We decided to check out all of our options. So we came to the second pool where there was a man drinking beer, and giving beer to what looked like his 15 year old brother or buddy, while a ten year old boy played near by. We did not care for the man's energy. We quickly walked the short distance to the third hotspring and decided to return to the first hotsprings we had seen. It was a steep walk down. The hot water ran down to the river from up above forming small falls that emptied into these pools where you could just sit and relax. The water from the mountain was about 114 degrees, but when mixed with the freezing creek water, it was the perfect temperature. You can stand under the falls if you can stand the heat and just let the water massage your back. The thing that drew us out of our way to sit in these hotsprings were that they were all natural, they were free, and clothing was optional = ) Anyone is welcome to sit and play naked around these hotsprings...and yes we took the opportunity to be completey raw and free out in nature = ) At these hot springs we met Kelly and Chris, a very nice young couple from Missoula, and we met George a 73 year young man that could probably write a book about the hotsprings in the US. Visiting the US hotsprings and soaking in them have become one of his many hobbies since retirement. At one point the group of three (the beer drinking fellow) came down to where wer were and tried to talk to us again. He continued to try and get us engaged in a converasation with him and when we did not give him the response he wanted he continued to be inappropriate, but as he walked away. Thank God he did not get in with us. After soaking for at least three and a half hours (in and out of hot water, the falls, and the cold creek) George walked us out. On our hike back he tried to help us spot Moose, he showed us huckleberries and let us try them, as well as other animal and plant identification. He was just an amazing spirit and one we both feel very blessed to have met!!! As we got to our van George gave us both a hug and we parted ways. Sandy drove us back to Missoula while a i made Turkey Sandwiches in the back of the van. Around those curves...well it was tricky = ). We are now back in Missoula and have found the area of the downtown where all the college students spend their time. We are in a little Cafe on Higgins Ave. We are drinking coffee and just feeling warm and relaxed from the days events!!!! We love and miss you all!

Through Yellowstone into Montana

We woke up and got cleaned up in the bathroom, but no showers. Don’t worry it’s only been two days = ) We headed towards Mammoth Hot springs at the Northern Entrance of Yellowstone. This is where we would cross into Montana. We stopped at Tower Falls,and as we headed down the road from this site, we went around a corner and had to stop quickly to let a huge Bison Cross the road. Sandy rolled down her window and snapped a few quick shots, but we moved right along, not wanting to upset the massive creature = ) Next we made it to Mammoth Hot Springs which is a little town pretty much run by Elk. There are signs warning that they will gore you and not to approach them. Just sitting on the yard of the town’s clinic there was an entire herd of Elk. Then later another herd just across the street. And of course there was always a heard of disobedient, ignorant humans trying to get close and take pictures…why do you think there is a clinic in the center of this tiny town? = ) Sandy and I joined the ignorant masses, but only in passing from the safety of Lenny = ) Not too much further we left Yellowstone and crossed the border into Montana. Right across the border was a very cute little town called Gardiner. It seemed like a really laid back, white water rafting, hippies meet cowgirls (and cowboys) type town = ). We headed on down the road and stopped at a picnic area next to the Yellowstone river that runs into Montana. We set up our little portable table, the propane stove with our cast iron skillet to sauté some onions, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic, cilantro, and chicken. That’s right I am still a food snob and we are eating GOOD!!!! = ) After lunch we set out down the road and ended up in Missoula, Montana. That is where we are right now. We are staying at quite possibly the nicest KOA campground in the US = )Our "tent site" has a very nice overhang and storage area where the pinic area is, so that we can stay dry, a fire pit, we have a wireless connection from our site, and there are hot tubs = ). After checking in we went and got into the hot tubs, then returned to our campsite where we cooked portabella mushrooms and turkey hot dogs over a very nice fire. We then sat and chatted around the fire a bit, but am now in the warm confines of Lenny getting ready to go to sleep and prepare for another day tomorrow. In one of the pictures you will see me (Sam)just goofing off in the coolest trucker hat ever!!! Gave us a little laugh, so thought we would share with the group. Goodnight all and we love you!!!!

West side of the Tetons and Yellowstone

We headed out of the Jackson Hole area and towards Signal Mountain, which is the area we had read had the best view of the Tetons and Jackson Lake. It was truly beautiful!!! The three peaks seemed to be alive and towered over us with such authority! We headed on down the road and into Yellowstone. This blog will be short because the truth is when in Yellowstone you see so many beautiful things that trying to write about it and not be a gifted poet/writer just seems ridiculous!!! We saw Lewis Falls, Old Faithful, The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Sulfur Caldrons, and numerous canyons with rivers running through them, winding creeks, and not to mention Bison, Elk, Deer, and other wildlife. We stayed at the Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone. It was a “camping” spot that only allowed hard sided vehicles because of how many bears frequent the area. We however did not see any bears. It got down into about the thirties, but Lenny kept us warm and safe.
SIDE NOTE: So far the Blue October - Foiled Album, has been our new music experience for the trip. It’s about life, love, and recovery. Has really been something I (Sam) seem to identify with. Anyone that wants to make suggestions for additional new music or songs feel free to share = )

Jackson Hole - East Side of the Tetons

Hello everyone. Yesterday we drove from Tensleeps into the east side of the Tetons and then down to Jackson Hole Wyoming. The three peaks of the Tetons (south, middle, and grand) were named "Les Trois Tetons" by french trappers, and means "the three breast". but were called the "hoary headed fathers" by the Indians. Just a little history lesson = ) The drive was incredible, all though there is some costruction on the roads that made for rough traveling and had shut us out of the campsite we had intended to stay at (Fall Creek). We drove into some weather so decided since we could not get a very good view of the Tetons in this weather that we would ride out the storm in Jackson Hole. We checked out the town, a very cute but expensive Western Town. In one store (where no pictures were allowed)we saw a real stuffed polar bear on sale for $35, 000. The picture of the arch around Sandy and I, is an arch made of antlers. The rain let up for a bit and the sun peaked through, while we were walking through town and Sandy yelled at me to see the double rainbow that stretched accross the sky. The picture makes it difficult to see the second, but it was there and it was just a beautiful sight! There were no any campsites in Jackson Hole so we decided to try and sleep in a grocery store parking lot (Alberstons). We stopped and parked on the street near a closed internet cafe so we could check e-mail and update the blog last night...it was dark and we kind of felt creepy sitting in the dark on the computer like that = ) makes me laugh thinking about it now = ) we then restocked our ice, rented a dvd for $1 out of those rental machines they have now, and sat in the van while it rained and wathced "What stays in Vegas" = ) Such luxuary!!!! We were lucky and did not get chased off. We were able sleep all night, I(Sam) woke up and went for a run in the 47 degree weather = ) and then we woke up and went to the public restrooms back in town to get cleaned up and changed. Right now we are just finishing up some laundry and about to hit the road again. The west side of the Tetons are said to be the best view and we are both very excited. After that...its off into Yellowstone National Park!!! We love and miss you all!!!! Hope everyone is well!!!!

Sam’s Personal Birthday Journal

I go back and forth about whether or not I should even attempt to put into words the experience of Devils Tower and the beginning of this new year of my life. I know that I have already written about the evening we arrived at Devils Tower and how moving it was, but up to this point our time spent at Devils Tower has been the most memorable for me and I feel like there is so much to say. Some that read this may think that what I will say sounds a little “spooky” or silly, but… well go there and then see if you can still call me those things = )Sandy and I woke up and went to do the short hike around the tower. About a fourth of the way around I stopped because I wanted to pray and just sit with all of the energy that was ever present in that place. I set the camera down, took my hat off, and considered removing my boots. I was reminded of the bible story which told of Moses and of God in the burning bush,. God told Moses to remove his sandals because the ground he stood on was Holy Ground. I felt that the ground I stood on there was Holy Ground as well. I climbed out just a little past where I was supposed to, and sat on a large boulder at the base of the tower. There I prayed many things…I prayed for strength, wisdom, and courage to live each moment of the next year of my life with intent and mindfulness. I prayed that I would be open to all that God had in store for me. I prayed for constant awareness…awareness of the fact that I was created in the image of God and that I would not limit myself on what I was capable of. To realize that what I dream I can do and become. That my mind can take me past what this physical form tries to tell me I am restricted to. I prayed for my friend Michelle and her family, for in this day I shared the birthday of her sister that has passed on. I told Michelle that on that hike, when I sat to pray I would celebrate and honor the life of her sister, and I did just that. As I sat there with my prayers and my thoughts, I was filled with something so powerful…so deep, that the tears fell down my face. They fell from my face to that rock below me and I believe those tears are a part of me that will remain there, just as all those that came before me and will come after leave a piece of themselves. I stood up and walked towards where Sandy was patiently waiting for me…it was hard to speak and all I could say was “Imagine how big God would look to you if God were standing right in front of you”.
Again the Native American Indians believed the tower and the surrounding land was sacred. In a sense the tower was a type of church or sanctuary to them. We read that many Native American Indians felt such a strong spiritual connection to the tower, that when climbers began hammering metal spikes into it that they felt as if those spikes were being drilled into them. There is a court case right now between a couple of Native American Indian tribes and a group of climbers. The Native Americans are asking that the law restrict all climbing for the month of June so that they may perform their sacred rituals without interruption. The climbers are claiming that this would go against their constitutional rights…I will let you all make your own mind up about this. Sandy asked this question though, “what would we do if climbers wanted to start drilling spikes into the side of a spectacular Roman Catholic Church, or any other church?”
As we walked around I tried to just be as open as I possibly could to all that was surrounding me and drawing me in. At one point Sandy had stopped to read one of the park signs, and I just stood still and continued to SEE. At times it seemed like I could almost see the Native Americans walking through the woods around the tower, appreciating it and life in ways that are lost on most of us now. I saw this rock up ahead, just a bit off the path that seemed to be calling me to it. When I walked up on it I actually saw that from out of this small boulder was growing a Pine sapling. How was it possible? What determination to live, to grow, to be part of all that surrounded it. I thought about how much I take for granted, and how if I just opened my eyes I would see all the beauty and power that surrounds me, that makes my journey through this life so very worth REALLY LIVING!!!!
Ok, I will try to wrap this up…as we made it almost back to the beginning of the trail we stopped to look at the view of the black hills in the distance. Up until now, I had not felt the wind, as I had the night before. Earlier that morning my mom and I had been talking and she had told me to listen, because if I was feeling God that strong he probably had something to tell me. So as I stood there on the edge looking down with the tower behind me, and felt the wind hit my face, I heard God speak. In that wind I heard Him say “around the other side, when you prayed to me, you talked a lot and asked for much, but you did not stop to really listen” I AM LISTENING NOW!
Sandy and I then began our drive further down the road and stopped in a little town called Tensleeps. We had to knock on the door of the house near the campground. The old-timer answered the door in his cowboy hat and bed clothes. He threw on boots and a jacket and checked us in. So thankful for all of you and for this life!

The Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and Sacred Land

WOW!!!! Day six has shown us so many things!!!! It started with our drive through the badlands, which pictures simply can not capture how spectacular and vast these lands are. We stopped at many viewpoints, and climbed on the rocks like we were kids. After the Badlands we drove to Mount Rushmore. We however first stopped in the town of Keystone to buy a few postcards, and ended up both finding some very cute hats = ) I have now bought me a new pair of boots and a cowgirl hat on this trip = ) Did someone say hillbilly? = )We read that it of course was carved using strategically placed dynamite, and that artist had never wanted people to have to pay to see it. But of course if you want to park close they charge you ten dollars. However, there is a profile view where one can park for free and walk up hill about a quarter of a mile to the front of the sculpture. So we would like to say that we walked to honor the artist, but in part it is because we are poor and cheap = ) It was very interesting. It is something we are both glad we went to see, but are not really sure what words to use to describe it. Oh while there we also saw a mountain goat…just hanging out = ). Ok so we moved on down the road, and if you don’t know the majority of South Dakota is land…not people. We stopped in one small town named Scenic that had a population of 77 people. Most bizarre little town!!! After that stopped we continued down the road and passed through the town of Deadwood which is where Wild Bill is buried. We discovered that the border into Wyoming was not to far, and that we may even be able to see Devils Tower before dark. So we continued down the road and made it to Devils Tower, and it is there that we both became very aware of the sacredness of nature. The tower itself takes your breath away!! Native American Tribes spent there winters there and considered the land sacred. There are prayer flags and prayer bundles that hang in trees and permanent signs asking you not to disturb them. When we walked up to the Tower we did not talk much, and if we did we were very quiet!!! The sun was setting and the colors and the sounds were…there just are no words. We decided to stay the night at the campground at Devils Tower and hike the paths in the morning. On our way back to the van to go get a campsite, we stopped to listen to the wind move around the 876 foot tall rock formation and….again there are no words. All I can say is that I had never felt closer to God than I did in that moment!!!! At this point in the trip if I was going to tell anyone to see anything, it would be this. The energy that moves and lives in this place changes you just by being here!!!! We found a campsite for 6 dollars = ) and Sandy made grilled cheese sandwiches while I worked on getting our lantern put together. It is always so good to eat hot food!!!! Right now I am sitting at our picnic table writing the draft of this blog entry. I am writing this under a sky I never realized had so many stars!!!! Tomorrow is my birthday…I feel so very blessed to be spending it here in a place that is filled with so much beauty and depth. I pray that all of you back home feel the energy that we send to you from here!!! So much love!!!! Goodnight!!!!