Abbey of Genesse

I arrived here at the Abbey of Genesee in Piffard New York on Monday evening and will be departing tomorrow (Friday) morning. I have been staying in the Cooks room at the Bethlehem Retreat House. I came to Genesee on the recommendation of my friend Dick Mandell whom I met at the Hostel in Chicago. I will also visit St. Joseph's Abbey in Massachusetts in the coming weeks as it is also along Route 20. I arrived on Monday night just after 6:00 and I met the Porter, Brother Lewis, up at the Abbey. Other retreatants were just about to have their welcome meeting and I Let Brother Lewis know that I was traveling and requested hospitality. He called Down to Kathee at the Retreat House and she said to bring me down. She set me up in the cooks room behind her office and adjacent to the communal dining area and the kitchen. The meal had already been served to the other guests but she warmed me up some of the leftover pasta and cut me a ripe yellow tomato that she had grown herself and I had some warm slices of Monk's Bread. The other guests are here on silent retreat which suits me just fine as I am silent most of my days while walking except when speaking or singing to myself and the butterflies. The House Observes a grand silence from 7pm to 7am. I have enjoyed staying put for a while and having a warm bed. I showered and settled in, with some Chinese Tea, to what would be my home for the next three days.

Breakfast of Monk's Cinnamon Raison and Raison Bran Cereal. I volunteered to prepare the dining room for noon diner. All the retreatants filed in and stood behind the seat where they would sit after the diner bell rung and grace was said. Kathee had prepared a wonderful meal as she does noon and night daily for all the guests of the Bethlehem House. We have had Potato Pancakes, Buttered Sage Pasta, Beef Stew, various salads and vegetable dishes, pumpkin pies on Halloween and lots of great deserts. Every day at 1:30 there is a talk by one of the Monks. Tuesday and Wednesday Father Jerome, the Prior and Guest Master of the Abbey came down to speak with us. Father Jerome is the embodiment of Love and Congeniality. Stories and jokes were the vessel with which he conveyed his lessons, wisdom, and experience on prayer and our relationship with the divine.

Tuesday afternoon I went to Mass in the Chapel and received communion. We sang psalms and several of the brothers shared their thoughts and writings with the congregation. Afterwards, I was hanging around in the bookstore and Father Jerome found me and asked if I would like to be beaten up by a monk later... Of course a chat with the Father was exactly what I was hoping for and I was delighted that he had the same desire. I ate my 5:30 super quickly so that I may arrive at the Abbey punctually at 6:00 for my exclusive visit with the head of the Abbey. On my way up the trail, Father Jerome drove up and had me ride with him to the other guest house which he needed to open up and prepare for some Late Tuesday Arrivals. Father Jerome drives, has a cell phone, checks email and keeps the website going for the Abbey. In our chat up at the Abbey, we talked about the Monastic life, about his contacts with the outside world and his past life, and how technology enters into the equation. Father Jerome says that the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, or Trappists, The order of which he and the Abbey are adherents to, is in another period of deliberation on certain issues including technology, that will shape the future of Abbey for some time to come. Trappists have had several periods of reform and the issue of how do cell phones and computers impact Monastic life is sure to be addressed soon. I thought about my journey and how many miracles have occurred for me along the way, and I am myself contemplating how the advanced technology I carry has affected me. The thought has occurred to me that technology is increasing the rate at which miracles are manifesting in my world, patience used to be one of the essential for the observance of miracles, perhaps the technology I carry has allowed miracles to become more instantaneous and brings a new equation for the interconnections of life, or the web of life. The Father agreed with me on the world responding to what we ourselves emanate or carry with in us. The Pilgrim moves when the light shines through the clouds and the smoke to illuminate the path. When I shared with Father Jerome, the multitude of Angels that have blessed me along my way, he closed his eyes and emanated a most joyful and contented "Mmmmm" as he in that knowledge found joy and faith.
To Be Continued...


Nov 5th
I am presently in Geneva, NY with my friends Jenn, Daithai, and Jenny. Jenn and Daithai run a natural healing shop in town and have been so wonderful and have let me stay with them at their home on the lake. Saturday night, After a delightful visit with Ethel at the Z-Coil Store and after my newspaper interview, Jenn and Daithai and I went for a delightful dinner and I very much enjoyed being around two people which emanate such peace and love and who complement each other so well. Jenn's Good Friend Jenny and I will be going to Rochester today to see the Our Body: The Universe Within Exhibit at the Rochester Science Center.

I have only another 360 miles until Boston!

Special Thanks to Ethel from Z-Coil Geneva for my new Shoes that will carry me to the Ocean!

Cleveland

Hello World,

I am in the Cleveland area and doing wonderful. I am making so many lifelong friends and being well taken care of by the world. I will get photos and updates out again soon... Thanks for your patience and for coming along with me. I have been engaged every moment of every day since I came into Chicago and thus my website has fallen way behind. You will be hearing more form WFP soon so stay tuned:-)

New Updates

Greetings Friends!

I have updated the photo pages up to day 110. The Journal is up to day 90.
Please check them out at here.

I am currently in Elgin Illinois and doing Wonderful. I will be in Chicago this weekend! Under 1,100 miles to go till Boston.

Updating of the web page has been slow... but I will keep at it:-)

Day 80 Mile 1286-1306

Leaving Lusk, not easy. My tent site and swimming pool, my good eats and good sleeps; but Nebraska is just a day away and so I take one last trip to the pool and shower before setting off in to the heat. My meal is half of the half left from last nights sub supper with super apple pizza pie. I save the remaining quarter for later because I am not sure what will be available to me to eat tomorrow. I stroll along out of town passing the old Red water tower and waving to the Union Pacific Rail Conductors. The day gets hotter, there is a breeze and I survive. Big clouds ahead of me dark ones behind and one little patch of sunshine which shines right on me. I am still 3 miles outside of Van Tassell and the Nebraska border but Lightning strikes. Lightning that warms the air from 10 miles out. You can’t hear the thunder but you can feel the heat. I try to flag someone down to take me into town and out of the storm to no avail. I push on, but 3 miles will take nearly an hour and its getting dark... I sing with the lightning... knowing I am safe. I laugh with the rush that comes from being out in the storm, but contain myself... I know that the storm is attracted to loud energy so I calm myself and become serene as the rolling hills. The storm will stay in the buttes. I come across a bridge that goes over railroad tracks and think of camping there but too much train traffic is going on and I keep going and find a narrow cattle crossing which goes under the road. I use my walking staff to clear the tumble brush from infront of the culverts opening and I set up tent with the rainfly half on - half off just incase the storm comes near I can put it on quick but leaving it half off so that there is some airflow to cool my sweaty body as I lay down to rest. Its dark now but the air is hotter than it was when the sun still hung on the horizon. The lightning warms the air and the tent blocks the breeze, yet I keep it zipped up to keep the ants and other crawling things out.

Day 79 Mile 1286

To my good fortune, just as the sun beams absorbed into my little home the RV in the tent site next to me pulled out so that I could move my tent behind the bushy tree and sleep a little longer to regain my self after yesterday’s Dino Trek. In the dreams of second sleep I envisioned myself driving around Venice Beach looking for parking where I would be in the shade and I saw the future home of a new center that I am developing (details will be divulged after the walk). So I got up and started drawing the blueprints. Headed back over to the truck stop cafe where I ate last night with the Dino Team and had the same wonderful Garden omelet with extra hashbrowns and side salad all the while dreaming and sketching the future:-) Walking around Lusk on a 96 degree day. Paid 3 bucks for pool privileges at the neighboring Covered Wagon Motel. By the pool I Tried to use Google Sketch up to draw out my ideas... wow I need computer 3d graphics training... I better stop in at an Apple store to brush up my skills:-) As the battery drained and flies tickled (nice way of putting it) my feet... I decided I better cool of in the pool. Anyone who’s ever swam with me knows I have to plug my nose when I go underwater... but no longer!!! I taught myself to swim underwater:-) Now for the first time in my life I can dive in head first and swim around below the air. Now I can water wrestle with Ethan with out having to stay in the four foot section:-) Got back to camp just before the rain to cover everything else. The rain lasted a mere matter of minutes and back to heat. The birds continued to play in the lawn sprinklers and shower to keep cool. Got a few fried mushrooms for lunch and settled in to writing web updates while I listen to the future songs of Mr. Justin Bilancieri. I just ordered a vegi sub and desert pizza from the pizza place and they will deliver it right here to my camp site! Wish you were here:-)

Day 78 Mile 1286

Setting up my tent last night I was so distracted from reality by the awe inspiring milky-way sky with (sans city lights) that I did not think about where the sun would be rising from in the morning and as a result had zero shade and had to get out of the tent at like 6:30. Pulled out my sleeping pad and bag and found shade behind Toms house and half slumbered until JP also got up and started preparing for our days Dinosaur excursion. We were meeting Nolan and his son Zack at Stan’s Ranch where we would trounce all throughout the canyons and dried up river beds and hammer and brush into the ancient exposed layers of our Earth’s crust. JP (Jean Pierre) came out to Wyoming from Lexington Massachusetts and just fell in love with the wide open space, canyons, and the abundance of Dinosaur fossils. He is a Paleontologist and works at the college of Wyoming. He has been taking people out on digs for years. Nolan and Zack actually had their first dig with JP five years ago and decided to that on their summer vacation this year they would meet up with JP again and go on another adventure. We went way out into the middle of nowhere in north-eastern Wyoming. We could see the black hills of South Dakota off in the distance. We met Nolan and Zack from Milwaukee and headed off to our first of three dig sites. Zack goes to the University of Wisconsin where he plays trumpet in marching band and is hoping that UW’s football team will push on to the finals this year so that he can travel out to the Rose-bowl. The three of us tore up the back county roads and and arrived overlooking a canyon. JP gave us our chisels, hammers and brushes and off we went down into the gullies. We started chiseling into the layers from the late Cretaceous and Jurassic periods. This area was actually a coastal region back then as Nebraska was submerged in the sea and only as the middle country rose and the sea levels fell did Nebraska become dry land. The Triceratops and Tyrannosaur-Rex were the largest dinosaurs in this region and several have been found. We were also looking for the teeth of Hydrasaurs, and reptiles like Crocodiles. The most common dinosaur out here is the Chunk-o-saur... a chunk of unidentifiable dinosaur bone mass. up and down and in and out of the canyons we roamed occasionally stopping to work an area that we felt was promising. I found chunk-o-saur, and several teeth from hydrasaur. I also excavated prehistoric turtle shell and work very carefully to remove it from the rock bed with out it crumbling to dust. I would apply a special solution that would soften the soil around it and bond the bone together loosely so that I could brush away the sand stone and rocks from around it. Nolan and Zack were a great father son combo and got along so well and were just a joy to go trekking with. JP is very kind hearted and has a great sense of humor and can identify bones on site. Zack and I cut up and ate some of the Pear Cactus and struggled to pluck the little pricklys from our fingers. The Cactus is juicy and delicious with a great consistency... Zack had the idea of make a guacamole out of it and I think we should give it a try. All around on our trek I road rough rider all curled up on a burlap sack in the back of the suburban with all our gear around me as the truck bounced and rocked over the uneven terrain... yeeha! At out second dig site I climb up top a lone faithful sentinel stone and balance a stack of rocks. I started with the little ones at the bottom and put the big ones on top... counter-intuitive but it allows for more subtle adjustments to the balance and creates a more interesting and challenging project:-) As I explored I also studied the different kinds of dessert vegetation. I found five different varieties of sage and I would feel the texture, smell the leaves, and examine the visual attributes of each, as I got in touch with this most sacred of native plants. The Native Americans knew of the healing and guiding wisdom which is the nature of sage. I just read the book Sacred Sage Spirit Medicine by Silver Wolf which I highly recommend. At the third site, I found a perfect natural rock chair and sat overlooking the canyon and my friends excavating below. Cleared my mind and sat bewildered by the silence. Absolute silence... so silent that your brain hears an imaginary hum or perhaps that is the sound of silence and stillness in the eardrum at its natural un-stimulated frequency. Water... I never drank so much water in one day... the air was so very dry... the next time I blew my nose there was dried blood. Buffalo were the primary livestock on Stan’s farm and we were sharing their pasture. We drove threw their herd on our way out. On the way back to Lusk JP filled me in on the culture, attitudes, lifestyle, economy, and politics of Wyoming. The Ranchers are the cultural heirs of Wyoming and are no non-sense firm decent folks... The younger generation however... what do they stand for and strive for? JP says that their only concern is raising enough money to buy their next big truck. Casper Wyoming is also the first Town to be afflicted by the nationwide epidemic which is Meth. We all were over-ready for food by the time we got to the Lusk Truck Stop Cafe. Zack however, almost forgot to eat as he was so into cataloging his bones, teeth, and scales:-) I enjoyed the Garden omelet with lots of hashbrowns and a side salad. We all exchanged our contact info, JP took me back to my campsite and we bid farewell. Thank you so much JP for your kind invitation and the wonderful experience.

Day 77 Mile 1271-1286

My timing is perfect! I seem to come to towns right when big things are happening. Cody on the Fourth of July and now I find out that The Legend of Rawhide Festival is going on here in Lusk tonight... You might almost think that I was planning this trip:-) I came into town and inquired the rates at the hotel with the swimming pool and fast internet advertised... It was a bit too much for my blood but I can use the pool and shower for 3 bucks... can’t shake a stick at that. The gal in the lobby was downright friendly and very happy to have me in their town for the Legend of Rawhide. She told me I could camp next door at the BQ Corral. The BQ Corral is an old fashioned drive up broaster chicken and burger place and they have a few camp/RV sites out back behind their house. I head on back there and set up tent. I take the rain fly from my tent and prop it up between the fence, the picnic table, and my walking stick to try and make some shade in the early afternoon. Under my shade I lay down to read my book Sacred Sage Spirit Medicine by Silver Wolf, which my mom bought for me from the gift-shop at the Buffalo Bill Damn back in Cody. My camp neighbor was John Lohr who was an original member of the Legend of Rawhide cast from when it first opened back in 1950. He has lived in Lusk all his life and just in the last few years lost his wife. He sold the house and bought an RV which he now lives in here at the BQ Corral. After finishing my book I head out to check out the town. Market Time! I buy two nectarines, two plums, a peach, an avocado, a cucumber, a tomato, some rye bread, some coleslaw, green tea, and orange juice and I go to the park to have lunch and watch children play while their families picnic. I spring for the 2 bucks to go and peruse the local museum... Triceratops, two headed calf, an old Model-T Ford, and some interesting bits of hospital history and social commentary on little boys and girls. Now its parade time and after that Pool time. I get my towel and shampoo ready and go sit on the Hotel’s corner to watch the parade go by. I use my towel as a cushion. First comes the Calvary and the flags, followed by the wagon trains. Then, several dozen crazed white men with wigs and body paint galloped after the wagon train yelping and riding in circles... they were supposed to be the Indians. Maybe a little too stereotypical but they did there best and put on a good show (but the red haired kid should have been more careful to tuck his red locks up under the wig:-) Classic cars putted on down main street and then the fire trucks. In 15 minutes the last siren had passed me on the parade route and I was off the deep end! Right in to the pool which got up to 9 feet deep. I swam and showered before heading over to watch the Legend of Rawhide. There was a charity auction and a speech by the Wyoming Rodeo Queen prior to the presentation of colors while “I’m Proud to be an American” played. The show was narrated by a small cast up above the arena while the hundred plus person cast acted out the action down in the arena. Basically, the story is about a wagon train heading west and one lone doof in the wagon train is Indian crazy and goes out in the middle of the night and shoots the Chief’s daughter in the back. When the Indian warriors come looking for answers to what happened, the doof (named Clyde) stay quite about what he did and the whole wagon train is now at risk. If he would have given himself up the wagon train would have been sparred, but at nightfall they get attacked and only when he sees that the girls he loves has been injured does he go out and give him self up to the Indians who then Skin him alive. Aside from the gruesome plot-line, the show include lots of humor and antics depicting life in the old West, with the drunk hiding from his wife, to the men all hiding out at night to play poker without letting the women get wise, to the wagon full of prostitutes heading out to San Francisco while all the other women just hissed at them all the way west and hit their men for looking. After the show, there was a barn dance and wow can these Luskites dance. Young good looking dance couples were going at 4x speed and yeeha... lookout! I visited with Germane from Denver who had come up for the Legend with her mom who grew up here in Lusk. I then met JP and Lisa who invited me to go out dinosaur hunting tomorrow and I said sure... why not... So at 11:30 at night I headed back to camp and packed up all my stuff and jumped in the suburban with JP and Lisa and headed off into the night towards North-Eastern Wyoming for a Dino Hunt! I set up tent on the lawn of their friend’s house and its so quite and the stars so bright and clear... milky milky way

Day 76 Mile 1251-1271

Orin Rest Stop heading to Lusk.

Beautiful day for walking. Bid farewell to my friend Mike who took off on his motorcycle. I cleaned up at the rest stop and pushed on out. Thank you to the family who gave me another bottle of water to go. Walking and enjoying trains. Fell in love with a For Sale Ranch and pushed on to my camp site for the night.

Day 75 Mile 1237-1251

Douglas to Orin Rest Stop
Walked along the freeway today, listening to Jack Kerouac’s On The Road. Got to my rest stop for the night and stopped in at the truck stop convenience store to get some juice, tea, cambell’s Tomato Soup, a sandwich and some chips and dip. While I was scouting out my tent site, up road another traveller on his Harley and we chatted it up for nearly 3 hours till it was after dark. Mike is from Phoenix and he works nine months of the year as a handy man and then goes on the road for the summer. His father had passed last february and he talked about him some. His dad had a lot of money but it didn’t define him or his family... it was the joy of doing business and meeting with people. His dad ran a big commercial electrical outfit but retired early and would buy and sell cars, boats, trucks, bikes, anything really. He would fixem and move and quick. Mike has a son too and just became a grandparent. He looks around him and just doesn’t get how people are suppose to live these days. People should give more of themselves and be selfless. He looks at the world and doesn’t see that... He filled me in on what has been going on with the bees. On the day that I started the walk back in April I heard on the Radio that the Honey bees of north America have been disappearing. Well know Mike tells me that reports are coming out that its the cell phone frequency that is disrupting the bees. Without bees a good portion of the worlds food supply does not get pollinated. Anyways, I checked on this later on-line and may scientific reports are coming out linking cell phones to bee disappearance. Mike talks about the big change coming in 2012 and the accuracy of the Mayan Calendar and the predictions of Nostradamus from the 1500’s.

Day 74 Mile 1210-1237

Douglas
Beautiful Oak lined Boulevard connecting the west side to the east side of town. Yellow ribbons tied around each tree remind you of the world we live in. Some of the homes have small businesses ran out of them. The streets of downtown are eerily quite at the 7:00 hour. I am staying at the historical plains hotel. the plains complex includes the hotel, cafe, museum, giftshop, and icecream parlor. The cafe and hotel have been open continuously for over 30 years... 24 hours a day 365 days a year. I had dinner at the Plains Cafe and I made a new creation which I recommend you all to try... instead of a BLT sandwich ask for a ZLT sandwich... Zucchini, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich!

Day 73 Mile 1185-1210

Casper to GlenRock
Oil wells and natural gas refineries stretch out from Casper for a while. The railroad and other industrial yards and some Haliburton warehouses line the road. Wyoming’s economy is booming with many workers coming out here to work in oil, coal, and other kinds of mining and refining. Wyoming ran a $900 million dollar surplus and is a very tax friendly state for business. Glenrock has lots of trees and is green. I stayed at the historical Hotel Higgens. I heard that the hotel is haunted... I was hoping to meet someone but no one came to visit me. I had fish and chips for Dinner in the Paisley Shaw restaurant and enjoyed the history of the Paisley Shaw building and their gallery. My room had beautiful hand crafted antique furniture and and old fashioned tub and fixtures.

Day 72 Mile 1185

Today mom is leaving. We have had such a great time together and its gonna be a shift to be back on my own again with no company, no hotels, and not so many restaurants;-) I was all set to walk on from Shoshoni but we decided to drive out a bit to see what the road held in store for me... well at the first dot on the map, there was absolutely nothing there, at the second, there was only gas but no food, at the third and fourth spots everything was closed down. There were absolutely no services for the hundred mile stretch into Casper. The temperature was nearly 100 degrees everyday so it was a good thing Mom didn’t take off without me. The country out here is absolutely desolate. Hell’s Half Acre is the name of a shut down town out here that used to have a cafe. The name is absolutely fitting, and the landscape is marvelous. The pikes and pinnacles jut up out of the ground for hundreds of acres. When we got to Casper we had our last meal together and set me up in my last hotel for a while. I lightened my pack by giving mom all my extra belongings to take back home for me. I gave mom big hugs and she almost cried a bit at having to leave me out in the middle of nowhere. It was a great time together and I hope she will travel with me more in the future:-) She set off on her long drive home and I went up to my room for the night. I called her five minutes later:-)

Day 71 Mile 1093

Mom and I left Thermopolis and head off through the wind river canyon and past the lovely Boysen State Park. Along the road were Teepees and many little campgrounds. Just outside of Shoshoni there was a casino where we gambled for a few hours and we had dinner at the Golden Corral Buffet.

Day 70 Mile 1060

Thermopolis has some of the coolest geological features including the worlds largest mineral hot springs. They have a wonderful state park there with pools and hot spring baths for people to enjoy. We also went to the Dinosaur Museum and examined the fossils form the North American continent most of which came right of this region here in Central Wyoming. We saw triceratops, and T-Rex and Hydrasaours, and enjoyed the gift shop. We had supper at the old town Thermopolis Cafe that looked like it hadn’t changed a bit in 40 years and I had a skillet omelet where they cooked the eggs, the hashbrowns and all the fixins all right in one skillet and it was real good. We stopped in at a quaint little cottage motel and got their last cabin only because they had had a cancelation. This time of year everything around these areas is booked in advance. In our room we watched the Live Earth Concert and I got on the internet and pledged to do my part to be earth conscious and you should to! Go to the website www.liveearth.org. The concert was great and I watched all night. When I switched channels, for some reason Fox news was bashing the concert, its concept, and its organizers... I don’t know why;-) The Concert had 11 venues on 7 continents and had some of the greatest performers of our time all together for one wonderful event. The short films broadcasted throughout the program were informative, artistic, and clever. The iPhone commercials aired every break really made my day! This is how you turn it on... Yahoo!

Day 69 Mile 1027

Worland another small town lining Highway 20 on this short southward bend in the road toward thermopolis. This is natural gas and cattle country they let you know it. We drove all around this town checking out the back roads and residential areas. We would at each intersection have one of us choose a direction to go and then see what we found. This small community had a nice residential area, a hospital and other services all hidden away from highway 20 and mom found us Best Western Hotel with a swimming pool. In the pool we tried to sit perfectly still and make Ohm sounds to see if we could modulate the water with our harmonic frequencies:-)

Day 68 Mile 990

Dry and Hot day. Mom and I go to the Mountain High natural food store and I buy some trail mix and a Cambucha drink before mom takes off towards towards Greybull and I walk after her. Cactuses and long stretches of flat colored rock. I pass an aviation museum and walk into town and find mom at the Yellowstone Motel. We have diner at what I guess you would call a tex-mex diner. Greybull is a nice little town undergoing main street renovation, and has a lot of old west antiques and artwork to provide character to the town.

Day 67 Mile 920-940

We’re up early for our 9 am river trip from River Runners! This is the first time mom has done anything like this before and she is all nervous and wants to switch to the shorter trip but I talk her into the long one. We get our life jackets and hop on the bus that takes up back up Route 20. Our trip will take us down through the Shoshone Canyon. The rickety old bus is from 1983 and the vibrations tickle my feet through the floor boards. We get to the put in spot and I lift up the front end of our boat and head on down to the water. They ask who wants to be in front and I raise my hand up so fast that no one even stood a chance! I love river rafting and have been down the stilliguamish river back in Arlington probably 30 times so I was the best choice to be up front anyways ;-) The water was low already because it had been such a dry summer so it was not bumpy, but it was just perfect for mom and we got wet a few times and I even fell out once. Up front next to us were two travelers from Denmark, Andreas and Freja. Andreas had been here in Cody working for the river runner company for the past month and Freja his girlfriend had just joined him and now he had quit the job and was starting his exploration and travels. They were going to head out to the northwest and then down to San Francisco and were asking for the best spots to see. After the trip I sat down with them and planned out a wonderful itinerary for them as I have been up and down the West Coast many times. Vancouver, San Juan Islands, Pike Place Market, Olympic Rain Forest, Oregon Coast, Red Wood Forest, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, then into San Fransisco. (I have since learned that they stopped and spent three days visiting with my parents on the farm in Arlington and had a wonderful time and were following the itinerary we had put together. They have become close family friends, and I look forward to visiting them next time I hop the pond :-) The raft ride was great... I really dug it in when the guide said to paddle and we could really move! The scenery along the river was spectacular and visiting with Andreas and Freja was a delight. After we disembarked form our raft we all had a picnic lunch together by the bus. Once we returned to town we headed over to the rodeo grounds to see if we could still buy tickets and we got some real good ones up close. We had a few hours before the rodeo started adn we went back to the museum and explored the cowboy and Native American history presented there. The art gallery was spectacular and is one of the best expositions of American art work. What a time we had at the Rodeo! The whole show opened in prayer and the national anthem as cowgirls presented all the various flags from American History. The rodeo Clown was very talented and did all sorts of gymnastics and they made fun of Democrats and especially Hillary Clinton. Great Reverence was paid to the great state of Texas and there was almost zero diversity of ethnicity or culture in the show or in the audience. This is Cowboy Country! There were bull riders, calf ropers, gun fighters, lasso tricks, horse races, and calf wrestling. Afterwards we went back to the Geyser Restaurant for the second night in a row. We headed back to our hotel at the other end of town and met a family in the room next to ours and visited for a while before going in to watch the fireworks from other cities on the TV and thought that I saw the same park in Marina Del Rey from which I watched the Fireworks last year with Sheava and her mom. Then the fireworks started in Cody and we all went out to the street to watch them go off on the other side of town. A beautiful display and such a full Western Cody 4th of July!

Day 67 Mile 920-940

We’re up early for our 9 am river trip from River Runners! This is the first time mom has done anything like this before and she is all nervous and wants to switch to the shorter trip but I talk her into the long one. We get our life jackets and hop on the bus that takes up back up Route 20. Our trip will take us down through the Shoshone Canyon. The rickety old bus is from 1983 and the vibrations tickle my feet through the floor boards. We get to the put in spot and I lift up the front end of our boat and head on down to the water. They ask who wants to be in front and I raise my hand up so fast that no one even stood a chance! I love river rafting and have been down the stilliguamish river back in Arlington probably 30 times so I was the best choice to be up front anyways ;-) The water was low already because it had been such a dry summer so it was not bumpy, but it was just perfect for mom and we got wet a few times and I even fell out once. Up front next to us were two travelers from Denmark, Andreas and Freja. Andreas had been here in Cody working for the river runner company for the past month and Freja his girlfriend had just joined him and now he had quit the job and was starting his exploration and travels. They were going to head out to the northwest and then down to San Francisco and were asking for the best spots to see. After the trip I sat down with them and planned out a wonderful itinerary for them as I have been up and down the West Coast many times. Vancouver, San Juan Islands, Pike Place Market, Olympic Rain Forest, Oregon Coast, Red Wood Forest, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, then into San Fransisco. (I have since learned that they stopped and spent three days visiting with my parents on the farm in Arlington and had a wonderful time and were following the itinerary we had put together. They have become close family friends, and I look forward to visiting them next time I hop the pond :-) The raft ride was great... I really dug it in when the guide said to paddle and we could really move! The scenery along the river was spectacular and visiting with Andreas and Freja was a delight. After we disembarked form our raft we all had a picnic lunch together by the bus. Once we returned to town we headed over to the rodeo grounds to see if we could still buy tickets and we got some real good ones up close. We had a few hours before the rodeo started adn we went back to the museum and explored the cowboy and Native American history presented there. The art gallery was spectacular and is one of the best expositions of American art work. What a time we had at the Rodeo! The whole show opened in prayer and the national anthem as cowgirls presented all the various flags from American History. The rodeo Clown was very talented and did all sorts of gymnastics and they made fun of Democrats and especially Hillary Clinton. Great Reverence was paid to the great state of Texas and there was almost zero diversity of ethnicity or culture in the show or in the audience. This is Cowboy Country! There were bull riders, calf ropers, gun fighters, lasso tricks, horse races, and calf wrestling. Afterwards we went back to the Geyser Restaurant for the second night in a row. We headed back to our hotel at the other end of town and met a family in the room next to ours and visited for a while before going in to watch the fireworks from other cities on the TV and thought that I saw the same park in Marina Del Rey from which I watched the Fireworks last year with Sheava and her mom. Then the fireworks started in Cody and we all went out to the street to watch them go off on the other side of town. A beautiful display and such a full Western Cody 4th of July!

Day 66 Mile 920

Oh boy! What sights we saw today. The road leading East out of Yellowstone is every bit if not more spectacular than the park itself. We went through the Shoshone Canyon and along the Shoshone river. I walked for a good part of the morning and dipped my feet in the river. We rode on into Buffalo Bill Cody Country! The Buffalo Bill State Park lines the north end of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir and there are many campgrounds and trails off the road. We stopped at the Buffalo Bill 
Cody Dam and tried not to look down. This dam was the highest ever built when first constructed in 1905. Nine men lost their lives in the construction. The reservoir provides electricity, irrigation and drinking water, and recreational facilities. Speaking with the folks there in the gift shop we learned that Wyoming ran a $900 million dollar budget surplus for the year and thus were giving state maps away for free! ;-) Wyoming is in a boom right now with oil and natural gas refining, coal mining and steel. We drove on through the tunnel that led us into Cody. Cody must be the most patriotic Red White and Blue Cowboy town in the Country and we were here at precisely the right time! It’s the 3rd. of July and the whole town is preparing for Independence Day. We get into town and go over to the motel where we had reserved a room the night before because we knew it would be tough find one near the 4th. Then back down to main street where we explore the festival tent merchants. We plan on going river rafting tomorrow so mom stops in at a local sporting shop to buy some river clothes. We head over the the Buffalo Bill Museum and sign up for a tour of cody and get a pass to see the museum tomorrow. We have just enough time to get some dinner before the tour bus leaves so we walk down the street to the Geyser Grill and I get a great veggie pizza with artichoke hearts and spinach and mom has a a wonderful trout with mango salsa on mashed potatoes! We get back to the museum and hop on the shuttle that takes us downtown to where some street theater gunfights are going on and where our tour bus awaits. They drive us all around Cody showing us the historical sites and talking about the quality of living and the low cost of home ownership and taxes. The guide is dressed up as Annie Oakley and she tells great stories and jokes. We turn in at our hotel for the night and I call around to set up a river rafting trip for tomorrow.

Day 65

We ate breakfast from the cooler today; melon, noon-e-paneer, and PBJs. Mom’s shower was cold because all the hot water had run out at the hotel. We packed up and went back into the park, leaving Montana for the last time. We went to Old Faithful and got our room and unpacked our stuff and made a reservation for dinner with the earliest opening being 9:00. We went out and around and down the south road of Yellowstone looking for bears but to no avail. Just driving and talking and listening to a Scientific American program on Consciousness. very nice to have the sun on us during our relaxing tours although my arm got sunburnt. We went back to Old Faithful and went in to have an afternoon cocktail and appetizer. We went out to the car to play card tricks and do magic and mom has some real good tricks! Our reservations were for a 9:00 dinner but were able to get in earlier because they weren’t so busy by like 8:00. Mom did the buffet that had prime buffalo meat, and I had a great black bean and corn cake dish. We went for a night-time walk to see Old Faithful blow, and then went back to our room and watched Kundun on my laptop.

Day 64

Mom is up every morning much earlier than I and she goes off in search of coffee. When she gets back I slowly stir out of bed. I don’t get to sleep in nice hotels all that often and don’t see why days can’t start at noon. We take our breakfast coupons over to the Three Bear Restaurant . I get my Three Egg Veggie Omelet and mom gets bacon and eggs. The Three Bear Lodge does not have vacancy for tonight so we pack up our car and reserve a night next door at the Travel Lodge before leaving West Yellowstone and going into the park. I put on my ipod on the car speakers so that mom can listen to some of the books that I have been listening to while on the walk. The Tao Te Ching is a peaceful track to listen to while driving on a summer day through the park looking for critters and watching birds and buffalo and rivers, and it also stimulates philosophical discussions with mom. Mom takes every chance she can to put her feet in the water. Before coming to Yellowstone she got a new haircut and she is cute and alive here. We go by a few small geysers and people like herds of buffalo are going out to see every little squirt geyser even as the sun bears down relentlessly... We are content to see them from a distance and just be together so we don’t go way out on the wooden walk ways just to turn around again... we knew we would see a real geyser once we got to Old Faithful ;-) And it was a good thing we timed it like we did because we were lucky enough to see Old Faithful’s neighboring geyser go off which they say hardly ever happens. We went into the historic Old Faithful Inn, an extraordinary engineering feet to build such a structure out of logs. The fireplace was probably 20x20 feet at its base and towered up through the lobby to the 60 foot high ceiling. We had a light lunch at the Old Faithful Inn Restaurant... They have Veggie Burgers! I went to check if by chance the Inn had any vacancies for the next couple night and they had just one which was for tomorrow night and we jumped at it. Then we went out just in time to see Old Faithful blow. We continued our loop around the park and stopped again so Mom could put her feet in Yellowstone Lake. Wow this lake is fantastic... unbelievable that at his elevation, all this water can accumulate... so blue, so big, so pristine, and offset so beautifully by the mountains and trees all around it. We crossed the Continental Divide where interestingly enough their is a pond of lilly pads. I took mom to see the Lower Falls and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone that so inspired the artwork of Thomas Moran, which in turn inspired congress to designate Yellowstone as our first National Park. We tried to make it back to West Yellowstone in time for the 6:00 IMAX show but just missed it so instead went over to our hotel to check in and rest before heading back over for the 8:00 IMAX show. Driving around West Yellowstone we found a grill with patio seating and a great smell coming from it and some lively patrons and hostesses so we went in for dinner. I had this great Veggie Primavera Pasta and Mom had steak. We discussed dependent vs. independent causalities, and what you would see if you were inside a sphere with a lantern and the inner walls of the sphere were reflective. Back to the Travel Lodge we went.

Day 63

I bid farewell to Jonas and packed up my bag and found a hotel room at the three bear lodge. I walked around West Yellowstone a bit and got the idea about all the tourist curio shops and then went back to the room to do some thinking and writing on philosophical and existential issues with a focus on compassion and reflective infinities. I showered and cleaned up and awaited the arrival of my Mom who has been driving since last night from Arlington to come and spend some very quality time with me on the road. While waiitng I watched 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. When she arrived we had some watermelon and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from her cooler. Tomorrow we would start touring Yellowstone on our own.

Day 62

What a glorious day! You will find the photos will depict the the natural wonders of Yellowstone with more grace than can language. Onboard the tour I joined I made friends with many families and travelers from the world over. One gal on the bus from the Netherlands with whom I chatted over the provided picnic lunch explained how new and alive our continent especially Yellowstone is. Europe is an old continent... its is settled... you don’t see the elements at work to reconstruct the landscape and build mountains out of meadows. Our tour guide Gary, a delightful man... very knowledgeable and kind, works in Yellowstone as a tour guide in the summers and spends the winters in Barbados as a scuba diving instructor. The tour took us on the northern loop of the park and lasted over eight hours. One reason I chose this tour was because it went up to the Larame Valley where the Fosters had told me was the most beautiful part of the park and the least travelled, the second reason is that this tour didn’t leave till noon meaning I could sleep and eat at leisure:-) The Larame Valley is spectacular and the tour took us to many of the most magnificent spots on Earth! The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the Lower Falls, the many rivers and the re-growing forests, the geysers and the hot spring mounds, the Buffalo, the Bears and the Elk. We were most fortunate to have some wonderful critter sightings. Grizzly Bear with her two cubs right up close caused what they call a “bear jam” as everyone stops to take pictures. The rangers frantically try to keep traffic moving and make sure no human animals get too close to the bear animals. We saw Eagles and Eaglets in their nests. We saw Elk with 6 point antlers! Coyotes that almost looked like wolves, and many great buffalo including one that walked right out in front of our bus and we had to slam down hard on the breaks. Many thanks to Anita and her husband and daughter for emailing me some of their photos from the tour that turned out better than mine and because towards the end of the tour my battery died. Special thanks to Gary our guide.

I got back to my room just a bit before Jonas also returned. He had gone on a tour as well and we stayed up for quite some time chatting and I listened to many of his ideas and observations about Europe, the US, and our societies.

Day 61 Mile 880-895

Howard’s Spring to West Yellowstone

Did some Yoga stretches in the woods before eating some trail-mix and fruit and energy bars. filled up my water at the fountain and drank lots with my head right in the spout and my beard all dripping wet. Pushed up and over Targhee Pass and entered the state of Montana! Off in the distance the plumes of the fire are still huge and high. As I approach I see planes old war bombers flying over head dumping loads of red fire retardant on the flames. The retardant suppresses the fire from moving forward and is also a fertilizer that will help the new growth and allow the forest to recover. All around I am surrounded by forest but they are all young new growth trees. All having come in after the last great fire. I came into the town of West Yellowstone and found a bustling tourist paradise with shoppes and restaurants and curio shops. I headed straight to the Post office to pick up my new pair of z-coils! Thanks again so much to my Guardian Angels Mike and Jan from Sweet Home Oregon for sending me my beautiful new shoes and a signed Z-Coil Hat! I found the only Hostel in town. There were three beds in the room and I chose the one that was not a bunk bed. Across the hall were two retired gentlemen sitting together talking and sharing a drink. They invited me to come in and visit and after some introductions they invited me to join them for dinner. I went down stairs with Bill and Cliff to their rental car and we punch into the GPS system Pizza and the pleasant computer voice spoke to us and led us in the direction of nourishment. Cliff was an architect and general contractor while Bill was in the military and later an intelligence officer working around the world during the Cold War era. These two very accomplished individuals met in Florida where Cliff was general contractor on the Florida State Capital Building and Bill was going to Graduate School. We ordered our pizza and beer and started in discussing Iran, US foreign Policy, and our Intelligence gathering and analysis. Bill affirmed that we have the best intelligence gathering network in the world, but our intelligence analysis is impoverished by a lack of area experts and a bureaucracy that does not build intelligence officers over time based on merit and accomplishment, instead young officers cover Africa and over time you work your way up and someday you may get an appointment to Europe. Bill was very complimentary of me and was excited to talk with an ‘informed American’. He said with my background the state department would jump at a chance to pull me in. Cliff said that it takes money to get things done and money goes to those who get things done. Thats part of what’s wrong with the intelligence system, all the good people are in the private sector where the money is, which leads to an impoverished intelligence analysis capability. Both Cliff and Bill are Free Masons and they both had their rings. Bill was a member of the Scottish Right and offered to fill me in on who and what the Masons are as I have always had a healthy curiosity about them and as I had been taking photos of their lodges in almost every town I visited on the walk. We went back to the Hostel and I took a shower and cleaned up and then went out to the balcony to visit further with Bill. Joining us was my roommate Jonas, a 20 year old young man from Denmark. I learned much on the current state of Denmark and the EU from listening to Bill ask Jonas about all sorts of things. Jonas would talk about Denmark’s economy, the shipping job he had lined up upon returning home, the influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe and Turkey. Yet, Jonas never asked one question. I was surprised by his attitude, while he was evidently well educated I would expect a traveling young man to be more inquisitive. instead he seemed quite content to speak on the world as he knew it, and Bill the intelligence officer was just soaking it up with questions intended merely to updates his already comprehensive knowledge of the state of the European theater. He would inject some of his own experiences and anecdotes to keep Jonas interested, but Jonas never asked anything. This further cemented my belief in listening. I am a listener. Listening brings knowledge which I may never speak of but may guide affective actions in the future. To quote Lao Tzu “Those who talk don’t know, and those you know don’t talk”

Day 61 Mile 880-895

Howard’s Spring to West Yellowstone

Did some Yoga stretches in the woods before eating some trail-mix and fruit and energy bars. filled up my water at the fountain and drank lots with my head right in the spout and my beard all dripping wet. Pushed up and over Targhee Pass and entered the state of Montana! Off in the distance the plumes of the fire are still huge and high. As I approach I see planes old war bombers flying over head dumping loads of red fire retardant on the flames. The retardant suppresses the fire from moving forward and is also a fertilizer that will help the new growth and allow the forest to recover. All around I am surrounded by forest but they are all young new growth trees. All having come in after the last great fire. I came into the town of West Yellowstone and found a bustling tourist paradise with shoppes and restaurants and curio shops. I headed straight to the Post office to pick up my new pair of z-coils! Thanks again so much to my Guardian Angels Mike and Jan from Sweet Home Oregon for sending me my beautiful new shoes and a signed Z-Coil Hat! I found the only Hostel in town. There were three beds in the room and I chose the one that was not a bunk bed. Across the hall were two retired gentlemen sitting together talking and sharing a drink. They invited me to come in and visit and after some introductions they invited me to join them for dinner. I went down stairs with Bill and Cliff to their rental car and we punch into the GPS system Pizza and the pleasant computer voice spoke to us and led us in the direction of nourishment. Cliff was an architect and general contractor while Bill was in the military and later an intelligence officer working around the world during the Cold War era. These two very accomplished individuals met in Florida where Cliff was general contractor on the Florida State Capital Building and Bill was going to Graduate School. We ordered our pizza and beer and started in discussing Iran, US foreign Policy, and our Intelligence gathering and analysis. Bill affirmed that we have the best intelligence gathering network in the world, but our intelligence analysis is impoverished by a lack of area experts and a bureaucracy that does not build intelligence officers over time based on merit and accomplishment, instead young officers cover Africa and over time you work your way up and someday you may get an appointment to Europe. Bill was very complimentary of me and was excited to talk with an ‘informed American’. He said with my background the state department would jump at a chance to pull me in. Cliff said that it takes money to get things done and money goes to those who get things done. Thats part of what’s wrong with the intelligence system, all the good people are in the private sector where the money is, which leads to an impoverished intelligence analysis capability. Both Cliff and Bill are Free Masons and they both had their rings. Bill was a member of the Scottish Right and offered to fill me in on who and what the Masons are as I have always had a healthy curiosity about them and as I had been taking photos of their lodges in almost every town I visited on the walk. We went back to the Hostel and I took a shower and cleaned up and then went out to the balcony to visit further with Bill. Joining us was my roommate Jonas, a 20 year old young man from Denmark. I learned much on the current state of Denmark and the EU from listening to Bill ask Jonas about all sorts of things. Jonas would talk about Denmark’s economy, the shipping job he had lined up upon returning home, the influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe and Turkey. Yet, Jonas never asked one question. I was surprised by his attitude, while he was evidently well educated I would expect a traveling young man to be more inquisitive. instead he seemed quite content to speak on the world as he knew it, and Bill the intelligence officer was just soaking it up with questions intended merely to updates his already comprehensive knowledge of the state of the European theater. He would inject some of his own experiences and anecdotes to keep Jonas interested, but Jonas never asked anything. This further cemented my belief in listening. I am a listener. Listening brings knowledge which I may never speak of but may guide affective actions in the future. To quote Lao Tzu “Those who talk don’t know, and those you know don’t talk”

Day 60 Mile 862-880

Island Park to Howard Springs

In the morning I stopped in and had a cinnamon roll at the office and general store of the Buffalo Run Campground. The gentleman who ran the place was very strongly assuring me that I need a lot of guts to walk through Yellowstone what with all the bears and buffalo. I appreciated his concern and told him I would approach the park with all due diligence. I pass rivers and Eagles and love how green the area is after my long stretches of high desert. As I start climbing Targhee Pass and moving ever closer to Montana I see the perfect white billow up over the hill in the precise direction of West Yellowstone. I figure its too white to be smoke and must be water vapor but it just kept pluming up like a mushroom cloud. I met Steve, a retired school teacher and fly fisher who informs me that it is indeed a fire and that it was very close to the city of West Yellowstone and that they are starting to fight to contain it. Every summer while Steve was a school teacher, him and his wife would travel in an F-150 w/ camper all around the parks and natural areas of this great region. He now has a cabin south of Yellowstone. The place where I am camping out for the night is called Howard Springs and it is just a little rest stop with a beautiful fountain and lots of trees. Steve told me the story of how General Howard chased the Nez Pierce Indians from this point as Chief Joseph led his tribe to Canada. Howard caught them as they fled just three miles before they escaped and made them return to reservation. Steve also told me about Collin Powell’s wife doing inner city nurturing work and how they find it more needed than running for president and how the trickle up can be affective. Steve says “God knows its needed”.

Day 59 Mile 837-862

Ashton to Island Park

Woke up this delightful morning to a much needed shower provided by the sprinkler systems as four of them came to life at 5 am to soak me and my tent and pack through. The night desk clerk let me come in to one of the extra rooms and sleep a little more and then have a warm shower before I push off. Hawaiian sandwich at Big Juds and I was off once again with the Grand Tetons to the right and the musings of the Dali Lama on science and faith and their convergence in methods in my ear. Made a large ascent today up Ashton Hill. On the way into Island Park, I met a group three kids in their early 20’s heading into Yellowstone from the OC California. Yellowstone is only two days away now. In Island Park overlooking the lake, I had a wonderful Salad and vegi-plate and oh boy I had ice-cream on bunt cake too! Camped at the Buffalo Run Campground.

Day 58 Mile 823-837

Enjoyed a wonderful breakfast of Poached eggs, Hashbrowns, Ham, Toast and Home-made jam. Ella shared with me what her children and grandchildren are up to and inspired me to keep searching for answers on my quest and to know that he who seeks will find.

I enjoyed a wonderful shower and did my yoga in their idealic river front backyard with the birds and the storks singing around me and the sun glimmering off the leaves on the far bank. I said my farewells and pushed on to Ashton where I set up tent had dinner at the Ashton Inn and RV park. I am here in the lobby of the Inn updating the site.

Day 57 Mile 808-823

Met the most wonderful couple today at the RiverRest Bed and Breakfast just past the town of St. Anthony. I stopped by and they offered to let me camp by their riverside for the night and gave me a great futon to sleep on. Before turning in however I visited with Ella and Don for hours. They made some great vegi-burgers and bowls of fresh fruit with strawberries from their garden. Don is retired from the INL and Ella has been running this B&B for the last 5 years. They have two grown daughters, Grandchildren and even Great Grandchildren. When Ella’s mom came to visit they had five generations in the house together! Ella and Don and I spoke on international issues and politics. I shared some of my research on Iran - U.S. relations and on the Water issues confronting Israel and Palestine. We explored matters of faith and discussed parables and teachings of the bible. The love in this house was beautiful and I really felt at home.

Day 56 Mile 794-808

Made it into Rexburg today and strolled all around town. I visited with several students of Brigham Young University and explored all of the campus. Lots of new work has been done and some new construction is still going on. The Temple is beautiful at the top of the hill but is still not open to the public. From the top of the Hill in Rexburg you can see out across the whole valley. The Grand Tetons have been visible on my walk now for a few days and I sense the approaching continental divide.

I had a salad at Da Pineapple Grill before heading back to the Super 8 Motel where I am staying the night. When I got to my room I was still very hungry. I ordered a Vegi Supreme Pizza and took a shower while I waited for delivery.

Day 55 Mile 778-794

Enjoyed my last Yogurt Parfait and thanked Nick and Rob for Hosting me. Pushed on out and stopped to stretch on some grass just outside of town. Met with Rick and Rick who are asphalt layers and gave me a powerade drink to keep me going:-) Rick wanted accountability from the system and was tired of corruption. He had spent 3 years on probation for something he didn’t do because the legal system made him take the rap instead of dealing with corruption of the officers. The prosecutor in the case even stood up and said “this man is innocent” but it made no difference. He is also not happy with the situation of the nation and says that when the example set from above is one that corruption is tolerated and condoned then of course it will be a local problem too.

Walked along on this warm lovely day and came into the community of Rigby. Stopped at a sno-cone stand and met three delightful gals. They go to school at Brigham Young University in Rexburg. They asked for my autograph and one of them had seen me on TV. They told me to get a book of Mormon when I visited the school or that I should download it to listen on my iPod while I walk. They wanted a photo of me and I got one with them as well. They told me about their town and where they were from originally and about the lake where I could camp for the night. I had a raspberry and strawberry sno-cone.

I pushed on out of Rigby to the lake on the outside of town and set up camp. I met some other campers who had opted to tent instead of their Usual RV because gas prices were just to high to take the RV camping this year. There were hundreds of kids, teens and families out at the lake swimming and camping and boating. Its great!

As for me I’ve been a little fatigued and I think my new springs that I got in Boise are too stiff so I will need to get in touch with my Z-coil friends and see if I can get some different ones sent to the road.

Day 54

Up at 5 AM this morning to walk over to the channel 3 studio for my Live Morning Show interview with Abbey. The interview was several minutes long and the questions were great and I fielded answers smoothly and quickly. I wish I could remember what they were but thats what happens when its live and everything is going so fast. I will just have to request a copy of the show so that we can all see how it really went. The studio was very similar to the one I was in in Boise but I was only in there for my interview and then out again so I didn’t really get to see them in action. I went back to Thailand to take a nap before heading out to check out more of the town and go to the Taste of Idaho Festival.

I strolled along the green belt and really enjoyed the ducks and birds that lined the water falls in downtown. The downtown is active with great shops and restaurants and is very vital. There is a real charm to this city where every block you go down has historic buildings and architecture that is alive and well and not dilapidated forgotten. I met a fellow traveler named Dale. He said “everytime you see a bird, watch it fly”.

Enjoyed the music at the Taste of Idaho. I met the band leader Mike Banns and another reporter form Channel 6. I chatted with several people but in large crowds like this the noise and commotion makes in depth conversations difficult so I mainly resorted to just basking in the sun, enjoying the music, and watching the people of the world go by.

Went back to enjoy Arabia and to catch up with dear friends on the phone:-)

Day 53

Busy day today! Breakfast of cinnamon roll, Yogurt Parfait, juice, and hot cocoa served to the door. I was just getting excited about hopping in that tub when the room phone rings... Nick tells me that Channel 3 is here to interview me! I throw on my walking clothes and run down to meet Abbey. She does a great interview with me for over two hours and gets a lot of great answers... of course on the nightly news it came out to be less than a minute but it was still too cool! About an hour later Channel 6 came to do an interview as well. So I was on both the channel 3 and channel 6 six o’ clock news. Channel 3 invited me for tomorrows morning show and I gladly accepted. This means that I need to stay in town longer than just today and the Destinations Inn offered to let me stay longer than just the one night. Tomorrow night there is the Taste of Idaho Festival as well that runs until late in the evening so Nick even offered me the third night so that I could really get to see Idaho Falls. At five o’clock I went to check out the downtown scene during the live at five gathering that Idaho Falls has every week in the summer. There was live music and food and beverages were catered and there were crowds of families and kids. I just watched people for a long time and observed a group of kids as they played and teased and figured out their social roles. They were probably ten years old and the girls were just making steam come out of this one boys ears as the two younger girls kept tagging him and yelling “tag! yourit!” right in his face when what he really wanted to do was play with the girl who was his age but he was to shy to interact with her... she asked him to dance with a curtsey and an outstretched hand and he didn’t know what to do... five minutes later he was showing off his break dancing moves. Watching kids stumble through new social situations should be a reality TV show... (not really, I am in no means suggesting the exploitation of innocence for ratings:-)

I met a delightful 3 year old named Mishan who loved the walking staff and me taking pictures of him. His older sister was so sweet and explained that he only speaks Russian. She told me that they are visiting here from Russia but when I spoke to their Dad Sergei he told me that they have lived in Idaho Falls for five years since before the kids were born:-) Sergei is a Gymnastics instructor and is enjoying life and raising a family in Idaho Falls. He says there are probably 50 other Russian families in Idaho Falls so he has lots of friends and a community to interact with.

I met Marla and Lyla. Marla who had seen me watching people commented that I “have a very peaceful Aura”.

I had a bite at the Snake Bite restaurant and headed back to Thailand which is where I would stay this evening. The Steam shower was an amazing experience. 120 degree steam surrounded me while cool water came from the shower head. when ever I would get to warm from the steam I would just plunge my head under the cold shower and be so refreshed.

Destinations Inn Idaho Falls

Check out their website at www.destinationsinn.com!

My first night I stayed in Alaska, my second night in Thailand, and my third night in Arabia. I would like to thank Rob Bishop the owner and his son Nick (The Manager) for being so kind as to host me for my time in Idaho Falls. You may wish to thank them as well and let them know that you think their generosity is way cool:-) Their e-mail is stay@destinationsinn.com and I very much recommend that you book a couple nights here! It is an experience like no other and the rates are very reasonable considering the class and splendor of the resort.

Day 52 Mile 724-778

The Number Hill Grill is a drive thru only restaurant that has a huge menu and they hooked me up with five great wraps that would be my food for the next several days. I packed up my pack with water and food and did some Yoga before pushing out for the big push to Idaho Falls. On my way out of town I stopped at Dave’s Travel Plaza and chatted with Dave about the road ahead. A few miles out of Arco I came upon Butte City in which the only establishment is the 4 Winds Tavern. I stopped in and fill up my water and had a coke. The folks filled me in on the next leg of my journey which was through the Idaho National Laboratory. They let me know that I would not be permitted to stay in the area over-night and that security there is very touchy. Of course I decided to give it a try and pushed on to the INL land. I got ten miles in and stopped at EBR-1 historical site. EBR-1 (Experimental Breeder Reactor 1) was the first nuclear reactor to provide electricity for civilian use and went online to power the city of Arco. INL land has the worlds greatest concentration of nuclear reactors with more than 50 being built there since the 50’s. It was great to see the actual facility for nuclear power generation as it really brought to life my Studies from Mr. Greisler’s Chemistry class. I anticipated the facility to be much more complex, but the workings of the plant were very straightforward. “The Idaho National Laboratory is committed to providing international nuclear leadership for the 21st Century, developing and demonstrating compelling national security technologies, and delivering excellence in science and technology as one of the Department of Energy's multiprogram national laboratories”.

As I got back on the road, INL security pulled up and asked me who I was, what I was doing on INL land, and for my ID. The Security Gentleman was wearing Army Camo, and was certainly prepared to deal with anyone that may wish to cause problems on INL land. Anyways he informed me that I could not stay the night and that I must be off the INL. I still had nearly 30 miles of INL land ahead of me and thus I was required to get a lift off the premises. I asked the officer if he could take me to the boundary but was not within his pervue as security officer. I put up my thumb and got a ride with a very kind gentleman who worked for the INL and was a project manager on the clean-up operations. His name was Bob Knighten and he rides motorcycles across country and takes photographs. He will soon retire from the INL which is his third career. He has been a stay at home Dad, a school teacher, a geologist and project manager with the INL clean-up. He dropped me off at the edge of the INL land and I walked the rest of the way into Idaho Falls. Of the 54 miles between Arco and Idaho Falls I walked half of them.

I got into Idaho Falls pretty late, and I was on my way to the park on the Snake river when I came across a very unique building which was the Destinations Inn. I went in to check it out and I was so taken with this beautiful World Class resort. Each room was a different country and the attention to detail was astounding. You would walk into a room and the music playing would be ethnic music from the region depicted, the scents were even chosen to match the decor. The rooms all had Jacuzzi tubs, big screen projection entertainment systems, and either a sauna or steam room shower. The murals on the wall were just gorgeous and were so well incorporated into the arches and architecture that you felt like these were the real scenes out the window or through the passageway and it was all very real and exotic. The gal working this evening was a very spiritually keen and inquisitive girl named Kate and we discussed for nearly two hours the formation of beliefs and what we do with them once we form them in our consciousness. How can we let go of the Ego and fear which hold us back from truly living and giving of ourselves?

Kate called the manager Nick and explained what I was doing and they so kindly offered to put me up for the evening and I was so psyched! This is the coolest place I have ever stayed:-) And oh so comfortable. Sparkling cider is waiting in the room for you chilled on ice next to the jacuzzi. Cheesecake awaits you in the refrigerator, and breakfast is brought to your door in the mornings! Things always work out so well. I am so fortunate to have come across such wonderful people and such a beautiful establishment.

I also want to wish a happy anniversary to Meighan and Jim.

Morning Show Video!

Click here for the Morning Show Video

Day 51 Mile 706-724

Spent the early part of the day reading the markers and signs at the visitors center. Pushed on down the hill towards Arco. Was cruising right along and was almost there when a herbicide truck went by spraying the side of the road... anyway, the wind blew it up on to me and I decided that I better hurry up and get to Arco and get this stuff off... it stank and my eyes were watering. So a young gentleman, Adam Schriber gave me a lift the rest of the way into town. He was a great guy and was on his way to meet his girlfriend in Jackson Wyoming. He has a great job as a nature guide and river rafting leader catering to rich recreationalists. Arco is a great little community and is the first city ever powered by a nuclear reactor. I would like to give a very special thank you to Nicole at the D-K Motel for putting me up for the night. A wonderful room and shower is the greatest gift I can receive:-) And all of you should thank her as well because only from the comfort of a motel room do I feel like posting entries on the website;-) I got a great deli sandwich from the deli shop in town and then took it over to the laundry mat next door to eat while I did my laundry and watched TV. I bought some icecream too! Now I’m here in the room posting to the site. Goodnight:-)

Day 50 Mile 681-706

I made a big 25 mile push today all the way to the Craters of the Moon Campground! If Columbus was wrong and the world really is flat, then I think if you turned it over it would probably look something like the Craters of the Moon National Monument that I am walking through now. I got there just at dark and visited with some other campers and got to watch a slideshow on the history and geology of the region. I’ll let the picture of the day speak for themselves. Oh by the way I have 18 miles worth of Neil Diamond Music and I sang each and every song out loud into my walking staff.

Day 49 Mile 669-681

Woke up to lots of families and kids fishing in Loving Stream. Jarek had come over with his fishing pole and him and I went over to the hatchery to look at all the beautiful trout. They had these big cisterns full of all different ages of trouts and different kinds too. The Rainbow trout just sparkled as the sun shone on them. Jarek found a great spot to try some fishing and we could se many trout swimming in the shallow area that he chose to fish. Before I headed out again, I had some warm biscuits with Joe, Vicky and Jarek. Thank you kindly for hospitality:-) I had lunch at the store in Peekaboo before heading on the rest of the way to Carey. In Carey I had salad and fries at the Watering Hole restaurant and visited with Catherine. She has a four year old daughter named Tatum and came back to Idaho after living in Salt Lake to be near family and raise her child in a good community. We talked about how people medicate their children these days and she is just like “they’re kids! there supposed to act like that. let kids grow in their own way”. Catherine says she wants to raise here kid all natural... Tatum is a lucky girl to have a mom thats so on to it;-)

Day 48 Mile 654-669

Finally walking along water again is a relief. Filled my water from the reservoir before pushing off again and spoke with a fisherman who had caught many little fish. Then a ways down the road I Stopped again on the Magic Reservoir and met Neil who had grown up out in this country and who affirmed what many folks and ranchers had told me that the water levels this year and over the past several years is disturbingly low. Global warming is the word and these are the most conservative folks in the nation and they have absolutely no love for Al Gore but still the words are global warming. Neil was going water skiing this afternoon once his friend showed up. I met Richard Sessa who had moved out to Idaho from Pitsburg and even though he liked his home back East, nothing could take him away from the North West. I met him along the river and he hadn’t caught anything but just enjoyed putting his feet in the water. Made it to this great campground and fish hatchery called Hayspur where tenters and RVers can stay for up to ten nights at no charge. Coming in to the park I met Joe and Vicky Stimac and there grandson Jarek. They invited me to join them for dinner and some conversation Joe, now retired had been an instructor of welding and his wife vicky had been a Nurse and a nursing instructor. Her favorite job was in the army nursery caring for us new ones. They had come out west from Wisconsin and still after 30 years missed the snow, especially since we’ve been getting less and less of it in the past few years. Jarek is sucha bright young guy and he had such fun energy and a desire to be helpful. Most of the pictures below are from Jarek the Photographer. He has a fascination with gadgets like phones, cameras, and iPods. His joy of life will take him far. Jarek took me over to the stream and showed me a good place to set up for the night. I visited with Josh who was fishing there and he and all his extended family were out here camping. The two guys next to us had caught (and released) 14 trout. In nearby Silver Creek which is the worlds trout fishing destination, there are over a thousand trout per mile, and they are smart trout who will peek up above the surface and if they see people the won’t bite.

Day 47 Mile 636-654

Had breakfast at the Prairie kitchen and met Laura who I also ran into again on the 20 later in the day. Inside I met Dorthy Schmidt who told me to stop by the Union Pacific Caboose which was the town info center. Inside I met Derral and Arlee Hupfer and signed the town guest book. Made it to Moonstone landing on the Magic Reservoir where there is the bluest water contrasted against the canyon walls. The rich blue of the water, the blue of the sky, the green of the brush and the red of the rock all delineated clearly from one another presented itself so vividly as the evening sun shone directly on it all with out casting a shadow. I draped my feet over the dock and let them soak before going back to set up camp. Had to stake the tent down so that I would not fly into the reservoir. Have you seen the clear sky from 6,000 feet with not a single light on around you for miles? I have!

Day 46 Mile 612-636

Went through Hill City today and guess what there is no city there! Got some water from Bill who lives off of Hwy 20 about 12 miles before Fairfield. his water source is an artesian well and the water pressure was amazing as it came out of the spout. Thanks for the refreshment! Saw a heard of Antelope I think on my way into Fairfield. Came into this quaint little town and popped in at the Prairie Inn which is this beautiful wooden lodge and I explained the walk to Mona and showed her my website and she was so kind as to put me up for the night in a great room at no charge. Thanks again! Had the fish dinner at the Prairie kitchen and watched the new Bewitched movie on TV!

Day 45 Mile 592-612

Walked through some construction work for a few miles. Started gaining in elevation and big granite boulders started shooting out of the belly of the earth like fingers of a creature trying to escape from the inferno beneath the hot ground. “This I believe” essays played in my ear as I followed Goodale’ Cutoff. At Castle Rock I met visitors from France who were immersing themselves in the untouched nature that is the American West. It’s so empty! Patrick and Pierre Vieville were here visiting Patrick’s sister Rachel and her husband Monte Curran who live in Mountain Home. Pushed on up and saw that the elevation was 5,500 feet and I had no idea how high I was. Camped out in the field and ate left over pizza. Wrote a Haiku poem tonight and played my harmonica.

Day 44 Mile 578-592

Started the day back in at AJ’s for the Salad Bar. Pushed off into the desert and hills. Golden ground under golden skies. It was a hot day. Setup camp off the road and waited for sunset. Played some harmonica. Decided that since I still 44 miles into my next town that I could treat myself to some delivery food and water. Called three Pizza places in Mountain Home and there was a very kind gentleman named Otto who delivered for Dominos that volunteered to take the 14 mile delivery trip on his break. He got to me just after dark and I had my light out so that he could find me at the turn off just past mile post 108. He is also a technician in the US Airforce and he gave me a Mountain Home Airforce Base Medallion to carry with me on my walk. He brought me plenty of water and a great vegi pizza with extra pineapple and tomatoes!

Day 44 Mile 578-592

Started the day back in at AJ’s for the Salad Bar. Pushed off into the desert and hills. Golden ground under golden skies. It was a hot day. Setup camp off the road and waited for sunset. Played some harmonica. Decided that since I still 44 miles into my next town that I could treat myself to some delivery food and water. Called three Pizza places in Mountain Home and there was a very kind gentleman named Otto who delivered for Dominos that volunteered to take the 14 mile delivery trip on his break. He got to me just after dark and I had my light out so that he could find me at the turn off just past mile post 108. He is also a technician in the US Airforce and he gave me a Mountain Home Airforce Base Medallion to carry with me on my walk. He brought me plenty of water and a great vegi pizza with extra pineapple and tomatoes!

Day 41 - 43 Mile 537-578

Alright! Back on the road again. On the Morning of Friday June 8th, Beau and I arose at 5:30 am to get me into the Fox 12 station for their morning show. At 7:15 I was in the station and ready to go. Kevin, one of the producers in training got me mic’ed up and down to the set where Kristin Courtial, Shayne Wells, and Nate Kuester along with a few camera people and technicians were smoothly and joyfully waking up Treasure Valley (South Western Idaho). Theses fine professionals were so at ease and so in-tune with the entire operation that they made what was going on at a dizzying pace appear easy. The studio was not all that large but it was designed perfectly to allow the reporters to move around at ease and always be where they needed to be. The teleprompters were very cool and all the reporters had rehearsed their scripts I assume and their delivery was flawless and they always knew what was coming up next... I know this seems basic but to watch it in action is really quite amazing. Now it was time for me to get up on set in front of the camera. I lugged my pack and walking stick up there with me and sat down thinking I would have a few minutes to go over the questions and get prepared... but here comes the on in 3 - 2 - 1 and we were live... It was very cool. I started off great explaining that I was walking cross country etc. I did however stumble up once and lost track of what I was saying and repeated myself on “exploring the gradients” but When I looked to Kristin she just smiled and said its OK and put me right at ease... I don’t know if reporters have training on how to get their interviewees through freeze ups but she was great and I recovered and we chatted, live, on air, with maybe a hundred thousand people watching for another several minutes. Though out the rest of the show they made references to the walk and interacted with me off camera and then had me come up to do the show closing with them. I just had too much fun. This news team was so warm and genuine and their whole approach was so personable... It was Great! After the Show, Beau gave a pair of Z-coils to Kristin and it looks like he will be a guest on the show next week talking about Z-Coils. Once I get a copy of the show I will post it on the site for you all to watch. Thank you so much Kristin, Nate and Shayne!

We returned to Beau’s home to pick up a wonderful lunch that Beau’s wife Lynn had made for me to send me on my way. I bid farewell to Lynn, Lydia, and David. Beau drove me to the edge of Boise where I would resume my walk East. I really enjoyed my time with Beau and his family and cant wait for them to come and visit with my family when I complete the walk. Thank you Beau for your friendship and hospitality.

I had Eggs Benedict at the Kopper Kettle Cafe before getting back on the road. They had WiFi at the Cafe so I downloaded a new set of Audiobooks to listen to. I got the Bible read by James Earl Jones, “The Assault on Reason” by Al Gore, and “This I Believe” a series of essay from This America Life. People were already recognizing me and wishing me luck after having seen me on TV. Now for the first time in the walk, Hwy 20 merged up with a Freeway and I would have to walk along interstate 84 for the next 40 miles. The freeway is noisier than I am used to and I am a bit out of shape from the break for my Cousin Heather’s Wedding... but along I go. I am still getting used to the new insoles that got in Boise which are designed to give my big toe freer motion and I am in some pain but it will pass. The freeway doesn’t have as good of places to sit and rest as does the highway but its still enjoyable to just sit along the road and I have a great sandwich to enjoy so I am very happy (thanks Lynn). I want to thank Jarrod and his mom who pulled over on the side of the freeway to contribute Cold water and $20 bucks to WFP... they had seen me on TV this morning. As I got to my destination for the evening, the Boise Stage Shop 17 miles outside of Boise, I met Doug and Roger who had also seen me on TV and pulled over to visit and to bring me water and beef jerky! I went into the Stage Shop restaurant and had fish and chips. I visited with Evelyn and her friend (if you read this email me your name:-) and had a nice evening before heading out to the grass behind all the long hall trucks to set up my tent.

Saturday- Wrapped up camp and went back in and had some hashbrowns, grapefruit, and some of my moms homemade banana bread. Evelyn was working again and she told me to go to her husband’s Mexican restaurant in Mountain home when I get there in the evening. On my way out I met Bob and Linda Braswell who had also seen me on TV and they wished me good luck on my travels. I pushed along through the morning heat and went through lots of water. in the afternoon it cooled down and became overcast. I walked along listening to my audiobooks and enjoying being back on the road. I got buzzed by a Rattlesnake and proved than man can fly without wings. My reflexes served me well and so did the Rattlesnakes. He gave me fair warning and I respect him for that. Once I was out of range, him and I looked at each other for a brief moment as he stood coiled up watching me. About half an hour later Officers Cathy and Ferrell of the Mountain Home Police pulled up. They were very kind and I told them about my cross-country walk. They told me that someone had called in and reported that someone was jumping into traffic on the Freeway. apparently someone had seen me jump from the snake and had gotten the wrong idea... anyways the officers and I got a good laugh from the whole thing and they wished me well. I was grateful to know that if ever I was in trouble that help would be close by... Thanks guys! I made it to the first Mountain Home exit and went in to the Mexican restaurant Evelyn had recommended and had myself a Vegi-Burrito. I camped out at an RV park next door and the Camp hosts Dave and Wanda had seen me on TV and gave me permission to camp out for the night... Thank you!

Sunday- It rained and rained and blew and blew last night. I ate banana bread in the tent. The rain didn’t stop till after noon and I pushed out right when there was a break in the rain. I got back on the freeway for my last 5 mile stretch till I was back on my good ole Hwy 20. I exited the freeway and went in for salad bar at AJ’s family restaurant. The wind was picking up again and I was sure it was going to be a cold and rainy night so I decided to check the rate of the hotels. I felt it would be a good opportunity to upload some photos and writings to the website and to stay out of the elements. Samantha at the Sleep Inn was so kind to give me a great discount when I told her about the walk. So here I am updating the site instead of sleeping or watching TV! Geez... the things I do for you;-)

Check out the photo page!

Boise Idaho

Wednesday June 6th-
I don’t know why but 72% of all flights in 2007 have been delayed and my return flight to Boise was no exception. My new friend Beau was waiting for me as I emerged from the terminal and we were both excited for the days ahead. Beau had set up some TV media to meet with me which would give exposure to both my walk and to the Z-coil line of shoes. My late arrival crept into the tight schedule we had for the day and we did not arrive back at the office where we were to meet with the news until nearly 4:00 while they had anticipated us at 3:00... so Beau went about rescheduling me for the next day. I was not worried as the walk has shown me how when you are flexible things actually turn out for the better. In the Afternoon I met with Dr. Kevin Hearon who had his chiropractic office conjoined with the Z-coil dealership to offer both services and benefits in conjunction. He skillfully examined the calluses that had built on my foot and could tell where I had been applying my weight when I walked. He tested the flexion of my joints in the foot and with precise force smacked my feet and loosened the tight and stiff joints. He created a custom heat molded orthodic to my foot and then cut out a piece of it right behind the joint for my big toe in order to give me increased range of motion in my big toe.

At the close of business I went with Beau to see his garden where he has planted eggplant, peas, potatoes, and tomatoes. He watered the plants and told me about his friend who invents Artificial Intelligence Robots that can mimic learning and can interact via spoken word. We then went back to Beau’s home where his older daughter Camilla had dinner waiting waiting for us. I did not get to meet his wife Lynn until later as she works the evening shift. Beau has four fabulous children, Camilla, Sarah, Lydia (peanut), and David. They all were such a joy and so well mannered. Camilla had a friend over and they sang together so beautifully. Beau got out his guitar and we had a musical evening singing everything from Little Red Ridinghood to Donovan’s Catch the Wind. After the kids went to sleep, Beau and I spent the evening philosophizing and speaking on human growth and potential. Forgiveness of our own personal devils we agreed can free us to unlock our own potential and see ourselves for what we truly are.

Thursday- Had a big breakfast with Beau and the kids before heading into the Foot Professional office. We had rescheduled channel 7 news interview for 2:00 in the afternoon so I spent the early part of the day doing yoga, reading, relaxing, and visiting with PJ and April, Beau’a colleagues. PJ and April were very sweet and the whole team seemed to get along very well together. Beau’s Wife Lynn brought lunch to us at the office and Oh Boy these were the most marvelous sandwiches in the world! At 2:00 Kaycee Murray from channel 7 arrived and we had a great 15 minute interview!

PJ was very kind and let me use the car to get to Downtown Boise where I spent the afternoon walking around and checking out the very cool scene. It was the First Thursday of the Month and that is the time when in Boise all the artists set up booths and share their gift with the public. I met a very special young artist named Casey Rae who used her art to express her spiritual understandings. She has produced a series of pieces depicting the medicinal healings of certain spirits. She had Apostle Raven on display and its varied textures and mediums used in a single portrayal indicated to me the shifting levels of consciousness and the varying perceptions of this earthy and ancient spirit. I have been out in the high desert and have seen ravens and her depiction really brought home the energy I had become in tune with on the walk.

Serendipitously I also ran into some friends of Camilla who had just gotten out of school for the year and they were parading around town with their tambourine bringing joy and smiles to all they encountered! Amy and Jenny were their names and they went around asking people if they could take photos with them and their tambourine... well I had my camera out too and got a photos with them as well... I told them to check out the website and they were like... Are you the guys walking across the country?.... Yep, how did you know I asked. They told me they were classmates with Camilla. Small world:-)

Boise is great with a beautiful historic downtown and capital building, great shops and cafes. Lots of public art and a great series of parks and monuments along the green belt in downtown. I explored Ann Morrison Park, the Boise Depot and lots of great spots on Main Street and Idaho street.

I returned back to the office and bid farewell to PJ and April. Beau and I again went to his garden to pick some peas and I got to meet his friends Meagan and her mom who had just come in from a great day of horse riding. Back at home we again had a great dinner and I got to see some photos of Beau’s hobby which is stunt make-up and it looks very real and very gruesome:-) I really enjoyed playing with Sweet David and Lydia. David is just learning to speak and he always has this great smile on his face. Beau and I stayed up to watch the news to see what they said about me... and there I was on TV with my walking stick. But it was a very brief segment and they used a reporters voice over instead of my own voice. I dont know why it was so short but it was pretty cool anyways. They mentioned the Z-coils and spoke about what I was doing but they didn’t mention the website address. I think tomorrows morning show will play out much better. We had an early morning the next day so we crashed out.

The photos are great so make sure you visit the photo page!

WFP Break

Had a great day at the Eagle Island State park and went swimming in the lake. Dad got to town and we drove around looking for a place that would serve us dinner at 10:30 at night and we got some great chinese and went to the motel 6 by the airport. The next day dad and I had a great time exploring Boise. We started by going to meet Beau Avery at Foot Professionals and getting my walk checked out on this treadmill with a camera watching my feet so that we could find out if I was walking right. Beaus made some adjustments and we planned to meet again so I could see the doctor and maybe meet with some reporters when I came back from my cousin Heather’s wedding. Dad and I went out and about and check out an estate sale where I got an original printing of Mark Twain’s The Innocents Abroad. We checked out the Freeway leaving Boise to see how the next leg of my Journey would be. We went to an Egyptian Restaurant recommended by Beau called the Aladdin. Checked out Ann Morrison park, campus and the train depot. Switched our room to Inn America, the hotel next door because Motel 6 raised their rates for the weekend and the rooms next door were nicer. We got cheesecake form the Cheesecake Factory and enjoyed it in our new room. Took off the next day driving to see my God Father Alex in Leavenworth Washington. On the drive up I had my dad listen to the story The Alchemist. When we got to Leavenworth, We had a great BBQ with Alex, Rod, and Linda! I stayed up with Alex half the night and ended up camping out by the river that goes by his place. Breakfast in the Morning at Crystals and Alex sent me on my way with a sturdy compass and sundial just like the ones Rogers’ Rangers used to use.

I went to Vancouver BC with Ali Reza to see Ali and his girlfriend Salimeh, Reza, and my sweet Hannah and Rosstin. I got to see Ethan and Jamie. I stopped in to say hi to Sarah at my favorite hangout the Mirkwood Cafe in Downtown Arlington. I had coffee with Robin Foster and some of the best teachers from when I was in Middle School. Happy retirement to Mr. Kjargaard and Mr. Knoepfle. I tried to get together with Jeremy Faxon... but ferry schedules were not cooperating:-) I got to see my grandma Mahin, aunt Mimi, uncle Saeed, and my cousin Ali and Laura and their kids Nicholas, Anayat, and Bijan. I had an interview with the Arlington Times which should be coming out in the coming weeks. I popped in to see Uncle Barry and aunt Shahaz at Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice-Cream and they were doing a benefit for the Childrens Hospital... I am very proud of all they do! Also I got news that my Cousin Salma is going to have a Baby! Congrats to Salma and Martin:-)

The wedding was beautiful and my little Cousin Heather drove off to start a life! I got to see family and also Jackie Ollen and Cory DeFord, school friends of mine from grade school and middle school that I had not seen in forever. My cousin Matt is also going to be married soon! Congrats Matt and Gienelle!

I got to visit with The Shull Family and Ethan got to come over for Breakfast one morning. I also visited with dear Natalie and her mom Linda!

I had a wonderful evening with the Fosters. Thank you Kirsten for the wonderful meal and its always sucha treat to visit with Sarah, Emily, and Rachel. Thanks for the Bill Cosby tracks!

Thanks Mom for the Banana Bread! Back on the Plane for Boise to pick up where I left off!

Where am I?

My sweet Cousin Heather is getting married tomorrow and I am away from route 20 for her wedding. I will be back in Boise Idaho this Wednesday to continue the trek. My dad came to pick me up from Boise on Memorial Day weekend and I got to visit my Godfather Alex on the way home. Alex sent me on my way with a compass just like those of Rogers' Rangers and it has a sun dial to tell the time. I stayed up and enjoyed his company and camped out by the river next to his home. I wish you all could have the pleasure of meeting my Godfather Alex. His presence enriches the lives around him.

This past week I have been visiting with friends and enjoying home cooking. I went to Vancouver BC with Ali Reza to see Ali and his girlfriend Salimeh, Reza, and my sweet Hannah and Rosstin. I got to see Ethan and Jamie. I stopped in to say hi to Sarah at my favorite hangout the Mirkwood Cafe in Downtown Arlington. I had coffee with Robin Foster and some of the best teachers from when I was in Middle School. Happy retirement to Mr. Kjargaard and Mr. Knoepfle. I tried to get together with Jeremy Faxon... but ferry schedules were not cooperating:-) I got to see my grandma Mahin, aunt Mimi, uncle Saeed, and my cousin Ali and Laura and their kids Nicholas, Anayat, and Bijan. I had an interview with the Arlington Times which should be coming out in the coming weeks. I popped in to see Uncle Barry and aunt Shahaz at Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice-Cream and they were doing a benefit for the Childrens Hospital... I am very proud of all they do! Also I got news that my Cousin Salma is going to have a Baby! Congrats to Salma and Martin:-) The rehearsal for Heathers wedding went well and I am excited for tomorrow!

I have changed the blog so that you no longer have to be a registered user to post comments... so Please start posting away.

Also I would like to put together a mailing list so that I can email you when I update the page and with important news. I would also like to know who is tracking me on my way... so if you could email me a quick note that includes your email adress, you name, and where you are visiting the site from plus anything else you would like to tell me that would be very much appreciated. Email me at alborz@walkforprogress.com to join the mailing list.

Day 40 Mile 519-536

Caldwell to Eagle Island State Park

Up and about early and in for a good omelet and hash-browns on my way out of town. Met Kyle and DJ walking around town. Kyle had seen me walking over the weekend on his way back from the coast. They seemed like nice kids even though they should have been in class;-) They enjoy the community and have built a club house and other fun stuff but they too mentioned that there are shooting and violence here. I asked if they like school and DJ explained how they have put him on meds so that he does better. I asked him what he was like without them and he said he hadn’t taken them today and that he was like he is now but just doesn’t do well learning. But he seemed bright and sharp... He thinks his meds should be reduced but thats what the psychologist has him on... he says the grams need to go down from 50 to like 30. But he has been told he needs them to learn and focus... I look forward to meeting more youngsters on my trip and exploring this phenomenon of medicating kids even before their bodies reach hormonal balance... my initial reaction is that we need to stop drugging our youth... but I will hold my tongue and reserve judgement. I feel that with time and attention we can instill a positive affirmative mentality, a can do attitude in our youth by letting them explore what brings them joy and gives them motivation without putting them in a box and limiting their potential. I invited them both to come and walk with me if they like this summer. Sometimes all it takes is a little moving meditation to show you that you can do anything! About seven miles outside of the state park I went into a service station to rest up. There I met Tonya and Jessica. They have been best friends (sisters) since high school. They told me about their adventures and car wrecks and shared their pizza with me. I pushed on to the Eagle Island State Park and set up my tent, enjoyed the evening, and worked on the computer.