Day 6.5

One of my goals was to stop in a town and spend time getting to know it...visit libraries...attend community events...maybe even a church!  What I am discovering is that few towns actually have natural campgrounds.  Oh they have RV parks but my idea of fun is not being squeezed between two giant RV's.  So I am spending a day or two in Rock Springs, WY at a cheap hotel!  Gives me time to shower, clean, and power up my devices.  And this is enabling me to post on my blog. 

Day 6

After a miserable night in Yellowstone due to the cold and rain, I headed south. The Grand Teton National Park was magnificent. I stopped in Jackson Wyoming for lunch and to regroup. The weather was nice so I decided to disperse camp just about 30 miles outside of Jackson. I found a most beautiful mountain scene with the river by it and spent the rest of the day. I explored, sat by the river and read my Bible. I was so tired that I went to my bed about 6 p.m. and did not arise until 9 a.m. the next day. The best sleep I've had since I began this journey.

Day 5

I'm in Yellowstone National Park. Yesterday was no fun driving in heavy rain all through Idaho. Fishtailed some with all the water on the road. Saw one car spin around 360.

Contemplated skipping Yellowstone but decided to do it.  Cold and wet is never fun, but it is all part of the journey.

Day 4

I'm in declo Idaho. Drove from Baker City Oregon past Boise and Twin Falls. Don told me about an ice cream parlor in a small town that has the best ice cream in Idaho. So I detoured off the interstate 10 found it. It was very good and worth it. I did not get to see young clergy friend in Twin Falls which was disappointing. Experienced pretty heavy thunderstorm activity during the night. But I finally got some decent sleep. On to Yellowstone.

Day 3

  I woke up this morning before 6 on a ranch and Eastern Oregon.  A seminary classmate of mine, Don Hanna, reached out to me and I stopped by to visit with him. We had not seen each other for 37 years.   it was great to catch up with him and learn about his area of the state and the history of Native people and the Oregon Trail. They fed me delicious hamburgers from their own cattle. Today I head east through Southern Idaho.

Day 2

It is day 2 of this journey. I left home in Bend yesterday and drove to a Walla Walla Washington. Except for a headache it was a great drive and I spent the night at the home of Ann and Ellen and last night. We had dinner with David and Juli. Juli is the pastor of Pioneer United Methodist Church here in Walla Walla. After a tour of Walla Walla today I will hit the road head to Oregon to visit more friends.

D-Day Is Coming!

Departure Day is Sept. 5, three weeks from today.  It's amazing to think I will kiss Kim goodbye, get in my truck, and head out on a three-month odyssey!  Sometimes I think it has been more fun planning and dreaming and preparing than actually doing it!  Crazy, right?

As D-Day approaches I am filled with different emotions.  One is fear.  I fear the unknown.  Recently I camped in a remote area of the Cascades with no one around.  As darkness descended I didn't know if my anxiety was connected with wild animals or crazy people.  It was clear I was vulnerable.  Thank God for prayer and peace.  

That's what I expect on the road...experiences where I will depend on God.  May this be so for you on your life road.

Grace Always,

Dave