The morning I couldn't feel my toes

Ben has taken us past church and on our way into the great Yellowstone. My goal in this post is to get us on our way through Le Grandiose Tetons.

The first thing I noticed about Yellowstone was the little town you drive through to get to the main gate. We came in the North entrance on 89, through the town of Gardiner. Very old, it demands a reaction before you drive through the gate. My reaction was mostly, "Is it 1925 and are there going to be too many people here?"

The roads in Yellowstone are kind of crowded in mid-June, and people will stop and watch about anything. Of course, the same was true for Ben and I. The first thing we stopped to watch were some bears that we couldn't really get a good look at. From then on, we figured out that if you just keep driving, you will see all the wildlife you need, including a buffalo who will just eat grass right next to the road.

I don't think I will focus on what we saw, because most people know what's in Yellowstone. What I want to do mostly is write down what was going on between me and Ben and the interesting things that happened along the way. Ben and I had spent a lot of time in the car before Yellowstone, and we all know that too much car time can breed frustration, so I was determined to soak in the natural beauty and be positive. Interestingly enough, I think that is the attitude Ben generally has, and that's something that has stuck with me from our trip as a whole. But I'm rambling now, so.....

The bubbling, stinky mud pits were pretty incredible (please see our Yellowstone Video). While in the park, it got hot, it rained, it snowed, and the wind was crazy. We drove down to Bridge Bay to set up shop for the night, and to pick up some much needed supplies. Our camping spot was right next to some woods, and we were relieved to find out we could gather any wood on the ground to make a fire. But that came later. We turned our eyes to the giant figure eight that is Yellowstone and set out for the sights. I won't lie, things got a little tense on the drive to Lower Falls and Upper Falls, and I don't know why I was so moody, but I had set myself in competition with Ben to see who could enjoy the scenery the most. And Ben probably had no idea! The Falls were amazing: I have a picture of them that looking at it you can't tell which way is up which way is down. Then we continued on for the Mecca of all things wild, Old Faithful. It is interesting to think why this landmark is in the West. There is nothing Faithful about the West. The West will lure you in with its beauty, inspire you with its vastness and potential, and pull compassion out of you with its rawness. But in the end it doesn't need you, giving it all the power, and no reason to be Faithful to you. Maybe the geyser's name is in reference to how we feel to the West. Yes, I think that is it. And that is exactly why we had to see it. Also, because Ben was getting married and I wanted to give him an example to live by.

On the way to Old Faithful we stopped at the Artists Paintpots. They are more faithful than Old Faithful.

We arrived at Old Faithful just after its eruption, so we had some time to kill before the next one. We went into the giant lodge and I reserved two chairs by the giant window that looks out on the geyser while Ben went to get two refreshments from the car. We sat. We gazed. And I think Old Faithful worked its magic on me.

Back at the campsite we gathered wood for a fire and started writing thank yous and postcards. Ben worked on some video stuff. For the most part it was a good evening. It took me forever to get the fire started, but eventually it was going and we had another nice sit by Fire. Camp fires should be a real consideration for the Nobel Peace Prize. We then put on all of the clothes we had because it was super cold and we went to bed.

I didn't write much in my journal from the time we left Idaho, and actually the last entry I made on our trip was from that night in Yellowstone, even though we had a week left on the road. All it referred to was how cold it was, and how disappointed I was in myself. Ben and I have talked about this some, and we discussed how maybe at this time in the trip we subconsciously were realizing how little time we had left, and it just put us in a bad mood. I know I was really taking for granted how incredible life was in that moment.

We woke up and I couldn't feel my toes. I went to brush my teeth, and the water at the restroom hut about gave me frostbite. We drove up to have breakfast in Lake Lodge in Lake Village. It was seriously one of the most beautiful views of the trip. And I was jealous of what Ben got for breakfast.

Driving out, it was about an hour after we had woken up. I could finally feel my pinky toes again.

Coming up next is the Grand Tetons, and the nomads we found in Gillette.


Jake

I Confess, I Confess

So I confess that a great part of our trip still remains to be told. In the fog of getting married and moving away from the US I had trouble remembering important things like writing. Well now I'm finally finding my head.

Before moving forward though Idaho must have its time in the spotlight one more time.

Idaho.

There. The spotlight has been shown.
Our time there felt like a freeze-frame after frenzied montages . Good rest and conversation after racing past the coastline and the far edge of our trip. Now we were heading back. Heading back towards the end. Once we left Idaho the sad feeling started sinking in that we were no longer heading west. We tried to brush the feelings off by living even more rugged and harshly then before. Planning to spend more time camping and breathing in the big country of Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Colorado on our return path.

I guess I'll tell you the part about our time in Montana and then leave the rest for another time (which will come, I promise). As I said, leaving Idaho was tough. I started to feel a little tired of being on the road and I was starting to worry more about the wedding coming up, but we were determined to live this last part the best we could. The legends are true about the sky feeling bigger and bluer in Montana. I remember looking out the window to see green plains and mountains run on forever past the finite lines of the interstate.

Our goal was to race towards Yellowstone, before night I guess, but we started looking for somewhere to camp a couple hours outside the park. Wide open roads and beautiful views all around us. We drove about 15 minutes from the main highway off on a dirt road to a really simple but great remote campground (Jake will have to include the name if we still have it). Setup camp, gather fire wood and then of course climb the nearby hill (mountain by Alabama standards) for sunset. I decided I needed to carry my video camera all the way up. Sadly this was one of those inclines that never ends - we climbed for a long time, I kept setting tops of the crests as my goal thinking I couldn't climb any farther only to find out there was another crest beyond that. It must of happened 4 or 5 times, thinking the top was just right there only to find out there was still another 25 yards up and then the more. Jake finally parked at a nice place and we paused to admire the stars and fading light. Trying to catch my breathe, knowing this time will end soon. Climb to the top, enjoy the beauty just long enough to rest my burning legs and then stumble and falter all the way back down the mountain. Rest was meaningful after that.

We talked around the fire and enjoyed the natural isolation. The setting of plans, goals and hopes. Less than two weeks left. I hadn't really been counting time too much before now.

One of the most refreshing things spiritually happened the next morning as we packed up and drove back to an Episcopal church we'd pasted on our way to our campground. Just a small building in a little town along the highway, but people gladly welcomed us. I had that feeling of sameness, like singing along to an old song in a new place, once the worship service started. The liturgy was a wonderful bridge for the two of us with a congregation of people we'd never known, but we shared the connection of Christ's Church. That was beautiful.

After the service ended we were offered tasty homemade snacks and all sorts of great advice on how to spend our time in Yellowstone. Everyone said we needed more time to see everything properly, but we just smiled and tried to explain our rush was an attempt to see more and inspire a return visit. Yellowstone National Park was of course one of the many places I'd never been to before our trip but now that spark has been set in me to return. But I guess I'm getting ahead of myself because that would put our story past the Montana border and that's as far as I said I'd take you.


Thanks to everyone who's kept up with us on this trip. We're still sifting through all our adventures trying to remember and understand what took place. We'll finish out our story before too long. I have more pictures and videos to share, so come back around sometime and check for them.

"I'm a sucker for a kind word. I just run until I find one."

Settled in the South (the kind-of South)

Wow, it really has been awhile since we last posted, and I guess it has been a long while since we have been out west. Ben of course is married now, and like a good man he has combated the urge to nest and has kept traveling; he and his wife calling Washington, Mexico, and soon, Northern Ireland way points on their journey toward a white picket fence. Or knowing them, there might not be a fence, but just a border booth. Actually Ben will have a fence, but it will be a double-layered fence that only covers 3/16th of his yard.
I am in Siloam Springs again. I work at John Brown as an administrative assistant for the director of a leadership program. I also moonlight at Wal-mart-I am a vendor who stocks the CD's and DVD's. And I work with the Cathedral Choir. This includes taking notes, learning music, reading books, philosophizing with Mr Smith, and leading the Alto sectional on Wednesday nights at 7pm.
Ben and I both have real bills to pay now, and any wandering or wondering we have done has the danger of being replaced by work. Now, I haven't talked to Ben about this, so maybe he doesn't feel that, but I bet he does.
A little quote I'd like to share with you all. I know it is kind of lame or even cheesy, but I got this quote on a birthday card from my distant and lovely sister Katie Funk. Please read solemnly:
"No one can possibly know what is about to happen. It is happening each time, for the first time, for the only time." This quote is by a fellow named James Baldwin.
This is true for me now; because I have no idea what is going on, and this quote gives me a little comfort. It also makes me feel all right about living in ignorance.

And I will add this too, as it has been an encouragement to me. It is from Psalm 16. Verses 7-11.

7 I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
11 You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Ben and I haven't talked on the phone much, so I can't give you any updates on him. So Ben, if you read this, I'm calling you out to write something.

Here are few pictures of me at our new house. My house-mates are Ryan Ransdell and David Burney. They are very helpful. Katie Funk got me a cook book and some bread mix for my birthday, and these pictures are me utilizing those gifts. Sarah Kientz was a great help.

Idaho: Day Three

I know what you are thinking. You're all like, "They let those gypsy's stay three days with them?" and I'm all like, "Yeah, deal wit it." Not only that, but we didn't even leave until the next morning, so that's even longer. Anyway, it was Friday, June 15th, and it would be our last day in paradise.

Ben woke up. Jake woke up. They went upstairs in search of coffee. It should be mentioned that Mary Ann put out big bowls of fruit every morning for Jake and Ben because she was worried they would get scurvy on the road. So they got some fruit too. They checked out the papers and were reassured that the status of the world had not changed: Everyone is dying and the world is quickly coming to an end. This morning/afternoon the two gypsy's were wanting to see the softer side of Lewiston, so Scott took them on a tour. First was the post office. Then we toured where Scott influences young minds to fall head over heels for Kansas. Scott teaches at the highschool and specializes in History. His room is a fortress of logic with passion as its moat. While in the room, Scott taught both Jake and Ben how to juggle.

The road tour continued and we saw the cool downtown district and where the boys go to school. When we got home, something happened that Ben does not want me to tell you about. Ben and I played some one on one basketball. We hadn't done any real physical activity for about 4 weeks, so anyone who was watching probably wouldn't have been able to tell we were even playing basketball. Oh, and we were shirtless. And yes, the boy from Kansas won this match. I don't say this for my own benefit, I say it to encourage all the young ones on the farms in Kansas, so that they know that they can achieve greatness.

Then the rest of the gang came out. We played an awesome game of hide-and-go-seek tag. It really was intense. Even Uncle Scott played and made me bleed and he made Ben bleed which is a huge accomplishment because Ben neither bleeds nor crys. Just as we were planning on ordering some pizza, we got a call that Henry was late for his baseball game. The schedule had changed without us knowing, so he rushed off to the game. The rest of us joined him and cheered him on. He started out at first and made some great plays. Then his team made a grave mistake and put him in the outfield. The thing is, Henry is a great outfielder, but his long reach at first had really been an asset and the guy who replaced him was wanting. Henry also dazzled us with a base hit. And I think he impressed some of the ladies in the stands. Ok, so the ladies were his mom and his cousin, but I know if there had been any girls his age there they all would have been wearing Henry Funk t-shirts for the next week. So the game was sweet, and so was the food that came after.

We ordered the pizza and let me tell you something: someone is a genius in Lewiston. They have sauerkraut pizza in Lewiston Idaho. That's just one more thing to put on the list of things that make Idaho a lot like the Garden of Eden. After eating the best pizza ever, we watched a few episodes of the Office. Actually, we were only going to watch one episode, but once the ball got rolling, we couldn't stop. We watched three episodes.

And that's how the night pretty much ended. Ben and I went to sleep.

It was Saturday when we woke up. We got some coffee and Uncle Scott drove back to school to pick us up some Lewiston High Juggling Club t-shirts. It was hard to leave, because honestly it really felt like being at home with the Idaho Funks. And I know Ben is missing talking politics with Uncle Scott. Thank you Idaho Funks, you made our trip as great as it possibly could have been. Cheers.

Idaho: Day Two

June 14th is day Ben and I made a new friend, ate raw pork, and got wet in the Canyon of Hell.

We woke up early because we had to get to Clarkston in time to catch the jet boat that would take us on a 10 hour trek up and down Hell's Canyon. You see, when I say the Idaho Funk's treated us like royalty, I ain't exaggerating. Uncle Scott and Aunt Mary Ann had purchased Ben and I each a seat on the massive jet boat. We got there just after a bus load of 60-somethings. Good news for us, because that meant we got the two back seats on the boat, meaning of course that we had the best view. It also meant that we got soaked every time we hit the rapids (this is a good thing) and we got to sit by a mustached man named Brad. Brad is a nebula of wisdom, and he was the co-captain of our journey. Everyone is a dying star, and usually when a star dies it gives birth to new stars. Brad is a nebula that will most likely beget world peace or an arm wrestling championship. All that to say that Brad illuminated our jet boat ride like a double moon-bow in an ancient Redwood forest. He told us things the other passengers weren't getting to hear. And he told us what kind of rig he has.



The boat ride really was amazing. We saw rock taking the form of pliable metal rods in the shape of J's and horns.


We saw 12-16 wild Big Horn Sheep.
We saw ancient petroglyphs that the captain claimed were Native American but Brad told there was a good chance they were Extra-terrestrial. In contrast to the brittle bare basalt, we saw mound after mound of fuzzy canyon wall. And don't forget, this is Hell's Canyon, so we kept our eyes out for its Prince, but he never came.

After getting off of the boat, we got a picture with Brad, and headed back to Lewiston. We pulled to see me cousins playing outside. Again, I don't know why they weren't inside playing video games like kids are supposed to. Ben and I went inside to find some red wine set out and some pork that was to be dipped in hot mustard and sesame seeds. Delicious. After a tasty dinner, tons of people came over and we just sat and talked into darker hours. The kids once again played outside. Oh, and Ben serenaded us with some Josh Ritter tunes. I played a little harmonica.

It was a really full day, and we saw a lot of what makes Idaho a great state. Thanks for the boat ride Idaho Funks.

More to come.

Oh, this is us and Brad.

Idaho: Day One

Ben and Jake woke up late on June 13th, 2007. It was a Wednesday, and the coffee was on. Emma was showing off on a video game in which the gamer is a mountain biker and is going way too fast down some ridiculous mountain. She was good at it, but Ben quickly caught on and game her some good competition. One of Ben's spiritual gifts is video gaming. Mary Ann and Scott made everyone some sandwiches and they all ate in anticipation of what was to come in the afternoon: and hiking extravaganza with Mongo and his crew (family).

Mongo came over and some of got in his rig and the rest jumped in Scott's rig. In Idaho, you call every kind of vehicle a rig. Doesn't matter if it's a 3-cylinder Metro or a Monster Truck: they're all rigs. We drove the beautiful country side to Elk River, where we hiked for a good couple of miles.






One of the things Mongo was very excited about was drinking some Hamm's beer in front of a certain waterfall. Ben and I were eager to comply. There are some pictures of us enjoying Hamm's in the most picturesque way possible.



After the hike, we went to a very small town that used to be a big logging community. The name of the town is Elk River. We saw a nice little restaurant named the Elk River Cafe and decided to give it a try. This small restaurant was like the quintessential mountain dive, and it had awesome burgers. It was a husband and wife running it the night we were there-he was the cook and she was the server. It was all very laid back and in one corner there was a mini general store. It was just some shelves filled with the most random wares one could imagine. At one point, two men walked in, one might have been barefoot, and they picked up a 12 pack of Mountain Dew and told the lady to put it on his Mom's tab. 'Nuff said.

After dinner, the crew jumped back into the rigs and cruised to Moscow, Idaho. This is the town were Josh Ritter is from, and so of course Ben wanted to stop there. I have since become a fan of Josh Ritter, thanks to Ben and Jolynn Goertz, and I am very glad we stopped there.
Driving out of Moscow was a pretty impacting drive for Ben and I. We both agree that the stretch from Moscow to Lewiston on Highway 95 is some of the most beautiful scenery we saw on our 10,000 mile Odyssey. It also helped us understand the song "Idaho" by Josh Ritter. Before driving back into Lewiston, we stopped at an overlook of the city. Pretty amazing, pictures included.


That night we played frisbee with the young ones and just talked with the old ones. Ben and I didn't know it yet, but we needed our sleep for what was in store for us on the next day.


Lyrics to Josh Ritter's "Idaho"

All that love all those mistakes What else can a poor man make? So I gave up a life of crime I gave it to a friend of mine Something else was on my mind The only ghost I'm haunted by I hear her howling down below Idaho oh Idaho

Wolves oh wolves oh can't you see? Ain't no wolf can sing like me And if it could then I suppose He belongs in Idaho Packs of dogs and cigarettes For those who ain't done packing yet My clothes are packed and I want to go Idaho oh Idaho

Out at sea for seven years I got your letter in Tangier Thought that I'd been on a boat 'Til that single word you wrote That single word it landlocked me Turned the masts to cedar trees And the winds to gravel roads Idaho oh Idaho

Idaho Chronicle: Intro

Ben and I arrived at the Funk Compound in Lewiston, Idaho pretty late on Tuesday, June 12th, 2007. We were greeted by the whole crew: Scott, Mary Ann, Henry, Sam, Emma, and the precious dog. After the hugs we completed, I decided it would be a good idea to introduce Ben, since he had just been standing there the whole time like a creepy bearded person. After Henry had showed Ben and Jake to their room, the two weary travelers met the elders of the Funk crew on the back veranda for drinks and conversation. Jake and Ben kept Scott and his lovely wife way past their bedtimes, and then retired to the comforts of their room. This first night was indicative of how Ben and Jake were continually treated while at the Funk Compound: even though they were truly vagabonds, the Funks insisted on treating them as Kings. This is just the preview of the Idaho Chronicles. Ben and Jake arrived on the 12th, and didn’t leave until the morning of the 16th. More to come later. AND PICTURES, TOO! Here’s one to tide you over. It’s the young Funks showing off all of the land they donated to Kansas.