Everywhere but Yellowstone

I left Minneapolis over an hour ago and as I type this, I’m sitting by Lake Byllesby in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. I stopped to take a few pictures but it was so serene and the day so beautiful that I decided to stay awhile; the sun, the breeze, and the waves washing ashore were too irresistible! I was disappointed to learn on the way here, though, that my cousin Faye, who I had planned to visit while in Illinois, is visiting her mother–my Aunt Ida Mae–this week so I won’t get to see her. I’m hoping, though, that she can get those tickets we talked about.

But back to my Minnesota visit. Despite this being only my second time seeing them, Andrena and Pastor Dwight Seawood opened their home to me and made sure that I saw the highlights of the city they now call home. Ten-year old Matthew even invited me to church to hear his dad preach. I met the Seawoods through a mutual friend a few years ago while visiting the northern neck of Virginia. Some time later, we “friended” each other on Facebook. After hearing about my road trip, Andrena followed my travels and invited me–no, insisted that Minnesota be a stop on my trip. There was snow on the ground at the time of her invitation, though, so it was doubtful I’d make it. If you read my post about Mt. Hood, you understand why.

(It is so beautiful out here!!)

Having decided in Utah that my “journey” would not be ending, I then decided that Yellowstone National Park would be my next stop. But between visits to Temple Square; FamilySearch, the genealogical research library; Bridal Veil Falls; Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort; the Great Salt Lake; and a couple of city parks, I started feeling like I didn’t want to go. I couldn’t shake it but kept trying to get excited about the trip because it was my understanding that Mama was looking forward to seeing my pictures from Yellowstone.

When I sat down to plan my Yellowstone visit a couple of nights before I was to leave Provo, though, I discovered what was at the root of those feelings: it was 28 degrees and snowing there! No way was I subjecting myself to that! Again, if you read my post about Mt. Hood, you understand why.

So, instead of Yellowstone, I left Scottsbluff, Nebraska heading for Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse monument in South Dakota. I visited three of my TV western towns in Wyoming: Medicine Bow, Laramie and Cheyenne. After visiting Badlands National Park in Interior, South Dakota, I spent a couple of nights in Pierre, the capital of South Dakota and the county seat of Hughes County. With its lake, flowers, trees, statues and memorial garden, the capital grounds were absolutely breathtaking! I spent a couple of hours there on Saturday and went there again before I left for Minnesota on Sunday.

I also visited several Laura Ingalls Wilder museums between Rapid City, SD and Minneapolis, one in De Smet, SD; another in Walnut Grove, Minnesota; and still another in Burr Oak, Iowa. I think there’s one in New York, too, but I doubt I’ll see it on this trip. I didn’t read the “Little House” books but there’s always something surreal about walking the same ground as historical figures; the Laura Ingalls Wilder museums and the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona were no exception.

So, after experiencing all of that, here I sit today, enjoying a beautiful day in Cannon Falls, Minnesota and writing a blog post. There really is something special about nature, and I love it! I love the sun on my face, the trees, flowers, butterflies, and ducks; I love the lakes, streams, rivers and oceans; and I love the voice of God that has guided and protected me as I’ve traveled these sometimes lonesome highways.

Life really is grand!!

End of my journey?

After a great visit with my cousin in Seattle; after checking out the view of the city from Queen Anne Hill and the Space Needle; after seeing Jimi Hendrix’s gravesite and Snoqualmie Falls; after crossing Seattle’s I-90 “floating bridge”; and after taking the ferry to Whidbey Island then crossing the bridge at Deception Pass, I left Seattle last Saturday heading to Utah. I figured it would only take a couple of days, three at the most, but I arrived Friday, one day short of a week but what a great drive it was!

I pulled off the highway several times to photograph the beauty of Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and Stevens Pass on US-2. I was driving at high elevation and even though the roads were clear, there was snow all over the Cascade Mountain range; I even saw a frozen lake for the first time. What an incredible sight that was!

Although I left Seattle around 1:30, I didn’t reach Leavenworth, WA, a Bavarian village only 140 miles from Seattle, until 5 pm. I stopped at the Bavarian Bakery and had striezel and coffee while hearing about the town’s history from Inga and Amanda.

I then stopped in Lake Chelan to enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountain range across the lake, took a few pictures, and decided to have lunch there. I dined at The Bamboo Shoot, a Thai restaurant, and ordered stir-fried veggies that were served with plain rice and a choice of chicken or tofu. Since I’d never eaten tofu, I decided to give it a try. The chef prepared it with both chicken and tofu since I wasn’t sure I’d like it. After lunch, I roamed around Chelan and discovered Beebe Bridge and Beebe Bridge Park in Chelan Falls. I drove across the bridge (of course), and spent a few minutes in the park before moving on.

During the two hour drive to Ephrata, WA is when I saw the most dramatic change in Washington’s landscape. West Washington is lush and green from all the rain but east Washington is more like the desert. I drove through miles of farm land, too, as well as fields scattered with lava rock. The land was relatively flat but as I approached Ephrata, I saw a few tumbleweeds and passed through canyon streaked with shades of orange, green, blue and red.

The hotel clerk in Ephrata mentioned the town of Soap Lake and since I’m curious about all things lake, I stopped to check it out. While at the lake, I discovered that the town is known for its mineral lake, creamy black mud, and spas. Within minutes I was at Healing Waters Spa and as I stepped in the mineral mud bath, it actually felt as though the water were embracing me. Amazing!

After the bath, Bridget, the spa’s owner, showed me pictures she’d taken at nearby Palouse Falls and suggested Mom’s European Food & Deli, a Ukrainian grocery store across the street, for lunch. I had Pelmeni, tortellini-like pockets stuffed with chicken and served with melted butter and sour cream. I also sampled the Halba, a dessert of crushed and sweetened sunflower seeds.

I then drove through miles and miles of wheat fields to Palouse Falls State Park. The last twelve miles to the park consisted of nine miles of winding road then another three miles of dirt road but the beauty of the falls and the cows I saw along the way made the drive worthwhile. By this point–and after that relaxing bath–I was feeling tired so I drove the 45 or so miles to Kennewick, WA. After doing my chores, I spent time at the lovely Columbia Park.

I stopped in Ontario, OR for the night then crossed the border into Idaho the next morning. In Boise, I snapped a shot of the capital building and walked along the Boise River as it ran along University Plaza in downtown Boise.

A few hours later, I crossed Snake River again but this time on the Perrine Bridge into Twin Falls where Evil Knevil attempted his jump across Snake River Canyon. I engaged too long in a conversation with a retired gentleman at the jump site so I didn’t get to see Shoshone Falls before leaving the next morning.

Back on the road, I made stops along the Oregon Trail at Bonneville Point, Three Island Crossing and Farewell Bend. I’m in Utah now and am continually in awe of the Wasatch Mountain range and Mount Timpanogos that I see each time I step outside. I have yet to see Salt Lake and the Salt Flats but they’re on my list. I spent today writing, seeing ‘Think Like a Man’, and sitting by the river in Riverside Park.

It’s been over three months now since I left Atlanta to see the country and become who I am. After an afternoon of sightseeing Sunday, Ronda took me to her meditation class and I was amazed at how comfortable I was interacting with the group. It’s true that I felt a little anxious when she first mentioned going but unlike in the past when I wouldn’t have gone, I went, interacted, met some great folks, and even picked up a helpful meditation tip. Ronda was indeed right when she said that the class was an important stop on my journey.

I’d been thinking for the past week or so that I was ready to stop for a while–and by a while, I mean for several months–but it occurred to me as I typed this that I’m not ready to do that yet. I notice, too, that when I think of going home, I no longer feel that resistance I’ve felt since leaving. So, as my journey continues to unfold, I’ll keep following it to see where it takes me!