We have been driving through the mid west for several days and have visited the Eisenhower Library and Museum in Abilene, KS.
On to the Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri, then to Mark Twain’s birthtown, Hannibal, Missouri. All were fascinating and special visits, which I will need to write about at a much later date.
We are trying to be just a day ahead of very bad weather and my computer is concking out, so this will be the last entry probably until we arrive home. I have loved reading the comments from all who have been following my blog. I will fill in the blanks of our last few days of this magnificent journey.
It has been an unforgettable adventure.
Monday, March 19, 2018
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
March 6-13
Our time at Lake Chelan was magical. It was relaxing as well as contemplative. The wintery snow had fallen in the hillsides but the lake and the town remained clear of snow, providing a never ending peaceful view.
We took the ferry to Stehekin, a full day experience. The town of Stehekin is located at the opposite end of the Lake, 50 miles north. The ferry ride was about 2 and half hours and was a lovely reminder of the Casco Bay Lines. The passengers carried their groceries and personal items and everyone knew each other. It was an opportunity to watch as a tourist and yet feel a warm connection to this experience. I might add that I am only talking about 15 people total. The ferry made a stop at Lucerne, a retreat spot for Lutherans. This community was once a copper mine that had gone under years ago. The Lutheran church bought the property and is used now for retreats. Once we arrived at Stehekin, we disembarked and walked up the dock to the one and only restaurant. We sat near the fire place and had an interesting conversation with the waiter. There was significantly more snow here so we were not able to hike around the area. The town consists of about 30 full time winter residents, some writers, artists and others who like living a very quiet life. The summer is very different here. It is filled with hikers who spend time in the back country and the National Park that is just to the north of the town. I feel very fortunate that we have arrived in winter so we could get the sense of this beautiful spot without the “summer people”.
We left Chelan on March 9 and drove to Boise,Idaho. It was a long day driving but we were on a mission to get across the Rocky Mountains in clear weather which was 3 days out. The next day we were able to get to Provo, Utah, another long day of driving. We had a break around noon our time with a FaceTime call to Joy and Clint. They were having an LDI get together so we got to virtually attend and see our island friends enjoying sunny Florida. We made it to Grand Junction Colorado. The past three days had been long drives through flat high desert lands. Fortunately there was no snow or rain. The roads were clear and dry.
The drive from Grand Junction to Denver was through the Rockies. It was a 4 hour drive through the most beautiful part of Colorado. We were very surprised at the lack of snow especially in the high elevation areas. At one point we were at 11,000 feet with no snow except at higher peaks. We stopped at Vail Ski Resort to take a short walk around the charming village of Vail. It was a reminder of our ski days and the fact that we are getting old and won’t be skiing anymore, maybe!
We are staying outside of Denver where we had dinner with the son of a friends of ours in Florida. He planned a lovely dinner at an Indian restaurant in town. It was fun to see Scott and meet his charming wife, Sarah who will be expecting their first child next month.
Today we had lunch with the daughter of a friend with whom I had worked in Newburyport. Amantha now lives in Boulder and it was such a delight to spend time with her. After lunch we walked around the town enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. Boulder is a charming city host to the Univesity of Colorado. It is a lively young persons city with charming tree lined streets and 19th century homes. Pearl Street is a walk only shopping area where you can find book stores, coffee shops, clothing stores, upscale restaurants and of course, THC shops.
Our drive will continue through Kansas and onto Missouri in the next few days. We have no specific plans now but will be curious to observe the land and the people at the center of the US.
We took the ferry to Stehekin, a full day experience. The town of Stehekin is located at the opposite end of the Lake, 50 miles north. The ferry ride was about 2 and half hours and was a lovely reminder of the Casco Bay Lines. The passengers carried their groceries and personal items and everyone knew each other. It was an opportunity to watch as a tourist and yet feel a warm connection to this experience. I might add that I am only talking about 15 people total. The ferry made a stop at Lucerne, a retreat spot for Lutherans. This community was once a copper mine that had gone under years ago. The Lutheran church bought the property and is used now for retreats. Once we arrived at Stehekin, we disembarked and walked up the dock to the one and only restaurant. We sat near the fire place and had an interesting conversation with the waiter. There was significantly more snow here so we were not able to hike around the area. The town consists of about 30 full time winter residents, some writers, artists and others who like living a very quiet life. The summer is very different here. It is filled with hikers who spend time in the back country and the National Park that is just to the north of the town. I feel very fortunate that we have arrived in winter so we could get the sense of this beautiful spot without the “summer people”.
We left Chelan on March 9 and drove to Boise,Idaho. It was a long day driving but we were on a mission to get across the Rocky Mountains in clear weather which was 3 days out. The next day we were able to get to Provo, Utah, another long day of driving. We had a break around noon our time with a FaceTime call to Joy and Clint. They were having an LDI get together so we got to virtually attend and see our island friends enjoying sunny Florida. We made it to Grand Junction Colorado. The past three days had been long drives through flat high desert lands. Fortunately there was no snow or rain. The roads were clear and dry.
The drive from Grand Junction to Denver was through the Rockies. It was a 4 hour drive through the most beautiful part of Colorado. We were very surprised at the lack of snow especially in the high elevation areas. At one point we were at 11,000 feet with no snow except at higher peaks. We stopped at Vail Ski Resort to take a short walk around the charming village of Vail. It was a reminder of our ski days and the fact that we are getting old and won’t be skiing anymore, maybe!
We are staying outside of Denver where we had dinner with the son of a friends of ours in Florida. He planned a lovely dinner at an Indian restaurant in town. It was fun to see Scott and meet his charming wife, Sarah who will be expecting their first child next month.
Today we had lunch with the daughter of a friend with whom I had worked in Newburyport. Amantha now lives in Boulder and it was such a delight to spend time with her. After lunch we walked around the town enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. Boulder is a charming city host to the Univesity of Colorado. It is a lively young persons city with charming tree lined streets and 19th century homes. Pearl Street is a walk only shopping area where you can find book stores, coffee shops, clothing stores, upscale restaurants and of course, THC shops.
Our drive will continue through Kansas and onto Missouri in the next few days. We have no specific plans now but will be curious to observe the land and the people at the center of the US.
Monday, March 5, 2018
March 5
March 5
Nothing in nature stays the same; transitions are constant. Seasons change, mountains move, rivers run, and deserts bloom. There have been many adventures on our journey that have expanded our view of the environment and opened our minds to see and interpret large, small and negative spaces as one might observe a landscape painting. Natural environments mirror the human spirit. However it is that we see ourselves, the silhouetted shapes of mountains, rivers, deserts, and trees give meaning to the view. To be a silent observer of nature allows one to assign a meaning as one might interpret a Rorsharch image. Mountains are tall and rugged seemingly unmovable but one jolt of a tectonic plate and everything changes. Rivers provide nourishment for surrounding life forms, yet if man builds a dam, life is altered. Desert areas where life struggles to exist, bloom and celebrate with exotic colorful flowers with one rainstorm. Trees give life to the environment, tall, stately and expiring oxygen into the air, but if forests are denuded wildlife struggles to exist. Animals that live in the wilderness are a source of beauty and balance to the environment but when their habitats are minimized the lives of the wolves, bears, cougars, bobcats and others have moved closer to extinction. Sacred landscapes provide historical, religious and spiritual places, but once these places are no longer respected the bridge that connects the human spirit to its natural environment is lost.
The human race is dependent upon its relationship with the natural environment and knowing our intimate connection to it gives us a reason to protect it.
How will we as a nation preserve and respect our environment and sacred landscapes for future generations?
What is the balance between preservation and economic development?
Our journey across America started with a simple idea, to visit as many National Parks and Monuments as possible in six months. Living in a 22 foot RV was a chance to see this country in slow motion, to “be” somewhere while actively engaging in the landscapes. Subtle observations along the way have expanded my view of the environment, native people, immigrants, and locals who live in small American towns. To have experienced the beauty, the quiet mysteries, the great spaces, dramatic colors, historical importance, and the majestic architecture of America’s natural wonders is to say we have shaken a tree branch only to have held one fallen leaf. Each transition of this journey has filled our lives with new adventures, opened our minds to new ideas, and moved our hearts to a greater love.
We will be leaving Lake Chelan this weekend to start the journey home. There will be more to see and do but with new eyes.
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