Home Again

So, we're back home. What a trip. Really, I have to say that because I mean it. In fact, I still wish we could be back on the road. Oh well, all good things must come to a close.

Come see me (or any other of my family) at the convention, we'll be there to talk about our trip. No need to go into anymore detail.

Bye.

Pic of the Day

Yeah, the trusty battle ax made it back safe.

National Parks

Good evening to you from my lounge chair in the Grand Tetons National Park. It's the third national park in a week, following the Badlands, and Yellowstone.

Each park has its own unique features, its own personality. The Badlands were rightly named for the desolate region in the southwest of South Dakota. Of the three national parks, I'd say the Badlands appeared most "other-worldly". It was like I was on another planet - beyond the 2001 space odyssey. I honestly could say I was surprised by what I saw.

Yellowstone was no surprise. Virtually everyone has heard of it - being the oldest national park in the world, who wouldn't know at least something about it? Going into it, I knew what to expect, or I thought I knew. During our exploration of the park I was continually amazed at the sheer number of geological features all squeezed into one area. You've got mountains, forests, meadows, rivers, lakes, canyons, waterfalls, tons of hot springs, geysers, cauldrons, etc. On top of that, no two hot springs or geysers, or whatever, was the same! Oh yeah, did I mention the countless animals we saw?

Just to the south of Yellowstone lies the Grand Tetons. What this mountain range lacks in breadth and distance is made up by its intensity, ruggedness, and beauty. Indeed, I have never seen mountains quite like this. Jackson Lake flanks the eastern part of the Tetons, and the mountains seem to rise out of lake to heights above 13,000 feet. Now I wish I had a house here to stay during the summer. It's SO nice here!

Pic of the Day

It's a picture of my family, yes. But behind is in my opinion the best Yellowstone has to offer.
Sitting for a photo in front of the Grand Prismatic Spring.

Unassigned Territory

There is really too much to say in this blog - most blogs are supposed to be sweet, short, and simple; recapping or summarizing. Obviously, we'll all go into greater detail when we get home, but here are some of the outstanding points worth noting today:

• You think gas prices aren't a big deal? Maybe not for close inside the city, but out here they sure are. In talking with a few from the local congregation, they are under increasing financial hardship as gas prices hike up. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if regular pioneers put 1000+ miles on their car within a couple weeks. It took about an hour one way to get to the kingdom hall from our territory (traveling 75 mph).
• The territory is obviously rural, but it gave me a whole new meaning to isolated. Driveways that are a few miles long, houses that are 5+ miles apart, and a large number of abandoned ranches. As far as the people? Well, there were a number of good responses. Many books were placed, and I even went on a return visit that could end up being a study. However, there were still not-at-homes and still those who were 'very set' in their own religion. Some of their responses reminded me of back home. Some in the territory were even very prejudice against the witnesses, requiring us to adapt our presentation.
• The people here are generally pretty friendly. Everyone waves as they pass each other on the road. The witnesses of the area are, of course, very friendly and were kind enough to let some in our group stay in their house. The congregation has between 20 and 30 publishers and a zealous spirit in the ministry.

More on the trip to come when we return. Next stop, Yellowstone!

Pic of the Week

Doesn't it look like this could be a yearbook picture? This is kind of service that we did.

History Lesson

I write to you now from my hotel room in Rapid City, South Dakota. It's been another long day, so let's start from the beginning.

Morning was busy in Billings. In wake of the forecast for South Dakota (triple digit temperatures), and the miserable condition of our van's air conditioner, we decided to take the van into a shop to have the AC looked at. Surprisingly, the inspection and subsequent recharging of the ancient AC unit went rather quickly, leaving us with time for breakfast, not lunch.

We drove through downtown Billings and found a tiny bakery, not too unlike the famous "watering hole" for Witnesses, Grand Central. And, again not unlike Grand Central on Saturday morning, there were no fewer than three car groups from the local congregation. We recognized them instantly by their dress and demeanor, so we introduced ourselves. Always nice to meet new people in Jehovah's organization.

Since everyone out here was talking about Custer and Little Bighorn, we decided to see what all the fuss was about. We went to the national monument, the actual battlefield of the Little Bighorn. I have to say it was really interesting. To think, just 131 years ago, a raging battle, a classic - cowboys (US Army) vs. Indians (Sioux, among others). I got to see the famous "Last Stand" of Gen. Custer.

Our day was topped off by a visit to one of America's most famous landmarks - Mt. Rushmore. Finally I got to see it in person. We were there for the lighting of the monument at 9:30 PM. As we all expected, they put on quite a production. I commented later that I had never felt more patriotic. Indeed, I fear "America the Beautiful," "God Bless America," or just about every other nationalistic song you can think of will be stuck in my mind as I drift off to sleep.

Anyway, it was a fun and busy day. Tomorrow we head for our furthest destination east to spend the next week in the field. I doubt a reliable Internet connection will be available, so you may have to wait until Thursday night for the next entry. Bye!

Pic of the Day


George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Oh and then there is my family too.

Big Sky Country

I write to you now from our laptop inside our trusty old minivan, traveling 75 mph along I-90 in the middle of Big Sky country. Today is probably our longest leg of our adventure, spanning well over 600 miles en route to Billings, Montana.

After a warm send off from the grandparents, we were on our way to lunch in Missoula with my aunt, cousin, and her daughter. I have to say it was pretty good - I was glad to see them!

The drive so far has provided a change of scenery, as I haven't been this far in Montana in over a decade. It is a long way to travel though.

Well, not much more to say really...

UPDATE: We arrived at our hotel in Billings 12 hours after we left Spokane!

Pic of the Day

All bright and cheery in the morning, well some of us at least.

First Stop: Spokane

And we're off!

The long trek has taken us through Spokane, Washington - home to several family members, including my grandparents. After leaving Portland around 4 PM, we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's house at around quarter past 10 to stay the night.

I really don't feel like writing about the trip - so far, it's all familiar territory. I've traveled that road probably no less than three dozen times in my life, and there were no surprises. And beside that, I'm exceptionally tired. We all must leave early in the morning. No time for chit-chat. I'm done.

Oh, before I sign off for the night: Some of you may recognize this place from my trip down under. Yeah, same space. That stuff is still archived (at least I think so), so you may take a gander over at the archives if you wish. Anyway, same place just different trip. Questions? E-mail me.

Pic of the Day

Oh yeah, what could be more creative than taking a picture of the map?

Home Sweet Home

Yes, just to let you all know - in case you didn't know already, I made it back safely.

I'd like to take the time to thank Raleigh, Laura, and Adam for letting me stay with them. It was a truly awesome experience that I will never forget.

Now back to school, and the cold, dark and wet days of winter. Yay!

This is Kyle - signing off from Area 749.