Holy Shit Moments

We've almost come to the end of the first part of this journey.  We reach Bellingham tomorrow.  My mom will fly home from Washington and I will board a ferry boat headed for Haines, AK. 

As I get closer to my final destination, I find myself in a somewhat reflective mood.  Periodically, the enormity of what I am actual doing suddenly rushes upon me and instantly excites and terrifies me.  This is what I mean by "holy shit" moments.  During these moments, I am comforted and inspired by Theodore Roosevelt's words, which I came across in North Dakota, "the joy of living is his who has the heart to demand it."  It is worth noting that Roosevelt also said he would never have become president, if not for the time he spent on the frontier.

On a lighter note, did you know it snows in northern Idaho this time of year?

Lookout Pass, ID/MT.

Coeur d'Alene, ID.

 Me and Mom in Moses Lake, WA.  A very nice town, filled with very nice people.

North Dakota and Montana

The day began with biscuits and gravy and only improved from there.  By noon, I was sure I had plenty of material for Dog's Eye View's loyal readers (my three friends).  Now at the end of the day's drive, fed and resting, I don't even know where to begin.

Much like Christ the Redeemer stands watchfully over Rio de Janeiro, Salem Sue, ensures the safety of the several hundred souls that inhabit New Salem, ND.

Her stern glare serves as a warning to those who would bring evil into this great land.

We finally caught up with a herd of wild bison.  Apparently, they hang out around Teddy Roosevelt National Park.

 You can see some calfs here - no more than a few weeks old.

 Painted Canyon.

Pompey's Pillar - named after Sacajawea's son (nicknamed 'Pomp') by Lewis and Clark.  Apparently, if you're the first people (white people) to go some place you can name it and sign everything (see below).

The only physical evidence remaining of Lewis and Clark's trek across the west.  Penmanship could use some work, but I guess it's pretty hard to write in stone.

   

Here is where we're resting tonight - Livingston, MT.  More captions will follow tomorrow, after some sleep.  Then some more pictures.  We're just getting started...

Minnesota and North Dakota

Minnesota had relatively little to offer in terms of photos, or anything...  North Dakota on the other hand, has been pretty interesting.  We stopped in Fargo - not really as interesting as the movie, but I was at least able to stock up on beef jerky and cigarettes, which has allowed me to skip lunch the past two days and make more miles.  My mom just doesn't eat apparently.

Me and the plains.

Me and a REAL buffalo!

Me and A GIANT buffalo monument! 

Both buffalo are located in Jamestown, ND - a wonderful place.  There is also a herd of buffalo around this area as well, no doubt roaming about somewhere.  If I see the herd before I leave, I will make a point to mention it, they are descended mostly from a herd that Teddy Roosevelt owned.  In addition, there are a few albino buffalo, which are very rare - the only three in the world reside in Jamestown.  For more information, you can visit the National Buffalo Museum, right here in Jamestown.

Day Three Begins

Right before leaving Madison.  I decided it's a good idea to get a picture at the beginning of each day in order to keep track of any changes in appearance, mood, health, etc.  Also, my mom will be the one taking the picture, so whatever expression is on my face will probably be a good indicator of any tensions mounting.

We had a chance to stop by Willow River state park.  Good, not great.

Madison, WI

Mom and me at the Nitty Gritty in Madison, WI.

State Capitol Building.

There's also a very beautiful lake in Madison (so they say), but it was night.

Willis Tower (Sears Tower)

Illinois

There are, of course,  many pros and cons to driving across the country with one's mom.  The advantages are that she generally pulls her weight when it comes to driving and is very understanding when a person drops his or her cell phone out of a truck on the interstate (I would guess...).  One drawback, however, is that it becomes very difficult to flirt with attractive female toll booth workers.  Difficult, not impossible.

It's Nice to have Friends...

After three glorious years in Cleveland, I have decided to try my hand at the financial regulatory game in Anchorage, Alaska.  Having decided that, the harrowing task of cleaning out my apartment remained.  When asking friends to help you move it's sometimes best not to paint a full picture of what needs to be done.  So, with little idea of what they were getting in to, fearless and thorough, the group pictured here braved through piles of socks, underwear and other items to help get me on the road.