We made it safe and sound to Lincoln, Nebraska to see friends Tonya, Rich and their precious little girls. We hadn't seen them in five years since they lived on their farm in South Dakota. Chad met Tonya years and years and years ago when they both worked at the Land Institute in Salina, Kansas.
When we lived in Flagstaff, Arizona in 1999-2000, Tonya (pregnant with their first) and Rich came to visit us. It was the first time we had all really met. We instantly bonded and have remained dear friends through the duration of time and space. This is only the third time in my life that I have spent time with them, but it was like no time nor space has kept us apart. I believe that we have a rare bond and seeing them is like returning home.
We were leaving today to head out on the next part of what has become a pilgrimage for me...to meet with a representative of Running Strong for American Indian Youth. This has been in the planning for a year.
We woke up and Blue was acting very cranky, but we hoped in the car and stopped at the local Food Co-op for supplies. Since he seemed to be getting crankier, we stopped at the Walgreens and I bought a thermometer, and sure enough, Blue had a 100.3 fever.
Since the town, Chadron, NE, is 7 to 8 hours NW near the Wyoming and South Dakota border in the middle of no where, we have decided to return to our friend's home in Lincoln to rest and spend another night. If Blue clears up, we may head out early tomorrow, but if not, the trip is canceled. If the next stop was only a few hours out, I would set out on my own. I don't feel comfortable though heading out into unchartered territory alone at this point. I know that Chad would worry imensely about me the entire time.
I'm feeling let down. We have come so far, but things happen for a reason. Right?
14 July 2009
11 July 2009
Kansas City
We arrived in Kansas City, actually Olathe, on Thursday, July 9th after a thirteen hour road trip through six states; Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas. The only hang ups were road construction and a milk truck that WOULD NOT break the speed limit on a single track during a construction zone.
After arriving, I quickly drank two beers in about ten minutes then nursed a third while winding down.
On Friday, my sister-in-law took me to chop off some more of my hair and then we went shopping. I was sad to learn that Olathe Boot no longer has a store, so I'm not getting boots this trip! I have learned that Olathe Boot still makes boots, but I have to find a store that carries 'em.
Friday night we went to Chad's childhood friend's wife's 40th birthday bash. She themed it "College Party Days" and we listened to eighties tunes and played drinking games. No kids were allowed, so we parents were truly allowed to relax and "party" down! We stayed out till 3 am central time (this is a big deal for a couple of folks from the eastern time zone!) Much of this lateness occurred because Chad and his childhood friend, Brad, got a wild hair up their butts at 1 a.m. to bike several miles and wake up their high school friend, Todd (and his entire family!). Todd and Chad hadn't seen each other in ten years. So, apparently they all sat together and had a beer before brad and Chad biked the several miles home. The party was completely over and Liz and I had cleaned up the kitchen.
We drove back to Chad's brother's home watching the most amazing lighting streak the sky. Just as we entered the house, the sky opened. I stormed hard, and I thought we were going to have to hit the basement! But I fell asleep no problem.
After waking up late, we hung out at the house and neighborhood pool. We are now getting ready to have dinner with our sister-in-laws parents. So I need to stop being rude by blogging while were all trying to chat!
Stay tuned. We leave for Lincoln, Nebraska on Monday then on to Chadron to meet with Running Strong representative, Tom Cook.
Thanks for reading.
After arriving, I quickly drank two beers in about ten minutes then nursed a third while winding down.
On Friday, my sister-in-law took me to chop off some more of my hair and then we went shopping. I was sad to learn that Olathe Boot no longer has a store, so I'm not getting boots this trip! I have learned that Olathe Boot still makes boots, but I have to find a store that carries 'em.
Friday night we went to Chad's childhood friend's wife's 40th birthday bash. She themed it "College Party Days" and we listened to eighties tunes and played drinking games. No kids were allowed, so we parents were truly allowed to relax and "party" down! We stayed out till 3 am central time (this is a big deal for a couple of folks from the eastern time zone!) Much of this lateness occurred because Chad and his childhood friend, Brad, got a wild hair up their butts at 1 a.m. to bike several miles and wake up their high school friend, Todd (and his entire family!). Todd and Chad hadn't seen each other in ten years. So, apparently they all sat together and had a beer before brad and Chad biked the several miles home. The party was completely over and Liz and I had cleaned up the kitchen.
We drove back to Chad's brother's home watching the most amazing lighting streak the sky. Just as we entered the house, the sky opened. I stormed hard, and I thought we were going to have to hit the basement! But I fell asleep no problem.
After waking up late, we hung out at the house and neighborhood pool. We are now getting ready to have dinner with our sister-in-laws parents. So I need to stop being rude by blogging while were all trying to chat!
Stay tuned. We leave for Lincoln, Nebraska on Monday then on to Chadron to meet with Running Strong representative, Tom Cook.
Thanks for reading.
08 July 2009
Whew!
We head out for Kansas City tomorrow where we'll spend a few days visiting family then on to Lincoln, Nebraska for a pit stop at our friends house before we move on to Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
About a year ago, I had a compelling urge to visit with the Grandmothers, Beatrice and Rita Long. I haven't confirmation that I will meeting them this journey, but I have made contact with Tom Kanatakeniate Cook, who runs the Pine Ridge field office for Running Strong for American Indian Youth. Running Strong another organization that I discovered a year ago (about the same time I learned of the Grandmothers). I've been wanting to visit and see their agricultural work on the reservation.
I'm very excited about this. Tom has graciously arranged a purification ceremony for the night of July 15th. I'll try to keep you updated as to our journey, but I'm not guaranteed WiFi so you may have to wait till our return.
Peace.
About a year ago, I had a compelling urge to visit with the Grandmothers, Beatrice and Rita Long. I haven't confirmation that I will meeting them this journey, but I have made contact with Tom Kanatakeniate Cook, who runs the Pine Ridge field office for Running Strong for American Indian Youth. Running Strong another organization that I discovered a year ago (about the same time I learned of the Grandmothers). I've been wanting to visit and see their agricultural work on the reservation.
I'm very excited about this. Tom has graciously arranged a purification ceremony for the night of July 15th. I'll try to keep you updated as to our journey, but I'm not guaranteed WiFi so you may have to wait till our return.
Peace.
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