Ben and Sue Day 23

Saturday September 29, 2007, Day 23

. . . Ben went to visit his childhood friend, Fred today.  Together they went to try to buy a new tire for the trailer.  Because it was a trailer tire, and an older model, it took them many tries to find someone who could help them.  Finally one tire shop did say they would make calls and try to find/order one for him.  I am feeling sort of sick these last couple of days. 

. . .Everyone in the neighborhood here is so loud ALL the time -- day and night.  The people right next door have been yelling/arguing off and on since this morning.  I was trying to take a bit of a nap earlier and I heard the mother yell at her little boy who was playing on the sidewalk and say the most awful things to him.  How in the world can anyone live this way -- it's beyond horrible/wretched.  Even now as I write it is 10PM and the sirens are blaring/people next door are arguing loudly once again, a helicopter is flying overhead.  Oh!  How I am going to double up on my prayers for those who live and minister in the cities of the world.  I found myself these past couple of days crying for those who must live like this.  Several people from our church back home in Seattle have been in Uganda helping to build an orphanage for the Ugandan children.  I found myself wondering if those young people from our church cried when they saw the poverty there.  Maybe it was a different kind of poverty though.  I have read about places/countries in the world where there is deep poverty BUT hope -- poverty with hope.  And then there are places like here and a hundred other cities just in the United States alone where there seems to be deep poverty but without hope.  Sara says the attitude in the neighborhood seems to be:  "You leave me alone and I'll leave you alone."  No one seems to know their neighbors names or anything about them except for the most casual wave or verbal "hi". Oh how these people need Jesus!  Please pray that I would have many opportunities  to encourage not only Sara but her friend Lee to go to church and to give their life to our precious Heavenly Father. 

I will write more about today in tomorrow's entry, but just quickly, I would appreciate your prayers as I was feeling very poorly and Ben took me to see a doctor.  He diagnosed that I had a urinary track infection and  I am taking antibiotics once again.

Tomorrow Ben and I leave for New York -- really looking forward to it!           

Ben and Sue Day 22

Day 22, Friday, September 28, 2007

. . .Today I had chemotherapy and actually when I first arrived at Johns Hopkins I was apprehensive -- hoping all the paperwork had preceeded me -- hoping they would have the right medicine and the rightamount.  Everything turned out quite well though -- the nurses were quite knowledgeable and friendly and helpful.  Their procedures worked out differently than in Seattle and as a result it did not take nearly as long.  After chemo Ben and Sara and I stopped for lunch,  then did a few errands and returned home.  Ben and Sara rew up here in Baltimore -- Ben left at 18 to enlist in the Air Force.  Sara has lived here all her life since a little girl --   I think she said 5 years old.  Ben kept commenting on how much everything had changed as with nearly everywhere -- wbere there used to be fields to run and play in -- now there are houses and businesses.

Ben and Sue Day 21

Thursday, September 27, 2007, Day 21

As I write today I'm thinking a lot about my lovely daughter in law Megan.  When Megan first came home with Benjamin I remember she was very surprised when she was riding with Benjamin in the car on the road we live on.  My husband Ben was driving in  the opposite direction and they both stopped their cars for a bit to talk to each other -- blocking the road and just chatting.  This is how it is where we live -- people turn their cars around in the middle of the road -- no need to go around the  block.  Perhaps the loudest noise I hear all day is my dog barking.  When we first moved to Sultan I remember going into the tiny post office there and seeing a man bent over and talking -- it honesty looked to me like he must have been a bit crazy because he appeared to be talking to his post office box.  After a short time I realized he was talking thru his box to the post office clerk on the other side -- they were just carrying on a conversation.  Such is Sultan.  No traffic lights at all till three years ago.  Now only two lights in the whole town.

Now I am in Baltimore . . .noise, tires shreaking, radios blaring, people just outside on the sidewalk having an argument.  Day and night the noise seem to never stop.  Several times at night I wake up to people yelling outside or to loud cars.  The houses are called row houses -- all jam packed one against another.  I hear sirens all hours of the night and day.  Evidentially there is a field close by where a lot of crime happens so the news helicopter flys over from time to time. 

. . . Sara has been so hospitable and kind to us.  She really has a cozy home-- nicely decorated.

. . . We (Ben/Sue/Sara) went to Pennyslvania today -- Lancaster County to a little town called Bird in Hand -- it was an Amish town.  The town was so immaculately clean and quaint.  Farmers here still use horse drawn plows and many shun modern conveniences such as electricity and automobiles.  I bought a book that told about the Amish and old order Mennonites -- seemed like a very rich and fulling/satisfying way of life although I imagine it would be hard to  break into as an adult having lived with modern technology all one's life.  The book said the Amish were famous all around the world for farming -- able to produce more crops per acre than nealy any other group of people.  The women's needlework is quite beautiful -- I have heard over the years that Mennonite and Amish women are famous for their quilts -- incredibly intricate.  Ben and I were able to ride in a horse drawn buggy which was a lot of fun -- clop, clop, clop. The horse drawn buggies share the road with automobiles and trucks -- very picturesque.  From my limited understanding many Amish and Mennonites also shun bright and colorful clothing -- choosing simple but pretty dresses -- usually black or dark blue from what we saw.

Sara and I did some shopping which was really fun.  Ben was so patient with us as he wasn't much interested in shopping.    

Ben and Sue Day 20

Day 20, Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Somehow I've lost track of the day of the week and most the day I thought it was Thursday and tomorrow was my chemotherapy day.  Then Ben told me it was only Wednesday so instead of chemotherapy tomorrow we are going to Pennyslvania and visit the Amish shops and tour an Amish home -- really looking forward to that.

. . . How can I describe how hot and humid it is here. . .very hot and humid.  All I could do was rest and try to keep cool -- somehow -- without much success.

. . . Ben had a wonderful blessing from the Lord today.  The headlight on his truck was broken and loose from the start of our trip.  Last night someone stole it.  But today he was able to go to the junkyard here and buy one for only $10 whereas it usually cost $50 at the parts store.  Ben said there was only one Dodge Ram in the whole junkyard and much of the front of it had been creamed but the headlight was still intact.  Praise the Lord!

. . . Sara made these delicious browneis --boy they were good!  It's been a bit diffucult to keep a good weight because many days we just drove and drove all day and there was no real opportunity for much movement or exercise.

 

Ben and Sue Day 18

Day 18, Tuesday, September 25, 2007

I've been sitting herefor a long while just trying to figure out how to even start describing this day.  We started out this morning looking for Wall Mart so we could buy a few things we needed.  Three different people gave us wrong or conflicting directions.  We finally found it though, bought what we needed, had breakfast and were on our merry way.  It was a pleasant ride really till we got to Baltimore.  We missed the exit to Ben's road mostly because the signs/the city itself has changed so much since we were here 20 years ago.  So we found ourselves in the absolute heart of Baltimore in the sweltering 90 degree heat.  At some point we started to drive thru the most poerty stricken part of the city.  I began to feel very stressed.  I started to cry when I saw several men sitting on their doorsteps with their head in their hands looking very rejected.  Almost everyone we saw was black.  It seemed like the poverty was more pronounced just because the people were black.  Then I began to feel very ashmaed of thinking this way.  Why should this section of town seem more scary or poorer than any other similar section just because the people are black?  I was ashamed of my prejudice.  I wish I could describe the poverty to you -- absolutely no greenery anywhere -- houses boarded up -- broken windows -- aimless people (especially young people) that seemed to be just looking for trouble -- businesses with closed signs on them -- a young man trying to sell socks on the street corner -- streets dirty, much trash strewn about.

At some point in time Ben told me we had a flat tire on the trailer and I began to hear the strange noise with every revolution.  So here is what was going on:  we were driving through the most crime ridden/poverty stricken part of town, in the sweltering 90 degree heat, with a flat tire on the trailer, trying to maneuver thru the narrow city streets.  I felt so sorry for Ben -- he not only had  to drive but to try to deal with my stress and tears.  He is SO  strong-- just kept plugging along and encouraging me that all would be well.  It was a very dark time for me.

We finally (after abut ten miles on that flat tire) made it to a gas station near Sara's home.  So Ben called Sara and she came and stayed with us there.  Ben called AAA but they could not or would not understand that we only needed a strong man with a 2 ton jack.  They wanted to tow the trailer to a repair shop.  Ben just could not make them understand.  After 1 1/2 hours wait, Ben went and bought a jack and the job was done in 20 minutes.  Finally just as Ben was finishing up the AAA man showed up in his truck.  God, In His infinite  wisdom, mercy and grace, sent a wonderful black man our way to help Ben.  He just happened to be walking by and stopped long enough to help Ben change the tire.

After all that we  drove to Sara's and we had to get the clothes and other things we needed for the next few days out of the trailer because we could not park it at Sara's house but at a relative's house about 15 minutes away.

We also realized today that somehow/somewhere our trailer license plate fell off.

Now, at the end of an incredibly long and difficult day I want to tell you something -- Dear family and friends:  God is GOOD!  Why is God good?  Because He has given us:

   *18 days of beautiful accident free driving (well except for one tiny one)

   *good health  and money to take this amazing trip

   *sweet/dear friends and family to visit along the way

   *a computer and the knowledge of how to use it to keep you all updated

   *a wonderful place in the country to return to where our eyes behold the beauty of he mountains every day

   *good mental, spiritual, physical and emotional health necessary for this trip

   *bright new hope for tomorrow

   *a lovely trailer with kitchen, full bathroom and a comfy bed to sleep in every night

   *a big white powerful truck to pull the trailer

   *the blessing of living in such a beautiful and free country

   *extra money to buy some fun things we did not need but just wanted

   *so many other blessings that all the paper in the world could not contain them 

 As I fall off to sleep I am praying that God will never let me forget the deep povety and rejection I saw in the faces of the people of Baltimore city this day.

Ben and Sue Day 18

Day 18, Tuesday, September 24, 2007

. . . Today we drove and drove and drove some more.  From Ohio to just west of Baltimore, Maryland.  We  were going to push for Baltimore which is where Ben's sister Sara lives, but could not quite make it -- 130 more miles -- it's just best to stop whe we get too tired.

Let's see. . .saw a sign in Ohio that read:  Lover's Lane. . . would have been interesting to discover why they called it that.  Perhaps my most vivid memory of today was truckers -- in the last couple of days we have seen thousands and thousands of truckers on the Interstate.  Sometimes we get sandwiched between two of them -- can be scary -- they are so big and so loud.

We got behind a rendering truck for a long way today -- phew!  I asked Ben to slow down (which I had to explain by way of analogies ) so that old truck could get way in front of us.  Then, even though the truck was way in front of us the air still stank for a long time.

We had a lovely lunch today.  Stopped in a little town I think was called Beaumont Ohio.  Went into the grocery store there and bought some sandwiches for lunch and took them back to the trailer.  We took out a couple of lawn chairs and just sat outside in the warm, sunny weather and had an interesting discussion.  Was a very quiet little place and green grass all around.

Okay, I'll tell you abut our discussion.   In the grocery store were signs covering all the tabloid newspapers.  The sign read:  "We know the tabloid issue is a sensitive one for our customers.  We do not think we have the right to censor according to our own standards of what is appropriate.  So we have chosen to continue to sell the tabloids but to cover them up."

. . .Ben thought it was a good thing that they are at least covering the tabloids.

.  . . I thought it was wimpy to just cover them but continue to sell them.  I also thought their reasoning was faulty because of course they did have the right  in fact not only the right but the responsibility to censor what they sell.  I further thought that the sign was a lie because they most certainly DO censor books, magazines and videos that they sell.  Every day they make choices about such things.

. . . Ben told me I could only see the world in black and white.

. . .I'll be courageous here and and say feedback welcome. .

We drove through a tunnel in  the Allegheny mountains today.  Also are beginning to notice more and more patches of beautifully colored leaves.  I am thinking that on our return trip the colors should be in full array.

. . .Had fun tonight cooking hot dogs over an open fire for dinner.

Tomorrow Baltimore for sure!

Hurray I'm all caught up!

I have to figure out how to enable spell check on this new computer -- so if any of the words are spelled wrong please overlook.

Ben and Sue Day 17

Day 17, Monday, September 23, 2007

. . . From Joilet Illinois  to (can't remember) -- Ohio today.  Again a gorgeous day of 80 degree sunshine.  The day started out in Interstate 80 -- traffic everywhere, toll road, billboards, concrete walls as noise barriers on the freeway -- on ramps, off ramps everywhere -- we had to keep merging to follow I80 -- just absolutely awful!  Once we got on the toll road though it was quite different -- no more of any of those things -- more like  the Interstate we have followed all the way.

 . . .Toll roads are new to us -- we had to pay two tolls so far -- $1.70 and then $14.75.  Now  we have a ticket for the road we are on -- don't know how much it will cost.  The big snag with toll roads afre that they don't have any signs for where anything is except the next rest plaza.  In Washington they are called rest stops but here they are rest plazas with fast food places/gas/souvenier shops/rest rooms/even a place to hook up to electricity and  stay for the night in your RV.   So if you want to go to Wall Mart or find a library or a Dennys you are just absolutely out of luck.  Very restrictive.

. . .Passed patches of beautiful changes of tree colors -- magnificant bright reds/yellows/oranges.

. . . Saw the Route 66 Exit sign today about 50 miles west of Toledo Ohio.  Wish we could have followed it for a while -- maybe next time.

. . . Found an odd street name today in Western Ohio:  Fail Street.  Then, just one or two exits more was the street name :St. John's Street -- such odd names.

. . . We saw lots of corn fields today -- just abut ready to be harvested -- and some of the prettiest old farm houses with wrap around porches and red barns and silos -- very picturesque.

. . . My hands are beginning to feel so much better.  Coming across Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota the air was so dry -- my hands were a bit sore the whole time -- even though I was  using prescription strength moisturing lotion.       

Ben and Sue Day 16

Sunday, September 22, 2007, Day 16

. . . Today we drove from Newton, Iowa to Joliet, Illinois -- was yet another day of gorgeous warm sunny weather, about 75 - 80 degrees all day.  Stopped for lunch at a place called GrandMa's Kitchen along Interstate 80 in Illinois -- a big sign read "World's Largest Truck Stop".  I ordered chicken noodle soup and they served some of the thickest, tastiest noodles I've ever eaten.  The one thing that seemed to stand out in our minds today was the incredibly high price of diesel gas -- as much as .43 difference between regular and diesel.  Gas seems to be getting cheaper as we travel East but at least through Iowa and Illinois diesel was bery high -- $3.15 -- $3.20 a gallon.  Saw the strangest name for a town today:  Bloomington--Normal, Illinois.

. . . We've been having a lot of trouble with flys in the trailer these last few days -- keep forgetting to by fly spray.  So I, in my creative genius, decided to create  a sticky sugary incentive on the table for the flys to feast on so I could zap 'em.  I took a few tablespoons of maple syrup and created quite a masterpiece design of the stuff on the table.  Sure enough after a while one by one they started feasting on the gooey stuff and I killed 'em!  (I'm sure there is a life applicaton there)

Almost the entire drive today we saw corn and soybean crops -- thousands of acres of both all along the way.  I am remembering our drive through Wyoming and Montana -- hundreds of miles before we saw a single house or settlement.  Today signs for cities were posted every 15 minutes or so  We saw a huge bujilding that we guessed must have been 1/2 mile long.       

Ben and Sue Day 15

Day 15, Saturday, September 21, 2007

. . . Once again a relaxing day.  I went into Newton with Bev and bought a few things Ben and I needed at the grocery store.  The prices here seem incredibly low -- gas $2.69 gallon, 80 lean hamburger on sale for $1 a pound, whole, roasted chickens at Wall Mart marked down to $2.69 -- unheard of in Seattle.

. . . After a while Bev's son Michael drove Ben and I and his brother Michael and sister Christy to the property where Bev and Jeff plan to begin building their home in the spring.  The property is surrounded by soy beans -- quite the popular crop here now as it is grown for biodiesel fuel.  Corn crops are plentiful enough though -- miles and miles of corn crops not only in Iowa but through Indiana and Illinois.  I had never seen a soybean in the pod before -- only the way they are sold in stores.  They actually look quite like a regular green bean.  Then we went to see some of the beautiful old houses in Newton -- many with wrap around porches.  The whole three days we were here the weather was so warm and sunny.  Last night Jeff and Bev and Ben and I and their daughter Jenny and her husband Bryant all went  to a Bill Gaither concert.  What an awesome way to wrap up our three days togehter.  The concert was wonderful -- four hours of praise and worship music -- ah sweet!  Jeff and Bev's daughter Jennifer and her husbsand Bryant came with us and it was good to see them again    

Ben and Sue Day 14

Day 14, Thursday, September 20, 2007

. . . My goodness -- I slept till 11:30 today!  felt so good just to lay in bed and relax -- it's probably been years since I have slept so late and it surely was nice!  Ben and I went with Bev to see the PACE car for the Newton Speedway.  Ben really enjoyed seeing the car and talking to its owner.  Then we came home and rested a little while and then Jeff and Bev took us to dinner -- a lovely steak dinner -- delicious!  I can hardly describe how beautiful the weather and fellowship is here.  Warm and sunny -- a gentle breeze blowing through.  I sat in the big yard this morning and spent some sweet time with God.  We bought a new comuputer this evening.  Over and over again I keep thinking how relaxing and really enjoyable our time here is.  I went with Bev for a while -- she  cleaned a  friend's house.  Bev suggested I sit on the couch and enjoy some leisurely magazine reading.   I sat inside for a while then went out on the deck -- oh my goodness -- before my eyes as far as I could see were beautifully manicured gently rolling hills -- a lake -- the sound of geese.  I just sat out there drinking all that in!  How beautiful God's world is!   When we said goodby and started to leave Bev's friend gave me the most lovely scented candle as a gift -- how sweet it is to receive a totally unexpected gift.

Ben and Sue Day 13

Day 13, Wednesday, September 19, 2007

. . .We finally made it to Newton Iowa to visit old and dear friends Jeff and Bev Lloyd and their children and grandchildren.  All I can say is that if fellowship is this sweet on earth I can hardly wait to get to Heaven!

. . .Ben and I have known Jeff and Bev since 1983 when Jeff was in the Army in Germany.  Ben was in the Air Force at the same time and at a nearby base in Germany.  We all went to the same church together -- Faith Baptist Church.  Bev and Jeff left to return stateside in 1984 and we followed in 1998.  They were attending Shorecrest Baptist Church in Seattle which is where Ben wanted to retire because the rest of my family lived close by in Tacoma.  They lived in Seattle for about 9 years during which time all four of us were sweet dear friends and did nearly everything together.  We joined that church they were attending and so not only were we all good friends we enjoyed awesome fellowship in the Lord/in our Christian faith.  Jeff Lloyd taught Benjamin in Sunday School when Benjamin was about 8 years old.

. . . But they moved back to Iowa 11 years ago and perhaps I never have fully recovered from that sad sad farewell.  So here it is 11 years later . . . oh the children (7) have grown and some have married and there are grandchildren.  But after only a short time in talking I felt as if nothing had really changed.  Like we were all  back in Seattle again enjoying a meal around the dining room table -- only this time it was Iowa instead of Seattle.

. . . Jeff and Bev invited all their children and grandchilden to  enjoy a delicious meal and then dessert.  It was an evening of rich conversation, hearty laughter, memories being made, many stories re-told, catching up on our families lives -- beautiful in a thousand ways.  I'm not saying it is not possible to enjoy such sweet/rich/deep fellowship without the Lord Jesus.  I just never remember such deep/sweet friendship and fellowship before I got saved.  It is good to have known the Lord as common ground.

. . . As I go to sleep tonight I feel overwhelmed with joy.    

Ben and Sue Day 11

Monday, September 17, 2007

Today was the first really difficult day we have had. Ben was quite sick this morning when he first woke up and remained sick through the day. We left Custer, Wyoming and drove to a little town in the western part of South Dakota -- a good part of the way in rainy, overcast weather. Along the way Ben needed to pull to the side of the road and when he did so he hit the roadside cable -- similar to a guard rail only cable instead. He knocked the poles loose that hold the canopy in place and had to tie them underneath. Also knocked off part of the rear bumper of his truck. We also realized this evening that we had about twice as much on our list of places to go than we could possibly do in two months so we revised our list some. Although we were able to have a -- practically never stop -- schedule in our early 20's we are just slightly older now (you can stop laughing now ) and about 6 hours of driving seems to be our limit. Nonetheless we are having an awesome time and are enjoying being together. We are hoping to visit old and still very dear friends in Newton Iowa tomorrow and -- hopefully -- either get our computer fixed or buy another laptop.

Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm 16:1.

Ben and Sue Day 10

Day 10, Sunday, September 16, 2007

. . . Because today was Sunday Ben and I decided not to do a lot of sightseeing or shopping -- just took the day easy. We slept in a bit, then as Ben was still sleeping I was able to take a long while to pray and study Scripture and just relax and enjoy the 10th day of glorious warm, sunny weather. After a leisurely breakfast we headed up to Mount Rushmore. Words are so inadequate to describe the majestic, awesome, magnificent view that was before us as we drove up the mountain and first saw those faces carved into the mountainside. The faces are those of (L to R) George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt -- Presidents whose courage and wisdom guided American through some of her most turbulent years. As I saw those faces, the song came to my mind "How Majestic is Your Name In All the Earth." Ben and I stood there for a long while -- I felt very patriotic. Although it was the original idea of one sculpture, Gutzon Borglum, it was certainly God alone who gave him the resources, the time, the motivation and the strength to carry out this colossal project.

. . . We at a bit of lunch, came back to the trailer for a nap and returned for evening show/lighting. When the entire mountain is very dark/black they light up the faces -- breath taking. I learned that at one time there were plans to house the original Declaration of Independence and Lincoln's Gettysburg address in a cave behind the faces. However Mr. Borglum died before this was finished. So instead, those who carried on his vision -- had the entire Declaration of Independence and Gettysburg Address and other historical records, carved into slabs of granite and buried 4 feet deep into the mountain behind the heads. Oh I do hope each of you will have an opportunity to visit his National Monument one day.

. . . Some interesting facts about the monument: George Washington's head -- forehead to chin is 60 feet. Width of eye -- 11 feet. Length of nose -- 20 feet. Width of mouth -- 18 feet.

. . . Tomorrow . . . drive, drive, drive towards Newton Iowa where we are very excited to visit with our very good friends Bev and Jeff Lloyd.

Ben and Sue Day 9

Day 9, Saturday, September 15, 2007

. . . Today was  a long day of driving.  We left Grey Cliff, Wyoming and drove to Custer, South Dakota.  Once again, hundreds of miles of open range gently rolling hills nearly uninhabited except for a a settlement here and there -- a couple of small cities -- Sheridan, Cody Wyoming  Weather once again was absolutely warm -- 75 degrees and sunny.  Skies clear and bright.  God was so good to give us the idea to travel in September because all  the families with children are finished with traveling because of school and the weather  is still good.  I wondered if the Sunflower was the state flower of Wyoming because they decorated the roadside all along the way.

. . . I cannot remember exactly where were but Ben saw a dead deer along the roadside and so we stopped, walked back about 1/4 mile to where it was.  Ben very much wanted the antler (2 points) so he cut it o with a saw he brought along.  I was afraid to ask him what he planned to do with it and he didn't tell me so it's okay with me that I don't  know.

. . . Other than that it's been a  pretty quiet day.  We are settled in here in Custer -- 9 miles from Mount Rushmore which we plan to visit tomorrow.  So long till then. . .

Ben and Sue Day 8

Day 8, Friday, September 14, 2007 

. . . So much happened today -- Wow!  First of all -- early this morning Ben went to wash clothes and I stayed at the trailer to do housekeeping.  After a while Ben came back to let me know the laundry was almost  dry and to tell me he me these two ladies -- one was the owner of the campground, and her friend.  After a short while Ben went back to finish the clothes.  I was vacuuming the floor when I heard a faint knock on the door and wondered who it could be.  Opening the door I saw 2 ladies with a gift bag in their hand and  they asked if I was busy.  I went outside to the gorgeous sunshine (as an aside I am seriously wondering if we will be able to continue  to live in Seattle after 8 straight  days of sunshine ) and the one lady said that several ladies from her church had a shawl ministry  -- they spent time together knitting shawls for people who have cancer and while they knit they pray over each person and Ben had told  them I am being treated for cancer so  they  brought me a shawl.  Well of course I cried and ave them both a long hug.  They said they hoped that when I wore the shawl I would feel God's warm love a round my arms.  They didn't stay long to chit chat -- seemed like they needed to get back -- so I thanked them again and  they left.  I took the shawl out of the pretty bag and it was beautiful -- lovely fall colors and it truly was warm around my arms.  That sweet deed of kindness encouraged me so much thru this entire day.

. . .We dallied and dallied and didn't get on the road until nearly 11:30.  Once again miles and miles -- hundreds of miles of open range.  Somewhere between Grey Cliff which is where we stayed last night and Billings, Montana the landscape began to change from mountains to more gently rolling hills -- prairie grasses -- many huge old elm trees with cows meandering beside them.  Looked more like I would have imagined Wisconsin looked.

. . . We saw a sign along the highway about the National Historic Site Little Big Horn.  I was only vaguely familiar with the story so even thought we had not planed to s top we did stop.  After  exploring the museum, watching  a video and reading a tiny bit I am beginning to better understand how the American Government killed thousands of Native Americans -- took away their land, their cattle and their way of life and forced them to live on reservations.  I am very saddened about this black an ugly spot in America's history but one I am forced to confront nonetheless.  As with individual lives so with the lives of nations -- God uses the dark threads to weave a beautiful tapestry which glorifies Him in the end.

. . . Oh boy . . . let's see what else . . . Oh Yes -- we were driving along when all of a sudden I saw many horses -- perhaps 2- -- at the top of this hill -- these strong, free, majestic horses allowed to roam, to run wild and free as I believe was God's original plan.  Quite a site for sure!

. .  Stopped tonight in Sheridan Wyoming.  Went to K-mart before we  came to the c ampround to settle in for the night.  We have been having trouble with the table moving -- falling -- because of the sway while we travel so we bought some furniture coasters and are hoping they will work.

. . .Ben and I had a bit of a fuss tonight -- inevitable when two people -- even two people who love each other very much -- are together 24/7.  So please keep our good spirits towards each other in your prayers -- thanks so much!  Till next time. . .

Ben and Sue Day 7

Day 7, Thursday, September 13, 2007

I'm as happy as one can  be -- setting at the table sipping tea  and enjoying toast.  No errands to run today -- no bills to pay -- it is so quiet here -- I do believe even  he birds are still asleep.  Yesterday (Thursday) we returned to Yellowstone because we really wanted to see Old Faithful erupt.  It was such a blessing to me  that Ben drove back because his intention was to drive right on to Billings, Montana. 

Old Faithful erupts about every 90 minutes -- we arrived about 10 minutes early -- there were lots of people and I could feel the eager anticipation in the air.  Non e of us were disappointed as Old Faithful erupted once again -- spurting thousands of gallons of boiling water over 100 feet into the air -- a truly spectacular sight.  On our return trip we saw elk, bison -- at one point a bison walked past at about 10 feet away -- phew!

. . . We stopped at the Post Office in Yellowstone and there was a whole herd of elk so I was able to watch them up close -- also got to hear the bull elk call.

. . . We passed the 49th parallel today -- the sign read that the 49th parallel was half way between  the equator and the North Pole.

. . . After re-vising Old Faithful we started off once again hoping to make it to Billings but didn't quite make it that far -- stayed in a tiny town called Geiser.   KOA campgrounds seem to be working well.  They have hot tubs which Ben made use of last night -- relaxing for him after a long day of driving.

. . .Once again the scenery  was hundreds of miles of open range with scarcely a house here and then a tiny town every hundred miles or so.  Lots of people have told me over the years that this is what Montana was like -- but it has been a tremendous experience seeing it for myself.  I have never seen so much open land.

Day 6

DAY 6, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2007

. . . We toured Yellowstone today and boy did we have a lot of fun. Very first thing this morning we were in the Visitors Center asking questions about the tour. We had it on our mind to go on a bus tour so we could have a guide but God seemed to nudge us to drive thru and do the tour ourselves and boy am I glad He did nudge us cause we stopped lots of places . . . saw a lot of things the bus people did not get to see.

. . . So our first stop was to watch a bull elk who seemed to be banging his head -- his antlers -- against this tree. We wondered why he would do such a strange thing and were told that this is the mating season -- called the "rut" -- and that he was probably showing off for the females. I thought "rut" was an unusual word but I won't make any spectulations and encourage you to ponder the etomology!

. . . Many times throughout the day we saw bison -- sometimes very close. In fact one time, after I got out of he car to take a picture -- this particular bison started walking towards all of us who were photographing. So I ran (actually walked quickly) back to the truck and shut the door. But all the other people were still outside taking pictures. So I said a quick prayer and went back outside too and shot a picture when he was about 20 feet away! WOW!

. . . After a while we drove upon the geysers a hot springs -- phew do they stink -- because of the sulfur they smelled like rotten eggs. I read a bit of the brochure we were given and as best I understand the process -- geysers require 3 elements to make them erupt -- lots of rain and snow, a very hot place in the earth, and rock formations that provide lots of constrictions (which builds up pressure). There are lots of places on earth where there is lots of rain (Seattle for instance) and lots of places where the earth is very hot. But perhaps it is that yelllowstone is the only place where the rock constrictions are so severe that the water when it reaches the surface -- not only boils but actually pushes the cooler water oout of the way and erupts. We parked the truck for a while and walked along a boardwalk and saw boiling mud. It looked like something from an "Alien Invades Earth" movie -- this ground that was covered with boiling mud -- interesting sound -- plop, plop, plop.

...Next we made our way up to Old Faithful -- the geyser for which Yellowstone is so famous. The brochure told us eruptions hapen about every 92 minutes and the height ranges from 106 to 180 feet -- averaging 130. Between 3700 to 8400 gallons of water are expelled depending on length of eruptions. We didn't plan our time too well and arrived only to see the last few seconds.

. . . We enjoyed some lunch at 8300 feet and then started our return trip. Saw elk, bison and deer on the way back. The entire area of Yellowstone -- hundreds of thousands of acres -- is a true sanctuary to Montana's wildlife. We drove around Yellowstone lake that appeared to be perhaps 4 or 5 miles wide -- just a guestimate -- probably even larger. And everywhere we drove there was natural habitat --lots of water, many kinds of grasses, mountains, trees -- truly a playland for the animals.

Tomorrow -- on to Billings Montana

Ben and Sue Day 5

DAY 5, Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Before I write my daily journal tonight I feel compelled to reflect upon this most important day in America's history -- a day when I am especially joyous to be an American -- still a Christian nation ruled by a Mighty God!  I am thankful that the ravages of war are not fought on America's soil.

. . . It's been a long day today.  I woke up with a very sore throat and was hardly able to talk.  Got dressed the best I could and Ben drove me to the Urgent Care Clinic at the Butte, Montana Hospital.  I was able to see a doctor rather quickly and after a lab test he diagnosed that I had strep throat.   He gave me antibiotics and gargle and sent us on our merry way.  I've been taking the medicine through the day and feel a bit better already.  We drove today from Butte, Montana to a town just outside Yellowstone National Park.  Most of the day was taken up with driving -- once again hundreds of miles of gently rolling hills -- very scenic.  The names I saw today were:  Duck Creek, Cougar Pond and Rainbow Point.  I was so thankful tonight when Ben went for a walk while I was napping and met a man and his wife who also grew up in Maryland.  So Ben was able to talk with them for quite a  long time.  Glory glory hallelujah!  We found  an Internet Cafe and were able to send out Day 1 and Day 2.  I think between Ben and I and help along the way we have it figured out now -- hopefully.     

Next time I'll tell you about our tour of Yellowstone.

Love, Ben and Sue

Ben and Sue Day 4

DAY 4, Monday, September 10, 2007

We traveled today from Priest River, Idaho to Butte, Montana -- an 8 1/2 drive thru scenic mountains, rivers, lakes, with a gorgeous blue sky and  warm sunny weather.  I wondered how anyone could ever be discouraged or depressed living here.  I  am sure if I lived here and felt discouraged I would just go outside and rub  this delicious sunshine on my arms  and face and I would be happy once again!

. . .It will be difficult to listen to anyone who seriously talks to me about over populating the earth again.  We drove for 8 1/2 hours -- hundreds and hundreds of miles -- except for a few tiny settlements and two small towns -- the land is completely uninhabited.  Hundreds of miles of land -- nearly completely empty of houses/people.

. . . Huckleberries seem to be all the fad here and I mentioned to Ben that I would like to have a piece of huckleberry pie.  But after lunch I was too fun for pie.  So while I went to the ladies room Ben bought me a piece to go -- what a sweetie huh?  Was delicious -- quite sweet -- more so than blueberries.

. . . The speed limit through Montana is 75 MPH.  I don't need to tell you how much Ben enjoyed that!  There we were -- driving along mile after mile -- beautiful blue sky above -- shimmering lake below -- the road nearly empty of any cars -- both of us together with the one we love the most -- not a care in the world -- ah lovely!

. . .Not an adventurous day really -- rather quiet.  Hoping to make it to Yellowstone, Wyoming tomorrow. 

Ben and Sue Day 3

DAY 3, Sunday, September 9, 2007

. . . A first experience for me -- yet another day of sunshine!  I can't ever remember waking up to sunshine 3 days in a row.  We slept in a bit today and mosied to Priest River Community Church at 10AM.  We had no idea what kind of church it was, but it was the only one we could find along the main road last evening.   It was filled with friendly people -- several greeted us.  People there really knew how to worship the Lord!  Lots of hand clapping and hands raising in worship.  Someone there told us the church sing was being re-made as they used to be called Priest River Congregational Church but "decided to follow the Bible and be a church led by elders/deacons."  Hmmmmm . . . .If we ever can really hook up to Internet I hope to research why he said that.

. . . Anyway, . . .we really enjoyed and learned about forgiveness there.  Afterwards it was of to the Village Kitchen for lunch.  Since I know Idaho is famous for its potatoes I hoped there was potato ___________ on the menu but there was no real potato food.  Was pleasant as we sat outside on the patio.

. . . After lunch we drove 26 miles to Priest Lake.  It was a lovely drive and the lake itself huge -- several people boating.  It was at a General Store that had a sign "wireless Internet"  that we made our second attempt at E-mail.  I'll spare you all the absolutely ridiculous details -- suffice it to say I felt like MA Kettle on Broadway.   I cannot even figure out about the high dollar wireless mouse we bought.   I've asked Ben several times about the mouse  and every time I ask he seems to give me a different answer.  Today he said we had to use our finger and I didn't go any further with my questions although I thought  a wireless mouse was supposed to be for a wireless connection -- a connection when I'm not plugged into a phone line.  Listen to me for some sound advice:  one way to make a cross country trip more pleasant is to know when to stop asking questions!   Oh dear!  So I just pretended it had not gotten the best of me and sang la la la songs in my head!

. . .Despite the little bump with the Internet connection we really are having an awesome, fun, relaxing time.  I love and appreciate Ben for doing all the driving . . . -- lots of responsibility pulling a huge trailer.  God has been good to keep us both healthy and in good spirits.  Lots of blessings -- like for example we remembered Ben's medicine but forgot the card that lists the amounts and time of day or night he is supposed to take them.  But he had a couple of days still prepared so we were able to look at each pill in the medicine box and match it up with the pills in the bottles and we got it all figured out.

. . .This morning we were standing outside the restaurant deciding which of  3 Sunday papers to choose from.  Just then the newspaper deliverer came by and gave us a free paper because he said he was late in delivering them.

. . .Crickets -- Idaho must have more crickets than anywhere I have ever been.  I enjoy their chirping noise  and their wings seemed to be such bright colors -- yellow and another one was fiery red/orange.

God bless, Ben and Sue

Ben and Sue Day 2

DAY 2

We  left the KOA campgrounds in Leavenworth at 10:15AM ,.  Once again warm sunny weather accompanied us the entire day.  We drove West on highway 2 to 97 then 97 for a short time till it me up with Highway 2 again.  Nearly the entire drive today was through beautiful hay fields on either side of the highway.  Hour after hour of glistening yellow fields -- some already cut, some waiting to be cut.  We saw huge stacks of bales already cut and stacked -- thinking perhaps the truck would be along to pick them up.  But then we wern't  so sure about the pickup because further on we saw -- tarp buildings -- best way I can describe them -- gigantic tarps completely covering on the sides and tops of these very tall stacks of hay.

. . .Onceagain I noticed the folksy country names:  Sunnyslope Road, Cottage Ave, Dayspring Lane, Snowy river Lane.  At one point we saw  a road sign:  SR 97 Orondo Spur.  I wondered about  that because I always thought a spur was that pointed peice a cowby wore on his boot to kick his horse to get him moving.  So I looked it up in the dictionary  and discoverd that a spur also means a range or ridge projecting in a lateral direction from the main mass of a mountain or mountain range. Interesting. . .

. . . We passed a tiny town named Waterville -- as I remember there was a  general store and we did not see even a gas station  It was easy to visualize the old westerns when cowboys went riding off into the sunset becasuse for every one house there was perhaps several thousand acres of rolling hills.

. . . Our big adventure for today was the closure of U. S. Highway 2 just west of Newport.  The entire highway was closed because a tanker truck had ost its tank -- real mess.  So the highway patrol put our detour signs which we tried diligently to follow but we must have mad a wrong turn somewhere and we found ourselves on this gravel, washboard road that went on and on for miles.  about an hour and a half later after stopping and asking for directions  we found our way back onto Highway 2 and continued on our journey.

. . . We are beginning to recognize a bit of a schedule now and are enjoying travelling in our 5th wheel.  Today we stopped for lunch -- made sandwiches -- and we had the fridge and water and so on readily available to us.

. . . We finally made it to our destination for  this evening: Priest River Idaho.  We decided to  stay here for 2 nights since tomorrow is Sunday and we want to go to church.  We unhooked the trailer and drove into town looking for a church.  The only one we could find had no real name -- on a sign saying "Sunday Worship 10 AM.  To be continued . . .

Semed to me like we drove and drove a very long way  but were not getting any closer to our destination.  I mentioned this to Ben and he lovingly      pointed out to me that 1/2 inch on the map represents many miles of actual driving.

Love, Ben and Sue

Ben and Sue Day 1

Well, well well, I do believe I am finally hooked up to the Internet.  Imagine that. Praise the Lord!

DAY 1

After only 5 1/2 hours sleep and a marathon day that included a trip to Seattle for chemotherapy, 3 stops/errands in Monroe, and a return trip to Monroe for truck registration we finally pulled out of Sultan at 4PM.  Warm sunny weather with huge culumus cloouds -- so white and beautiful -- accompanied us on our journey.  We drove Highway 2 East and spent the evening a in KOA campground just east of Leaenworth.  Ben and I did not talk much during the drive -- my mind was fileld with the hope that all would be well for the next two months with our home, our animals, our friends and family.  Also with the wonder and excitment of our journey.  After getting settled into the campsite and enjoying a bit of supper I attempted to use wireless internet which the camp people told me was available.  They told me I needed to get connected to Internet Explorer and find KOA and search for JUNO and my account.  After several frustrating tries and failures I gave it up hoping for more success today.  As we drove to Leavenworth I noticed that the Snoqualmie River -- usually bursting with fast flowing water and rapids was nearly dry in many places -- no rapids at all.  I enjoyed reading the signs of places along the way -- country names:  White Pines Road, Cascase Meadows, Sunland Drive.  We crossed the Cascade Mountains today through Stevens Pass.

Love, Ben and Sue

Greetings from Sue Ady

Hello to All!

I am double checking my list of E-mails to make sure they are all correct for all who would like to receive my daily E-mails on our cross country trip.   Please if you do not want to receive these E-mails just let me know and I'll be so happy to take your name off the list. 

Ben  and I plan to leave on September 7th in the afternoon.  We took  the trailer for a four day trial run this past week -- hoping to learn about and fix any snags with the trailer or truck before we leave on our big adventure.  We did in fact find a few small snags and are in the process of working them out just now.  It is going to be interesting to  fix tasty  and nutritious meals in such a tiny tiny kitchen area. 

Hope you all are well. 

God bless, Sue