WORLDS ARE FORMING: Day 4: Jackson to Boulder

I ALMOST got sick of the car today.

Drove from 9:30am to 9:00pm with very few stops. Seriously. Almost 600 miles. I do believe that this was my longest day of driving, ever.

Slight crisis: my iPod did not charge last night. You know what that meant (gasp!) I had to listen to the RADIO!!! Ha. It was actually just fine, though funny because I had been preparing for the long drive by KNOWING I would have MY music to listen to. Instead, I afforded myself plenty of silent time with the windows down during this, my long day of driving. Did some singing and praying, too. Got to hang out with Swede and Reuben and the crew in Peace Like a River, too.

Favorite thought, of many, from Leif Enger's Peace Like a River from today...jumped out at me, and how I too often forget the healing and redemptive work of God in my own life...

"Let an irreversible wound be knit back to seamlessness
and we wouldn't even see it, though we look at it every day."

I must say,the drive from north-west-central Wyoming to north central Colorado was not too bad. I was expecting Death Valley and bones. Instead, there were vibrant colored hills and valleys, snow, lots of sky, and a surprising amount of wild game. It is the least populous state in the Union...and quite beautiful. Glad I could venture through it.

A moment of silence: a good friend, whose name I dare not mention here, as this person loathes blogs...this C.A. initialed person actually, on C.A.'s own free-will, visited this blog. Will wonders ever cease? Thank you, C.A. for your humility and commitment to our friendship. :)

HUMBLING MOMENT for Josh Cleveland. Did I tell you I was going to go through Nebraska? Riiiight...I didn't. Because I didn't plan to. Sigh. Fun story. I got into Cheyenne earlier than I thought, called my friends in Boulder to make dinner plans. However, here's the deal: I was driving through the town of Cheyenne, off of the highway, and talking to my friend C.A., got back on the highway, assuming I was going the right way to get down towards Denver. I had even been thinking, wouldn't it be funny if I were going the wrong way? Aaaand...when I saw the mile marker #1 and a WELCOME TO NEBRASKA sign, I did a deep Dad sigh, laughed a little bit, and pulled off. Funny, there was a great Marian shrine there. One huge Mary and five or six smaller statues, an altar, and a few kneelers. Glad I "found" it! Snapped a few pictures, sipped on a warm Dr. Pepper, and headed back towards Cheyenne to get on my way towards Boulder. Oh. Did I mention? I was FORTY-SEVEN miles off, each way. Struggler! Glad I was driving alone, not sure of many friends who would tolerate this! Needless to say, I did not get to fulfill those dinner plans with friends. Instead, I had a hot date with Wendy on the side of the highway. (The restaurant, folks.)

Getting in to Boulder (Louisville, actually) was great. Good to see old friends, Jenny and Sam (friends and former co-interns at Covenant).

Monday will be full of rest, reading, maybe a short adventure around the hills of Boulder, too. Grateful to be out of the car! As always, thanks for checking in, friends! Keep saying hi!

Peace to all other travellers today. Enjoy!

You are loved,
Josh

Photo Albums

Comments

it's sad to me that you're so close to my beautiful kansas and you're not going to see it! well, maybe you'll take another unintentional adventure :D i'm envious of such a long road trip. i've always wanted to go totally across the country. ahh, well, i'm setting for driving to maine tomorrow. have a good day of rest!

Posted by: kyledawn | May 16, 2005 at 04:05 PM

KANSAS, Josh??? Oh, dear ... what can I say but - another good reason not to talk and drive (a "momism" you know)! Glad you got turned around ... Love, Mom

Posted by: Mom | May 16, 2005 at 10:07 PM

Josh! You're blog is rad (yes I just said rad). I've enjoyed being non-productive at work while checking out your daily adventures. I laughed, seeing that your Dad and mine are practically twins, I know exactly what "sigh" your talking about, "Aaaand...when I saw the mile marker #1 and a WELCOME TO NEBRASKA sign, I did a deep Dad sigh, laughed a little bit, and pulled off." The older I get, the more I realize the apple does not fall far ;) Have a great trip, and I pray that God's hand is with you this summer.

P.S. Did you know you have an imposter (http://www.woodburychurch.org/Clevelandpage.htm)

Matt

Posted by: Matt | May 17, 2005 at 12:46 AM