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THE
JOURNAL
ONLINE
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QUIRE
ELEVEN
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
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The Quest for The Solace, Part Six
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On Loving The
Son of God
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Life Journey
A Journey of a Hundred Days
This Journey of a Hundred Days begins on Thursday, 26 June 2025 and continues until Friday, 03 October 2025.
This Journey of Days for this Wayƒarer is the sixth of ten journeys, which when all ten One Hundred Day journeys come to a conclusion will complete the current Journey of a Thousand Days.
Too, this Journal of a Hundred Days begins only a few days after the summer solstice and will continue through the remaining days of this summer season. Furthermore, the writings upon this journal commence while I am still bound by the residential lease that originated in June 2024, a count down, which upon the start of this One Hundred Days, is now at Thirty-six Days until Journey On. But even that will fly away!
(Psalms 90:10)
A Journey of a Thousand Days
This Journey of a Thousand Days is the current Life Journey that this Wayƒarer is presently walking. This Journey of a Thousand Days began on Monday, 12 February 2024 and will continue until 07 November 2026
I am currently in my 27th Journey of a Thousand Days, see first journal entry below.
Words to Ponder
Earlier this year, when talking with a twelve-year old boy within the congregation, about gaining knowledge, he told me, "People may call us Know-it-alls, but in reality, we are actually Learn-it-alls." Greatness is not knowing everything - it is seeking to understand everything. Then, when knowledge becomes a life journey, we join with the eternal.
(John 17: 20
, 21
, 22
, 23)
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The Pacific Northwest
Island Sojourn
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(Day 501 TS) 53°F. 6:00 am, sunny and clear
27,300 DA, or
921 full moons,
-1721 DR70,
1922 DR80,
NLJ: DAY 352
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 327
36 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, pull myself up out of the bed, walk into the bathroom, get into the shower and enjoy the steaming hot water, during which, methinks, I will miss this daily hot shower when upon the upcoming Journey On, will leave the confinements of this room. Still, methinks, The departure from within these walls and resuming the Journey On is worth more to me. After finishing my hot shower, I turn off the hot water completely and wait for the cold water to hit the top of my head. Then, I allow the cold water to saturate my entire body cooling it quickly. I linger in the cold shower for a couple more minutes, knowing that by doing so, I will not soon after be overheated by this summer day as it warms up, but instead will remain cooled off for several more hours. This begins the return to my practice of taking a cold shower after a hot one each morning, which I have done form many summers past. I dress in my summer blues, retire to the kitchen area to boil a liter of water whilst I prepare my three-cup f-meal.
When my breakfast is ready, I carry the three cups to the board, sit down, turn on my computer and begin pounding keys as I enjoy my food and hot drink. One of the two hot drinks that are included in my three-cup meal and the one I refer to as my
Cup of Hot, is the only cup which actually contains coffee, well, nowadays, it is only instant coffee. For most of the last year, the recipe for this Cup of Hot has changed, in that besides the instant coffee, I have been adding mushroom powder, which powder is so filled with nutrition. In fact, the quart container that contains my instant coffee has nearly and equal amount of mushroom powder mixed in so that I only have to put one heaping tablespoon of the
Mushroom Coffee blend. Even more recently, I have been adding to the mushroom coffee, a heaping teaspoon of the
Golden Milk powder mix. Previously, I had purchased the several separate ingredients, mixed them together and used the mix to make a cup of Golden Milk. However, more recently, I have begun purchasing a pre-mixed package of the recipe.
(Day 502 TS) 52°F. 6:00 am, overcast
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 328
35 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot shower-cold shower, boil water, three-cup meal, key pounding, and remain inside most of this day.
(Day 503 TS) 49°F. 6:00 am, sunny and clear
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 329
34 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake to the first alarm, roll out of the bed, stand up and walk slowly to the bath room. I then take a hot shower and linger in the steamy hot water, after which I take my cold shower. Upon drying off, I put on my summer blues, walk into the kitchen area and put a liter of water into the kettle. While awaiting for the water to boil, I prepare my three-cup f-meal and when the water is boiling, I pour the right amount into the three cups. With my f-meal preparations complete, I carry the cups to the board, sit down, turn on my computer and begin writing my journal for today whilst I enjoy my f-meal.
Looking out my window to watch the sunglow fade to gray, I see the waxing crescent just one hand above the horizon. The final minutes of this day has a cloudless sky with fast fading sunglow.
(Day 504 TS) 53°F. 6:00 am, sunny and clear
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 330
33 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise slowly, hot shower-cold shower, boil water, three-cup meal, sit at the board, pound keys to begin my journal entry. Then at about twenty until ten, I connect to the Oak Harbor Congregation meeting using the new New World Publisher app. I had downloaded it two days ago onto my phone and this is the first time that I have had the opportunity to use it. I just clicked on the meeting icon and when that page opens, I click onto the link to connect to the meeting and it logs me in and I find myself on the wall of publishers.
I greet the friends and several say hello. Soon, the meeting begins and the public talk by a brother from Ferndale, Washington who said the last time he was here was when we were building the new hall.
Later, after the meeting, I return to my key pounding which I continue doing until ten-twenty at which time I look outside and see that the sunglow is all but gone and the waxing crescent moon is two hands above the horizon.
(Day 505 TS) 54°F. 6:00 am, sunny and clear
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 331
32 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake to the second alarm, arise, hot shower-cold shower, dress in my summer blues, boil water and prepare my three-cup f-meal. After I carry my breakfast to the board, I look at the clock and see that it is already 9:00 am. So, I don my shoes, grab my phone and the prepared notice to terminate and walk down to the main office where I knock on the door. With no answer forthcoming, I open my phone to my contacts and press the link to dial the landlord. When he answers, I tell him who I am and that I would like to talk with him. When he says, "OK" as if waiting for me to begin speaking, I then tell him, "I am standing outside your door." to which he replies, "I will be right out."
I watch him as he walks through the front porch area, up to the front gate, and when he arrives at the front gate, I reach over the fence and serve him with my Notice to Terminate Tenancy, telling him that the envelope contains my notice to terminate tenancy. He asks me, "When are you leaving", to which I reply, "At the end of the lease on 31 July 2025." With this done, I have finally, accomplished all of the necessary major tasks that is required of me to resume the Journey On. This last task has been the most crucial, the most planned, and the most stressful of all the others.
When upon arriving back in my room, I sit down at the board and resume my key pounding and the eating of my f-meal. Outside, the temperature of this summer morning continues to rise, now at 66 -degrees and then increased as high as the very low 70s by three this afternoon. After that, the temperature begins to drop and by seven this even it is back down to 60° So, due to it being much cooler, I pack out and drive to a Mexican f-mart for a couple of burritos which I sit down at a board to eat. Afterwards, I drive to the hw-mart to purchase a roll of galvanized wire mesh, which I will be using when I repair the front bumper on the jammer. Finally, when leaving this store, I drive back to the room, walk inside, turn my computer and complete this journal entry.
Outside, at nine-fifty, the sunglow wanes to gray while the crescent moon waxes for the third day three hands above the horizon.
(Day 506 TS) 54°F. 6:00 am, sunny and clear
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 332
31 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot shower-cold shower, boil water, prepare my three-cup f-meal, and then sit down at the board to eat while I pound keys on my computer. I continue here all day, watching tv and working on my computer.
Then, at nine-forty this evening, I get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 507 TS) 52°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 333
30 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot, then cold shower, dress in my travel blues, pack out to the jammer and drive to the hw-mart to purchase a can of wood stain and a can of spray primer. Next, I stop at the a-mart to fill up my gas tank, which cost sixty-eight dollars, and then finally, the ff-mart for a couple of bean burritos and an iced coffee.
While sitting down inside and eating, I make a call to my sister Susan, which this time, she picks up and we talk for about thirty minutes and we catch up on all that has been happening. One thing we talked about is the three Journeys of the Self, The Me of physical self, The Myself or mental self and The I, or spiritual self. I commented that she would do well for her self and her boyfriend if she would pursue the spiritual self. She told me that she would talk to Juan about it.
Then, I drive back to my room, open up the rear lift door and organize the back end to have my tool box sitting on the rear wooden bin with the lid open, the regular way that I set it up for any work I do on the jammer. First, I cut a strip of the galvanized wire mesh for use to rebuild the damaged and missing front right wrap. Next, I take the front bumper off of the jammer, and use sand paper to smooth out the outer surface. Next, I put the bumper on my step stool and then spray primer on the bumper, both the outside as well as the underside. Once the bumper is completely covered with the black primer, I let it remain in the sun to dry, while I go inside and pound keys. After a couple of hours in the warm sun, I go back outside to check the paint only to find it dry. So, I grab my cobalt blue paint and spray the first coast of blue on the outside of the bumper, using up the remainder of the blue paint in the can. I then let the bumper sit in the direct sunlight to dry, go back to my key pounding and catch up on my journal writing. Finally, at about six-thirty this evening, I go back outside to bring my bumper in for the night, putting it under the table, and methinks, I will continue working on the bumper tomorrow.
At eight this evening, I call to order a pizza, drive to pick it up and then return to the room to eat. Shortly after eleven, i get into the horizontal and close my eyes.
(Day 508 TS) 52°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 334
29 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot-cold shower, dress in my summer blues, boil water, prepare my three-cup f-meal and then sit down at the board to eat and pound keys for a short time. Then, I decide that the work done yesterday was too much for my body and choose to take this day off and instead, spend it working on my web page. I spend much of the day resting, even taking a nap in the afternoon and then get up for my evening meal and to connect for the mid-week meeting.
After the meeting, I get directly into the horizontal and close my eyes.
(Day 509 TS) 53°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 335
28 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot-cold shower, boil water, three cup meal, and then step outside to get ready for a day of work on the jammer front bumper. It is about eleven this morning when I open up the rear lift door and find the tool box still open from yesterday. Too, I go inside to carry retrieve the jammer bumper and carry it out to the sidewalk in front of the jammer, where I set it down on my step stool. Then, I get out my green floor carpet mat and spread it in front of the jammer. The first task is to temporarily re-install the bumper on the jammer, so I get out several tools that I will need, place them on the green mat and then re-install the bumper. Once that is done, I next sit down on the step stool and begin building a wrap-a-round bumper frame for the driver side, (left front) of the bumper.
I use more of the galvanized wire mesh, cut pieces to size and use stainless still tie-wire to connect the pieces together. Slowly, the frame begins to take shape. Later, a sister, whose name is Chieko stops by to tend to her Home Care job with the lady in room 10, says hello to me and we talk for a few minutes. She is of Japanese decent, is married and has one son; I see her at the Kingdom Hall. She tells me that she is impressed with the frame work that I have created for the bumper. When she leaves, I return to work and work and continue constructing the frame until nearly five this evening, when, due to being in so much pain from all of the getting up and down, movement and other tasks, I choose to stop, even thought their is at least five more hours of daylight.
Then, at nine-fifty, I step outside in the cool night to sit down on a chair but the cool is actually more like chill, so, I go back inside to get my hoodie to keep me warm. At ten, the fireworks exhibition, which Oak Harbor has every year begins. It is planned to begin at ten and last for twenty minutes, and I would like to see a few of the fireworks displays. However, by ten-fifteen, I have already seen more than I want to see and then walk back inside for the night. Methinks, it just does not mean any thing to me any more. Furthermore, ever year, when this political celebration occurs, I wonder if this is the last one that will be celebrated in this old system.
Then, I get into the horizontal and try to sleep but like I expected, I am not able to sleep until the celebrations are done and everyone has gone back to their homes. Too, my body aches from the work done on the jammer today and will more than likely sit out tomorrow due to the pain it caused in me.
(Day 510 TS) 53°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 336
27 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, walk into the bathroom for a hot-cold shower, dry off and don my summer blues. Then, I put a liter of water in the kettle to boil and while that is going on, I prepare my three cup meal. When the water boils, I fill the two cups of hot and then pour the rest of the hot water into the cup of Daystart. Then, I carry my f-meal to the board and begin to pound keys while I enjoy my morning meal.
(Day 511 TS) 54°F. 8:20 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 337
26 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, walk to the bathroom, hot-cold shower, dry off, don my summer blues, boil water, three-cup meal, walk to the board, sit down and eat while I turn on my computer and get ready for the weekend meeting at the Oak Harbor congregation. I will be attending by using my Zoom app, which as soon as I get connected, begin to greet the several friends within the squares. Then, quickly after, all the squares have been muted and the chairman addresses the congregation and announces the select song. After the song, their is a prayer and the chairman announces the public take and the visiting speaker.
After the meeting, I return to my key pounding and continue working on my website upgrade, finishing the menu on the campsite pages updates.
(Day 512 TS) 54°F. 8:00 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 338
25 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake later this morning, arise, walk to the bathroom, hot-cold shower, which ever since the summer solstice, I have been finishing my shower with a cold rinse. Then, I dress in my summer blues, walk back to the board to open my computer and begin my journal entry for today. I then continue pounding keys, making updates on file after file until about two this afternoon, when I close my computer and walk out the front door. Next, I get out some of my tools and begin taking the front bumper off again. Once it is off of the jammer and resting on my step stool, I get out the spray foam insulation, shake it for several minutes and then begin dispersing the foam onto the wire mesh. However, they is just not enough foam in the can for me to cover all of the wire mesh, but I do cover about ninety percent of the area. Wow, is that stuff sticky, sticking to anything it comes into contact with and it just will not come off of my hands. Finally, I set the bumper in the sun to let the foam dry and harden and then work on sanding the front bumper mount, which had previously been painted the same color of the body, so, when in town to acquire some supplies for this job, I also purchased a can of white primer paint. Using the cardboard from some shipping boxes to shield the other areas, I sprayed two coats of the white primer on the bumper mount.
What I learned today is that it is necessary to wear disposable gloves when using insulating foam. I then leave the bumper in the sun so that the foam will harden, and I go inside to cool off and resume my key pounding. Later, I go back outside to bring the bumper inside for the night. Now, the next thing is to purchase some body filler which I will use for the next application of material over the wire mesh frame. This product is available at all of the auto parts stores, but I found out yesterday that the same product is about half the price at the local d-mart.
I remain inside for the reminder of the even, mostly pounding keys, until about ten pm, and then get into the horizontal.
(Day 513 TS) 56°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 339
24 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, walk to the bathroom, hot-cold shower dress in my summer blues, boil water, three-cup meal, sit down at the board, turn on my computer, start today′s journal entry and begin my f-meal. All that took thirty minutes as it is not eight this morning and I must needs leave here by eight-fifteen to make my eight-thirty appointment with my friend Andy.
So, I done my long trousers, carry my f-meal with me out the jammer and pack out my computer bag to the jammer and begin my drive south on SH 20. I arrive at my friend′s home, carry my f-meal inside and sit down a the board to eat. We talk while I eat and then Aaron packs out to go to work. We continue for a short time and then Angela arrives back from her doctorℙ appointment and my visit continues. Then Angela ask me to remove the McAfee software from her computer, which I agree to do, however, I tell her that I hate this brand of antivirus software, be it is so hard to remove, in fact, it does take me over an hour to remove it completely. After I finish that task, I then download and install the antivirus software that I have been using for many years. After that is done, I say goodbye, pack out and drive back into Oak Harbor.
As I drive into Oak Harbor, another friend, Joann, asks me to stop to meet her at the local W-mart, which I do, and meet her inside. She wants me to help her purchase a new phone and set up a new service provider. We work on this task for over an hour but because she could not access her e-mail on her phone, we could not finish the purchase. However, we were able to set up an account for the service provider. Now, all we need to do is get back together when she has her computer available, in order to have access to her e-mail account to confirm the purchase. Finally, I leave the w-mart, drive to the d-mart to purchase a quart container of body filler and then drive back to my room for the evening. Then, at five this evening, I open the front door to find that the heat of the day was gone, and there was a cool breeze blowing, so I take the bumper, set it up on the step stool and begin preparing the bumper for then next step. Then, I get out my black primer and begin spraying the repaired foam covered mesh area until all of the inside and outside of the repaired bumper area is black. Once the painting has been completed, I set the bumper on the step stool outside my front door in the sun to dry and await the next step, that of mixing the two part body filler and spreading it over the repair area. Later, when I open the can of body filler, I find the can nearly empty, so I close it up, put it back into the shopping bag with the receipt and will return it tomorrow.
During the remainder of this evening, I prepare something to eat and then sit at the board to pound keys, while I enjoy my e-meal.
(Day 514 TS) 55°F. 8:00 am, overcast
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 340
23 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, hot shower-cold shower, boil water and prepare my three-cup f-meal and then sit down at the board to enjoy my f-meal and resume my key pounding.
(Day 515 TS) 56°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Buck Full Moon, Thursday, 10 July 2025 13:38 PDT (09:46 UTC)
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 341
22 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
One Year Anniversary of my Wife′s Death
Awake, hot shower-cold shower, which after two weeks of the routine this summer has now become much easier for me to accomplish. I dress in my summer blues but then don my long trousers, after which I pack out to the jammer, start the engine and drive north on SH 20, leave Oak Harbor and head towards Mount Vernon where I have planned some shopping at the d-mart there. Upon arriving at the store, I park in a space near the front entrance, walk inside and begin my shopping using my shopping list. I walk into the store and after about two hours, I walk through the check out, pay for the many items, and then carry the full bags out to the jammer. Once all of my purchase is stowed inside the back of the jammer, I climb into the driver′s seat and start my journey back home.
Then, after the drive back onto the island and into Oak Harbor, I arrive at the Oak Harbor Inn where I park in the space assigned for my room. Next, I carry some of the items purchased into the room but other items, I have planned to put them in their places within my vehicle. Too, some of the newly purchased items, I even transfer the content inside the packaging into my food containers that I keep in my bins. Finally, with all the new food stows in their places, I walk inside the room, sit down at the board and resume my key pounding.
A little while later, using the Zoom application, I connect to the Oak Harbor Meeting for the mid-week meeting. This week is focused on some wise principles for a happy marriage, including the 21st Proverb and other verses. After the meeting, some of the friends continue to visit for a short time before departing to their individual home life.
Afterwards, I finish my journal entry for this day, turn off my electronics and get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 516 TS) 50°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 342
21 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, walk to the bathroom for my hot-cold shower, after which, I dress in my summer blues and then put on my trousers. I then grab my keys, neck wallet, walk out to the jammer and drive to the g-mart to purchase food stores. On the return drive, I stop at the hw-mart to purchase a pack of body filler spreader tools and a few nuts, bolts and washers. Then, I drive back to the room, pack my groceries inside, move them into the refrigerator and then sit down at the board and return to my key pounding. Since the mid-days have been quite warm, I have been staying inside where the temperature is much cooler thanks to the window unit. Today, the temperature does not drop until after five, so I do not work on the next step of the bumper repair, but just stay inside where it is cool. Maybe tomorrow.
(Day 517 TS) 50°F. 7:00 am
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 343
20 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot-cold shower, dress in my summer blues, boil water and prepare my three-cup f-meal. Then, I sit down at the board to eat and start my journal entry. When done, I walk outside and open up the jammer to get my tools out. Next, I bring the jammer bumper out to the front porch and set it on the step stool. Next, I get out the gallon can of body filler and begin mixing in the cream hardener and then covering the outside of the metal frame with the fast drying two part mixture. I continue mixing and spreading the body filler building up the areas to match the existing bumper levels. This is a slow repetitive process of scooping out the gray filler onto a mixing board, adding the blue cream hardener, mixing thoroughly, and then spreading the mixture onto the bumper before it begins to harden. Then, I repeat that over and over numerous times.
Much later, I put away my tools, close up the gray body filler container, set the bumper on the step stool, put it in the direct sunlight and then go inside to allow the applied body filler to harden. I then go inside to have something to eat and rest up from all of the tedious work. Later, I bring the bumper inside and set it up on the step stool and go about my evening routine. Then when moving around in the room, I trip on the bumper, fall scraping my left foot and right leg on the rough area of the bumper repair which causes cuts in both area. The injury on my left foot is bad enough to require me to dress it with first aid. First, before that, I get into the shower to wash all of the dirt out of the wounds on both lets and then dry off the wounds with tissue paper. Next, I walk outside to the jammer to retrieve my first aid ditty bag and get out some gauze, first aid tape, and some triple antibiotic ointment. Finally, I sit down at the board, put my left let up and begin applying first aid to it. The right leg, I just rub the ointment on all the minor cuts.
Afterwards, I just sit down at the board and pound keys for a time, until I decide that I am done for the evening. Methinks, because I have all the ointment on my legs, I do not want to get the bed sheet all oily, so, I walk out to the jammer, plug in the extension cord to charge the RV battery and climb into the back of the jammer to get into the horizontal for the evening.
(Day 518 TS) 51°F. 7:00 am
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 344
19 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, walk into the room and go into the bath room, hot-cold shower, dress in my summer blues, boil water, three-cup meal, sit down at the board to eat and turn on my computer. After a short time, I connect with the Zoom app to the Oak Harbor Congregation just before the meeting begins. The take is from a visiting speaker and he reminds us of the time worn expression, "Are we their yet?" when traveling in the 1960s. After the meeting, most everyone leaves very quickly, and I do as well.
After I log off, I then resume my key pounding and work on the current ongoing upgrade, finishing all the pages for Geological Wonders, including;
Canyons and
Caves and
Craters. Next, I begin working on the
Forests, which I will likely be working on for a couple of days.
Finally, I am totally worn out from being in pain from the injury and yet, pound keys all day. I go back out to the jammer for the night.
(Day 519 TS) 53°F. 7:00 am
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 345
18 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, open the jammer door, walk inside the room and go right into the bathroom for a hot-cold shower. Afterwards, I dress in my summer blues, boil water to make my three-cup f-meal and sit at the board to eat while I check my com and pound keys for a while. When I am done eating, I put my cups in the sink and then walk outside, climb into the jammer and drive to the Harbor Freight to look to see if I can find something to use to sand the body filler on the repair areas of the bumper. Arrive at the hardware store, I walk to the electric tools aisle and find a generic brand belt sander for thirty-five dollars and a package of sanding belts, all of which cost with tax, about fifty dollars, about one forth the cost at the other hw-mart stores in town. I leave Harbor Freight, drive back towards home and stop at the burrito-mart and purchase two bean burritos and a cup of iced coffee, sit down and eat my meal at the ff-mart.
Upon arriving back at the room, I set up my work area and begin using the belt sander to grind the body filler, shaping the body filler to make it look more like a Ford Aerostar bumper at both ends. This keeps me going all day and at about six this evening, when I begin to clean up. I sweep the entire area, putting the body filler dust in a garbage receptacle, after which, I get out my hose and spay down the work area washing all the debris into a drain. Methinks, at this point, I have yet to cut the two horizontal grooves in front and side areas of the new repaired bumper end but I am not sure how I will do that.
While I am sitting in the drivers seat of the jammer putting my tools away, a brother from the local congregation, Bob, walks up to my room. I greet him and offer him a place to sit down. He asks me if I am OK, telling me that a sister was trying to text me but has not been able to all day. I tell him that I did not bring my phone out with me, left it inside the room, and that I am OK, just working on my bumper all day and tell him what I have left to do and that I am not sure yet how to do this step. Bob suggests that I use a circular saw, set up at a minimum depth and immediately recognize that this would be an excellent way to cut the horizontal grooves.
When Bob leaves, I finish putting all my tools away and then go inside and take a hot-cold shower. Then, at about nine this evening, I and sitting at the board with something to eat and pounding keys to finish my journal entry for, but also work for a while on my ongoing current journal update.
(Day 520 TS) 54°F. 9:00 am
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 346
17 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, walk into the bathroom for a hot-cold shower, boil water, prepare three cup meal, sit down at the board to eat and resume my key pounding for the rest of this morning as I am still recuperating from the foot injury as well as the constant back pain brought on from my work on the jammer.
At about two this afternoon, I pack out and drive back to Harbor Freight to look for a circular saw. After looking at all of the available saws, I choose the one that cost $40.00 and also purchase a 7 and 1/4 inch diameter blade, leaving the store for about fifty dollars. Next, I drive to the g-mart to purchase some food stores, after which, I return to the room, pack in the groceries and put them in their places. Finally, I turn on my computer an return to working on the Forest pages.
(Day 521 TS) 53°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 347
16 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot-cold shower, dress in my summer blue, look at my phone to see that I have a text from my friend Joann telling me that her phone has arrived and would like to meet me at the w-mart so I can help her to activate it; actually, she knows nothing about electronics and she wants me to figure it out. I text back telling her that I will be there by ten this morning. I don my long trousers, my computer bag, my keys and one of my cups, pack out to the jammer, drive to the w-mart, carry my cup and computer bag inside, set up at a double table and then carry my cup up to the counter to purchase a cup of hot and a breakfast sandwich. I then return to the table, set up my computer to check my com whilst I eat my hot sandwich while waiting for Joanne to arrive.
When Joann arrives, she hands me the box containing the phone and the sim card. I then begin working on setting the phone up, which takes me an untold number of tries before both Joann and I are totally frustrated. This is when I take a different approach by taking the sim card out of her new phone, setting it on a napkin and then after taking the sim card out of my phone (a card that I know for sure works) and install it in her phone. Next, I open the phone app and call Joann′s old phone, which rings and shows that my phone is calling by displaying "Thom Buras" on the incoming call indicator display. I then tell Joann, "There, we now know that your new phone works, however, we still do not know if the new sim card is good or not."
Finally, after more than seven hours of failed tries, I go on line to the Phone Service Provider, Visible and search; "How do I know if the new sim card is working correctly?" to which the service provider website answers by showing me a step by step procedure for testing to see if the sim card is and/or will work. I follow this procedure exactly as the instructions state and at one point, after opening up the service provider app on the phone, the procedure says, insert the sim card and press activate. At this point, I look at Joann and say, "Here is where I have been going wrong!" to which Joann, still not seeing the problem, say: "What do you mean?" I tell Joann, "Every time prior to this, before I put the sim card into the phone, I would turn the phone off. Look at these instructions, ‘Do you see anyplace where the instructions tell me to shut down the power on the phone’" She looked at the instructions once again and said, "No." I then tell Joann, "That is where I have been going wrong. Where the instructions tells us to insert the sim card, we are suppose to insert it without turning off the phone, without shutting off the power." So, I insert the sim card, and then look at the instructions for the next step, which is only now to shut off the power, turn it back on and then test to see if you can dial a phone number. I do that and then dial Joann′s old phone, which begins to ring, to which she looks at her phone and it indicates that she is receiving a call from her new phone. I tell her, "We have finally done it!"
Joann then asks me "Where do you want to go for supper?" to which I tell her, "Mai Thai restaurant." We pack out of the coffee shop, drive to the Thai restaurant only to find it closed for the evening. So I suggest we go to Teriyaki restaurant on Midway Avenue. We drive there, walk inside, order our meals and sit down to eat.
Afterwards, I thank her for the meal, she thanks me for activating her phone and we then both drive to our own home. Wow, methinks, that was a long struggle just to activate a new phone service, and now, I must need concentrate on getting my bumper finished and re-installed onto the front of the jammer. When I arrive back inside the room, I carry my computer bag inside, set it up on the board and then begin pounding keys to update my journal entry for this extremely long day.
(Day 522 TS) 53°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 348
15 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, walk outside to get a sense of the temperature, then return back into the room for a hot-cold shower after which I boil water and prepare my three-cup meal. The I carry my f-meal to the board, turn on my computer and begin pounding keys to initiate my journal for this day, after which I return to my work on the current update to my website. This day continues along with myself inside at the board. This evening, I connect with the congregation for the mid-week meeting and listen in.
After the meeting, I remain at the board to wrap up my journal entry. Then I get into the horizontal.
(Day 523 TS) 53°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 349
14 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot-cold, boil water, prepare my three-cup meal and begin pounding keys to work on my web page. Later in the morning, I get a call from my friend Patty who wants to meet with me and talk about her will and the two separate life insurance policies she has purchased. She stops by and I then don my long trousers after which we drive in our separate vehicles to the w-mart and after purchasing a hot drink.
She shows me, one at a time, each of her life insurance policies and I then help her to understand all of the parameters of what she has purchased. This gives her the opinion that she is going to drop both policies immediately. Then, using my personal living trust, we discuss a Living Trust document helping her to see the advantage of having a living trust instead of just a will. She agrees and asks me to create a living trust for her. Afterwards, we depart company and I return to my room and go inside for the evening. It is a long days of sitting at the board and composing this document, which has some six pages and an additional cover page. Then, at close to midnight, I send here a pdf copy by email of the first composition. Finally, I get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 524 TS) 53°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 350
13 Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot-cold, boil water, three-cup meal, pound keys to work on the new trust document and the associated document that I told Patty I would develop for her. She calls at about five this evening and I tell her that I will send a copy to her email, so she informs me of her new email address. It has been another long days of sitting at the board and composing the several new legal documents, which involve a total of about a dozen pages. I send the Trust document to her, as it is the only one that I have completed. I am still working on the Pour Over Will and the Info by Separate Writing documents.
After sending the Trust to her, I then prepare my evening meal and sit at the board to eat, after which I return to my journal writing to wrap up my journal for today.
Then, at close to ten this evening, I close my computer and get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 525 TS) 54°F. 7:30 am, marine effect, fog
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 351
Twelve Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot-cold shower, boil water, prepare my three cup f-meal and then sit down at the board to eat and begin my journal entry. The first thing that I notice about today′s journal entry is the countdown number for Days Until Journey On, is spelled out and not the normal numeric form that has been used ever since
Day 162, which was when this current countdown began. Too, this countdown began on that day when I began a rental lease for the current abode which I refer to as my room.
As for the spelling of the countdown number, like that which I have done on this day; of any countdown that I have ever done, it is only during the last two weeks that the numbers are spelled out, a habitual practice that I have used ever since my journal writing began many decades ago. Thus, I have done it once again, I have dwindled down to the last two weeks of another long countdown, one among many previous countdowns, and like many countdowns that I recall that have gone before, this one will result in my resuming the Journey On. Therefore, Yes, there are only Twelve days left before my next Journey On.
Then, by ten this morning, I have connected to the Kingdom Hall to listen to the weekend meeting. The Watchtower study encourages us to Imitate the Faithful Angels specifically in our shared need to worship God. (1 Peter 1:12) Other characteristics we must imitate are humility, love, endurance, and in keeping the congregation clean.
(Day 526 TS) 53°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 352
Eleven Days Until Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, walk to the bathroom for a hot-cold shower, boil water, prepare my three cup f-meal, sit down at the board to begin my journal entry for today and enjoy my breakfast. Afterwards, I resume my web page update work, concentrating my efforts on the several Volcano pages.
As this day draws to an end, and the sun drops below the horizon once again, I wrap up my key pounding, turn off my electronics and then get into the horizontal one more time during the waning days of this countdown.
(Day 527 TS) 55°F. 7:30 am, cloudy
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 353
Ten Days to Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
After the first alarm sounds, I arise, walk to the bathroom for my daily hot-cold shower during which methinks, this is one thing that I am going to miss when I return to the Journey On. Still, not having a soak in hot water each morning has never before kept me from venturing out onto the road in search of the next new wonder.
Yes, I do still recall the early days, those days when I was a boy of thirteen years, when after my good friend Dale suggested to me that I also join the Boy Scouts and go camping with him. My recollections are still crystal clear about the wonders during those first few camp-outs, in fact, everything was a new wonder: my first night sleeping in a tent, my first campfire, my first fire cooked meal, my first outdoor latrine, my first experience with a snipe hunt, my first freezing night trying to stay warm, my first night of star gazing and seeing the Milky Way galaxy, my first Boy Scout Camporee, during which I won first place in the knot tying contest, the day that my patrol bested the Fox Patrol on the camp fire-string burning competition, and this list goes on and on as the memories keep popping into my thoughts.
Now, there are only ten days left until Journey On, yes, I have finally arrive at the very last day of the current countdown of which can be said is still part of being a double digit count, truly, I have become, as I would say during my military exit countdown, a double digit midget.
(Day 528 TS) 50°F. 8:30 am, marine effect, fog
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 354
Nine Days to Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot-cold, boil water, three-cup meal, sit at the board, eat, pound keys. Then, methinks, today, I have finally become a single digit midget, with only nine days remaining before Journey On.
During the late morning, I carry the Jammer bumper outside to do some final sanding and the paint with first primer, then the color coat and finally the clear top coat. I leave the bumper in the sun to dry thoroughly, after which I get out my tools and begin to install the bumper on the frame. However, the underside of the newly repaired bumper has too much material which blocks it from seating fully in place. At this point, I have decided that I am done with this repair and will just bolt it into place with some hardware. I drive to the hw-mart, purchase a couple of long bolts, then return to the room and install the attaching bolts. The bumper is far from perfect and I have decided that instead of putting any more effort on this bumper, that I will just resume my search for a replacement front bumper; I just hope that I can find one.
In the late afternoon, I clean up the outside of the room, put away my tools, and then go back inside to resume my key pounding. Later, I turn off the electronics and get into the horizontal.
(Day 529 TS) 54°F. 7:30 am, marine effect, light fog
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 355
Eight Days to Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, hot-cold, boil water, three cup meal, sit at the board and eat. Methinks, I have as the French would say, huit jours or in English eight days. I then pack out my computer bag and drive to the w-mart to await for Joann to arrive. She had asked me to met here to help her resolve a problem that she has been having. However, some time after ten, she sends me a text telling me that she has a migraine headache and is going back to sleep. I remain here at the w-mart to have a second cup of coffee, a breakfast burrito and keep pounding keys until about noon. I then have a problem with my mouse, which stops working, so I walk out to the jammer to obtains a new battery. However, finding the battery is another story. First, I look in the passenger seat drawer but it is not there. Next, I open the side sliding door and begin looking in the storage bins on the bottom shelf behind the drivers seat, finding the spare batteries in the Workshop bin.
Methinks, this is my ongoing problem, in that I have way too many things and can not remember where everything is, making methink that I still have need to down size my belongings.
(Day 530 TS) 52°F. 8:30 am, marine effect, heavy fog
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 356
Seven Days to Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise at the second alarm, walk to the bathroom, hot-cold shower, boil water, three-cup meal, sit down at the board to eat and pound keys.
(Day 531 TS) 55°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 357
Six Days to Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Coordinates:
Elevation: feet
Awake, arise, walk into the bathroom, hot-cold shower, dress in my summer blues, sit down at the board and turn on my computer to begin my journal entry for this day. A little later today, I boil water and prepare my three cup meal which I eat while I continue pounding keys.
Then, at about one in the afternoon, I pack out of the room, drive to the local d-mart to purchase three different bags of chips. Next, I drive to the w-mart, pack my computer bag inside and sit down at a table. Next, I order a cup of hot and a breakfast burrito, for which, I transfer ten dollars from my credit card onto the Star card. I remain here until three-fifty this after noon, at which time, I pack out, drive down Swantown Road and then turn left onto Timaru Lane where i immediately park on the grass next to a large rock. I see Ossian, who is wearing a parking vest and way him over. When he arrives, I ask if it is OK for me to park here, to which he says, Yes. (I had to ask him what his name is because of my CRS.)
Then, Ossian tells me that the prayer has already been said and the friends are getting into the food line. I then grab my grocery sack of chips, walk into the back yard of Mike and Marina and walk to the end of the chow line and when I arrive at the first table, I hand my grocery bag to the food server. get into the chow line. Then, with a plate of food in hand, I sit down at one of the tables when I proceed to eat my food. Later, I retrieve one of the three bags of chips that I had brought, open it and begin crunching on the chili lime flavored crunches. Shortly after that, Ossian walk by and I ask him if he would like some of these chips, to which he tells me, Yes, they are my favorite. So, I tell him, Take the entire bag, I am done with them. which he does with a smile. A little later, while talking with Ossian′s grandfather, I tell Mike that I had need to purchase a couple of fifty dollar electric tools, but the need ended and ask if he would like to have a belt sander and/or circular saw, and he says yes to the sander, adding, How much do you want for it? When I tell him twenty dollars, he says, Yes, that is a good deal. We walk out to my vehicle and I give him the tool.
When we return to the backyard picnic, we find out that the desert is being served, so I walk over to the serving table and grab a square of the chocolate cake and a lemon square. Then, I sit down and enjoy the sugar rush, which sugar is the first time I have eaten any for a long time, because, as a general rule, I have quit entirely eating anything with sugar, well, except for when I go to a congregation picnic. Finally, I say good by to the friends and drive back to the room, pack my computer bag inside and then sit down at the board to pound keys until after the sun sets, when I get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 532 TS) 52°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 358
Five Days to Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise at the first alarm, walk into the bathroom for my hot-cold shower, dry off, don my summer blues, walk out to the jammer to grab my meeting shirt and tie, and then walk back into the room to boil water for my three-cup meal. Once my f-meal is ready, I sit down and eat whilst I begin pounding keys to updated my journal entry. Then, at nine-fifteen this morning, I begin dressing for the meeting later today. Once my meeting blues are on, I pack out of the room, climb into the jammer, drive to the hall, park and wait a short time until the friend arrive.
At the start of the meeting, there is some trouble getting connection to the internet. So, while sitting in my regular seat in the hall, I connect using the Zoom App to the congregation Zoom Connection to see who else has connected. Then, the meeting begins and I notice that the friends on the Zoom connection (which I call the Zoomers) are still talking, so I select the Unmute Microphone and Show Video buttons, after which, I point my phone camera towards the speaker to show those on the Zoom connection that the meeting has begun. In a short time, everyone on the Zoom connection become quite. What I did not know is that the brothers in charge of the Kingdom Hall electronics station had seen what I had done and since they had not been able to connect the meeting to the Zoomers decided to let me continue doing so. I had only assumed that this is what they had chosen to do as no one told me that it was going on. However, it did not take long until my holding the phone up to take the video was tired and I had to switch hands, and kept down so every few minutes or so. At one point, when switching hands, I inadvertently swiped the screen and muted the microphone. Shortly after that, Brother John walk up to me to tell me that I had muted the microphone. I quickly turned back on in order to share the sound with the Zoomers. This was a very tiring experience but I was happy to provide this service. Too, normally I would open my study material with my phone during the second half of the meeting, but was not able to do this today.
After the meeting, I tell the brothers in the rear of the hall at the electronics desk that I would be happy to provide this service any time, but it would be so very nice if I had a tripod to hold my phone instead of doing so with my arms. One brother said that in the future, when another power outage causes an internet disruption such as this, now, we know what to do. Soon after that, I pack out of the hall and drive back to the room where I pack my computer bag inside. Next, I decide to begin my final cleaning of the room, and after taking all of the bedding out to the jammer and stowing it in the back end, I then begin my dusting and sweeping and moping of the floor. After waiting for the floors to dry, I go back inside, get on the bed and using some clean sheets, turn of the lights and close my eyes.
(Day 533 TS) 52°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 359
Four Days to Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, walk into the bath room for a hot-cold shower, then go into the kitchen area and boil water for my three-cup f-meal.
After eating and cleaning up my cups and spoon, I drive to the laundry-mart to wash the load of linens and towels that I have in the jammer. When that is done, I drive back to the room, walk inside and begin removing all of the rest of my belongings out of the room, even though much of remaining items are things that I do not want to carry in my vehicle and I just put into the garbage receptacle. I then use what I have left over of the Mop and Glow to put a shine on the floor. After that, I wait in the jammer for the floors to dry and when they do, I go back in to remake the bed with the freshly washed linens. However, the towels, I leave in the jammer along with my water kettle and a few other extra items. Lastly, I do my final walk through to remove any other things from inside the room, with then only exception being a couple of items in the refrigerator.
Then, at about eleven this morning, I lock up the room, drive to the w-mart and to set up my computer to pound keys so that I can catch up on my journal writing, continuing here until about four this afternoon. Next, I drive back to the room and because as it seems to me to be a very hot afternoon, even though it was no higher than 70°:, I walk into the room, lie down on the bed and fall asleep for a nap.
Finally, upon awaking at eight this evening, upon awaking, I tidy up the bed cover, walk outside, open the sliding door, grab the electrical cord and walk back inside to plug it into an electric receptacle. With that done, I return to the jammer, open the two side sliding windows, set up my office and return to pounding keys, recording the final journal entries for this day. Too, I also organize the jammer so that I can sleep here, in it tonight, as well as the next several days that I will remain here on Whidbey Island. I make a couple of phone calls setting up a some connections that I have need to make with a couple of the friends tomorrow. Then, at nearly nine this evening, the sun sets and the sunglow quickly turns to dark orange, then gray, must needs close the slide windows and as this night progresses, I get into the horizontal and close my eyes.
(Day 534 TS) 56°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 360
Three Days to Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, step out of the jammer and walk into the room for a hot shower. Then return to the jammer to start the engine and drive to the w-mart for coffee and key pounding. At about nine this morning, Joann arrives and gives me a long list of tasks to perform on her computer, so I get right to work taking care of my sister′s stuff.
After she leaves, I continue here for another couple of hours working on my computer and then at about four this afternoon, I pack out, drive to the room to change into my meeting clothes in preparation for the meeting this evening. All too soon, I am on my way driving to the hall, park and walk inside. We are having a circuit overseer′s visit this week. Afterwards, I drive back to the room, park in my space, walk inside to change back into my summer blues and then return to the jammer to climb into the rear and get into the horizontal.
Sleeping in the jammer in the parking lot is much different than doing so inside the room as the outside lights are so very bright. Although I will now make any changes tonight, methinks that tomorrow night, which is my last night here at the Oak Harbor Inn, I will back into the space in order to get those bright lights out of my eyes. Too, changing the location where I sleep does alter my sleep pattern somewhat and getting use to this routine will take a bit of time. I close my eyes and cover my eyes with a pillow.
(Day 535 TS) 53°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 361
Two Days to Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, arise, don my summer blues, step out of the jammer, walk inside the room and take a hot-cold shower. Then I don my summer blues, walk back out to the jammer, open the side sliding door to put on my trousers after which. I climb in the drivers seat and drive to the w-mart for coffee and key pounding.
Then as the sun drops to the horizon and this day comes to its end, I return for one last night of overnighting in the parking space of the room with my extension cord winding under the front door and plugged into an outlet.
(Day 536 TS) 51°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Sojourn Within Walls, Day 362, Last Day
One Day to Journey On
Sleeping in Room 7
Oak Harbor Inn
Awake, dress in my summer blues, open the jammer, climb out and walk to the front door which I unlock, enter the room, unplug my electric cord and finally lock the front door one final time. Then, I step back to the jammer, open the sliding door, roll up the cord, place my extension cord in its place on the floor behind the front passengers seat. Next, I walk around to the drivers side, climb in to the drivers seat, start the jammer engine and drive out of the parking lot towards the w-mart where I carry my computer bag inside, set up at one of the tables, purchase coffee, a breakfast burrito and then sit down at the table to eat while I pound keys. I will continue here until later this morning when I will call the owner of the Oak Harbor Inn to arrange for me to drop off my room keys.
At nine this morning, I call the Landlord, Ken Huang to ask him for a meeting to turn my keys in because my lease ends today. He immediately tells me that he can not do this today because he is out of town, that I should come by tomorrow when he gets back. I tell him, "I gave you a notice more than thirty days ago that I would be vacating the premises and there for you need to provide me with a means of turning my keys in today. Further, if you do not provide me with this means, I will just leave the keys at the room." He then tells me that his manager is there, I can leave the keys with him. After he said that, I tell him that I will be at the room by ten this morning.
Arriving at nine forty-five I park in the room parking space and wait. At ten this morning, I call Ken again and tell him that I have been here for fifteen minutes and have not seen the manager yet. He tells me that he will call the manager. Soon after that, the manager arrives and together, we go into the room to do the walk through. He tells me that everything is just fine and that he will tell Ken so. I hand the manager both sets of keys and ask him to sign my hand written statement stating that I gave him the keys and that the condition of the room is good. I get back into the jammer and drive back to the w-mart for more key pounding and a glass of ice water.
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The Journey On,
Return To The Mountain: Island Sojourn
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(Day 537 TS) 55°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Coordinates:
48.2861957, -122.6626882
Elevation:
26 feet
Journey On, Day One
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake, sit up, look out of the jammer to remind myself where I parked last night, don my summer blues, open the side sliding door, grab my keys and step out onto the parking lot. Then I reach into the jammer, grab my long trousers, slide them on and then latch the belt buckle. Then, I lock and close the sliding door, walk around to the drivers door, unlock it and climb into the drivers seat and thus begins my return to the Journey On.
Methinks, I have been awaiting this day for a very long sojourn. However, I do not drive very far, only across the state highway to the w-mart where I park, grab my computer bag and walk inside for a cup of hot and a breakfast burrito. In fact, I am hanging out here on Whidbey Island due to the fact that this week is the circuit overseer′s visit to the Oak Harbor Congregation. The public talk this Sunday is going to be "Will you take your stand for the Truth?"
Most likely, immediately after the meeting this Sunday, I will drive off the island and head south to do some camping in Oregon for some time.
(Day 538 TS) 54°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Two
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake, arise, climb up into the drivers seat, start the jammer engine and drive north on SH 20 out of Oak Harbor, and cross the bridge. At the first intersection, I turn left, then left again onto the Bowman Bay road and drive into the park where I park near the shower house. I then grab my shower bag, some clean clothes and then walk into the shower house for a hot shower. When I am done, I don my clean clothes, walk back out to the jammer and put my dirty clothes in the bag for them. Finally, I climb into the drivers seat, start the engine and drive back to town, park in front of the w-mart and go inside with my computer bag. I purchase a cup of coffee and a breakfast biscuit, then sit down to eat and pound keys.
Later, some of the friends stop in the cafe for a coffee break and I greet them. When Patty comes in, I give her the USB drive with her completed documents, after which, I go back to work pounding keys on my computer.
(Day 539 TS) 53°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Three
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake early this morning, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and drive to the ff-mart for a breakfast burrito and a cup of hot. When, I receive my order, I sit down at a table to eat and begin my study for the meeting later this morning. After eating, I first drive to the back parking lot of the beanery where I don my meeting blues after which, I drive to the hall, move the three cones from across the entrance, park the jammer and the continue my study of the Bible. Then, at about nine thirty, the friends begin to arrive but I continue until I finish the study article before I too gather my Bible, pencil and erasure and walk inside the hall. Today is the final meeting for the circuit overseers visit during which he gives two talks with a short break in the middle for an abbreviated Watchtower study. After the meeting, I say good bye to the friends, a few of which ask me if when I will be leaving.
I depart from the Kingdom Hall, drive to the w-mart, carry my computer bag inside and resume my key pounding at which I remain for nearly all of the remainder of this day′s daylight. A few of the friends come into the w-mart and great me, and then, sometime after seven this evening, I pack out, drive to the g-mart and park in the same place that I have been parking at since after my lease ended last Thursday. Methinks the days are getting short in more ways than that of the amount of daylight.
(Day 540 TS) 55°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Four
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake, don my blue pull over shirt, step outside the jammer, slide on my long trousers to complete the fall blues attire. Climb back into the jammer, start the jammer engine, drive across SH 20 and into the parking lot of the w-mart where i pull into the handicap parking spot. Then I carry my computer bag inside and purchase a spinach-feta egg wrap and a cup of hot, sit down at the board and begin pounding keys whilst I sip my coffee. Then, at nine this morning, I contact the VA services office to check on the availability of additional funds but the representative has today off. So, I just remain here at the w-mart and work on my computer.
Later, I pack out, drive to the g-mart to park for the night.
(Day 541 TS) 54°F. 6:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day Five
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine, drive to the w-mart, carry my computer bag inside and begin pounding keys.
After another day of sitting here in the cafe pounding keys and working on updating my website, I pack out, drive north to the state park, grab my shower bag and towel, and go inside for some hot water. After doing clean clothes, I return to the jammer, drive back into town, and stop at the d-mart for a salad bowl which I plan to eat as my supper. Then, I return to the g-mart to first prepare my evening meal and to also park for the another night.
(Day 542 TS) 56°F. 6:30 am, light rain
Journey On, Day Six
Sleeping in the Jammer
After raining lightly all night, I awake, arise, don my fall blues, get into the drivers seat, start the jammer engine and drive across SH 20 to the w-mart for a cup of hot and a egg burrito. Too, I open up my computer and resume my key pounding which I continue most all of this day.
Upon looking at the amount of money that I have after paying my car insurance, I have decided not at this time to do the long drive to Oregon for camping and/or grocery shopping, but just hang out here on the island until later this month at which time I will have finished every thing I have of necessity keeping myself here. Once I have been released from any and all of those bonds, I will make my way once again upon my annual southbound migration heading for my winter hiatus in the south of Texas.
Then, some time about seven this evening, I pack out, drive to the g-mart and take up my parking space once again for my night′s rest.
(Day 543 TS) 52°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Seven
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee and key pounding where I remain for most all of this day. Methinks, that due to my current financial limitations, this Journey On has taken on the appearance of a Sojourn within parking lots. Nevertheless, it is most likely that I will only have to remain here until the end of this month when what holds me here should evaporate.
Meanwhile, back at the website update, I have been working on the Waterways section of The Geological Wonders and have come to find ample source material for the names, heights and location of the many waterfalls in North America but have come across one problem, in some states, such as California and others, their are more than two hundred separate waterfall. So, in order to not have my waterfall page become too large to handle then large numbers of waterfall within this continent, I must needs create some means of providing a better display.
(Day 544 TS) 50°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Eight
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake, arise, drive across SH 20 to the w-mart for coffee and a breakfast burrito, sit down and pound keys most all of the day and then pack out at about seven this evening to drive to the g-mart to park for the night.
(Day 545 TS) 50°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Nine
Sleeping in the Jammer
Sturgeon Full Moon, Saturday, 09 August 2025 23:55 PDT (07:55 UTC)
Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and dry north on SH 20 out of Oak Harbor, Washington, cross the Deception Pass Bridge, continue north to the Discount gas mart fill up with the price at $3.72 per gallon which cost me sixty-seven dollars. Then, I drive back south on SH 20, turn right on Rosario Road and an immediate left onto Bowman Bay Road to the parking lot loop where I stop at the Bowman Bay Bathroom and get into the hot water for a shower. Afterwards, I dry off, done clean clothes and the return to the jammer. Finally, I drive out of the Bowman Bay State Park, turn south onto SH 20, back across the Deception Pass Bridge and return to Oak Harbor where I drive to the w-mart to purchase a cup of coffee, a breakfast burrito and then sit down at a table to pound keys while I enjoy my f-meal.
During this day, I complete the updating of all of the Campgrounds and uploading all of the photos to the correct location on the web server. I even check to make sure that the pages are working correctly and find them to be good.
(Day 546 TS) 52°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Ten
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake, don my summer blues, step outside and slide into my long trousers. Then, I get into the drivers seat, start the jammer, drive out of the g-mart parking lot and cross State Highway 20 and pull into the parking lot of the w-mart where I find both handicap parking spaces open. I choose the one on the left next to the curb, park the jammer, grab my computer bag, walk inside the cafe and take one of the double tables to set up my computer. Next, I walk up to the counter and purchase a cup of hot and a spinach-feta breakfast burrito, after which, I get ready for the meeting that will begin in another hour or so.
Then immediately after the meeting, I resume my key-pounding and once again, I begin adding blue links to my Geological Wonders page of National Parks and Monument, of with I have too many to recount, but this work goes quite fast. Furthermore, by beginning my adding the blues links, I am starting to see how many parks that I have not already created links for. Therefore, creating link for these parks will require for me to do on another day, because this task will likely require more work to accomplish as I will have to go back through my photo files, find the photos I have already taken, and then develop new pages for those parks not created yet. Many of those parks, I have already visited in previous years, but for reasons I just can not explain, I just never created a web page for them. Well, at least now, I have a good idea of which parks I now must needs create new web pages for, and methinks, creating the new pages will be time consuming. Furthermore, some of those park, I may have not created pages due to not getting any quality photos, and now, I know where I will need to concentrate my efforts in my photo taking.
(Day 547 TS) 53°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Eleven
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake, arise, open the drivers door, step outside to don my trousers, return into the drivers seat, start the jammer engine and the drive across the state highway and into the parking lot at the cafe. Then, I, with my computer bag in hand, walk inside and acquire one of the many empty tables. Next, I plug in my computer, open, turn it on and then begin pounding keys to start another day of life in the coffee lane.
Leaving out from the cafe early today, I first take a nap in a shady location but due to the temperature being too hot for me, I choose to drive north out of town and do a hot shower run to the state park. After that, I return to Oak Harbor, park in the g-mart parking lot and prepare for my night′s rest.
(Day 548 TS) 55°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Twelve
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, carry my computer bag inside, sit down at one of the double tables and resume my key pounding once again. Outside, the temperature soars upwards to 80°F as I remain within the air conditioned cafe escaping the heat.
Then, after another long hot summer day, I pack out of the cafe, drive to the ff-mart, park the jammer, walk inside, purchase a couple of burritos and then enjoy my e-meal with while drinking a free senior glass of unsweetened iced tea. Finally, I drive to the g-mart where I have been nightly parking all of this month since my Return to the Mountain.
(Day 549 TS) 58°F. 6:30 am, cloudy
Journey On, Day 13
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, climb into the drivers seat, start the jammer engine, drive to the w-mart and go inside for coffee and key pounding. In the late morning, the service group arrives at the cafe for a break and while sitting at another table, a sister comes to visit with me for a short time. Then, before they leave, three sisters walk by to greet me. Methinks, it is nice when the friends give me some time.
Later, I pack out, and find that this day is much cooler day, only rising upward to the low 60s today, which provided for a much more comfortable evening in which to park and get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 550 TS) 50°F. 7:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 14
Sleeping in the Jammer
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer, drive to the w-mart for a cup of hot coffee and a breakfast burrito and then receive a text message from my friend Joanne asking me that since it will likely be raining all this weekend, if I could change from helping her with her yard sale from this weekend until next week end. After a few more text messages, I respond that everything is a go for me to be at the sale on the 22 and 23 of August. I then sit down at my seat in the cafe and enjoy my breakfast. Looking up, I see two of the sisters standing in the order line here at the cafe, but I do not think that they see me as yet. Finally, both sisters greet me and then I return to my key pounding and they resume their visit.
Then, after another long day, I retire to the jammer, drive to the g-mart to park for the night and then connect to the mid-week meeting with my zoom app. After the meeting, most all say their good-byes and depart so I too give my fare well too the few remaining and I depart, turning off my computer for another evening.
(Day 551 TS) 50°F. 6:30 am, rain
Journey On, Day 15
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake and after a very wet rainy night, I arise, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and drive to the w-mart for coffee and a breakfast burrito. Too, I resume my key pounding and continue apace with my website update. Later in the morning, there is a young woman who has occupied the table next to me, which I notice is her second day running. At one point in time, she abruptly asks me, "Is that your white van parked just outside the door?" to which I, openmouthed by her question, reply to her, "Yes, why do you ask?" She then tells me that her name is Shannon, which I promptly forget and must needs ask her what it is just a few minutes later. Continuing the conversation, she tells me that she is from Chattanooga, Tennessee, works on the internet and travels in her pick up truck with her yellow lab as a companion, who now waits patiently in the back while she works on my computer her in the cafe. As the conversation continues, I describe more of what I do, that is I am a "Learn it All" especially now since I am retired and have the free time to do what ever I desire to do. I then share my web address, telling her that she is free to glean whatever she can from my website. The conversation continues off and on for most of the morning.
A little later, I ask Shannon if she would like to know where she can take a free shower, to which she asks, "Did you say, ‘A Free Shower’?" to which I repeat, "Yes, a free hot shower", and tell her, "this is where I have been taking showers for years now." Next, I tell her that the shower is in the Bowman Bay park next to the campground, but that is campground most likely too small for the state to invest the necessary money into the shower house to upgrade it with a newer coin-operated shower. Some time after this, we both each resume our own work and the next time I look up, she is saying goodbye and heads out to her truck, likely to drive north to the hot shower.
I remain here until after six this afternoon, when I pack out, drive to the Thai restaurant for a stir fry meal. Then, I return to the g-mart to overnight, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 552 TS) 50°F. 6:00 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 16
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake early this morning, arise, dress in my fall blues, climb into the drivers seat, start the jammer and head out across the state highway once again to take up my seat at the table in the cafe to resume my key pounding. I remain here most of the morning and then see Shannon come to say hello. She tells me that she is just getting coffee and then heading up to Bellingham. Too, she did stop at the shower house to get cleaned up. She then says good bye and heads out. It was nice meeting her and hop that I will see her again in the future, but most importantly, I desire that she will learn about the future and hope that I have from my study of the Bible. (Jeremiah 29:11) I return to my computer and continue to pound keys for the rest of this day.
(Day 553 TS) 50°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 17
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, arise, dress in my summer blues, start the jammer engine and then drive north on SH 20 to the state park where I stop for a hot shower, one much needed and enjoy the soak. Afterwards, I drive back into Oak Harbor to the w-mart, park and then walk inside for coffee and a breakfast wrap. When the time arrives to connect to the weekend meeting, I use the Zoom App to connect but the host seems to be slow in getting it started. Then, only seconds before the meeting begins, the friends gallery comes into view; the meeting begins, the public talk speaker is announced and soon, he presents a discussing of our Christian Identity, using verses such as Malachi 3:, 16-18, Matthew 23:37 and others verses.
(Day 554 TS) 55°F. 7:30 am, cloudy
Journey On, Day 18
Overnighting in a parking lot
Repeat, repeat, and repeat again.
(Day 555 TS) 53°F. 7:30 am, cloudy
Journey On, Day 19
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, park, walk inside, greet everyone hello, sit down at one of the double tables and begin pounding keys. A little later, I get up, walk to the counter and order my tall cup of coffee and a breakfast wrap. Today, I get the wrap free because I have enough stars for a free food item. I return to pounding keys and remain here until about five this afternoon, when I pack out, drive to the bean-mart for my regular three burrito supper. Then, I drive to the g-mart, park for the night and spend time waiting for it is time to sleep again.
(Day 556 TS) 48°F. 7:00 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 20
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, arise, don my fall blues, climb into the drivers seat, start the jammer engine, drive to the w-mart, park, carry my computer bag inside, set my computer up and begin pounding keys to start my journal for this day. Once I have done this, then I grab my phone and walk up to the counter to purchase a cup of hot and a breakfast wrap. Next, I sit down and resume my work on my web site pages. Soon, the barista bring my food to me and I continue my routine on another summer day here in the Pacific Northwest.
In the early afternoon, a friend, Angela calls me to ask a favor, that of going to the d-mart to purchase some eye wash and then bringing the bottle to her. She tells me that it is somewhat of an emergency, so I tell her that I will get right on it. I drive to the store and choose one brand that has the words natural tears on the label and then drive her home of Austin Lane, walk up to the front door and knock. Angela comes to the door wearing dark glasses and I hand her the bottle of eye drops. She invites me to sit down and soon after, Andy comes inside and takes his place. We all three talk for a short time while Angela goes about rinsing here right eye and saying that her eye is slowly getting better. Also, I receive my accumulated mail and in a short time, I say good bye, depart and drive back into Oak Harbor. At this point in my daily activity, I do not go back to the w-mart, but instead, drive to the bean-mart for my e-meal, sit down inside to eat. Afterwards, I drive to the g-mart where I have normally been overnighting, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the comfortable for the evening.
(Day 557 TS) 49°F. 6:10 am, part sunny
Journey On, Day 21
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, arise, start the jammer engine, turn on the defroster blower and begin to use several paper napkins to wipe the moisture from the inside of the front windshield. Once it is clear enough for me to see to drive, I then drive out of the parking lot, cross the state highway and drive into the parking lot of the coffee shop. I then pull into the parking space adjacent to the drive through exit, grab my computer bag and walk inside. With the inside dining area nearly empty, I sit down at my regular table, take out my computer, turn it on and begin pounding keys, starting another day of summer during which I will be remaining inside this air-conditioned cafe for most all of it.
At ten this morning, Joanne texts me and asks if I could come to her home and help her with organizing the yard sale she is having this Friday and Saturday. I text her back to tell her yes, I will be there in half an hours. I then upload my work, pack out and head north on the state highway to the Noisy Circle exit. The next seven or eight hours are involved in putting price tags on countless items and then placing these same items on appropriate tables.
By eight this evening, I am totally spent and then retire to the jammer to get into the horizontal.
(Day 558 TS) 55°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 22
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates:
48.3672640, -122.6524659
Elevation:
125 feet
Awake, dress in my fall blues, arise and begin raking the leaves, organizing the for sale items to get ready for the yard sale. At eight this morning, Joanne comes out and joins in. Then, at nine, Donyelle arrives who I mistake for an early yard-sale shopper and I tell her that "We open at ten this morning. Early Birds can enter for a $20.00 gate fee." Then Joanne greets her and only then do I realize that she is the wife to Joanne′s son, here to help with the yard sale. I then tell her to come in and welcome.
Later, during the late morning lull, I offer to make coffee or tea for every one, to which both Donyelle and Joanne agree to at cup. Joanne has Hibiscus, Donyelle has Turmeric with vanilla, and I have a cup of my mushroom coffee. We all three sit in the shade to talk while we sit on our hot drinks. I make a count of the total sales, which count comes to $60.00, still a bit short of the desired goal.
At four, the yard sale for today is over and we close the driveway gate. I then pack out, drive to the state park for a hot shower, after which, I drive into to town for some bean burritos which I eat in the cafe. Finally, I drive back north of town, make the traffic circle and return south on SH 20 to the first exit and continue to the first driveway on the left. Here, I back onto the property, park my vehicle next to the west fence line, step out of the jammer and connect my electrical cord to the jammer. Joanne is outside closing up the yard sale, so I help her spread a tarp over the main tables. Then, I return to the jammer, climb into the rear sliding door and get into the horizontal.
(Day 559 TS) 54°F. 5:50 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 23
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates:
48.3672640, -122.6524659
Elevation:
125 feet
Awake, step out of the jammer, unplug my extension cord, walk to the gate, open and swing it wide. Then I go back to the jammer, start the engine and drive just out of the gate. Next, I get out, close the gate and drive into town to the w-mart for coffee, com and key pounding, first of which is to update my journal entry after which, I upload the files to the web server.
Finally, at eight this morning, after I get a refill of my coffee, I pack out to the jammer, drive north on SH 20, make the turn-around loop to return to driving south on SH 20, take the first exit to the right and then the first driveway to the left for another day of helping at the yard sale. Then, at four this afternoon, after only having a few people stop by today, we begin packing out all of the yard sale items into bags and/or boxes and then loading them into the back end of Joanne′s pickup truck. I also carry a few of the item, including my circular saw, across the lawn, open the barn and put the items back into their places inside. Once most all of the sale items have been stowed, either in the truck or the barn, I too pack out, open the gate wide and then drive north on SH 20 across the bridge, left on the first road, left again and then into Bowman Bay Park to stop at the bath house for a hot shower.
Being this weekend is the second to last weekend of this summer, the highway, the park and the park parking lots are all full of people who are trying to get the last few days of warm moments spent outside. Even with the crowds here at the state park, I am able to drive right up to the shower house, park in the disable person parking space, grab my clean clothes, shower bag, towel and walk directly into the shower house, then directly into the one shower stall and take my much needed hot shower. After that, I drive back south on SH 20 into Oak Harbor and right to my regular overnight parking space. I then put up my window shades, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal.
I then watch a few videos until sleepiness causes me to pull the covers up and close my eyes for the night.
(Day 560 TS) 56°F. 7:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 24
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates:
48.2859634, -122.6626794
Elevation:
25 feet
Awake earlier but do not arise until my phone alarm sounds, dress in my fall blues, climb forward into the drivers seat, start the jammer engine and then drive south across the state highway to the w-mart where I park, grab my computer bag and walk inside for coffee, com and computer key pounding. I remain here all morning, expecting for my sister Patty to arrive so that I can download the video files for the 2025 Pure Worship Convention onto her computer and by doing so, she will be able to watch these videos, thus getting the spiritual encouragement that all of the
People of God are receiving this summer.
Then, at about eleven this morning, she arrives and I begin helping her to download all twelve of the videos for the 2025 Pure Worship Conventions onto her computer, giving her instructions and/or teaching her about the process along the way. Too, when she asks me about something concerning her phone, I help her with that as well. When we are done, Patty offers to buy my evening meal, so I thank her but tell her that it is still early for me and then she packs out, thanks me and leaves. I continue here at the cafe for some time before I too, pack out and drive to the bean-mart for my supper. After eating, I drive to the g-mart to overnight.
(Day 561 TS) 54°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 25
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake after a somewhat warm night, dress in my fall blues, climb forward to the drivers seat, start the jammer engine and then drive across the highway to the coffee shop for my morning cup of hot, to check my com and to resume my key pounding.
Later, Patty comes into the w-mart and she purchases a cup of hot, then sits down at my table. Today, we are going to her bank where I will help her set up here trust banking account. When we arrive, I find out that it is a Credit Union and not a bank, and lacked a knowledge of the difference. However, I quickly find out that a credit union is a member owned non-profit cooperative. Too, I get the feeling that the bank teller seems to suspect me as trying to scam Patty, so, I verbally step back in the conversation letting the teller and Patty do the talking, but I do ask a few questions during the conversation. Then, the teller asks, ":Do you have your EIN number, we need that to continue" to which I tell Patty, "We can get one, it should not be too hard." Then, Patty and I leave the credit union and go to a Thai restaurant for a meal. While eating, I use Patty′s phone to access the IRS.gov website, enter the required information, and obtain the employer identification number. After we eat, we then return to the credit union and I let Patty go in by herself to give them the EIN number while I remain in the vehicle. After that, Patty drops me off at the location where the jammer is, we thank each other and the depart company.
With the time now being just after five this afternoon, I choose to end my day of key pounding and instead begin winding down for the evening. Arriving at the parking lot where I have been overnighting of late, I choose a different space, on that has more shade, back in, put up the shades, climb into the rear of the jammer and soon acquire the horizontal position.
(Day 562 TS) 55°F. 6:20 am, light fog, then sunny
Journey On, Day 26
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, climb forward, start the jammer engine, drive to the w-mart, grab my computer bag, walk inside and resume my wait for this summer to end. Later, another good friend, Angela walks to my table carrying a cup of hot matcha tea and asks if she can join me. I tell her, "Of course." So she sits at my table and we talk about several subjects. When she finishes drinking her cup of hot, she excuses herself and goes back to doing her errands. I say good bye and that I will see her later this week to pick up my mail. I then return to pounding keys and stay here until the early afternoon, when I pack out and drive to do some grocery shopping in the nearby g-mart.
After that, I retire to the parking lot where I will overnight once again.
(Day 563 TS) 51°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 27
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, arise, start the jammer engine, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and key pounding. I remain here until late into the afternoon when I pack out to the jammer, insert the key into the ignition switch, turn it briefly to start the jammer engine, release, pull down on the gear shift lever, stop at R to reverse out of the parking space after which I then move the lever to D so that I can drive north out of Oak Harbor to the Bowman Bay campground shower house, where I park the jammer in the handicap person parking space next to the campground garbage dumpster. I then step out of the vehicle, walk to the passenger side, open the side sliding door to retrieve and empty my garbage bag and then gather up my towel and shower bag to take with me inside the shower house so that I can reacquire that elusive clean feeling.
After my hot shower, I return to the jammer, open up the rear lift door, hang my damp towel on the string that stretches across the top of the rear lift door gas strut door support so that it may dry out. Too, after closing the rear lift door, I open the side sliding door and rehang my shower bag on the upper side hook where it is normally stored when I am not using it. Finally, I leave the shower house parking space, drive out of the park back to the state highway and then drive south on SH 20 in order to return to my regular overnight parking space where I will remain for another evening.
(Day 564 TS) 55°F. 5:50 am, rain
Journey On, Day 28
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, arise and see that it has continued raining this morning, still only lightly like when it began last night after midnight. I dress in my fall blues, climb into the drivers seat, insert the key, pump once on the gas peddle, and then turn the key to start briefly. The jammer engine starts and remains idling. Next, I pull down on the gear shift lever, moving the indicator from P to D, add a little gas with the foot pedal and then pull forward out of my parking space. I do all of the above as if by instinct, not even having to think much of the steps, as I have done them so very many times, at least twice on most every day, each day for so many years for as long as I can remember. The only thing that is different on this morning is that it is raining. Methinks, with this rain, the end of summer is fast approaching.
At eight, well, a few minutes after, Debbie walks in, waves at me, orders coffee, after which she walks to my table and asks me what I am working on. I tell her that I am an author, that I am working on writing a book, to which she asks, "What is the gist of it?" Looking briefly at my computer bags but not grabbing my printed copy of
Episode One, I gather my thoughts and then return my gaze upon my sister. The next words out of my mouth, are "A travel journal written during the days of my youth when I walk the 2,100 miles of the Appalachian Trail." Debbie then comments that her coffee is ready, that she must needs go to her work, voices her goodbye to me and departs to the world outside of this cafe. Meanwhile, my thoughts are directed back to the world of my choosing: that of writing my historical fiction stories and developing the back stories within the pages of my website.
Later, I pack out of the cafe, return to the jammer and drive to my overnight location in a local parking lot. Then, at six-forty this evening, I connect using the Zoom app on my phone, to the Oak Harbor Congregation mid-week meeting. There, I greet the local friends who are also on the phone in connection and John, a long time good friend asks me, "Where are you now?" to which I say "In a parking lot", but immediately methinks, that is not what John wants to know, but rather, he would like me to tell him which city and state I am currently in. So, I then tell him, "I am still in Oak Harbor." Soon, the meeting begins and on several occasions, I raise my hand of the Zoom app but tonight, I am not called upon to comment. When the meeting ends, I remain to visit with the friends, but most all depart to their separate worlds leaving just the Radke family and myself. We continue visiting for a short time, during which I tell them that I will be coming by Saturday afternoon to retrieve my latest postal mail. Finally, I too say good night to my good friends and then leave off from the Zoom phone connection for the night and then get into the horizontal to watch a few videos before I pull up the covers and close my eyes.
(Day 565 TS) 52°F. 6:10 am, fog
Journey On, Day 29
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, arise, look out to see that the start of this day is replete with fog, but still continue with my regular routine of dressing in my fall blues, climbing into the drivers seat, starting the jammer engine and driving to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer key pounding.
Today, I remain inside the cafe all day and until about five this afternoon. Then, I pack out, drive to the g-mart to park for the evening.
I have had a tooth ache which has flared up on the upper left side of my mouth and have been rubbing tree tree oil on the area to reduce the pain.
(Day 566 TS) 53°F. 6:25 am, fog
Journey On, Day 30
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, climb forward, start the jammer engine, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. While I am inside the cafe, I check my email to see if the rental deposit has been returned to me and find that much like the many days before, the refund check has not arrive in the mail, nor has any letter stating why any part of the deposit was retained.
This is the thirtieth day after my rental lease ended and now, according to the Washington State Laws, (called the Revised Code of Washington or just the RCW), the allotted time for the owner of the location of the room in which I was renting (Oak Harbor Inn) to respond to me has expired. According to the RCW 59.18.280, he was required to either (1) refund the entire deposit, or (2) provide me with a written account (including copies of his receipts) of why any or all of the deposit was withheld. Due to the fact that he has provided neither a check nor a written accounting of why, now, he is in default of the law and the RCW states that he now owes me the entire amount of my deposit ($2,000.00). Furthermore, not only is he required to pay me the entire two thousand dollars, which will likely require me to take him to a court of justice, when I do take him to court and due to his being in default of the Washington law on the matter, according to those specific laws, I can request the judge to award me twice the amount of the rental deposit plus all of my cost, expenses and fees that I must needs pay in suing him. Too, because the landlord failed to comply with what the RCW required him to do within thirty days, specifically to provide a written accounting of why he withheld any or all of my deposit, he will have no future recourse to defend against my suit which I file against him to reclaim my deposit.
Therefore, it would appear that these circumstances will necessitate my staying in Washington for longer that I would have desire to do. One thing that I will do after this holiday weekend is over, is that on this next Tuesday, 02 September, is to contact the Northwest Justice Project to request help is suing the landlord for the return of my rental deposit. My only hope, with regards to the need for me to remain longer than I would have chosen to do, is that this lawsuit does not drag on and on into the winter.
This evening, there is need for me to get out the strong Tea Tree oil, the one with T-40, C3. I keep this bottle in my first aid bag in my backpack for times like this when I need to reduce pain. After applying it liberally on the tooth in question, I am eventually able to get to sleep.
(Day 567 TS) 54°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 31
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, still feeling pain in my tooth, but it is bearable and I immediately rub more of the Tea Tree oil on the tooth. Then, I drive to the w-mart and see that the handicap space is already taken, so I drive to the cafe on the north side of town, carry my computer bag inside, set up my computer and begin pounding keys.
I remain here for most all of the day and when the time arrive for myself to seek something other than pounding keys, I pack out and head for the place where I overnight. Once here, I put up my window shades, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal for the night. At about seven, I receive a phone call from Patty who asks, "Are you in your van?" to which I answer, Yes. She then tells me that she is outside in the parking lot. I get out greet her and offer her one of my fold up stools to sit upon and I see that see that she is toting a new canine pet, a female Chihuahua whose name is Mia and is still a young dog. I greet the dog but like most of the Chihuahua species, does not like to be touched of rubbed. While set is sitting, I tell her a story about when I crossed the Kennebec River. Patty becomes very uncomfortable on the chair that I have provided and methinks that I am not sure if its because it is uncomfortable or my story telling has gone past here ability to listen to me talk. She then begs for departure and I greet her good bye. Then, I return into the jammer, climb into the rear, resume my horizontal position and soon after pull the blanket up to my nose and close my eyes.
(Day 568 TS) 56°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 32
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, arise, don my long trousers, shoes, climb into the drivers seat, start the jammer engine, leave the g-mart and drive north on SH 20 to the Bean-ffmart for two breakfast burritos, which I request to have none of the cheese sauce. I then sit down at a table, open the burritos and add some hot sauce, re-roll then and then eat my f-meal while I sip on my hot coffee. When, I am finished, I pack out, drive to the w-mart, walk inside and sit down at one of the tables. I talk with an older couple whom I have had casual conversations with before, even tried to witness to but each time, I come to find that they are happy with where there are in their life. Now, I just try only to acknowledge briefly when they speak to me and do not prolong the conversation, always being nice in my mannerism towards them. When the older couple leaves, I move into their table with the cushioned seat. That is when Joanne arrives who wants me to help her some more with her perplexing problems on her computer with the formatting of her document files. I download a word processor and then go through the seven text documents to convert them the to Microsoft Word format. She is here for several hours and when she leaves me, I am glad to be able to return to my solitude and the work that I am currently spending my time on.
Then, not long after five this afternoon, I pack out, drive to the bean-mart for a nacho bellgrande from the bean-mart and sit inside to eat. Afterwards, I drive to the g-mart to park for the evening.
(Day 569 TS) 54°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 33
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, climb forward to the drivers seat, start the jammer engine, drive out of the parking lot onto SH 20 and then north across the bridge to the Bowman Bay campground shower house where go inside for a hot shower. When I finish, I talk with Mike, who is the new campground host and I am able to talk about the Bible with him a little bit. However, he tells me that he is not interested in such things. Leaving the campground, I drive back into Oak Harbor, stop at the bean-mart for a breakfast burrito and a free senior cup of coffee. After that, I drive to the license plate office at the corner of SH20 and Pioneer Way, park, walk inside and pay the $77.00 to purchase my annual license tab.
Leaving the license office, I drive back north on SR 20 to NE 7th avenue, turn right then right again into the Harbor Station shopping center and park near the w-mart. Then, I carry my bag inside take a seat at one of the tables, plug in my computer and return to pounding keys and my work of updating my web site pages. What I accomplish today is to update my current journal entry web page with additional formatted date sections which will allow me to continue adding my daily journal entries until the end of this month, September. After that has been added, I then work on the pre-formatted daily entries for the month of October, and then add the first three days of October to this Journey of a Hundred Days to complete the daily journal listing through to
Day 600 TS. Then, I continue working on the remains pre-formatted journal entry date trough to the end of October 2025. Once the October dates are complete, I then copy all these preformatted dates into my next Journey of a Hundred Days, Part Seven of Chapter 15. Upon doing this, I am now ready to travel for the next two months, during which time, I will continue to create preformatted journal entry dates for both November and December 2025. So, what is next? I suppose, all that is left is for me to drive out of Oak Harbor, then north on SH 20 until I arrive at IH 5, where I will then take the southbound exit and drive the 330 miles to the Colombia River, cross it and begin my southbound migration from Washington to the south Texas coast. Too, this southbound leg of my annual round trip journey will complete fifteen years that I have been a migrant, or as some would say, a snowbird. Furthermore, I am so ready for this southbound journey.
(Day 570 TS) 53°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 34
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 48.2860236, -122.6628879
Elevation: 25 feet
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, climb forward, start the jammer engine and drive to the bean-mart for my morning f-meal consisting of an egg and sausage wrap with onions and a cup of hot. After, that, I drive to the w-mart for some computer key pounding and to check on my com. I remain here for most of the day and work on my computer files. Then, at six this evening, I pack out, drive north out of town, across the bridge then into the Bowman Bay campground and stop at the restroom-shower house to take one more hot shower before I begin my fall southbound migration.
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The Journey On,
Fall Southbound Migration: First Leg
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In Alaska at this time,
Sandhill Cranes gather, their calls echoing across the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in western Alaska as they anticipate their long upcoming southbound journey aloft. Then, as if they all received the same thought, simultaneously take flight, and begin circling higher and higher en masse up above the
Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta National Wildlife Refuge located in the
Boreal Basis and Range ecoregion in Alaska. Their calls ring out across the river delta with a chorus of urgency, connection and wilderness only to collectively begin moving upon their winter Journey On.
In just a few short weeks, these large inland water wading birds will have traveled thousands of miles from the northern reaches of North America to their wintering grounds as far away as areas within Northern Mexico (most of the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevu Leon, and the northern areas of Tamaulipas, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi), the Southwestern United States including the Central Valley of California as well as the Lower Colorado River Valley. In New Mexico, these cranes winter along the entire southern border, even overflowing a little into the states of Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. In Texas, the winter lands include most all of the state except the north Panhandle nor any of east Texas. The cranes do winter in a small area of the lower Sabine River Valley. Some of these cranes will winter on the Coast of Mississippi, in and around the inland bays likely within the inland river/bayou marshes coast preserves including the MS Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. All of eastern Florida and Southeast Georgia is included in the winter residence of the Sandhills, many even making these areas their year round home. Finally, with the exception of a small area on the eastern side, all of Cuba is a year round home to a rare, non-migratory subspecies, numbering over 500, are found throughout the west areas of the island.
Coastal Plains into the bays and back waters of the coastal waters lands. For anyone who witnesses the migration of these great birds soaring upon and uplifted by thermals, the sight and sounds of cranes on the move is an unforgettable signal of shifting seasons and the timeless rhythm of migration.
The First Leg
Much like I imagine the Sandhills build anticipation for the moment of their migratory departure, I too am anticipating my long upcoming southbound Journey On, and the subsequent return to the third coast for my annual winter hiatus. Methinks, it is the thoughts of the intenseness of my inward inclinations, the exuberance for my exploration experiences, and the resurgence of the repeated rhythms within my life path which I have come to personalize in what has now become to be this migratory life journey that occurs once each year of my continued existence.
Upon Leaving the shower house, that one located within Bowman Bay Campground, I sit outside at one of the picnic tables so that this day may wind down some what more towards the sunset, which occurs now about ten minutes before 8 pm (20:00 PDT). It was last Thursday, 28 August 2025 when, when I was still in Oak Harbor, Washington, that the sun was still in the sky (above the horizon) until after 8 pm (20:00 PDT). Yes, gradually, the hours of daylight are decreasing.
Furthermore, I had been keeping track of when the sunset time occurs and during the fall, because whenever the sun arrives at the horizon before eight in the evening, I feel that it is time for me to seek a location of more southern geography, one with longer daylight hours, or more specifically, the area of extreme south Texas where on this day, the sun is still above the horizon at 8 pm. I know that the daylight hours there are not much more timewise than here in the northwest coastal areas of Washington, but they are a little longer. Too, the winter temperatures found in South Texas are some of the best available in this entire country.
The stay here comes to an end soon enough and I pack out of the Deception Pass State Park one last time for this fall, climb into the drivers seat of the jammer, start the engine and start a long drive south on the IH 5 corridor.
I follow the same route which I have taken many times over the course of my migration from this sojourn here in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) since my first arrival in Oak Harbor nearly 36 years ago during November 1989. This route takes me first eastward on SH 20 until I arrive at the well traveled international north-south highway more commonly known as IH 5. Upon arriving at the Five, I take the southbound entrance to begin the first leg of this, my fifteenth annual southbound migration, which leg will take me to the Columbia River Gorge for a short sojourn in the state park campground.
Then, nearly four hours later, after 330 miles, still in Washington, I arrive at the IH 5 exit 4, which is the exit for NE 78th Street, then exit the interstate highway, turn right and drive to the parking lot of the hf-mart whence I have visited often during this current fifteenth migrational sojourn in the PNW. Upon arriving in the parking lot, I find it nearly full of parked cars, even at this late hour (21:45 or 9:45 pm). Upon locating a suitable space in the parking lot, I back in, turn off the jammer engine, put up my window shades and then climb into the rear of the jammer and rest for the evening.
(Day 571 TS) 61°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 35
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 45.6778679, -122.6684971
Elevation: 191 feet
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, climb forward to the drivers seat, start the jammer engine, drive out of the parking lot, turn east on NE 78th Street, drive under the interstate highway and then turn right on US 99 and immediately right again into the parking lot of the w-mart and then pull into one of the spaces near the front entrance of the cafe. Next, I grab my computer bag, walk inside and occupy the corner table. I then purchase a cup of hot, sit down and resume key pounding to add words to my daily journal. Too, I have checked and found that there is a laundry mat less than a mile north of my location and plan to drive there later today.
At about nine this morning, my good friend Joe calls and we talk about several thing, including auto maintenance and upkeep during which he tells me that I should replace my coolant system with a new Stant radiator cap. So, I do some research and find an auto parts store near by, pack out and drive there to purchase a new cap. As I drive to three of the local auto parts, I find that the first one has the best price and after going to the third location to find its price almost double of the first on, I return to where the low price is and purchase a new radiator cap, walk out to the jammer, open the hood, install the cap and then drive to the hf-mart to do my grocery shopping. When, I have completed that task and put my groceries on the floor in the rear of the jammer I then drive back to the w-mart, park the jammer and walk inside for some air conditioning while I continue pounding keys.
This day slowly winds down while I sit at the corner table and sipping on a glass of ice water. Some time after five this afternoon, a man walks into the cafe, picks up his order and says out loud, "That is a really nice Aerostar outside." and then he looks around to see who turns their head. I lean back in my chain, turn my head towards him, and say, "Thank You." We talk for a short time during which I bring up the fact that I am a Wayƒarer, and show him my only paperback copy of my book telling him that it is available as a free digital download, he comments about me, but uses the word Wanderer, I tell him that I prefer the word Wayƒarer because I leaned of this word from reading the Bible. He then asks, what verse, so I grab my King James Bible and read to him the words of the Prophet Isaiah at chapter 35 and verse 8. He then tells me that he will read my book. Then, he says goodbye and I return to my seat and resume pounding the keys on my computer keyboard. I continue here until about six-thirty when, I pack out to the jammer, start the engine and drive back to the west side of the IH 5, pull into the parking lot of the hf-mart, back into the same space, put up my window shades, climb into the rear of the van, turn on my phone and connect to the Oak Harbor Congregation for the mid-week meeting. Immediately after the meeting ends, I turn off my phone, resume my horizontal position and close my eyes for the evening.
(Day 572 TS) 60°F. 6:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 36
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake to an empty parking lot despite it being nearly full when I arrived last evening, done my fall blues, climb forward into the drivers seat, start the jammer engine and drive to the l-mart that I spotted yesterday when driving to the several ap-marts to purchase a radiator cap. I walk inside to inspect the laundry and find it to have the newest technology that only takes credit/debit card and not coins. Years ago, I choose not to use this specific technology, choosing not to give up my bank card information due to the prevalence of bank information theft, and turn around, return to the jammer and use my phone to search for laundry-mat near me.
I found another one nearby, drive there and then walk inside to inspect this location. What I find is quite suitable for me, which are machines that take quarters and a medium load with hot water is just $3.00 each. I load my clothes, add soap, inset the quarters and press the start button. Then, I walk back out to the jammer, sit down in the drivers seat and turn my phone on to browse while waiting. After a half hour, I then walk back in to the l-mart, grab my clothes, take them back to the dryers, divide my cloths into three piles and put each pile into a separate dryer. The nylon/polyester under-shorts dry first, so I begin to fold these and when done, take them out to the jammer to place them on the top of my bed. I then grab a few hangers, walk back into the store and grab the clothes from the second dryer, the shirts, trousers and shorts. I then begin to hang the shirts and trousers but fold the shorts. When the third dryer finishes and I fold the towels as well and gather all of my clothes, carry them back out to the jammer and put them in their place as well. Methinks, "This did not take long." Finally, I climb into the jammer and drive back to the w-mart, order a cup of hot and a spinach breakfast wrap, sit down at the corner table and begin to pound keys.
Outside, the rains begins to lightly fall from the sky, while here inside the cafe I sip my now iced coffee and await the my reservation at the state park campground to begin.
(Day 573 TS) 58°F. 6:30 am, cloudy
Journey On, Day 37
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake to the sun shining in through an opening in my front window shades. I rise and look out the window to see that it has been raining lightly most all night but seems to have stopped recently. Too, the sunlight breaking through the clouds highlights these same clouds with a bright golden orange color. Then, I done my fall blues, climb forward into the drivers seat and start the jammer engine, letting it idle for a minute. Next, I pull the gear shift lever down to the D and pull forward from the parking space, drive out to the street, then under the interstate and immediately into the parking lot for the w-mart. After I park, I walk inside, set up at the corner table, purchase a cup of coffee and resume my key pounding.
Both this morning and yesterday morning, I notice a group of Jehovah′s Witnesses in then cafe stopping for a break. Yesterday, the friends were Spanish and did not understand when I asked if any were "Of the Great Crowd". I then asks them, "estas tu Testigo de Jehová?" and they said yes. They did not know what a crowd was, so I looked into my Bible and changed it to the Spanish version, turned to Revelation 7:9 and looked for the word there but just did not understand the Spanish. One of the younger brothers pointed to the expression "gran muchedumbre" and told me this is likely what you mean. Well, I will not be able to ask my regular question to anyone who does not speak English. This happened again to a young couple, likely in their thirties who told me that they were from the Philippines who spoke Tagalog (as well as English) and revealed yet another entirely different word for great crowd. We do share for a short time before they must needs depart for places north.
I then return to my seat and resume my key pounding in my effort to use up this day so that I can drive into Oregon tomorrow to begin my stay at the campground.
Later, I pack out of the w-mart, drive to the same parking lot that I have been overnighting at since awaking there Thursday morning and tomorrow morning when I awake once more, it will be my last time, well, at least for the duration of this migration. Soon after I arrive, I back in, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal. Before I can sleep, methinks, I need to clean my self, so, I get out my liquid cleaner, which is my squirt bottle of Everclear alcohol, spray some onto a clean washcloth and give my body a wipe down. After that, methinks, I am really looking forward to my first hot shower at the campground tomorrow and then close my eyes.
(Day 574 TS) 59°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 38
Total Lunar Eclipse, (seen over Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia)
Harvest (Corn) Full, Blood Moon, 18:11 PDT (21:11 UTC)
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, climb forward, start the jammer engine and drive back under the freeway to the w-mart where I park in my same spot, carry my book bag into my same spot, pound on my same keys and sip on first a cup of hot, then one that I pour into a extra large glass of ice. At nine-fifty, this morning, I connect to the Oak Harbor Congregation for the week end meeting. There is a visiting speaker from the Burlington congregation and then a local brother conducts the Bible study. After the last prayer is said, I talk for a short time with Andy and Aaron before saying my good byes. Soon after that, I drive to the grocery outlet to purchase some fresh fruits and vegetables as well as some dried fruits. I also purchase a large salmon steak which has been marked half off its normally twenty dollar price. Finally, I resume the first leg of my migratory southbound journey on, by my drive across the Columbia river and east down the Oregon side to the campground where I will be camping for the next ten days.
I arrived here at about three in the afternoon, after driving from Vancouver, Washington, upon arriving at the state park, I then stop first at the south side shower house for a hot shower which I do each time I come here because the water is slightly hotter and the shower house is nearly new and so much nicer. After today′s much needed body wash, I then drive back under the interstate highway into the main campsite area on the north side of the interstate highway, circumnavigate half way around the A loop, back in to my previously reserved campsite and as is it my custom, get out my broom to sweep the hard surface freeing it from the fallen leaves. Cindy, the camp volunteer, stops by, gets out her leaf blower and helps me finish sweeping. I tell her that it was not necessary for her to help, that out of habit, I just always give it a once over. I then connected my electrical plug to the post receptacle, and climb in to organize the interior of the jammer for my camping stay. After that, with the doors still open and a cool breeze blowing, I lie down into the horizontal and take a long nap.
Shortly after seven this evening, I step out of the jammer and take a couple of photos of the jammer parked in space A-26, climb right back inside the van and begin pounding keys. Then by eight this evening, I upload my first post from this camping sojourn at Viento State Park. After that, I continue pounding keys for several more hours this evening and then contemplate not only where I am in my life as well as my current location. This campground is located in part, on the shore of the Columbia River where this river has cut a path through a the coastal mountains, leaving a deep gorge. My location here at the bottom of this ancient and deep gorge, one which was cut long before any European ever set foot here, but earlier during a time when the indigenous people were just arriving to begin their lives upon this new continent. Methinks a little more and acknowledge that between the river and the campground is an active railroad, moving loads in and out of the nearby megalopolis, the city of Portland together with its many suburban areas. Just about fifty yards to the south of that railway is where I will camp for the next ten days. Then, further south just about thirty more yards of me is an interstate highway, IH 84 which connects IH 5 west of here in Portland, then traverses westward some 770 miles to the IH 15 in Tremonton, Utah. I have no plans this year to spend any more time on this interstate. Still, in the distance, I hear the whistle of an approaching train, and soon the roar of the engine becomes on of the predominate sounds in this gorge. Where I sit in my jammer, I face to the north whenever I am pounding keys and the sounds of the railway are directly in front of me. To my rear, and just south of me is the constant rumbling of car trucks, busses, and ever other type of vehicle which also constantly traverses this interstate both eastward and westward.
Outside the noises within the Columbia River Gorge reverberate constantly throughout the surrounding forest. At nine this evening, I close the side sliding door and shut all of the windows, which immediately muffles the inharmonious sounds of the interstate highway just to the south of me and those of the railroad just to the north of me. Methinks, these tired old bones are no competitor to those more practiced noise makers and so I turn off the computer, extinguish the interior lamp and put these old bones into the horizontal position once again for the evening to gain my much needed rest.
Even in doing so, it is as if these two wellsprings of dissonance are continuing to wrangle each with the other, like in two Olympians in opposition for a championship trophy, and thus both continue to persists through until dawn. There is absolutely nothing I can do to stop their intrusive sounds, or is there.
(Day 575 TS) 55°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 39
Sleeping in the Jammer
Viento State Park, Campsite: A-26 ♿
Day One
Coordinates: 45.6981001, -121.6652521
Elevation: 120 feet
Awake, arise, step outside and around to the rear lift door to open and retrieve my shower gear, walk to the shower house for my morning douse in the hot water. Then, I return to the campsite, prepare my three cup meal and when that is done, I sit down inside the rear of the jammer and proceed with the ongoing saga of key pounding. Immediately, I notice that the Columbia River Gorge sounds are ever present and I think once again about the statement yesterday where I concluded: There is absolutely nothing I can do to stop their intrusive sounds. Too, as soon as I concluded with those words, I suddenly had a memory of a much earlier time in my life whereat I was to find an answer to this same problem.
Yes, early in days of becoming one of Jehovah′s Witnesses, I was in need of a place to live and I was quickly able to find a small furnished rustic cabin in Seabrook, Texas. The location was right and so was the rental price, so I decided to sign a lease. Very soon after moving into the cabin, I came to find out that just across the highway was an active railroad line. Too, the road was a major highway, SH 146, a four lane which traverses near to where I grew up in Texas, so what did I do when the noise from the railroad and state highway became intrusive. Lying awake each night caused me to recall an even earlier time in my life, when carrying a backpack, I did walk across a mountaintop footpath. First, I remember the road noises from Carrabassett Valley below me and how these noises were overcome by the wind blowing in the tree tops in the forest where I was camping. Then, I recall, when I came upon Dean Ravine, and when walking nearby, all other sounds were totally muted by the deafening thunder of a waterfall. Too, I recall camping at East Carry Pond lean-to which was near to a waterfall, one with a deafening roar.
It was during these times when I learned how to transpose the noise into melody and the intrusive into delightsome; and by doing so, changing any sleepless night into restful bliss. Methinks, it is amazing what we are able to accomplish with our mind. Thus, here in the Columbia River Gorge, all of the highway sounds become to me as wind blowing through the tops of the forest, and the railway sounds become to me as the thunder of waterfalls.
The evening of this day arrives and after having a fresh salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, I put away my dishes, close the rear lift door and climb into the rear of the jammer to get into the horizontal. Outside, the melody of the wind blowing through the top of the forest together with the thunder of water rushing over the falls, lull me quickly to sleep.
(Day 576 TS) 64°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 40
Sleeping in the Jammer
Viento State Park, Campsite: A-26 ♿
Day Two
Awake, arise, gather my shower bag, towel, clean clothes, step out of the sliding door and walk the path to the shower house for a hot shower. There always seems to be a bottle of soap and/or shampoo left here by the
goofers
turkeys and
weekend warrior campers. Yep, they are all here getting one last getaway before having to return to their life of drudgery. (I have seen full sixteen ounce bottles of shampoo left behind.)
Returning to the jammer, I open up the doors, get out my water kettle, three meal cups and begin boiling water. Soon after, I have a cup of food, two cups of hot and then sit down inside the jammer office to eat and pound keys. Later this afternoon, I have trouble closing the side sliding door and it locks in place. However, I am able to get it open. but when I try to close it again, it shuts completely but then I am not able to open it. Methinks, this is life with an old vehicle.
(Day 577 TS) 56°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 41
Sleeping in the Jammer
Viento State Park, Campsite: A-26 ♿
Day Three
Awake, arise, climb forward into the drivers seat so that I can exit the jammer, open the rear lift door, grab my shower bag, towel, clean clothes and walk to the shower house for some hot water. Afterwards, I return to the jammer, prepare my f-meal, climb back into the jammer office and resume my key pounding. I continue this all day, forego any nap and the at six this evening, I prepare my e-meal consisting of a large salad and some assorted dried fruit.
While eating, I continue working on my current project and pound keys into the evening.
(Day 578 TS) 51°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 42
Sleeping in the Jammer
Viento State Park, Campsite: A-26 ♿
Day Four
Awake to my first alarm, arise, climb forward, step outside and open the rear lift door to retrieve my shower gear. Then, I walk to the shower house, which walk is about thirty yards distance, enter the men′s shower room and walk to the last stall. I step into the dressing area, remove my clothing, turn on the hot water and then step into the shower. Typically, I spend about five minutes under the hot water, sometimes longer and then step out to the dressing area to dry off. Then I don my clothing, step out of the stall and finally return to the jammer to begin my f-meal preparations. Currently, I am in the eating stage of my f-meal during which I am also on my computer pounding keys.
At about one this afternoon, I stop my key pounding, step out side and start the process on making a pot of
Beet Root Tea with ingredients that I have only recently learned about. After pumping up and starting my
MSR stove, I put a pot of water on to boil. Then, I cut the skins off of five medium size beets and when the water boils, I put all the beet skins in the water. Also, I add the skins of about four small-to-medium yellow onions to the water, onions which I have been using the inside for cooking and vinegar salads during the last several days. Too, I slice thin two small limes and add them into the hot water. Finally, I chop up four cloves of garlic and some fresh ginger and put them in the cook pot. I boil all of the ingredients for about ten minutes and let it cool. After it cools, I put what I am now calling a Beet Root tea into one of my stainless steel water bottles and then set the bottle on the floor inside the jammer so it can cool.
Then, I begin cutting several vegetables for my vinegar salad during which time, two separate people stop by. First A man, says hello and I introduce myself and he says his name is Alex. I ask him where he is from and he says Tennessee. When I ask, "What Part?" he replies, "Knoxville." I then tell him that I have spent many days in Tennessee, have many friends there in several locations, one in particular that I will be seeing later this year lives in Ardmore, which on near the Alabama line not far from IH 65. We talk for a time and I tell him about my website. He says that he will stop by before he leaves and then returns to his campsite.
Next, a young woman walks up and I greet her and say, I am making a pot of hot water for tea, would you like a cup. She tells me yes and I ask if she would like to sit, which she does. I give her one of my cups and then ask her to choose which tea she would like and she chooses Hibiscus. This woman and I talk for nearly an hour and was about to begin witnessing to her about the hope I have for the future when she sees one of the park rangers walk by and she comments "That is a pretty woman, and I am a lesbian." Methought, that is a very odd thing to tell a complete stranger, so I tell her that I am a servant of the Most High God and that is not something that He condones. The God I worship has for defining qualities: Love, Justice, Wisdom and Power and then I tell her a little about each quality. She then replies, "And He is also Tolerant." to which I said to her, "Did you not hear of the story of Lot, when he was in the area of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, how the men of those cities came to the home of lot, banged on his door and said: Where are the men that came in to you, bring them out so that we may have sexual relations with them." (Genesis 19: 1-26) Then I tell this young woman, That is why God destroyed both of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, it was because the people there were depraved, doing things of every kind of gross sexual immorality and pursued unnatural fleshy desires. (Jude 7). She then said, I love women, isn′t that a good thing?
No, the Love that God has is principled love, righteous love, what you have is nothing like how God loves. However, the Bible does tell us what kind of love you have, it says that is not Godly love, but it leaving the natural use of the body and burning in your lust one toward another. (Romans 1: 26-27) She then said, I still think that it is love. I told her that I did not want to speak with her any more, that she should please leave She then left to walk back to her campsite and did not return.
Late, I eat some of my vinegar salad, and then climb back in the jammer to resume my key pounding.
(Day 579 TS) 51°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 43
Sleeping in the Jammer
Viento State Park, Campsite: A-26 ♿
Day Five
Awake, arise, climb forward to open the drivers door and step outside, walk around the rear of the jammer to open the rear lift door. Then I grab my towel, shower bag, and walk to the shower house for my morning douse in the hot water. Afterwards, I walk back to the jammer and begin boiling water in my kettle for my f-meal, Then I get my three cups out from the rear of the jammer, set them on the table and then begin putting items into each: two tea bags of my choosing in the first; a tablespoon of powered mushroom coffee with a teaspoon of powdered golden milk in the second; and the ingredients of my Daystart in the third cup.
Then, when the water boils, I fill each cup with hot water, stir the second and third cups and then carry them inside the jammer so that I and eat while I pound on the keyboard. I remain in the jammer most all morning and when I afternoon arrives, I step outside to do some work around the campsite. One of the first things that I must need do is that bag all of the trash and walk it over to the garbage receptacle. Then, I get out one of my buckets, fill it with water and with my car cleaning brush, begin cleaning the windows and exterior of the jammer. Once all the dirt and oil has been removed, I then wipe the water off of the surfaces with my car towel. I do all the sides except the rear lift door and it is still raised, so I can do it another time. Also, I scrub the tires with my tire brush and the wait for the tires to dry, at which time, I spray them with a product called Tire Wet. After I finish with these tasks, I then climb into the jammer office and resume my key pounding.
All day long, there has been a steady influx of these crazies arriving, but it is not until late in the afternoon that I recollect that today is Friday and this weekend is likely the last weekend of the summer for many people. In fact, it is nine in the evening and just now, another camper drives through the campground looking to park in their campsite. So, I must needs endure for the next two days after which, I will three more days with much less competition for the Solitude.
After climbing back inside the jammer, I resume my key pounding during which I grab my Beet Root Tea I continue here at my computer until after nine this evening and then I get into the horizontal, pull the covers up and close my eyes.
(Day 580 TS) 49°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 44
Sleeping in the Jammer
Viento State Park, Campsite: A-26 ♿
Day Six
Awake early, an hour before the first alarm, arise, climb forward onto the drivers seat, open the door and exit the vehicle. Then, I walk to the rear lift door, raise it and grab my shower bag and towel. Walking to the mens shower, I note that none of the weekend warriors have arisen as yet, so the park is very quite, well except for the loud wind noises coming down from the side of the gorge and the roar from the waterfall near the river.
Too, the ambient air is definitely cooler this morning requiring me to close the rear lift hatch for most of the morning, but still not cold enough to require me to turn on my electric heater. The weather forecast is indicating their will be a couple more like morning in the upcoming next days, with tomorrow, Sunday morning being the coldest, dropping into the mid to low forties. Now, that might be an electric heater morning.
I have already prepared my morning nourishment and in one of my cups, the one with mushroom coffee with golden milk, I added a tablespoon of honey, which added a sweet flavor to the cup of hot. It was during my stay in Vancouver Washington, on Day
571 TS) after purchasing and installing a radiator cap, when towards the end of that day, that I went to the hf-mart in order to purchase groceries for my upcoming ten day camping sojourn. Prior to that time, I had been viewing several you-tube videos that were discussing the benefits of honey, so I decided to purchase a small bottle, something that I have not done in many decades. Thus, I have been using a small amount to sweeten some of the hot drinks which taste bitter. However, when the contents of the twelve ounce bottle arrives at six to eight ounces, I will be adding to the bottle a package of
Golden Milk powder. Then, any time I take a teaspoon of honey, I will get the added effect of pain relief.
So, the clock on my computer informs me that it is about six-forty and more than twelve hours that I have been awake on this day. Yes, it has been quite the long day. Moreover, this the last night that this campground will be totally packed with weekend warriors, as most all will leave tomorrow to head back to their lives in the city. That will leave me with three additional nights of camping here with a much quieter and less busy atmosphere. Furthermore, when I do leave the campground and the Columbia River Gorge, where I am to go has been altogether foremost on my mind, giving me incentive to decide on that abiding question "Where am I going next?". Thus, with all of the time that I have had to make a decision, I have done just so. When I drive out of Viento State park at two in the afternoon, I will be driving west on IH 84 into the megalopolis and my first stop will be at the Natural Grocers health food market. I will do some grocery shopping to resupply my food stores. After that, I will drive back west, crossing the Columbia River at the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge to move across the Columbia River and then begin my travel northeastward towards northern Idaho.
It is eight this evening and daylight is completely absent from the sky, and it is very dark here in this north Oregon forest. I then upload my files, turn off my computer, and get into the horizontal. This day is done.
(Day 581 TS) 49°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 45
Sleeping in the Jammer
Viento State Park, Campsite: A-26 ♿
Day Seven
Awake, arise, step out of the jammer, gather my shower gear and walk to the shower house for my morning douse of hot water. Returning to the jammer, I get out my water kettle to boil water while I prepare my three cup meal. When the water boils, I pour portions into each cup, carry the cups into the jammer and then return to my computer to resume pounding keys whilst I enjoy my f-meal. Some time later, I open my WTLibrary app and begin my study for today′s meeting. Before I can finish my study, the time arrives for me to connect with the Zoom app, and once connection say hello to several of the friends. Some reply, a few do not, but glad that all of them are connected too. Then, the time arrive, the meeting begins, first with the Bible talk and continues with the Bible study. Afterwards, most all of the friends on the Zoom Squares exit the application, most not even saying goodbye. Seems to me, not many wish to visit for a few minutes, but wish to just go back to their things and activities. I finally exit the Zoom app and go back to my key pounding.
When looking at the weather app, I have noticed there is a tropical storm growing in the Pacific ocean of the coast of west of Baja California Sur, Mexico, but it is heading out bound away from land. I will try to keep up with it during the next several days. I remain in the jammer for the rest of the day working on my computer until long after dark and finally get into the horizontal.
(Day 582 TS) 52°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 46
Sleeping in the Jammer
Viento State Park, Campsite: A-26 ♿
Day Eight
Awake, arise, grab my towel and shower bag, step outside the jammer and walk to the shower house for what has been a ritual now for eight days running, one that will be missed after next Wednesday, when I will begin the second leg of this migration southbound journey on. Upon my return to the jammer, I open up the rear lift door, take out my water kettle and three cups. I then pour one liter of water into the kettle and turn the switch to on, after which, I begin getting my three cups ready for my f-meal. When the water in the kettle begins to boil, the switch automatically turns off, a nice feature that keeps the pot from boiling dry. I then grab the pot handle, pour the hot water into the three cup and next put each of the three cups inside through the still opened rear lift door. Finally, I walk around to the driver′s door, climb inside the jammer and right into the rear area and take my seat at the jammer desk to start another day with eating my first meal whilst I pound keys.
Again, another day key pounding volumes upon volumes of words as I never seem to run out of them, continuing well into the afternoon, when, at about four pm, I stop, climb out of the jammer, walk around to the rear hatch, open it and get out my stove, cookpot and ingredients for my Repast. While the grains are cooking, I chop up the remainder of my vegetable, put some in the Repast and the rest in a second pot to mix up and create a pot of what I am now calling my marinated vegetable salad, which I made twice and have been enjoying during my stay here at this campground. However, I will not begin eating this batch of these vinegar soaked vegetables until tomorrow afternoon because they need to marinate overnight. Instead, I eat the Repast currently on the stove, to which I will add some mustard and Cholula hot sauce. Then, I climb back into the jammer office to resume my key pounding while I eat and then enjoy this very comfortable evening. Wow, is this Repast good!
My work on the computer wraps up at eight pm, I look outside and see that it is totally dark in the night sky as well as in the surrounding forest, particularly since the moon is waning crescent, which means that it will be setting in the evening a several hours before the sun at about five-thirty (17:30) pm and not be rising above the eastern horizon until tomorrow morning at one-thirty (01:30) am. So, what that means is that it will not be in the evening night sky for another week and then on the 22 September 2025, the moon will begin waxing Crescent with the moon′s earthshine which is also called it ashen glow.
(Day 583 TS) 55°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 47
Sleeping in the Jammer
Viento State Park, Campsite: A-26 ♿
Day Nine
Awake, arise, go through the same routine that I have been doing since Sunday, 07 September 2015, and I never get tired of it because I know that when I leave here tomorrow, I will loose this daily routine when I start the second leg on my southbound migration and how I will start and proceed with each day thereafter will depend on my location, my needs and what ever I decide to do at that moment.
1 Still, the ten night stay here at this state park campground has been a welcome respite for this old man, and having hot water that was not necessary for me to boil has made this stay very gladsome for me. I spend some time on the phone today with some of my friends, and some time pounding keys, then when the sum set, it got very dark outside and I had to turn off my inside lights due the plenitude of insects. So, I got out my anise oil spray and misted myself which helped a little. Finally, I just turned of the computer and got into the horizontal. It is about eight-fifty pm.
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The Journey On,
Fall Southbound Migration: Second Leg
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The Second Leg
The Sandhill Cranes travel a 3000-mile journey each year, a migration their ancestors have made for untold generations stretching backward to the beginning of time. They know the route by heart: winding above river corridors, open wetlands, quite fields, all of which landscapes have always offered safety, food, rest and renewal. Each year, these cranes congregate in eastern Idaho and northwestern Wyoming to prepare for the next leg of their long migratory flight to the winter sojourn location. Some of the cranes have been here for their summer stop, nesting and incubating their colts while other are on the second leg of their migration, coming from locations further north. Which ever flyway the flock takes, either the California Flyway, the Florida Flyway or the Yellowstone Flyway, there are countless numbers of place for them to stop, such as: animal sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, land trusts, national parks & monuments, nature preserves, wetlands, wildlife refuges, wildlife preserves and others.
By this time of the year, the Sandhill Cranes have arrived at Yellowstone Park in Wyoming and to mark that occasion, the 8th Annual Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival will be returning to Teton Valley on 17-20 September hosted bey the Teton Regional Land Trust. This Land Trust′s purpose is to secure and manage habitat within the Teton Valley in order to sustain the largest pre-migration staging population in the Yellowstone Park as well as the
Middle Rockies Ecoregion.
Their guttural calls announce their location long before most people even see them because mostly gray feathers blend in well with the grassland habitat where they stop on their migration southward. Standing about four feet in height, these are the tallest birds to visit Yellowstone Park, and sometimes, from a distance, they can be mistaken for a human standing up or even another animal.
Yes, each and every year, they arrive here, their numbers gathering while they forage the prairies for a few days or weeks, gaining strength and then, almost as if with one thought, these cranes in masse take to the skies once again, allowing the thermals to lift them heavenward and finally one lone crane pulls away from the rising circling flock and turns southward, but not unnoticed as all the rest of the circling cranes follow his lead and begin the second leg of their migration southbound.
The staging area include the following locations in and around Yellowstone Park:
Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming
Camas National Wildlife Refuge (43.9644571, -112.2649430),
Craters of the Moon National Preserve, Idaho
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Harriman Wildlife Refuge, Idaho (44.3554378, -111.4147266),
Henry′s Lake, Idaho (Caribou NF),
Missouri River Headwaters State Park, Three Forks, Montana
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (44.5999371, -111.8124160),
Teton Basin, Caribo-Targhee NF (43.8894664, -111.7432745),
Yellowstone National Park.
Where am I while this amazing event unfolds? any of which could afford myself the visual grandeur of these magnificent creatures and they initiate their amazing migration southbound journey on. But, alas, I an nowhere near to any of these location.
My Fall Southbound Migration: The Second Leg
My southbound migration will begin first with me returning to the
Northern Tier Route and driving eastbound along the northernmost highway in the United States. Previously, I had driven east upon this route in both 2020 and 2018 but on both drives, never went any further than the
Great Plains in Montana, whereat, both times, I turned right and drove south into Wyoming.
However, this southbound journey, I endeavor to travel much further east on the Northern Tier Route before the inevitable Right Turn.
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(Day 584 TS) 54°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 48
Sleeping in the Jammer
Viento State Park, Campsite: A-26 ♿
Day Ten
Awake, rise, climb forward, open the door and step out of the jammer. From the drivers door I walk to the rear of the jammer, open the rear lift door and retrieve my shower gear. Next, I walk to the shower house and immerse my body in then hot water, likely for the last time in several days; how many, I do not really know. However, the days are still in the upper 70s and low 80s, so a swim would not be out of the possibility. Too, there are no rain clouds anywhere in the entire northwest four state area and none arriving in the foreseeable future, so national forest camping is a good likelihood for me. When returning to the jammer, I get out my water kettle, boil water and prepare my three-cup f-meal; then, I step inside, open my computer to begin my journal entry for this day while I enjoy my breakfast. I continue to look at the weather radar and find that the only major rain clouds seem to be stalled over the northernmost
Great Plains.
On this continent, in the offshore areas, however, the story is different as there are tropical storms in the oceans on both sides of North America. So, my path for at least the next several day seems to be just sunshine and lollipops, but no rainbows. After I finish my Daystart, I begin the process of packing out, which by any other RVer′s standard, does not take me any time at all because what needs to be done is stow the trash bin, take the bag of trash to the dumpster and roll up my two extension cords. When that is done, I continue for a short time on my computer, during which, I examine on my road atlas, the possible route for me to drive. While still here in the Columbia River Gorge campground, I decide on the following.
First, I will drive northeastward on US 395, into Washington, following the
Inland Desert Route there, driving northbound through the entirety of this route in that state. Doing this will give me the experience of driving through and camping in the northern half of that route in the state, an area in which much of the roads that I drive will be new for me to do so, especially those in the Washington Rocky Mountains
Northern Rockies ecoregion. Interestingly, this is the same ecoregion that the sandhill cranes are currently in, however, they are in a different state, and a distance of some four hundred and fifty miles, as the birds fly.
Notwithstanding, by driving US 395 north, I must needs travel through the southern half of the Inland Desert Route in Washington, which traverses across the
Columbia Plateau ecoregion all the way to the western edge of the city of Spokane, an often traveled path for me doing so before I can even begin upon the new roadpaths.
Finally, a little before ten this morning, I start the jammer engine, drive out of the state park, take the westbound entrance ramp onto IH 84 and drive to Gresham, Oregon and stop at the hf-mart to restock my food stores. When that is done, I drive back east along the same interstate highway and in doing so, begin to see some of my first fall colors, not to many, just the start of them. I continue east on IH 84 and do not exit this interstate until exit 168, the Irrigon, Oregon exit and then take US 730 along the east side of the Columbia River through Irrigon and continue east to Umatilda, cross under IH 82 and continue along the Columbia River, cross the state line into Washington and soon after, turn left onto US 12 and immediately cross the Walla Walla River. Along much of this route east of the Columbia River, I believe that before the interstate highways were built, this was the US 395. Next, I arrive in Burbank and here I take US 12 across the Snake River at its mouth and junction with the Columbia River. (46.198276, -119.031324)
(Day 585 TS) 47°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 49
Coordinates: 47.9586665, 117.4741549
Elevation: 2,051 feet
Awaken by what sounds like rain but that is doubtful due to my location, so, I arise and look out the windows which are covered with drops of water. About a minute later the sound comes from the passenger side of the jammer, so, I turn my head to look and see that the sound is coming from a ground sprinkler. I climb forward to the drivers seat, start the engine and pull forward to the corner of the street and see that the street than I was parked on last night was N. Arnin and the cross street is E. Fourth. Also, at this corner is a convenient portable toilet, which I make use of. Then, I drive into town, stop at the bean mart for a breakfast burrito and a cup of hot and then return to the jammer to eat. After finishing that first cup of hot, I return to ask for a refill to which they gladly provide. I return to the jammer, finish eating and then get on the internet to see where I will be going to camp tonight. I decide to drive north on US 395 and capture on photograph the northernmost section of the Inland Desert Route, US 395. Then, upon arriving at Boulder Creek Road, I see that I have lost all signal for my phone and will have to find this campground the old fashion way, with a road map. I turn left and drive west on this road until arriving at the
Kettle River Range summit pass, at which crosses the
Kettle Crest National Recreation Trail in the
Colville National Forest.
I meet a man from Oregon on a motorcycle who is looking for a sick friend that he wants to visit. When we talk, I learn he has the same phone problem, but does not have a road map. I help him find the mountain that he is looking to drive too and show him on my map how to get there. He thanks me and then drives down the west side of the Kettle mountain pass. I look on my map and see that the campground is on the south side of Boulder Creek road, so I drive south down a gravel road but do not see anytime after I have driven about a mile. Then, upon drive back north on the same road, because I had to drive up onto a higher level of the mountain, I am now able to see clearly the entire campground on the north side and even how to drive there.
So, when I arrive at Boulder Creek Road, I turn left to begin down the west side of the pass and immediately turn right into the campground, which has a sign stating
Deer Creek Forest Camp, drive into the campground and find that since the entire area was burnt recently, the camp should have its name changed to either, "Deer Creek Burnt Forest Camp" or "Deer Creek Summit Camp", as either one is a better description of how it looks know. I drive into the campground and find there is a vehicle camping in both campsite number 2 and campsite number 3, so I continue around the loop find the vault toilet and choose campsite number 5 with is closer to the toilet. Too, I find out that there are a total of eight campsites with campsite number 7 having been set up for a horse site with a good size corral.
Because the forest in this campground as well as all the surrounding area, has been completely burned, this entire area looks really barren and desolate and I suspect that during the day, without any shade, it will be extremely hot. Therefore, I have decided to only stay here just for tonight, packing out in the morning. Once I leave here, I will drive back off the Kettle River Mountains and down to the unnamed river valley wherein traverses US 395. Upon arriving at that US highway, I will turn left and drive north on this route all the way to the US-Canadian border, and thus complete my driving of the northernmost section of the Inland Desert Route in Washington. Then, at the border, I will turn around and begin my drive back south as far as Kettle Falls, Washington, at which location, I hope to locate a w-mart where I can upload all my work to the web page.
Furthermore, since there is a fire ban, I choose to eat just fruits and vegetables, only fresh items and especially now, since leaving the Columbia River Gorge, I have been shopping for all the items that I enjoy, and now my food stores are packed to the brim. So, tonight, I have a large serving of the Power Greens leafy , mixture and methinks that tomorrow, when driving the remainder of the US 295 to the border, I will eat much more of that container of veggies. Earlier today, while I was busy inside the jammer pounding keys, I wasn′t even keeping score of what was going on outside of the jammer. However, for some reason, I pulled back the window shade to see outside and bam, I was in total awe as to the unparalleled beauty that was exploding into the western horizon. If I had waited for just five more minutes, I would have missed on of the grandest photo shoots I have had for this entire year. Now, I am so excited to transfer all the photos from the phone to my computer and begin categorizing, sorting and cropping these files. Furthermore, the new Iron-phosphorus-lithium rechargeable battery that I had purchased earlier this year is working better than I had hoped for. I have been running on this battery since I got here around two in the afternoon and now it is nearly nine in the evening; still, it is holding a charge of over 13 volts and keeping my computer charged so that I can continue to pound keys well into the evening. Methinks, that was a really good investment and it should last me up to as9 long as ten years.
The campground here is about fifty to sixty feet above the road in the summit pass and I have looked several time but from where I am I can not see the vehicles as they drive through the pass. However, I can hear them, however slightly. It seems that because they are below the ground where I am at, the rocks on the side of the pass muffle their noise quite a lot, and now, they kind of sound like the wind blowing through the tops of the tree all about me, which is kind of humorous because all of the trees here in every direction were burnt down, well except for many of their skeletal like remains. At about ten this evening, I decide that I have pounded keys enough for this day, especially since I am getting up a six tomorrow morning to see what kind of sunrise there will be here in this mountain pass.
(Day 586 TS) 49°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 50
Sleeping in the Jammer
Deer Creek Forest Camp, Campsite: 5
Coordinates:
Elevation: feet
Awake, arise, step out to view the start of this day and already, the sky is bright with an orange glow on the horizon. Apparently, the sun has breached the horizon behind and lower than the horizon that my eyes are now gazing upon. However, in the sky, just two hands up above my horizon is the Moon and Venus in conjunction. The moon is waning crescent nearly new and to the lower-left of Venus and the two are less than one finger′s distance apart. If I had arose earlier, maybe just a half and hour, then I would have seen the earthshine. By 06:30 this morning, both Venus and then the Moon have been overshadowed by the light of the sun. Also, the horizon that I am gazing upon is tinted only slightly golden in color.
Too, the wind blowing in the tops of the trees has already begun this morning. I sip on what remains of my coffee I had purchased yesterday, although it is cold now. I will not get out my Whisperlite stove, even though, according to the "Stage One Warning" posted on the information board, backpack stoves with liquid fuel are allowed.
The temperature both this morning and last evening was not as cold as I had expected, in fact, I only estimated the temperature recorded above, and in all likelihood, the actual temperature could have been in the low 50s. At seven this morning, as the wind continues to blow through the tops of the trees, I pack out, start the jammer engine, and drive slowly out of this newly found place to set up camp, in search for the next one. As I drive down the highway, I become the wind in the tree tops for all those still in their campsites.
Arriving back at US 395 highway, I continue on my personal quest to drive all of the Inland Desert Route in Washington state. Further, in doing this drive, I will must needs write about this Roadpath Journey and then upload my written description together with the many photos to
Steps Afield Gallery of The Mountain Passage.
(Day 587 TS) 45°F. 7:30 am, sunny, some smoke
Journey On, Day 51
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 48.30867171789408, -116.5451288377987
Elevation: 2,128 feet
Awake to a very comfortable morning, stretch, take a few deep breaths, rise out of the horizontal and climb forward to the drivers seat. I then start the jammer and drive north out of the parking lot to the Kootenai Cutoff Road, turn left and then cross US 2 highway and immediately turn right into the w-mart where I will likely spend my days for the rest of this weekend. Methinks, there is a much more laid-back approach to life here in the Idaho panhandle, more friendly, better attitude and a lot less like the radical and more negative people that I have become accustom to finding on the west coast of the US. I know, this is not a pleasant thing to say about anyone or any group, but this is my opinion sculptured and shaped from my personal annual observations, especially every time, upon leaving Oak Harbor, Washington after having spent a summer season in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and then beginning my southbound migrations back to my winter hiatus in Texas, only each and every time to find that outside of the PNW environment, the negativity and nastiness becomes so less present, nearly absent in most locations.
This is not the first time that I have experience these feelings about the regional differences of the people
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together with their attitudes and behaviors. In fact, now that I think about it, I have been having a reoccurring experience of these same thoughts for many years, thoughts that have invaded my thinking each time I start this southbound phase of my annual migration journey, These thoughts have been so implanted in my mind, that I have for many years commented to other family and friends, "People on the west coast are just more radical than the rest of the country.". (Radical is what I use to describe their overall demeanor, meaning that when compared with others their attitudes are negative, they are less friendly and ready to criticize someone at the drop of a hat. In fact, the west coast people are the epitome of what I describe on my page entitled,
The People of the World) Thus, I must needs bethink the overall route of my annual migration pathway and where the round-trip seasonal summer destinations will be, even if it means that I do not continue the annual return to the Pacific Northwest. However, I still have that need to return in the early summer of 2026 because I have that necessary thing to do, but even so, I would not likely stay that for the entirety of the season and likely depart long before the summer ends.
I then step up to the counter to purchase my cup of hot and to begin another day here in Ponderay, Idaho, one of the places that I intend to return to in the future, if not to stay for an entire season, then at least for several days. I continue here in this w-mart for the rest of this day, working on my computer, starting new pages on my website, finishing others, always looking for an opportunity to share the Good News from God′s Word with others and greeting all with kind words.
When the light of this day begins to wane, I pack out of the w-mart, drive to the d-mart, back into my regular space, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal.
(Day 588 TS) 46°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 52
Partial Solar Eclipse, New Zealand, South Pacific, Antarctica, (12:29 CST, 17:29 UTC)
Saturn at Opposition
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, rise, start the jammer engine, drive to the w-mart, set up my computer and the begin pounding keys. As I continue, I begin thinking again about the same topic that has been on my mind lately, that of returning to the PNW as my summer destination each year and recognize that this is something that I must needs pray about. Then, while deep in thought this morning about this matter, Chris and his family of four walks in and immediately I recognize his as one of Jehovah′s Witnesses so I wave him to me, confirm that he is a witness of Jehovah and then introduce myself to him. We talk briefly and he tells me that he is from the Libby, Montana Kingdom Hall and headed to Coeur d′Alane for an assembly. Upon their departure, I return to my key pounding and soon after, begin my study for the meeting later this morning. Finally, I connect to the Oak Harbor congregation, greet the friends and soon after, the meeting begins.
Afterwards, I log off of the zoom app and return to the work at hand. Finally, by two thirty today, I pack out of the w-mart in Ponderay, Idaho, leave town, drive northward on US 2 towards and through Bonner′s Ferry and then eastward into Montana, where I first come to the Yaak National Forest campground, and then Kootenai Fall along US 2. Even though I do stop briefly for a photograph of the falls from the highway, I do not hike on the trail to the falls, but continuing westward on the US highway. Next, I next drive through Troy, Montana, where I notice that the price for a gallon of gasoline is at $3.16, the lowest I have seen gas prices for well over a year.
Next, I arrive at Libby, Montana, which I also just drive through until arriving at the junction of US 2 with SH 37, where I turn left onto state highway, which means that I have only ten miles left to drive today. It is during this last ten miles where I loose my phone service and must needs use my paper map to complete the final few miles to the campground. Arriving at the dam, I have to drive through the entire Libby Dam site, struggling mentally to remember exactly where the campsite I want to stay at is located. It has been more than three years since the last time I was here, which was during the month of July 2022, for two nights beginning on Day
420 TN, so I hope not too many changes have occurred. Then, at about five-fifty this afternoon, I arrive at the Blackwell Flats free campground which is located below the US Army Corps of Engineers Libby Dam above which is Lake Koocanusa. Lo and behold, the campsite is just where I left it, next to the same
Kootenai river, with the same seven camp sites, and the same vault toilet. So, as I drive into the campsite, I see that number 6 is available, drive into the campsite, park and begin setting up my gear.
First, I position the picnic table parallel to the loop road, then, I back the jammer up to that table, getting out to see when I am close enough to the table with the rear bumper of the jammer. Once the jammer is positioned just so, I then open up the rear lift door, get out my solar panels and then set them up on the slight rise area in front of where the jammer is parked. Next, I run the connecting cords and plug all four panels into the charge controller. I notice that the charge on my new FePho4-Lithium rechargeable RV battery is already at a charge of over 13 volts, which happens because I also have an battery isolator which draws current off of my alternator and sends it to the RV battery. This isolator is designed to not allow the vehicle′s electrical system to take amperage from the RV battery. Therefore, the isolator allows charging also protects the RV battery from being drained by the vehicle. I had to do some studying in order to learn all about the isolator so that I could install it on the jammer. Well, now my RV battery system is working really great, especially since purchasing the newest design of rechargeable batteries.
Too, since the sun set, I have been running on that battery for more than two hours and the charge controller still shows the RV batter to have a full charge with 12.9 volts. Not that is nearly nine o′clock this evening, I will be only staying up until about ten o′clock before I shut down my computer and make my bed ready for my nights sleep. It is very quite here at this campground in Montana. The high traffic season ended on Labor Day, which was on the first of September this year and now, there are very few camping in this campsite. There are still a lot of groups of fishermen, many of which use oar boats because I do not believe power boats are allowed on the lake here, but I am not sure on that question. Then, when ten arrives, I call it good for the evening, turn off my computer and get into the horizontal.
(Day 589 TS) 45°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 53
Autumnal Equinox
Sleeping in the Jammer
Blackwell Flats USACE Camp, Campsite: 6
Day One
Coordinates: 48.3696400, -115.3208400
Elevation: 2,105 feet
Awake at six, with the temperature seeming to be very cold, but as soon as I check my key chain thermometer, it indicates that the temperature to be only 49°:F. Later, I check the weather app on my phone, which currently does not have service, but still shows the last retrieved data and it shows the low temperature to be 45° F. Methinks, I should replace my old key chain thermometer with a more accurate one. I get up, step out of the jammer and then walk to the vault toilet, which is about fifty yards to the south of my campsite and while returning to the jammer, find a left wing feather from what appears to be a large tree climbing land bird, possibly a
Williamson′s Sapsucker. Once I return to the jammer,
I open up the rear lift door and get out my MSR Whisperlite stove, have a seat on the picnic table and first have to refill the fuel bottle. Once that is done, I then connect it to the fuel lead, twisting it on tight and then begin pumping up the fuel compartment with the attached pump. After twenty pumps, I then set the stove on the table, turn the fuel valve to open to allow a small amount to enter the outer bowl and then shut off the valve. This is done this way in order to light the fuel allowing it turn burn and by doing so, the fire heats the fuel feed lines cause the fuel inside them to vaporize. By the time that small amount of fuel burns up, there will be vapor ready to burn with the stove. So, before the initial fire goes out, I open the fuel valve just a small amount, which allow a little vapor to escape, and in doing so, ignites and causes a blue flame to begin burning. At this time, I open up the fuel valve all the way, give the pump a few more pushes and then set my stainless steel pot, now filled with a liter of water on the top of the stove just above the blue flame. This entire procedure has been done repeatedly by me over a lifetime of my Wayƒarering travels and now it is done almost without thinking about it. While waiting for the water to boil, I get out the ingredients for all three of the cup for my Daystart.
Then, as the steam begins to rise from the pot, I get out the detached handle, grasp the cookpot and begin to pour hot water into each of the cups. With that done, I begin stowing the cookpot, put the fuel bottle back into its bag and finally, since the stove takes a little longer to cool than the other pieces of the kitchen gear, I wait until last to put the stove back into its bag. Then, all the bags go back into their places in the rear storage compartment and I finally carry my three cup mean forward into the jammer office, where I resume my key pounding whilst I eat my f-meal.
Later in the morning, the park ranger walks up to my car and I get out to greet her. I read from her id tag that her name is Page and so, I introduce myself. She hands me a registration form, asks me politely to fill it out and put it into the box at the entrance kiosk. I tell her that I will do just that and then tell her that I did not know that Army Corps of Engineering had park rangers. She laughed, said yes, we do, but there is not very many of us. When she leaves, I go back to pounding keys and finishing my breakfast. This day warms up very nicely, and I do not cook again today but eat from my fresh fruits and vegetable food stores. The day time temperature rises into the 70s and I remain inside the jammer for the rest of the day, mostly just pounding keys.
Finally, the sun sets and I continue working on my computer until about ten this evening, when I ready my bed with two blankets, which I call a two dog night.
(Day 590 TS) 49°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 54
Sleeping in the Jammer
Blackwell Flats USACE Camp, Campsite: 6
Day Two
Awake after what seemed to be a cold night, me guessing it was as low as 45°.F, but upon my arising and looking at my key chain thermometer, I find it to be only 49°.F. Ever since arriving at this campsite, I have not had phone service and without service, I have no Google anything, particularly the one luxury of knowing the temperature. I guess, that is why I purchased the key chain gauge back when there weren′t any cell phones. Thus, since I now know that the temperature wasn′s as low as I thought, I next turn to the second reason. I need a bath, I am dirty, oily and just need some hot water. Well, that will probably not happen for several more days, when I am desperate enough to take a what my mother called a spit bath, one that is done out of a bucket or a pan, in which you dip a washcloth into the water and rub the dirt off of you body. When that happens, it will be done with water from the Kootenai River and the best time to do that is during the middle of the day when the temperature can counteract the cold water from the river.
Did I tell you that the water in this river is cold enough to stock it with trout, a fish that requires cold water to live. Well, that is what I will use, but not today. Today, I am still wiping myself down with a napkin and alcohol, not isopropyl alcohol but the good stuff, Everclear which is 97 percent alcohol, the drinking kind, which I began using long before COVID-19. I choose this due to the fact that too much isopropyl alcohol can cause blindness. Even so, I dress in my winter blues, step out of the jammer, walk the fifty yards to the vault toilet but have to wait until I return to the jammer to use my Everclear to sanitize my hands.
Like yesterday, it is about nine this morning before I get out my backpacking stove, boiled a liter of water and used the hot water to make my three cup f-meal. Both of my morning alarms have gone off before I am back inside the jammer at my office and pounding keys and when I look at my phone, I see that it is now ten o′clock when I begin eating my Daystart.
When this day winds down and the sun drops below the horizon, I decide to do exactly what I did yester-evening, that is to eat more of my fresh fruits and vegetables which I purchased right before leaving Oregon for the western most region in the contiguous United States to find the
Rocky Mountains, which would be those in eastern Washington. My plan on this southbound migration is to first drive across the top of the contiguous United States, trying to drive as far east as I can go before the inevitable happens. Yes, how far I am able to traverse this
Northern Tier depends on nothing that I have control of, but it depends entirely on when, while driving eastbound, I see the white stuff, no, not that which I will see on the mountaintops, but that white stuff I will have to drive through. When the weather gets to those conditions, that is when I will turn right.
Another day comes to its end, the deep darkness has encroached upon the land, all the animals have gone to rest and are silent, except for one fly who is still buzzing the light on the computer, the star have filled in where there was earlier blue sky, however, here I am, in the evening darkness, on this fall day in late September, still pounding the keys on my computer. Well, I suppose I will turn of the computer, get into the horizontal in order to get some sleep, yes, both me and the annoying fly.
(Day 591 TS) 51°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 55
Sleeping in the Jammer
Blackwell Flats USACE Camp, Campsite: 6
Day Three
Awake, arise, climb forward to the drivers seat, open the door and step out. I then take my morning walk to the toilet during which I pace the distance and find that it is closer to 100 yards than it is to fifty. After returning to the campsite r, i walk around to the rear of the jammer, I open the rear door, get out my stove, water bottle, tea kettle and begin to boil water. I then get out my three cups and prepare them for when the water boils, As soon as I see steam coming out of the kettle, I turn the stove off and pour just the right amount of hot water into each cup. Next, I pack up my kitchen, then move the three cups into the jammer and climb in myself. I continue inside the jammer most all day until it gets too hot to sit any more, so I grab an empty gallon jug, walk to the boat ramp and down to the water to fill the jug. Next, I return to the jammer, get out my shower bag, bandana and one of my cook pots. I put a little water in the pot, dip the rag in the water an then add a little liquid soap. Then, I proceed to wash my body thoroughly, even shampooing my hair. When ever thing is clean, I don clean clothes and I put away all of my gear.
About this time, I see that the park ranger has returned to add more paper to the toilet. When she continues down the loop road, I walk out to wait for her to arrive to ask a few more questions. She gives me a copy of new park brochure and we talk for a brief time. Also, I ask about a place in Libby, Montana where I can get WiFi and she says that there is a coffee house there that does that. Methinks, that will be where I go for the meeting. Then, I leave to go back to the jammer but it is just too hot to get inside and siting outside is good as far as the temperature but it is terrible on account of the flies. Then, at six-fifteen, the sun sets behind the treeline to the west of me and then immediately the temperature both outside and inside the jammer begin to drop. My phone was beginning to get hot, so, I wedged it between two gallon bottle of water that I keep on the floor. However, I since forgot where I had put my phone and when it gave me a notification beep, I began looking to where I had put it with no avail. Finally, to look down beside the water bottles, I moved one and it fell out onto the floor, to which I said out loud, "Oh Yeah!" and as I picked up the phone, I found it to be nearly ice cold as compared to its normal warm to the touch. Methinks, the next time my phone gets really hot, that is what I will do with it, put it between two full gallon water jugs, but I will plug in the charging cable to indicate where to find it when it goes missing again. What a great way to keep your phone from over heating.
Also, Wow with the spit bath, which worked so very well. Further, the river water didn′t even feel that cold. In fact, I have taken spit baths with water much colder that during my life time. At about seven-thirty, when every thing has quietened down, I step back outside to get my towel that I hung in the sun and put it back on the inside hanging cord. Then, I walk around the jammer to check to make sure every thing is secure, then shut the rear lift door, climb in through the drivers door and right through to the rear of the jammer for my nightly activities.
(Day 592 TS) 52°F. 7:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 56
Sleeping in the Jammer
Blackwell Flats USACE Camp, Campsite: 6
Day Four
Awake, arise and by nine this morning, I am done with my starting routine and siting at my office table pounding keys and eating my first meal. Sunlight is just now high enough above the trees to begin lighting up the solar panels although the panels began converting the ambient light even before I first stepped out of the jammer to walk to the toilet. I have run out of the single serve packets of Pike medium roast and have begun to use my container of pre-mixed
mushroom coffee.
(Day 593 TS) 48°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 57
Sleeping in the Jammer
Blackwell Flats USACE Camp, Campsite: 6
Day Five
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues and then turn on my computer to start my journal entry. I have surmised that the best time to work on my computer bug free is early in the morning as insects are not warm blooded and quite moving in colder temperatures but more active as the temperature rises. This accounts for their extra activity when the sun goes down, they are trying to get in the last few bits of food before the temperature makes them inactive again. So, in the future, I will continue to rise as early as possible in order to evade their time of activity. Too, I pulled out my window screen material to drape across those that I will open during the day to keep then out of the jammer, but this material needs work around the edges, including adding an edge of magnets to keep the screen shut when the wind blows, causing it to open. Then, at quarter to eight, I step outside and start my morning routine, starting with my constitutional walk, then back to the jammer to open up the rear lift door, get out my stove, teapot, fuel bottle and start this portion of my day.
It is eight-thirty when I have stowed the kitchen and then closed the rear lift door, something which I have not normally been doing and still the day is bug free. By keeping all doors and windows closed, except for the side sliders, which one is now covered with a screen cloth, and my hope is to do the same to the second slider, then I should be able to continue without the constant annoying bugs all about. On a positive note, there has been nearly no rain at all since I arrived last Sunday afternoon. Furthermore, the temperature here has not dropped below 45° during the night and the highs have been in the 70s, except for of coarse, the last two days when it soared up to the mid-80s. However, I expect that type of heat wave is done for the rest of my stay here, which, I plan to be here until just after the first of the month. Finally, this Sunday, 28 September 2025, I am planning to pack out, drive to the town of Libby, Montana and camp for the day at one of the w-mart coffee shops so that I can upload my files, zoom to the Oak Harbor, Washington meeting, which, because of the time zone change, will not start until eleven in the morning my time.
Meanwhile, as I enjoy my three cup morning meal, I will continue for the rest of this day with my work on the current updates and other upgrades to the pages of my website, and hopefully doing so bug free. Well, that did not come about because some how, some way, they keep getting in, or maybe, when it gets cold at night, the just crawl into a warm spot and go to sleep like I do. There are two primary insects that I have been dealing with, (1) the fly
(Exodus 8:21) and (2) what I call a stink bug, a member of the
Class Insecta, but not having internet, I have no idea which Order this character is in, but if I had to guess, I would say, Hemiptera. As for the flies, that would be Diptera and can you believe that there are over 155,000 species.
In examining the flies that swarmed the Egyptians in the days of Moses, I found out that this was the fourth plague upon Egypt and the first plague from which the Israelites in Goshen were spared.
(Exodus 8:22) This, I think is incredible enough but as I dug a little deeper and to say the least, I was quite impressed with what I learned. The English word of gadfly is transliterated from the Hebrew 'ârôb and pronounced aw-robe', and the definition to that work is simply a swarm of flies. This designation of gadfly when examined in the scientific nomenclature, which is the class Diptera, includes various kinds of horseflies and botflies. Female horseflies pierce the skin of animals and well as man and then suck blood from that warm blooded host. Furthermore, insects live in larval stages, which in fly species are called maggots. The larval stage of botflies can live as parasites in within the living body of animals and men. The botflies that are known to infest humans live in the tropics. Thus, a plague of gadflies would have been a cause of immense suffering for those Egyptians and their domestic animals, even to the point of death.
(Day 594 TS) 49°F. 7:00 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 58
Sleeping in the Jammer
Blackwell Flats USACE Camp, Campsite: 6
Day Six
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, climb forward to the drivers seat and step outside to put my trousers on. Then, I take my morning walk to the vault toilet after which, I return to the jammer to open up the rear lift door to begin preparing my f-meal. When the water boils, I put the hot water from the teapot into my three cups and then put my kitchen away. Next, I carry the three cups into the jammer, climb into the rear and take my seat at the office desk. Then, I resume pounding keys whilst I enjoy my morning meal.
This day continues while outside, some RV campers arrive at several of the nearby campsites. I continue with all of my windows closed except for only one which I have taped a screen covering over to keep out the many insects that are in this area. Finally, during the twilight, I step outside and pack up my gear, primarily my solar panels, in preparations for going into town tomorrow morning. Once everything is stowed away in their proper place, I then climb back into the jammer, then into the rear and get into the horizontal for the evening.
(Day 595 TS) 53°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 59
Sleeping in the Jammer
Blackwell Flats USACE Camp, Campsite: 6
Day Seven
Awake, arise, climb forward to the drivers seat, step outside to don my trousers and then walk the one hundred yards to the vault toilet. After returning to the jammer, I do a walk around to see if I have left anything on the ground. Then, I get back into the jammer and drive out of the campground. I head south on NF Road 228 which soon connects to SH 37, on which I turn right to head west to Libby, Montana for some coffee and internet. Upon arrival in Libby, I find a ff-mart to purchase my coffee and sit inside to eat my breakfast sandwich, but before I got out to the jammer, I step back up to the counter to get a refill. While at the counter, I ask the server if she is an American Indian to which she tells me that she is
Alaskan Inuit and speaks of the Iñupiaq language. I respond, "Then you are of the Algonquian Native Americans and cousins to the Delaware native Americans in the areas of the Eastern United States." She smiles and shakes her head in agreement. With my cup filled again, I return to the jammer which is sitting in the parking lot and return to my morning meal.
Soon, I connect to the Zoom app and connect to the Oak Harbor, Washington congregation for the 10:00 am weekend meeting; the time where I am located is eleven in the morning. The public talk is from a local Brother Kendrick who discusses The End of War. Next, the Watchtower study is considered and the subject is How to Give Advice, which covers the topic very thoroughly.
After the meeting, I continue here for a time longer, having another cup of coffee, after which I have a sandwich as well. I continue with two things on my agenda while in town. First and foremost is to upload all of the web page files that I have changed while I have been in the forest campgrounds. Then,before I leave, I spend some time downloading many of the video files on the WTLibrary, so that when there is no phone service and I just want to vegetate, I will have videos to watch, ones that are both upbuilding as well and instructive in the Way of the Lord. When I finish those two tasks, I next make a couple of stops in town to purchase a some food stores, specifically, some fresh vegetables.
As I am getting back into the jammer, my sister Susan calls to ask a few questions about the Bible study app that she has just downloaded onto her phone. I ask her, "What Bible study app did you get?" to which she tells me "The WTLibrary app from JW.org, like you told me to do." After that, we continue to talk and Susan tells me some of the desires of the heart concerning her future and here getting to know our God Jehovah. She also tells me that she has been supplementing Jehovah about him telling her what she needs to do in order to accomplish that. When she stops speaking, I the tell her that by studying the Bible like she is doing, that is the first of two things she can do right away. When she asks, I then tell her that the second thing is to go to the meetings. I could tell by her voice in her reply that she has some fears about doing that, call it apprehension, anxiety and/or nervousness.
She next asks me, "What if they want to come to my home? I am not ready for that." I then tell her, that she should say "Maybe later, but for now, I would just like to observe for a while." Then, I say, "They will come up to greet you and ask your name, Just give then your name and ask theirs. Always be polite. They will not push you into doing anything you do not want to do." She thanks me and then starts to weep and apologizes saying "I have been having a lot of disturbing feelings which causes me to cry." I then tell her, "Jehovah knows what you are going through and He wants to help you very much. Do you know how you can get his help?" to which she says "No, how?" I then tell her, "Keep studying the Bible and when you are up to it, go to a meeting" She then says to me, "I will try." "That is what Jehovah want to hear," is tell her. We say our good byes and the we hang up. I must needs do some praying for my sister Susan to be successful in this formidable task. She does not know it yet, but it is not as oppressive a path to walk as she thinks it is going to be. In fact, it will continue to become more and more joyful a path to walk the lost she continues on it.
It is about four in the afternoon, when I leave Libby to drive SH 37 eastward back to the campsite, and upon arriving back at the Blackwell Flats recreation area, I find that site number 3 is open, which site has a asphalt hard surface parking, whereas all the rest have a gravel parking area. Methinks this will be much easier for myself to move around upon, so I go to site six, retrieve my occupied sign and then drive back to the registration station and re-register for the next seven days until the fifth of October. I also take my first/old registration receipt and attach it to the new registration and drop it in the locked box. Then, I drive back to campsite 3 and set up my campsite, parking in such a way that the rear lift door is pointing north and will this will provide shade when ever I sit at the picnic table to cook a meal.
However, the primary reason for choosing this site is I will not have to wear my shoes every time I step outside like was necessary in all the other six sites in this campground. Too, the footing was not very good on the unlevel gravel and I really needed to watch my step every where I go. Finally, I am glad to now know that this campsite does have a handicap ♿ campsite, well at least partially one. Now the hour becomes twilight, I get out my cup, water and bandana to take a spitz bath before I get into the sack. Now, I am felling pretty good, so I climb into the jammer and pound keys while outside the twilight runs its course and the daylight finally is overcome by the darkness of night. Further, with the town of Libby, Montana some fourteen miles to the west, the light pollution from that source is not very bright, but does show just a little bit. This campground is absolutely nothing like the on the summit pass of the Kettle River Mountain Range in Washington.
Then, as the sunlight begins to fade to gray and then to black, I continue to pound keys, at least to get caught up on my journal writing. It is not until after ten this evening before I get into the horizontal.
(Day 596 TS) 56°F. 7:25 am, cloudy
Journey On, Day 60
Sleeping in the Jammer
Blacekwell Flats USACE Camp, Campsite: 3
Day Eight
Coordinates: 48.368154, -115.322161
Elevation: 2,105 feet
Awake, dress in my fall blues, step out of the jammer, don my slip-on shoes and set out for the vault toilet. I bring my own toilet paper because the last time I was there, it had no paper. Upon returning to the jammer, I step in through the drivers door, climb into the office, open my computer and begin pounding keys to start today′s journal entry. A short time, I step back outside to walk to the rear of the jammer, open the lift door and begin my breakfast preparations. When the three-cup meal is done, I put away my kitchen, climb back into the office and resume my computer work while I eat my breakfast. It remains somewhat cool today which immobilizes most of the insects, which I am really happy about. Later, when this day approaches the noon hour, I step back outside to open the rear lift door and prepare a fresh vegetable salad. I get out my knife, cutting board and sit down at the picnic table and chop onions, celery, red bell peppers, ginger, leafy arugula and leafy spinach, putting all the vegetables into my large cookpot. Then, I put away my kitchen tools, carry the cookpot inside the jammer and climb in myself. I have been noticing in this primary evergreen forest, the few hardwoods growing here are now in full fall color. I then sit down in front of my computer and as I pound keys, I eat my meal and also watch the 2025 Governing Body Update #6, with the speaker Samuel F. Herd.
With food in my stomach, I feel the urge to take a nap, so I lie down in the back of the jammer, pull the blanket up, close my eyes an dose off only to awake about two hours later. I get up, move back to the computer to resume my key pounding and find that I left the computer plugged into the battery, which I find was the wrong thing to do because it totally drained my deep cell battery. Without battery, I have no overhead light and even though the computer is at full charge, it will not be recharged, so, when it drains down to less than five percent, that too will not operate well.
The night all too quickly comes upon me here in this Kootenai river valley which winds through the surrounding mountains southbound for just a short distance more before the Big Bend at which time, makes a turn west and then northwest through Montana, into Idaho and finally turns northbound and flows back into Canada where it later joins with its primary, the Columbia River. However, here now, just above the Big Bend in the Kootenai, I listen to hear the light patter of rain upon the roof of the jammer and I notice the small drops stating to collect on the outside of its window glass.
I do continue pounding keys until eleven this evening before I return to the horizontal.
(Day 597 TS) 51°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 61
Sleeping in the Jammer
Blackwell Flats USACE Camp, Campsite: 3
Day Nine
Awake at the first alarm but it is still very dark, so, I go back to sleep until the second alarm sound. I notice that the rain has continued until this morning and is still very light. I arise, dress in my fall blues, step outside, walk to the rear and open the lift door to take out my rain parka and in doing so find another stole-away stink bug hiding between the hung clothing. I grab him and give him a toss outward from the jammer and because they immediately take flight and try to return to their snug haven, I grab the lift door and shut it. Then, I don my parka and walk to the vault toilet for my morning constitutional after which, I return to the jammer, climb in and move to the office area. Here, I first check the charge controller and find that even though it is still raining, the solar panels are collecting the light and controller is flashing to show that the battery is being charged. However, the battery still does not have enough charge in it to be helpful to me as it is still below twelve volts.
Next, I turn on my computer and find that it still has a fifty percent battery charge, so I turn the computer on, begin pounding keys and start today′s journal entry. Methinks because I just filled my fuel tank up last Sunday, I can start the jammer to aid in charging the battery and at the same time turn the heater on to warm me up and dry out some of the moisture. The dash clock comes on showing that the time is 7:50 am, but that just reminded me that I have yet to correct it for when I crossed the time zone into mountain time. After an hour of charging, I begin to see some change as it is showing that the deep cell battery has 10.9 volts of charge, which is a good start. Then at nine this morning, the voltage meter shows 11 volts and I reach up to the steering column and turned off the jammer engine. Then, at ten this morning, I look at the battery level on my computer and see that it is at 20 percent, which indicates that I will not have more than an hour left to work pounding keys. Methinks that I will close up shop here and drive to town at about eleven this morning, because what I believe is that driving charges the battery somewhat quicker; at least I will find out. Also, in packing away the solar panel, the first one that I grab will go back onto my dash so that whatever sunlight is available will have the opportunity to charge the battery. Alright, we have a plan.
Actually, I did not leave until nearly noon, and I drive west on SH 37 until I arrive at the outskirts of the town of Libby, Montana and when I see the Kingdom Hall from the highway, I pull right onto Kootenai River Road (CH 508) and then immediately left into the Hall parking lot. I notice a construction trailer parked across the front entrance, but no vehicle and pull around to a place close to the entrance, park, get out of the jammer and then walk to the front of the hall. As I get closer, I see that the front door is open so I call out "Hello!" to which I receive back a greeting from the voice of a man. I walk up to the front door and talk to a brother working on replacing the front entryway flooring. I greet him again and tell him, "My name is Thom" to which he tells me that his is David. We talk for a few minutes and I learn that he is here with his wife here, who is presently" away in their truck to pick up something, and that they are repairing the flooring in the Kingdom hall. He also tells me that this is his hall and that tonight, the circuit overseer is visiting here at seven o′clock. I tell him, be it known that I will be here by seven this evening. Finally, I ask David if their is a good coffee shop in town, then depart the hall to find a place for coffee, com and computer.
Finding the w-mart, I carry my computer bag inside and sit down at a table with built in electrical plugs, plug in my computer and then get to work on my upgrades to my web pages, until two in the afternoon when the w-mart closes for the day. After that, I drive down the street to the local arches, walk inside, plug in and resume my key pounding until shortly after six this evening. Then, I pack out walk out to the jammer, done my dress shirt and tie, put on my dress shoes and then drive to the Kingdom Hall to await for the meeting to begin at seven. The final part of tonights meeting is the talk by the circuit overseer who speaks on the topic of what it means to be "family
Upon arriving back in camp, I find that my Occupied sign has been stolen along with the two bottles of river water. Methinks, I feel sad for those who took my things, despite the items being practically worthless. I park the jammer in front of the table, climb into the rear and get into the horizontal.
(Day 598 TS) 47°F. 7:30 am, rain
Journey On, Day 62
Sleeping in the Jammer
Blacekwell Flats USACE Camp, Campsite: 3
Day Ten
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, climb forward into the drivers seat, start the jammer and after it warms up for a few minutes, I pull forward twenty feet, step out and check the area for trash and move the table back to near to where it was when I arrived here. Finally, I drive out of the campsite and head into the town of Libby, Montana. Upon arriving on Mineral Street, I put into a parking space in front of the Coffee Fix w-mart, park, grab my computer bag and then walk inside. I sit down at an electric plug table, set up my computer, and then walk to the counter to order a cup of hot and then return to to my seat to begin pounding keys. After a few minutes, a sister (whose husband I talked with briefly in Ponderay, Idaho at the Starbucks) and her daughter sits down at the table next to mine and when I turn around to acknowledge them, she says hello. I greet here and then ask her name again, which she tells me it is Sarah Lynn, after which, I ask her daughter he name and she tells me it is Ashlynn. I then remind them of my name, ":Thom with an h.": and then we talk for a few minutes longer. When they are done with their breakfast, we say our good-byes and then they pack out and walk out of the w-mart.
I remain here in this w-mart for a couple more hours catching up on my journal writing. Then, at about three in the afternoon, I pack out, climb into the drivers seat of the jammer and drive out of Libby, Montana on SH 37 heading west for the first fourteen miles, pass by the exit for the Blackwell Flats and cross to the south side of the Kootenai River, just at the Big Bend. Then I follow the big bend around as the river turns north and I continue northbound on the east side of the river, all along on SH 37. The Kootenai National Forest grows along both sides of the river as the river continues some sixty seven miles northward along the eastern shore of Lake Koocanusa, sometimes quite high above the water, but always through a very healthy national forest of bright evergreen trees interspersed with
deciduous plants, or what most people call those trees and shrubs that change colors in the fall and then drop their leaves. Yes, the fall season is in full bloom especially with bright yellows, flaming oranges, and a few crimson reds. I continue north to within eight miles of the Canadian border, where SH 37 intersects with US 93, where I turn right and head south, first through the tourist town of Eureka, Montana and the further southbound on US 93 another fifty-two miles to Whitefish, Montana. Once in Whitefish, I turn right again, and continue south on US 93 for about another mile to the first (stand alone) w-mart that I can find. Upon arriving in the parking lot, I leave the jammer in a space, grab my computer bag and then go inside to upload my web site files. Also, I sit her for a couple of hours working on my computer.
The cafe closes at seven this evening, so. I pack out to the jammer, climb in and get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 599 TS) 43°F. 6:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 63
Sleeping in the Jammer
Coordinates: 48.393959, -114.335272
Elevation: 3,041 feet
Awake, arise, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive south on US 93 to Kalispell, Montana and stop at the d-mart to purchase several items of need. Upon leaving the d-mart, I drive north on US 93 for about one and a half miles to Rose Crossing where I turn right and drive eastbound. After crossing the Whitefish River, I then arrive at US 2, turn left and drive north for just over eight miles and follow US 2 to the right into Columbia Falls. Here, I cross the Flathead River and continue along the east band of the river for a time until this highway arrives in West Glacier, Montana.
Arriving at the entrance of Glacier National Park, I turn left under the Historic Railroad bridge onto Glacier Route 1 past all the tourist traps, then across the Middle Fork Flathead River, continue driving north for less than a mile, where I arrive at the entrance-fee station which is closed and unmanned due to the current federal government shut-down. There is a sign that says "Purchase permit at fee station" However, since I have a National Parks Pass, my permit is already obtained with the pass and I do not need to purchase another one, so I drive right into the park.
After only a short drive inbound, I stop, turn around and leave the national park because experience has taught me that whenever there is a shutdown of services for any reason, all of the lock gates within the parks are locked which means for Glacier National Park, the Going to the Sun Road is closed at Avalanche Creek with a locked gate.
(m2cont-nam-geol-pa-mt-glacier-avalanche) Lock Gate at Avalanche Creek
I drive out of the park, turn left on US 2 and drive eastward around the bottom of the national park, along the Middle Ford Flathead River, past the Essex railroad station where the highway crosses the river and enters the national park. After driving for just over two miles, I arrive at the Goat Lick Scenic Overlook and see that the lock gate is closed here. So, my assumptions were correct about the lock gates in the park.
Continuing east on US 2, soon after, I pass the Bear Creek boat launch and then begin climbing upwards along Bear Creek towards the Continental Divide at the Summit Campground in Marais Pass, where I pull off of the highway for a short time, evening driving into the Summit Campground briefly, which is in the Lewis and Clark National Forest, a campground with a fee of $20.00 per site/night, and that with no electric, no garbage service and only a vault toilet. Nope, I will not camp at any location and pay that high of a fee to camp at. I leave the summit, cross over the Continental Divide and begin my drive down from the pass. I have been driving on US 2 since I left Kalispell, Montana yesterday and I plan on driving through Montana on this same highway, doing so during my time crossing this state. Along the way down the east side of the divide, there is a creek named Railroad Creek that flows down alongside the highway, moving from one side to the other and then goes over Dawson Falls (48.4234404, -113.2091072) as Railroad turns westward at Heart Bluff Cutoff.
As I drive out of Glacier National Park, immediately, I enter the
Blackfoot Nation Reservation and see several tribal signs written in English and the Blackfoot language, which is called Nitsi′powassin. After driving east from Browning, I drive through the rest of the reservation, and arrive in Cut Bank, a city just to the east, outside of the reservation and while driving through this city, I notice a couple of murals painted on the sides of buildings, one of which I am totally impressed with, a
salmon in shallow water.
Leaving Cut Bank, Montana, I continue my journey on the Northern Tier Route driving on US 2 eastbound across Montana, choosing this highway because I am well into the fall season and suspect the temperatures to begin dropping soon to below freezing and by driving US 2E, I will be able to make better time as this US highway runs straight most of its route across the northern US states, with most of its course as a four lane divided highway.
It is just as the sun is setting when I arrive in Chinook, Montana and I pull into the Cenex fuel station and fill up my gas tank. I ask the clerk "How long do you stay open tonight?" to which the woman says, "We are open 24-7." I also ask where the restroom is located, to which she points with her hand replies, "Follow this isle to the rear of the store." I walk back to the rest room and see that there is no lock on the door, except that of the one on the inside of the restroom. I determine that this is a good place to park for the night. I return to the jammer, drive across the street and park on the side of the next to a park. Soon, I am in the back of the jammer and in the horizontal.
(Day 600 TS) 43°F. 7:10 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 64
Coordinates: 45.594081, -109.234071
Elevation: 2411 feet
Awake, drive back to the fuel station, park in front of the store and walk inside to use the mens room after which I buy a large cup of coffee. Then, I return to the jammer, drive back to the highways and continue driving eastbound. US 2 from after driving through Harve, Montana, has been following the Milk River. The Milk River, a tributary of the
Mississippi-Missouri River system has the highest latitude of all other rivers within the entire Mississippi-Missouri river system, with parts of the river even flowing down from Canada. I continue to follow this river even today, crossing it numerous times, as I drive eastbound across Montana. The Milk river continue to grow as several tributaries add to its flow as it goes down stream the further east it flows. Then, just past the town of Nashua, Montana, the Milk River turns south for a brief time and joins with the Missouri River (48.0572980, -106.3189466) just as the Missouri River is flowing out of the Fort Peck Lake.
From this juncture, I begin to parallel the Missouri River as it flows downstream from the Fort Peck Lake, growing wider with each added tributary. Soon after I drive through the town of Bainville, Montana, the Missouri River, somewhat south of US 2E crosses into North Dakota and immediately after the river arrives in this new state, the Yellowstone River joins its water to the Missouri River and together their waters soon after flow into the northernmost banks of Lake Sakakawea.
I drive across the state line and stop in Williston, North Dakota for the night. Upon arriving in town, I first locate where the d-mart is located and then next, drive to find where the w-mart is located. During the drive between the two marts, I come across a large parking lot and/or foundation of a motel that has been demolished and removed. This find proves to be an excellent location to overnight, especially since the d-mart has no overnight parking signs posted. I drive onto the old foundation, find a very dark locations, park and put up my window shades.
The lower areas of the Lake Sakakawea lies mostly in the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, somewhat south of where I am overnighting. Too, the Missouri River will depart from the eastern reaches of Lake Sakakawae and then flow in a more southerly direction towards South Dakota and those places to the southeast. Furthermore, this will take this major river out of my reach for the remainder of my easterly drive.
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