July 23, I work that day, but Kerry came to me and told me that I can have all day on Tuesday off. I only ask for half day off since I knew that I would be flying out that evening instead of that day. Kerry explained that Plant #1 and Plant #2 are merging for a bit that week as so many people are having off at same time. He say I can go ahead and have off the whole day of Tuesday. I was happy for that offer.
One thing I remembered was that I forgot to get my air mattress and my sleeping bag. I need my sleeping bag for Yellowstone trip. I left the air mattress and sleeping bag at Mark's house, because he was sleeping on them the last time I slept over at his house. I felt foolish to be leaving at the middle of the night, but I know I had to do something before I cracked up. Sure, I should have talked; that was his wish.
Anyway, I ask Mark if I could go over to his house that evening. I thought it would be nice if we could have devotional time together in person just before I left for Yellowstone. I felt one week is a long time not to be talking with Mark at any time. To top off my excitement, I got my first blackberry that day by UPS. I was so excited with my new gadget. I took it with me to Mark's. He set it up for me, and I am glad to say I can get my emails and faxes on my blackberry. July 23 is truly a fateful day....
We had a merry time talking about blackberry and all, and he set up my blackberry as I goof around on my laptop. At one point, I was just reading my emails that I send to Mark's blackberry, and he suddenly grabbed the blackberry from me. I was taken back. I thought our friendship was strong enough that we can talk and share about anything. My heart sinks; is that how he view me? Untrustworthy friend? Or a friend not good enough to be allowed to snoop into his possessions? He still says I am his best friend, but I do not feel treated as one.
He quickly start talking about other things. I noticed distinctively that he often does that. If anything happens kind of negatively, he would quickly change the subject. Why would he be like that? That is how he acted when I ask a question that get his reply, "No comment." Why would he be like that?
Anyway, I tried to act as if nothing happened. I moved on and we did have our devotional later than we first planned. We sure are so engrossed in blackberry. New gadgets always fascinate us, and that's the bridge we built our friendship...that's my observation.
I went home and upon arrival, I realize that I returned without the purpose of my trip. My sleeping bag was still at Mark's house, and I went to his house for that reason! As I think about it now, I had to think about that's how many Christians live their lives. A double vision or goal. I went, thinking of blackberry, devotional, and sleeping bag...trying to do everything in one trip as much as possible. And darn me, I forgot the real reason of going to Mark's house...the sleeping bag, the very item I need for Yellowstone trip that I am leaving for the next day.
So arrangement was made that I would pick up my sleeping bag as well as my air mattress in his dad's unlocked van. I tried to do everything in one trip again, and I almost was late in getting back home. Perhaps I should have left a bit earlier...I don't know.
Anyway, that is next morning, July 24. I woke up in good time, and did stuff on my laptop. Then I went to do laundry, so I can have bunch of clothes to take along to Yellowstone. I shopped a bit at Wal-mart, and dropped off the rented DVDs. Then I drove all the way to Mark's house to pick up my sleeping bag that I forgot the evening before. Mark AIMed me and ask if I have gotten it yet. I was just a stone's throw from his home when I got buzzed as he asked online.
It is 11:30 then and I quickly pick up my sleeping bag and mattress and drove all the way home. My mission of the trip is accomplished and now the next step to worry about is to get my backpack packed for Yellowstone trip.
Upon arrival, I arrange everything and try to figure what I should take along or not. I bought a tent and Jay thought we won't need it. Little would I know that later I would wish to bring it along.
Finally, upon completion of my packing and all, I return to my beloved Dellie and putter around a bit. I wondered how long Jay and I would wait until we would go to Leon's. Oh, Mike Musser just arrived our house, and we carpooled to Leon's in Jay's truck with Jay as a driver, of course.
We got to Leon's early. The scheduled time for Yellowstone gang is to flock together at Leon's is 3 PM. We got there about 1:30 PM. Leon just was getting undressed to get ready to take his wife and have a fine sub from Subway just for their last time together before being separated for a week, the longest time span away from each other since their wedding day 2 and half years ago. But because everyone happened to be there before 3 PM, we all tag along with Leon to watch how he would eat his sub with his wife. I did get my own wrap and a drink. No, it wasn't alcoholic.
At that point, everyone got their fill, and we start out for New York City. Well, we went to airport in Newark, NJ. We arrived there in good time, and we got unloaded the van. All 6 men were shouldered with their backpacks and stood for a pose.
We got our tickets, and it says we all will sit at seat row number 25. I saw the number and assumed we would sit at the wing or somewhere near there. My, we were wrong. The plane is shorter and row number 25 means the back row! The only problem we have with back row is that we can't recline our seats as there is a wall. Never mind, we had a merry time playing Rook. Leon and Mike got loose and stood or sit around in the aisle. They had to move every time someone want to use the lavatory, but other than that, they had fun. Leon won the game, of course.
It was a long ride. But thanks to a good game of Rook and my new blackberry, it didn't seem too bad.
We arrived Salt Lake City early that morning. We waited over a hour on Lewis, wondering if he died or playing with other women in motel. Leon and I emailed to Lewis right off the bat when we landed, but he didn't get our email until hour later! That junk Treo of his, I wonder what is so wonderful about it.
He finally appeared with SUV with cargo size smaller than can hold our backpacks. So we all squeeze in and poor Leon and Mike got cramped in the back with stuff piled on their laps. We arrived at Wal-mart, and found ourself at food-only kind of Wal-mart, something I never saw before. I did find some Smirnoff and nearly died trying to buy it without Lewis know about it. I didn't buy any, but Lewis was waiting on us at SUV. I wondered how long he waited, but he sure was patient about it all. How did we find that Wal-mart? Because Lewis trust in GPS.
Lewis gleaned some information from a Wal-mart employee and found out there is Super Wal-mart 5 minutes away by motorized wheel, not by feet. We went to that one, and we bought everything we need and we got some straps.
Ah, the space we get from putting stuff on the roof of SUV.
We wasted 2 hours roughly by stopping few times, because Lewis is road weary. He felt like he must honor his word by driving all the way. I had to think that he is not Mennonite, so he can't just disregard the paper he signed that only he is to drive it. Lewis finally relented and let Leon drive, but not for long.
We arrived Yellowstone late Wednesday afternoon. It rained off and on, and I thought what a poor start for our hiking through the wild mountains.
At early start of our hiking, we got to walk through water. Not my cup of tea, but it is an experience nonetheless.
6 miles later. Lewis got off tracked. Well, he just got too cautious at that point, and wasn't sure if we are on right trail. We came to the fork of the trail, and he took left. He feared of getting left, so we backtracked and took right. His mistake or my mistake, I should have run a bit further and we would have found the next campsite, but his mistake, we went the wrong way. Finally the sunlight is fading away, and we decided to go downhill right into the river. We camped off the assigned campsite, much to Lewis' dismay. But he understood, because we are so tired, having little or no sleep the night before on plane.
Next morning, the day is shining brightly...but not for long. We started out by trying the shortcut and we found the trail right good. But not before I tried the dangerous climb. I tried climbing the steep hill of rocks. I thought it look sane enough, so I climbed, and besides I do like a little of risks!
Ah, my mistake again. I didn't know that I would soon get close to the dangerous place where I can fall with such a heavy weight on my back, and find no tight rocks enough to trust myself to hang on them as I try to pull myself up to the top. Finally Mike threw down rope tied to tree to me, and I pull myself up to the top with that blessed rope.
We found the trail, and now we know we are not too lost. We start walking, but my trembling legs are not strong enough to hold the heavy weight on my back. After few rests and after my first poop in Yellowstone, I start to pick strength and we start walking in satisfactory speed. But we rested quite a bit, and Jay is tired. His backpack is the heaviest, I presumed.
Clouds start to gather, and rain came. I never recall seeing such a unpredictable weather as I have at Yellowstone. Sunny one moment, and then next rain. That was Thursday.
We finally arrived the campsite hours later and miles later. The campsite is right by the lake, and we did have a nice view. But one problem...rain! We were so cold and tired, and many of us felt rebellious of finding a proper campsite according to the rule of Yellowstone. We just pitched our tent right at the lake, instead of obeying the law of 100 yards away from water. Only Jordan, Lewis, and I ate our supper and I had gathered most of backpacks and put it to where we should hang them.
Lewis tried hanging the backpacks, but the log broke. I had to smile and think that maybe God is trying to tell Lewis to trust Him more than obeying the law that is intended to protect us from bears.
Lewis and I had a lively discussion about faith and trust. But he left me much to be desired.
We were last to sleep and not the first to wake. I wasn't the last to wake, and I think it was Lewis. That 36-year-old pastor of First Deaf Mennonite Church.
Leon woke up with really bad leg cramps. He decided to quit hiking. Fortunately for him, I was silently happy to be free from such strenuous hiking.
We walked into a fine day which suddenly turned into hail. I was like, Oh dear. Saturday morning rose good and early over our tents which we pitched on the meadow for rangers' horses. Lewis and Jay tried fishing, but the sun is too fine.
Leon left early to get to the road. He said he got to the road only 5 minutes before Mike and Paul had reached there. And I got there half hour later, followed by Jay. Leon came with SUV; Mike, Paul, and I went with him to buy some drinks. Upon our return, we found the other three waiting on us.
I am so glad to have that strenuous hiking behind us. We walked 7.4 miles from Heart Lake to the road for our finale. Never again would I do backpack hiking. Unless if we will stay at one same campsite for more than one night. We would have about 20 more miles yet to complete Lewis's original plans, but thanks to Leon's cramps, we quit.
My first message from blackberry was about that I am out of boonies and into civilization. No more fighting the wild, the kind I am not brought up in.
Mark's reply was that I am not to be a wimp, but I smiled and was glad that he wasn't with us on that trip. He wouldn't enjoy it as much, or maybe he will kill it for me.
Our first stop after returning into civilization is shower. Lewis and Leon had theirs. We play Rook as we wait, and then we went to fine restaurant. After dining there, we went to see Old Faithful.
My battery died before I could capture the whole geyser in video on my camera. I was rather disappointed, but Lewis comfort me that we should gather together and exchange our pictures. After puttering around in the gift shop, we went to the restaurant by the lake.
We had a good pizza and chatted late. We camped at the campsite and I slept in the tent. Only Jordan and Lewis slept in tent with me. Everyone else slept in SUV. They admitted they didn't have the best sleep either. Lewis and I shared deaf jokes, and we did have a nice time. But I was ready to sleep before he was.
Next morning is Sunday morning. July 29. It was beautiful day, and we again went to the same restaurant for breakfast that we went for dinner the evening before. It was a good breakfast. My upper arm was oozing with fluid as the result of sunburns. It isn't pretty to look at for anyone. But anyway, because of that, I got to sit by the window where no one would bump into my yucky arm.
We chatted quite a bit, and then we had a nice drive through the Yellowstone. We almost touch Montana, but we decided to browse around. We drove through the buffalo territory and got to see them fight and walk around real close. Fortunately no bison is mad enough to damage our rented SUV. We also got to see mule deer and elk in the wild. We also saw one moose too.
We got to see mud volcano, and man, that fumes stinks. Sure smell like rotten eggs, and I couldn't help but wonder if that stuff is from the hell as the Bible says the hell is the lake of brimstone, which also means sulphur.
Now we drove all the way to Idaho. Pocalleo (spell?) of Idaho. We slept overnight at Motel 6. We swam in the swimming pool, and then Leon, Paul, Mike, and I slept in one room as Jay, Lewis, and Jordan slept in another room. I secretly went to gas station and got some Mike's Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff for our Rook party in our room.
Lewis never knew.
Monday, July 30. The last day of our vacation. We went to Salt Lake City that day after dining the last brunch at IHOP (International House of Pancakes). We stopped at Utah's welcome center off I-15 and try to figure where we would go to say we have touched Utah. Finally, we decided on Cabela's in Lehi.
We enjoy our time at Cabela's, but I keep have the nagging feeling that I would wish to see Mormon Temple, the famous tourist spot in Salt Lake City. But I try to still myself by realizing that the gang I am with wouldn't find it enjoyable.
Finally at 11:35 PM, we took off in the airplane at Salt Lake City. Thus begins the long night over the continental United States.
We arrived Newark, New Jersey, at 6 AM. We were so tired that we didn't feel like funnying around much.
Jordan's mom drove us all the way to Leon's. Jay drove Mike and me to his house. I was so tired from lack of sleep the whole week that upon arrival at home, I got clonked out for 4 hours.
I woke up and putter around on computer, but still had throbbing headache and sleepiness still attacks me. I didn't want to go back to sleep, because I was afraid of poor night's sleep again. But I felt so bad, that I decided to go back to sleep. I slept 2 hours and woke up again. I still didn't feel fully awake, but I went to sleep again at usual time--10 PM.
I woke up right on my 30th birthday, feeling so refreshed. I was surprised to realize that was the first time I ever recall sleeping so much in one day--and still sleep a whole night's sleep.
So I went back to work, and felt normal again. Glad that strenuous hiking is forever past and normal life is here. But...
I am looking for next excitement.
That's another story.
