Sunday, August 23, 2015

"Too Far to Walk" -- Day 2

(We are writing on a one-day delay for safety and convenience. Also, for all the other #fennsfriends searching out there, we don't want to share too much. ;)) 

Day 2 (Sunday) of our treasure-hunting adventure had us saying goodbye to the Den Hartogs, who treated us to a delicious authentic Columbian dinner and some much-needed catching up on life since graduation. We left Omaha at 7:30 a.m. and then it was a full 7 hours of crossing straight across the state of Nebraska.



We had a picnic lunch at a rest stop in Ogallala, Nebraska (you can't make up these names) just before the topography went from never-ending-flat to the hills of Wyoming. We spent much of the afternoon re-reading Forrest's memoir, talking through the poem line by line and word by word, refining our theories and creating more. We even listened to a podcast interviewing Forrest, which made us feel even more affection towards the man who started all the adventure. We are truly starting to experience the Thrill of the Chase!



We stopped for dinner at a Thai restaurant in Rawlins, Wyoming, which was this bustling town literally in the middle of nowhere. The deer in Rawlins walk down the sidewalk like it's #nobigdeal.


We are ending the night in Pocatello, Idaho, partially because it's the only cheap hotel within 2 hours of western Wyoming and partially because the boys say it's some sort of Civilization computer game reference. I'm just excited to be adding another state to the list! 7 states and counting by the time we fall asleep tonight!


I have always been the first to admit that I'm an impatient traveler, preferring to fly and arrive to my destination in 6 hours rather than 30. That said, I'm finding I'm enjoying the slow traversing of the United States infinitely more than I thought possible. The gradual transition of topography and time zones has been good for the soul. It takes teamwork to drive 16 hours in a day and the thought of large sums of money lying out in the wilderness has led to some very meaningful and introspective conversations about our purpose and our character and our futures. The quiet darkness of Wyoming tonight -- with no light pollution to ruin this view of the stars -- has been a breathtaking reminder of the wonder and beauty and hugeness of God. Yes, this was just the sort of trip we all needed. So thankful for this blessing during such a transitional stage in the three of our lives.


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