Fuel the Fire

Mile:5,222
       Waking up early, Erin and I headed down to the eastern part of Yellowstone towards Lamar valley.  Home of the wolves, our eyes and dogs' ears were alert, well, everyone except Ketza, she didn't have had her coffee yet.  A pack of nine wolves streamlined across the river, letting out a group howl, and began their day's travels.  We followed suit, driving out of the park and back on to the highway towards eastern Wyoming.  We set off towards South Dakota and enjoyed Mt. Rushmore, Wall Drug, and the Badlands.  As our eyes are bombarded with new every day, I find the time to collect thoughts of the future often, as inspiration tacks on to these new experiences.  The houses we stay in, the grounds we pitch a tent on, and the cheap motels are a reminder that ownership of land is a Great American Dream.  I would love to wake up in the morning to the smell of fresh baked apple pies, and farm raised bacon sizzling, as I watch erin tend to the garden and milk goats. All the while dogs are barking, chickens being chased, winter wheat diffusing the creek's sound.  When you come back home, or leave home, there is a sense of belonging that pulls and pushes.  Like a tide, we enjoy the ride, because we feel alive, and we're living outside. 
       Our hearts go out to Erin's family, who celebrated Grandpa Minnicks life this last week.  He was a true farmer, and obviously a fantastic Father, who's stories will live on throughout our lives.  I am lucky to have met him, and even luckier to know his granddaughter, the love of my life and best friend.
         We enjoyed a great beer from Firehouse Brewing Company in Rapid City, SD.  Our server Danny was way cool.  He knew a lot, and recommended a very kick ass Reuben with incredible side sauce.  This guy knew his food, but also new some other SD breweries for us to check out.  That was a blast, and the brewery is a must see if you are traveling that way.
       Alan and Adam have been puting me up since erin flew home a few days ago.  It sucks when your best friend leaves, and I know that erin is helping the fam, but I wanted to show her more of where I grew up and all the fun Fall festivities around the Mitten.  Michigan will always be here, and we will come up again when we find the time:-(  It is a great chance for us to look at the winter, and see just how it will all work. We will try and see each other as much as we can, and I will definitely try and get erin to come on as much of the journey as possible, but she too is anxious to find a job on a farm with animals and start learning about all kinds of great skills.  I'm hopeful that this research and final book will help us finance such dreams and ideas.  So it goes, life on the road, making connections, setting your vision in stone. I am gathering a following, of people inspired by life's mysteries and constants.  My music has been knocking on the door asking to come out and play, but for now I will remain focused on writing, writing, writing.  I have 25 of the 100 stories written for my book, and now I brainstorm, collect, and edit stories that are based off of my life experiences, full of sun and stars.  Lately it seems that when you miss someone or something so much, you work harder to get there, maybe not physically, but in your mind work towards making your dreams become realities.  And though at first time spends like molasses, it becomes oil for your...molasses motorcoach..or, you know, metaphorical moped.  Haha, looks like I'm warmed up for writing, thanks for stopping by, and once I get back to Virginia, I will have traveled to a total of 35 states, just in time for the holidays!  See ya next time!