Day 11- Idaho Springs, CO

Spent the day with Johnny a 61 year old local homeless man. Glenda Watson the owner of "The Frothy Cup" a coffee shop presented us with free muffins and clothes for Johnny. Glenda presented me with a hardback writing journal as a gift along with some free food samples.

She and her husband, Randy, are very giving believers who practice what they preach. I plan on interviewing them for my weekly newspaper column back home.

Johnny and I after spending the day discussing life at the coffee shop walked the 1.5 miles east to McDonalds and had a late lunch early supper.

It hasn't been easy to get to know Johnny. He's very shy and reticent. He has obvious mental issues as well as alcoholism. 

He may be a fugitive from the law as well just by some of the comments he has made.

My first bible study is scheduled this coming Monday at 630pm at the 2 Brother's Deli. I'm hoping for 3 people to attend.

Its been 11 days in Idaho Springs, well actually 8 as I worked for the tree service for 3 days.

I'm still low on cash. Down to my last $12. Oh well, the apostles said they went hungry and were homeless. Why should I be any different???

Last posting should read, " Spent" not sentenced! Dang auto correct!

Day 280- Back in Idaho Springs

Sentenced last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday down the hill in Littleton mainly working for Nelson Tree Service. Pastor Josh, Emily and Sierra drove me back to Idaho Springs this morning. Missed work at Loaves and Fishes!

Water leaked for hours on the first floor of the circa 1872 2 story house which I'm staying at on Colorado Blvd. No damage to my stuff!

Josh and Emily went exploring through the house.

Last Sunday I spoke to the First Baptist Church before Pastor Dawits sermon. I was well received. Met a lot of new people afterward during potluck. A lady name Jessica was baptized. Met Bill Innis the master plumber who got the heating and plumbing fixed at my place on CO Blvd.

He told me of his story about walking along the shoulder in I-70 around Floyd Hill when he was struck by a semi-tractor trailer  and dragged 150 feet. He broke his legs and lost 60% of his blood volume. But, now he can walk with the help of a cane.

Spoke at the United Center Church last Sunday night and watched a movie.

Spoke to a group of 10 people last Wednesday night at Pastor Bill Robertson's home. He is starting a new church. I am invited back next Wednesday as well to give my testimony.

My time has been very productive so far!

Pic below is of one of the storefronts downtown Idaho Springs, CO.

Day 272- Day 2- In Idaho Springs, CO

Fitful night sleeping in the unheated house on Colorado Blvd but it was 30 degrees inside when it was - 8 outside. So, I'm thankful!

Hiked to Mickie D's at 5am. Too cold to keep sleeping. It's 2 miles from my house. Then went to the coffee shop.

At 10am hiked out of town to Loaves and Fishes to volunteer next week. Interviewed by staffer Peter Kahn. "Kahn!" Says Capt Kirk. The Wrath of Kahn!

Anyway, a lady waiting for food told me her dad was born in Peoria after she heard I trekked from Peoria. Small world. Peter Kahn lived in Tazewell County....Virginia. Told him I was from Tazewell County, IL!

Peter is a non observant Jew from Brooklyn and lived on Long Island too. Told him I spent a few months in Oyster Bay, Jericho, Muttontown and Great Neck all Jewish enclaves. He was amazed I knew these towns.

Divorced twice then married a third time but after 25 years his wife died of lung cancer. He began to tear up. Left all behind and found his way to Idaho Springs!

Dale Plummer wanted to know if I wanted a ride back in town. Told him I like hiking here. Somehow, started talking about the Lord. Oh yeah, its because I told him I am an itinerant missionary to the US.

He told me he's a Jehovah's Witness. So we talked religion. It was fun.

Got some more people to meet and miles to go before I sleep. Robt Frost said that. Well not the part about people to meet.

Second pic is Dale. Next to last pic is Peter Khan.

Living in Idaho Springs!!!

Got to Idaho Springs this morning. Setting up shop in the 1872 post-Civil  War era house on Colorado Blvd. It's set up just south of the north canyon wall.

Found a huge water leak at the meter. Called Brian the owner and he got the Water Dept to shut off the water. Foot of water down there in the basement. Helping Brian pump it out.

Walked to the Main St Coffee Shop on Miner St. Beautiful old bldg. Great coffee. Only $1 and free refills! Donna, the barista working today.

The downtown business dist is beautiful and charming! Bldgs date back to late 19th century and early 20th century. The coffee shop building was built circa 1876. Probably a saloon at one time.

Donna filled me in on volunteering at Loaves and Fishes the local food pantry. Open tomorrow. Will go down there to sign up.

Church at Idaho Springs Baptist tonight. Will get together with Brian and Becky then. Becky is from Peoria and graduated from ISU in Normal as I did!
Pics are of Paul the Water Dept guy and the coffee shop and my new home for the next 2 months or so.

Day 270 - Mission aborted due to storm on top of the mountains

Decided to abort my walk to Idaho Springs due to a front which hit the mountains early morning. I looked at the forecast when I got up at 430 am and it called for 4-7 inches of snow up in the mountains. Same for tomorrow.

So, as much as I hated doing this I decided to have Pastor Josh Nelson drive me up all the way to Idaho Springs.

It was agreed by all that this was the smart thing to do considering the climb between here and Idaho Springs represents an elevation of almost 3000 feet up. This was never conceived as a suicide mission.

Now, it is very true that there will be times when I have no choice such as when I am caught in between towns and a snowstorm or rainstorm hits without warning. But, in this case I have the luxury of choosing whether to risk it or wait or just drive up there.

This particular storm was not being forecast last night. It developed overnight.

I spoke with Brian who owns the rental house where I am to reside and advised him of the situation. We agreed that I could arrive this evening and he would let me in tonight.

So, now I can get a headstart on my mission tomorrow because of the weather situation.

That's the silver lining here. A headstart of 2-3 days.

I was packed and ready to go this morning. The "Beast" has inexplicably stopped growing thank heaven! See pic of the monster.

Day 269- Making last minute preparations

Well, it all starts tomorrow at dawn. I head out for Idaho Springs on foot. Probably take all of 3 days to get there. Bought some more gear/equipment this am. Went to Fireside one last time to say goodbye to Audrey and Kip. Anne left months ago to work at Starbucks.

Audrey gave me a free hot cocoa with half and half. Yummy!

Fireside is closing it's doors permanently next month. Guess since I'm leaving there's no point in keeping the store open! Sad.

All I need to do now is get back to the Nelsons and continue packing my backpack. Need to take some items back to Lowes and go to King Soopers to get some food for my hike.

Had a great farewell dinner at Tommy Knockers Brewery in Idaho Springs on Saturday. The whole Nelson clan was there. Great food. They make their own root beer which has a unique maple syrup type flavor. Definitely different.

Was deputized/commissioned yesterday at church. Gave a short presentation of new developments such as housing, people I met at the Idaho Springs Baptist Church including Pastor Dawit and Brian Blackwell. Mr Blackwell offered his unoccupied rental house to me for my use. It was an answer to prayer.

Im scared and excited all at the same time. The road I'm hiking on after Morrison is all uphill, narrow with no shoulders, curvy with steep canyon sides. Not sure where I'm camping first night probably Corwina Park or Filius Park. Camping not allowed so will have to stealth camping.

Pics are of the farewell dinner at Tommy Knockers.

Well, gots to go and get some work done. Until tomorrow! Ciao!

Day 266- Last weekend in Denver

Last Wednesday, Pastor Josh and I drove up to Idaho Springs and met with Pastor Dawit of Idaho Springs Baptist Church at the Wednesday night bible study held at the church.

While there I met Brian Blackwell, he owns Blackwell Oil Co which operates 2 gasoline stations in town.

His wife is originally from Peoria and she graduated from Bergan High School, the Catholic High School. She received her undergraduate degree from Illinois State as I did.

The Blackwells have graciously allowed me to stay at one of their unoccupied rental homes. Unfortunately, it has no heat, water or power but it beats camping in a tent outside town. So, I am very grateful.

I'm buying the last of my supplies and now am packing the "beast". I will be saying my goodbyes to my friends and my hosts, the Nelsons. Tomorrow  we are all going to Tommyknockers in Idaho Springs for my send off.

I spoke with Pastor Dawit and the bible study participants about my mission and was well received.

On Tuesday early am, Lord willing, I will begin my hike to Idaho Springs. Should take 2-3 days to complete with 1-2 nights camped out in the forest.

Tuesday begins a new chapter in my life one that I am looking forward to.

Please pray for traveling mercies and that I'm received well by the townspeople.

Day 259- Dinner at Hu Hot

Had dinner at Hu Hot in Sheridan, CO sponsored by Pastor Josh and his wife Emily.

It was in honor of Pastor Jim Long and his wife Brenda who traveled here from St Josrph MO to look for a home here. Pastor Long accepted Mercy Bible Baptist's offer of a second Pastor position to work along side Pastor Josh.

They are moving here permanently January 28.

We had a great dinner and fellowship! It was my first time at Hu Hot. Its very much like the Flat Top Grill in Peoria.

The Longs will fit very well at Mercy Bible Baptist. The Longs told us how difficult it is to find a temporary rental house since they have 7 children, 9 people in one family. Prospective landlords just can't believe anyone has that many children!

Haven't had any success in securing housing in Idaho Springs. Will keep trying. Pastor Josh and I are driving up there on Tuesday to work on it.

My commissioning will be the Sunday after this Sunday.

Will be purchasing the bulk of my supplies tomorrow.

Pic 3 and 4 show Pastor Long and Brenda Long.

Day 255- " God put something "Tookish" in all of us!

Bilbo Baggins lived a somewhat boring and less than exciting life in his home at Bag End, Hobbiton, when out of the blue one day Gandalf the wizard arrived unannounced and sensed that Bilbo thirsted for some adventure... to accomplish something larger than himself.

Gandalf told the hapless hobbit that "There is more to you than you know."

Evidently, Bilbo was a "Took" on his mother's side. Tooks were the defenders of the Shire. Gandalf knew that the "Tookish" side of Bilbo could lead Bilbo on an adventure that would ultimately lead to saving the world.

It was once said that we shouldn't sleep thru our dreams.

John Eldredge has said that there is something in all of us that craves adventure, craves to become part of something bigger than themselves.

It is true too that we inherited a spirit of timidity from our human nature that fears giving up our lives to a life of service of missing out on the comforts of life like having a spouse, a family, the home on the hill with a white picket fence.

Instead of timidity lets appropriate the pioneer spirit and let's dare go out on a limb, put some skin in the game and really experience a life committed to God and his Kingdom!

What say you????

I know you're scared. Scared to "give up" things like home, money, possessions, status, position. But what is a person's soul worth?

Do you really want to be laying on your death bed and come to the realization that you labored and toiled for only the temporal things of life?

Really???

I am shaking like a leaf (Rich Mullins song lyrics) just thinking of hiking into the north central mountains of Colorado in the dead of winter proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom to the people. The fear of not having a place to live and no income scares the stuffing out of me! I'd rather go home(wherever that is) get another well paying job and get married again and settle down in the comfort of my own home. But, that is not to be.

I hereby resolve not to let my cowardice get in the way of what I know I am supposed to do.

If any of you feel destined to go on a big adventure for God's sake by walking with me and helping physically with my efforts... contact me. Even if you only can spare a few days/weeks to help out and come along with me into the mountains call or write me.

Wherever, 2 or 3 are gathered in my name there will I be too ( scripture).

We are the light and salt of the world! Lets show it!

Day 254- Shopping for my Teepee materials

Am currently looking for the material to construct my own teepee/tipi. Went to Lowes and Home Depot. Looks like Dura Stix for my poles. Need 8 of them and plastic tarps for the skin along with a tarp for the floor. I am making it big enough to have a small camp fire inside. Fumes/ smoke will vent thru the opening at the top. Should be able to keep the inside at around 40 degrees or so.

Need the following:

1. Waterproof ski outfit
2.small shovel/pick
3. Lashing cord
4. Scissors
5. Safety goggles
6. AR-15 rifle
7. Pad
8. Ski pole

Well, maybe not the rifle. Would like it but a bit out of my price range.

Waiting for additional funds pledged to me before I purchase everything.

Pastor Josh and I will be traveling up to Idaho Springs shortly to meet with the pastor of First Baptist Church of Idaho Springs. We are planning to have a send off for me at Tommy Knockers Restaurant in Idaho Springs. They have the best homemade brewed beers there. Not to mention their homemade root beer. But, I have to admit Alex Komodores homemade Wheat Ale with that citrusy taste is the best beer I have ever had!

Had supper at Komodores the other day. Wow! Can Alex and Debra cook! Had a baked shrimp dish along with beans in an onion, molasses, brown sugar base. It was amazing! Celeste and Caroline were present as well.

We had such great spiritual conversations at supper with the Komodores. It just doesn't get any better than that!

Jeremy Nelson age 11 years my nephew not by blood but by long friendship and brotherhood was baptized this morning by his dad, Rich, at Mercy Bible Baptist. A sumptuous meal followed. The Demuths from up the hill in Conifer attended as well.

Will be busy this next week packing the "Beast". Really need to be ruthless and pack only what I absolutely need.

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