In Transition From Colorado To The West Coast

Spoke with Jim Burns from Unity Church in Quincy this morning. Agreed to arrive at the Quincy Railroad Depot about a week before I'm scheduled to speak on Sunday May 1st. So, I am looking at possibly April 25th.

We talked about seeing what happens after my debut on May 1. The church board evidently have most of the Sunday slots already taken. Jim wants me to stay with him around 2 weeks or so. Advised Jim that Michael Bickhaus will arrange a speaking engagement for me in front of the Men's Club at St Francis Catholic Church in Quincy. Jim wants to attend that event as well. While I'm in Quincy I would like to contact some of the service clubs as well to see if I can speak to their groups.

The bottom line here is that I am not going to be preaching for a month or 2 at Unity Church like Jim and I had previously thought. And, although a bit chagrined about this turn of events I still think there is an opportunity to be of some use in Quincy not to mention the chance to become reacquainted with Jim, Deborah, Michael Bickhaus and his lovely family, Jesse Mazzoccoli, Monica and Dakota Thompson and others. I plan on getting with my family back in Morton since Quincy is only about 100 miles away.

This morning I attended Adult Sunday School at United Church and morning services at First Baptist. Pastor Dawit's teaching sermon regarding the Transfiguration of Christ was the best sermon I have ever heard on this subject. Dawit's upbringing in the eastern culture of Ethiopia and his immersion in the Hebrew Scriptures and it's relation to Christian Scriptures brings a refreshingly new take on things. First Baptist is extremely fortunate to have him as a Pastor/Teacher.

This coming week I will be starting a water/juice fast regarding my upcoming hiking journey to Seattle, WA. I have no idea how long this fast will last, 2 days, 2 weeks?

I once fasted back in 2004 for 3.5 weeks taking not one morsel of food in my mouth. I took only water and no juice. I was undergoing severe marital problems at the time and felt I needed to change things around. The marriage eventually went to hell but I began a new spiritual journey that year which proved beneficial.

Cody Yates is fasting as well about his possible role in joining me in late May early June.

Fasting and prayer I believe is critical when in transition like I am in now. Other than Cody I have not been able to get anyone to accompany me on my westward journey.

I understand that people have jobs, homes, families and obligations. I get that. One the other hand, I know people with no commitments or family to support but they lack the desire or the calling. I get that too. That was me at one time in the past.

Christ followers obviously can serve him from their homes, workplaces and churches every bit as well or better as I can being on the road. It's just that after walking to Colorado from Illinois I'm now in the place where I believe having a companion would make my journey much more fulfilling. There was a reason Jesus had the disciples walk town to town in twos. There's comfort and safety in numbers.

I'm not a bit ashamed to admit I'm intimidated by the thought of hiking alone through thick forests and over mountain ranges in Grizzly country. Forest rangers warn travelers of going it alone. Unfortunately, the odds are very good I'll be doing just that. Going it alone.

I don't think having someone along with me during my walk from Illinois would have been helpful. I absolutely needed the solitude and aloneness to do the hard and very painful work of sorting through the emotional baggage I took with me.

I have been tested to some degree now and have learned much about my own physical and spiritual limitations since walking out of Central Illinois almost 2 years ago. And, I still have around 1400 more miles to go to Washington State. Then, after spending the 2016/17 winter in Illinois I have another 900 miles to Virginia Beach, VA. After that leg of my journey I will have trekked across the entire length and breadth of the United States.

Transition has always been difficult for me whether it was a new job, new company, new wife, friends etc. So, I'm on the lookout for mood changes and my trend to melancholy.

Fasting is going to impact my Wednesday night suppers at the Blackwells as well as other dinners I attend here in Idaho Springs. But, it is critical that I subject myself to this spiritual and physical discipline.

It will also help me to adjust to those times on the road where inevitably I will encounter days without food due to remote locations and lack of money. On my journey here to Colorado I went three excruciatingly long days without eating along with many days of being absolutely dehydrated and disoriented.

I encountered all of these and more: pulled muscles, a serious blood infection, bed bugs, ticks, sprained ankles, severe blistering, skin chaffing, falls, scraped knees, crazy rednecks, vicious dogs, tornadic type weather especially on the Nebraska Plains, hunger and dehydration, sleepless nights shivering in a wet and cold tent made of only a few ultra thin millimeters of polyester. And, let's not forget over zealous police officers, self righteous clerics and much more. I now know what it truly means to be homeless and penniless too. And, I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything. They have made me who I am today.

So, I now know what to expect and what's ahead of me. The hardships, physical pain, tiredness, fear and the like are constant companions on long distance walking journeys.

I am now beginning to throw things away and clean up the Lucas House which is in the process of being sold by the Blackwells to a couple from First Baptist Church. I have to begin the painful process of deciding what to keep to take with me out west and what is not absolutely necessary for survival. I have acquired a fair number of books, blankets and other personal property which I cannot carry with me.

I learned the hard way last time about what to take with me and what not to. I have to be ruthless with things. I want to travel light this time. No more than 35 pounds this time. Can I do that? It remains to be seen.

I absolutely need my tent, sleeping bag, pad, change of clothes, water filter, oatmeal, water, coffee pot, cup, first aid kit, knife, walking stick and bear spray. Everything else would be great but not critical.

So, this I week will be going through my camping equipment downstairs in the billiard room where I have been storing my stuff on the old pool table.

I need new hiking boots as my most recent pair have a hole in the right sole. My tent although showing wear and tear is probably still functional. I'll know for sure when I set it up in the yard. May need to be mended a bit. I believe I still have all the required metal stakes for the tent.

I won't be able to take my tipi tent along as it consists of too many heavy tarpaulins and 8' tall poles. It's just not practical for carrying on a long journey.

So, there it is. As I have said ad nauseum, life is about saying hello and saying goodbye. Saying hello is both easy and enjoyable but saying goodbye is at once distasteful and gut wrenching. I have made lifelong friends out here in Idaho Springs and the prospect of leaving them for a long time and with the real probability of never seeing them again is giving me the shakes so to speak.

The second photo featured here is of Cody Yates outside the Buffalo Restaurant.

That's about it for today. I trust the new week will be kind to y'all. Peace out as they say.

BR Schoenbein
February 28, 2016- Sunday

Spoke With Jim Burns From Quincy, IL

I spoke with Jim Burns last evening regarding my upcoming visit to Quincy, IL. We discussed the particulars of my visit there which will commence May 1, 2016. Details will follow.

Jim is a loyal supporter and friend who has contributed significantly to my mission both in money and moral support. Looking forward to reconnecting with him, his significant other, Deborah as well as Monica Thompson and Jesse Mazzoccoli. 

Also I am very much looking forward to visiting with Michael Bickhaus and his lovely family which includes a new 7th child I think. Michael is a partner in a Quincy law firm located downtown. He has asked me to speak to his Men's Group at St Francis. I look forward to meeting this group as well.

Will provide an update on my Quincy trip later.

If it's Wednesday its meatloaf over at the Blackwells with Church at First Baptist immediately following. Pastor Dawit is teaching tonight out of Revelation 2, or as Donald Trump might say: 2 Revelations.

BR Schoenbein
February 24, 2016- Wednesday

Exciting Things Are Afoot

Pastor Josh, Emily and their little 2 year old daughter, Sierra, were kind enough to take the time to motor down from their home in Conifer to bring supper here to the Lucas House. It consisted of Fettuccine and Alfredo with garlic bread on the side.

Josh advised that he may have an opportunity to lead a church down in Kim, CO near Trinidad and Raton. He preached there as an audition of sorts. An offer is yet to come but he has some concerns even if one does come. So, we will have to see.

It's amazing to see how little Sierra has developed. She's a particularly smart and pretty gal. Reminds me of her mother.

Anyway, it was refreshing to have our ties renewed and strengthened by their welcomed visit. They also brought greetings from Rich, Marge and Jeremy Nelson from Littleton.

During supper Josh informed me that he ran into the owner of KGOAT Radio 102.7 FM. She mentioned my previous radio interview a few weeks ago and advised she was looking for me to ask me to either come back for an additional interview or to talk of possibly having my own time slot. Quite coincidentally, I ran into Amy Sue who DJs at KGOAT this morning who will pass on my phone number to the owners. It all sounds exciting.

Pastor Craig of Calvary Evergreen Church picked me and Amy P up this morning to attend church and to participate in procuring foodstuffs at the Tin Shed both for myself and the homeless in Idaho Springs.

Bonnie and Brian who operate the pantry discussed with me the possibility of taking food over to the United Church on the Monday after the pantry opened to cook a dinner for the homeless and poor of Idaho Springs using the left over food. The pantry opens every other Sunday afternoon. We also talked of bringing over food to the United Church to distribute to the poor and homeless.

Bonnie, Brian and Pastor Craig commissioned me to discuss the matter with Pastor Bill of the United Church to bring it to the Church Board. We would use the Church Fellowship Hall facilities if the Board sees fit to approve such use. 

Pastor Craig brought up the idea of my staying on in Idaho Springs to facilitate the implementation of these ideas with the possibility of signing me on as an Assistant Pastor. Of course, all of this is in the idea stage and nothing is of yet formalized. But, it is fodder for thought nonetheless.

If any of these possible situations materialize I would have to consider staying on here in Idaho Springs until at least everything got off the ground so to speak. However, let me just say that I am still looking forward to walking west come June.

The water situation at the Lucas House has remained unchanged due to my lack of finding concrete blankets to lay around the openings in the house foundation which has led to freezing pipes. So, in the meantime I have been collecting water in gallon jugs to use for washing dishes, cleaning, drinking and flushing the toilet.

I have become appalled at how much water I use. I have been using up around 5-6 gallons per day. I have around 30 jugs to fill and carry from various locations around town. A gallon of water weighs 8 pounds so I am getting a real good workout carrying water every day.

I now empathize greatly with the Samaritan woman in the biblical story who evidently carried great quantities of water every day from Jacob's well into town.

It is expected to snow here starting tomorrow afternoon with possibly 5 or more inches. The temps will start dropping accordingly. Winter is coming back after a brief vacation.

My evenings are spent in reading, watching Downton Abbey on my laptop while enjoying what's left of my Nicaraguan cigar while drinking some hazelnut flavored coffee using one of the coffee cups I chose from the China inventory stored in the lower level of the Lucas House.

Although such evenings are relaxing they can be quite lonely without company. However, I have had quiet evenings for years now after my divorce so I am aquainted with the solitude and have made peace with it and everything else that comes with it.

Tomorrow Amy P and I are planning a morning hike before the snow arrives. Since it's Monday tomorrow clothes washing at the laundromat is in store. A visit to the library is sure to happen as well.

I find myself on the threshold of new and exciting happenings no matter which way it all goes. This is making me thankful and grateful to God that I can still have purpose. Amen to that.

I will say goodnight and God bless you all.

BR Schoenbein
February 21, 2016- Sunday

My Road Atlas Has Arrived!

Attended Adult Sunday School at the United Church last Sunday morning where we discussed John 9 the story of Christ giving sight to the man blinded since birth.

We were all blinded spiritually at some point in our life until the Lord of Light commanded the light to enter our lives so we could see. We need to see reality as it is not as we want it to be. As Thoreau once said, "rather than love, than money than fame give me truth." What is truth? It is ultimate reality. Truth is the way things are.

We noted that Christ didn't come to this world to set up hospitals where all who came would be healed. Rather, he healed this blind man to show that the Kingdom of God had broken into human history and that one of the signs of this "coming" was miraculous works and healings. This was to show that when the Kingdom comes in its fullness...wholeness... or in the Hebrew "Shalom" would prevail and no one will get sick or be sick. Wellness will be eternal for all.

During Christ's tenure down here in the world where death, illness, alienation, fragmentation, demonic oppression reign the breaking in of the Kingdom began to reverse this situation. The Kingdom of Satan will eventually be overthrown and replaced by the reign of God.

Christ spoke in parables comparing the Kingdom for example to a man who upon finding buried treasure sold all he had so he could buy the field where the treasure was buried. It was an example of going for broke...for investing everything a person has to gain entrance into the Kingdom. The same goes for the merchant who sells all he has to raise money to buy the great pearl. Likewise, we need to "throw our lives away" for the Kingdom. He who seeks to save his life will lose his life. Those who lose their life will save their life. "Saving" in this sense means to be unduly attached to your life, to your dreams, to your reputation and the like. Paradoxically, those who are attached to their life will lose their life. So, let go! Throw your life away and it will come back to you!

It was all about the Kingdom of God for Christ. The Kingdom of God has little to do with the afterlife. It's about God's reign here on earth in the here and now.

He came down here to proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom... that's the "Good News" the return of the King. God would now come down in the flesh and make his abode with his children. That's where the cross points...ahead to the coming of the Kingdom and its King. Read Revelation 21 and 22 along with Isaiah 2 and 65.

The cross wasn't the end game it was the means to reconcile us to God and usher in the time when all wrongs and all injustice would be righted and this upside down Kingdom of Satan/Man would be cast aside.

That's the "Good News" that's  the "Gospel."

After Sunday School, Joe the plumber picked me up and we drove over to the First Baptist Church for morning services. This was the first time Joe attended the Baptist Church. He I introduced himself to the church during the services.

Later I hiked over to the Frothy Cup to meet and greet, read and write. There were many tourists milling about town Sunday afternoon possibly due to Valentines Day and the long weekend.

Ran into the guy who asked me a few months ago to drive him to Golden to pick up his new car. We exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes and then  I continued writing.

Today is Thursday so I will be attending evening services at the Clear Creek Neighborhood Church.

Jaime who works at the library bought me a 2016 Rand/McNally Road Atlas for my walk to the Pacific Northwest. I went to the library yesterday and she advised she just received the map via UPS. She handed it to me and wished me well on my upcoming journey. I cannot express fully what her gift means to me! A road Atlas is absolutely critical for me. My Google Maps us unreliable out in the vast expanses I will be crossing especially in Wyoming and Montana. Plus, my phones battery life is so short.

With the road atlas I can now determine my most likely route to Seattle which means I can make calls to the churches along the way and ask for permission to pitch my tent on Church property.

I am still of a mind to head north to Miles City, Montana on the same path as depicted in the Lonesome Dove novel. This means I will be transversing the great natural grasslands of North Central Wyoming where trees are very few and far between and where herds of antelope abound. There will be even fewer towns or camp grounds making it necessary to camp off the side of the road in the high grass. 

As my time in Idaho Springs draws to a close many of my friends here are asking me to stay permanently. I have to admit that it's a nice feeling to have so many people want me to stick around. But, I know what my mission is and I know what needs to be done. I won't be done until I have reached both oceans. After that it's anybody's guess. But, then again I am not in charge. As the psalmist once said, "A man's heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps." I discovered this truism long ago the hard way. So, with that in mind I remain receptive to the curves and turns in the road keeping my head down trusting the wind will be at my back.

As I ascend Jacob's ladder (metaphorically speaking)into the wide open blue skies of Wyoming and Montana in the next several months I will need no reminder that the vicissitudes and vagaries of life will kick that ladder away allowing me no more props and so once again I will live day by day moment by moment within the providence of God.

I can't wait to see what's up ahead and around the bend. So, staying put here in Colorado is not an option. I have many more adventures to experience and new people to meet before I'm finished.

See you all later.

BR Schoenbein
February 18, 2016- Thursday

 

Bittersweet Parting Of Friends

Celebrations, parties, the breaking of bread with friends and the homeless and the down and out have been a significant part of my stay here in Idaho Springs, Colorado for the past year.

I suppose nothing earth shattering ever took place during these get togethers but I can certainly attest to a comeraderie a solidarity of sorts not unlike an esprit de corps you can only find in the military.

Last evening three of us, John Jones, Cody Yates and I ate supper at the newest brewery/restaurant in town the Westbound & Down. The fare was simple and unremarkable the kind you could find in any eatery on a Friday night and which you would expect of three men: hot wings, green chili, beer, whiskey shots and the like.

Yet, I always leave these affairs with a special feeling of spiritual and emotional bonding that will no doubt survive in memory for years and hopefully for the rest of my life.

You can read of such "table fellowship" in the Gospels with Christ, his twelve close pals and certain personages often referred to as "sinners", by the religious elites, the prostitutes, tax collectors, the poor, the crippled, those without means and resources who we would call in today's vernacular the have nots.

As most of us already know, back in the first century if you were religious you didn't associate with " sinners " and you especially did not eat or share meals with them. You would immediately become "unclean" if you did.

Yet, Christ made a point of fellowshipping with these marginalized people, outcasts from polite society.

Christ once said if you have a dinner party don't invite your friends and family instead go out find the poor, the lepers and the like and invite them. That's just what Christ himself did on many occasions. He knew that his father rains on the just and unjust alike. He is no respecter of persons and shows no partiality. Christ warned of treating the well dressed, the rich, the haves better than the poor. He also observed that it is the rich who drag you into court and blaspheme the name of God.

In the Book of Acts we read that the believers adhered to the teachings of the Apostles and to the breaking of bread and the daily gathering together in their homes praising God. That should be our template as well. We in our highly developed individualistic culture here in America have a very weak grasp of the meaning and the importance of hospitality or of the concept of slipping occasionally out of our comfort zones to help the stranger and the alien.

God has called us to a new family a new community, the Church Universal. Hospitality, helping the poor, edifying each other, looking out for one another and for all those who have been thrown away by our morally defunct society is to be our hallmark but all too often is the exception. We will be judged on the last day not by what religious dogma we espouse but by how we treated our fellow human beings.

Our conversation last night was equal parts connival, serious and philosophical in trying to make sense of life with all of its pain of friends departing and the simultaneously exuberant feelings that takes place when a new phase of life is about to dawn.

No real conclusions were reached but there was the expectant feeling of hope that one day we would be able to renew past ties and reconnect.

We praised God for friendship, for the miracle of sharing life especially among men who make the effort to carve a life out of trusting that the Universe is indeed friendly and ultimately not hostile as it is governed by that hand of Providence and by the Creator of all and we are further bonded together by the unquenchable belief that in the end...all things will be restored and reconciled to and by Him who holds all things visible and invisible together.

Goodbye John Jones. We shall meet again that I am sure of.

In the next couple of months I will be saying goodbye to all of those I have met here in this little town high up in the North Central mountains of Colorado. It will be very bittersweet to be sure. I have been utterly changed forever by the hospitality, kindness, love and friendship of so many here.

I came to Idaho Springs not knowing anyone, a year younger and soon will be leaving older and wiser feeling incredibly loved, stronger spiritually and more human than ever before all because of God's Spirit who directed me to this old gold mining village.

I have learned so much on this walking journey and could not possibly include everything I have observed and experienced in my upcoming book. But, I am going to give it a herculean try for sure!

Grace and Peace to you all.

BR Schoenbein
February 13, 2016- Saturday

Will Miss John Jones As He Moves Back To Maryland

John Jones, Cody Yates and I got together last night at the Westbound & Down a newly opened brewery and full scale restaurant in downtown Idaho Springs. John, his wife Haley and their 2 year old son Jamison are moving back to John's home state of Maryland next week as Haley has taken a new position at Johns Hopkins Medical Center.

John also has family including a young daughter living back in Maryland so this move makes a lot of sense for them. But, Cody and I will miss them to be sure. Linda, Haley's mother will miss them sorely. They are a close knit family.

After supper at the Westbound & Down we all went back to the Lucas House for a good smoke, conversation and camaraderie. Fortunately, earlier that day I was able to procure a bag of good quality Virginia tobacco for my pipe along with a quality cigar from the Tobacco Leaf in Lakewood. What the mountain towns need badly is a good cigar/pipe shop. All we have up here are pot dispensaries.

We reminsced about times we spent at the Frothy and hiking together. Waxing philosophically, we talked of life, God, dying to self, the state of Christianity in America and my future plans hiking to the Pacific Northwest.

Cody surprisingly announced he is interested in hiking to the Pacific with me which would be great. He's hard at work these days building a house with his employer, Nate, for a customer out in Bailey.

He's a great companion and he feels called to be a street preacher of sorts. So, we plan on getting together soon to discuss the situation.

Amy P, Henry Whitney and now Cody are mulling over whether to join me in my journey west. I'd love to have them all come with!

Tomorrow, I'll be attending Adult Sunday School at the United Church and then morning services at First Baptist. Joe the plumber along with his wife and daughter are planning to attend the Baptist Church as well.

This morning I procured 3 gallons of water to take back to the Lucas House as my water is shut off for the foreseeable future. I use anywhere from 3 to 5 gallons of water daily. It's quite a chore lugging 8 pound gallons of water from town back to the house.

Will continue working today on my sermons for the Unity Church in Quincy, IL.  Will be headed over to the library soon as well.

Donna presented me with a Valentines card yesterday. I forgot all about this holiday coming up tomorrow! So, what to do now? Then this morning Amy P handed me a Valentines card as well. Ha-ha! When it rains it pours!

Silver and gold have I none. So, I might just compose one of my corny poems for Donna and Amy P. for Valentine's Day.

The weather has been tremendous lately with temps in the 50s and 60s here in the mountains. Rumors are that it hit 70 down in Denver! This amid news reports that subzero temps have hit back home in the Midwest. Ouch!

Next week Joe the plumber and I will be scouring Denver for concrete blankets to cover up the holes in the stone foundation to prevent future freeze ups. We couldn't find any yesterday other than at a rental place. But, you can only rent them at $12 daily.

Looking ahead to my anticipated trip back to Quincy I'm to call attorney Michael Bickhaus upon my arrival so that we can discuss my speaking at the Men's Group at St Francis Catholic Church. I met Mike and his wife and 6 children as I hiked past their home near Camp Point a one horse town on the northside of US Rt 24. They invited me in their home for lunch. I remember that day being very hot and humid. Mike was on his tractor mower cutting his grass. I waved him and he apparently waved at me; but, I thought he was waving me over to him. So, I went over to him and shook his hand. He hadn't waved me over so I misinterpreted his wave and I'm very glad I did otherwise I would have never met Mike or his remarkable family.

I can't wait to get reacquainted with Monica from Quincy. She picked me up on Rt 24 outside Rushville, IL in Schuyler County as I was headed towards Quincy. She then offered me her home and free massages. She's a professional masseuse. I ended up spending 2 weeks in her home. She also took me to her chiropractor for a back adjustment which helped me tremendously. Monica also introduced me to her church, Unity Church where I spoke 2 consecutive Sundays. If not for Monica I would have never met Jim Burns or the town healer and philosopher, Bill Bassnet.

Well, I must get about my daily business soon so talk to you later.

BR Schoenbein
February 13, 2016- Saturday

Thinking Of Heading Thru Wyoming To Montana Then Hang A Left For The Pacific Northwest

The Lucas House is now heated again thanks to Joe E and the Blackwells. The water however has yet to be turned on. The thinking is that there is a frozen pipe somewhere in the deep inner recesses of the basement. The problem is that there are openings in the 150 year old stone foundation in the south and west walls which allows the subzero cold to freeze the pipes in the basement.

I am in the process of writing up sermons for when I arrive in Quincy, Illinois for the months of April and May. The church board will soon be deciding on the exact dates I'll be speaking. They will also be considering the stipend and the costs of transporting me to IL. Jim Burns has invited me to live in his home so my room/board is decided.

Writing my book is taking a decidedly hard turn. It has become a daunting task to say the least! I have yet to commit to write every day as I know I should.

Jaime from the public library is buying a travel atlas for me on her own credit card. I came into the library the other day asking to see their US Atlas or maps. She advised they had none. She knows I am walking to Seattle soon so she took it up herself to order one for me at her cost. She said to consider it her contribution to my journey! Wow!

I need maps because many times my smartphone battery dies or there is no internet out in the wilds so I cannot rely solely on my Google Maps for direction.

I have been looking at an alternate route to the Pacific Northwest. This one involves walking straight north through Wyoming specifically Cheyenne, Douglas and Gillette then into Montana to Miles City where I can catch Interstate 94. I can't actually use 94 but I can use parallel roads to head west all the way to Seattle.

I'm a huge fan of "Lonesome Dove" the western TV mini series and book. In their cattle drive from South Texas they traveled through Nebraska and Denver, Colorado up through Wyoming to Miles City, Montana where Capt Gus McRae Texas Ranger of Lonesome Dove fame eventually dies of gangrene. So, the idea of shadowing the same route through Colorado and Wyoming appeals greatly to me.

Once I get the Atlas I will map out up to 3 separate routes and then decide which one has the best amenities and accommodations. I will pick the route that has the most towns and the route where the towns are usually a days hike between each other where I can obtain water and food.

No matter which route I pick to get to the Pacific Northwest the towns and villages are very few and far between with 50 to 100 miles between each other. Considering I will be hiking in late spring and through the summer I will be encountering 90+ degree heat walking on windless tree less prairies especially in Wyoming with no cover from the withering heat.

I worked a storm disaster in Gillette, Wyoming in 2003 and I can remember driving from my office in Denver to Gillette and I swear once I crossed the Colorado border into Wyoming and got past Cheyenne and Douglas I counted about 8 trees from the town of Bill population 3 all the way north to Gillette about 80 miles! I saw nothing but prairie and herds of antelopes from horizon to horizon.

Incidentally, its very difficult for me to forget my adjusting gig in Gillette. It was in Gillette where I fell from a 2 story factory roof. It was only the second time I fell from a roof while adjusting an insurance claim in my long career. I ended up falling ontop my company vehicle. One of my legs crashed through the rear window and the other leg stayed on the roof. I cut up my crotch pretty bad and injured my back.

I had been descending my ladder when a huge gust of wind blew me off at the top of the roof. Wyoming is known for its constant wind. In fact, Caspar is said to have an unusually high suicide rate because of the non stop winds.

Had I not parked directly below I would have landed on the concrete parking lot and I think the outcome would have been much different.

I briefly considered driving myself to the emergency room but instead I dusted myself off and drove back to my hotel room and bandaged myself and took the rest of the day off. I never did file a workers compensation claim which is surprising as I started my insurance career as a workers compensation claim examiner. But, I was too proud to admit to my company that I had fallen off a roof. It was pride. I should have filed a claim as I to this day suffer back pain which I attribute directly to that accident.

Oh well.

I am getting antsy here in Idaho Springs. I've been here now a bit over a year. And, I have been in Colorado since August of 2014. It's high time I get back on the road. I'm losing my sense of adventure here.

I have had many people wanting me to stay here in Idaho Springs permanently. It is a town I could live in. But, doing so would defeat my purpose and my mission. So, come the first week of June or before I intend to strap the Beast on my back and head west to the Pacific Northwest. I expect to arrive in Seattle around October of this year. Then, I plan on taking the train back to Illinois to spend the winter of 2016/2017 in Morton at the home of my mother. Mom will more than likely fly to Southern California to spend winter there as is her custom.

When April of 2017 comes around I plan on walking out of Morton on my way to the Atlantic. Upon my arrival there I will have finally traveled the length of the United States. What I do after that is anybody's guess. I will either tramp around the Appalachians going town to town or train back to Colorado and tramp around the mountain towns.

I do not plan on going back to my previous life. But, then again I do not know what God has in store for me. I no longer need certainty and clarity. I revel in the mystery of not knowing. I have learned patience and to accept reality as it is and not the way I want it. So, you see, this journey has been fruitful already even though I am not even close to the finish line.

I have found God, love, mystery, hospitality and purpose. I expect to find more and more about myself the farther down the trail I get.

Saw this article in the Denver Post about a former Colorado State Rep named Bruce who violated his parole. So, I took a pic of it. Thought it was funny.

See y'all later!

BR Schoenbein
February 11, 2016- Thursday