Thirteen Days, Fourteen States

We returned to North Carolina today, making it the fourteenth state in thirteen days. We didn’t plan it that way, it just evolved – a little like the energizer bunny, we kept going and going and going.

But all good things must come to an end and eventually we had to head back east.

The house looked good – thanks to our son – but only until our luggage, souvenirs, laundry, and cooler found their places among the piles of mail and messages. Now it looks a bit like a hoarder’s ramshackle and is probably just as disorganized, though I did get one suitcase emptied and found the hair dryer. I don’t always pack a hair dryer, as most hotels furnish one, but we didn’t know what kind of accommodations we would always find. And it turned out to be a good thing, since the cabin we rented in the Tetons did not, and as the morning temperatures were in the forties, it wasn’t a good idea to go walking outside with a wet head.

But whatever the degree of discomfort right now, it is worth every irritating moment of restructuring my environment to have experienced the great wide open spaces of Big Sky Country.

The landscape in NC – albeit the foothills, not the coast – looked dry. But as we left to pick up our horse, it started to rain and a rainbow popped up in the sky as though to welcome us home.

We met a lot of wonderful people, a few of whom I intend to write about over the next few days. We had some tasty meals, saw some spectacular sunsets and experienced the awe of God’s creatures in their natural and breathtaking environments.

I highly recommend seeing the great American West. It is full of history and unbelievable vistas and the spirit of American determination over harsh and unforgiving prairies. I have a new found admiration for these accomplishments – these pioneers.

I also have a greater respect for the Native Americans and their art and artistry. Not to mention the skill and bravery of their hunters who challenged bear and buffalo with little more than a ram’s horn bow with a sinew string!

There is much to see and do in America. Much more than we even appreciate or acknowledge. I wish every one of you – dear readers – the time and ability to find a corner of this country presently unknown to you and unveil a little of it for yourself. You might be surprised.