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No rest for the weary... August 22, 2008Leave a comment  View More Images Weary? No! Rest? Yep! And lots of it! At least, off of the bike. I was hustling here and there doing lots of wonderful things, but my bike is still in the shop, ready for my ride to continue on Sunday. I made such good time getting to Lewiston that my contacts in Missoula aren't quite ready for me to pop in! That's OK, because it has been fabulous here in Lewiston. My day began with an extended rehabilitative rest period (I overslept) before taking a ride up to Buffalo Eddy. Margo's role as a writer and extensive work with the Nimíipuu/Nez Perce people makes her the perfect guide to share the stories and legends that make this valley such as amazing place. Buffalo Eddy is a spot, upstream from Lewiston, where outcroppings of rock create a narrow passage on the Snake River. Along these outcroppings are numerous, detailed petroglyphs created some 4,500 years ago. It is truly awe-inspiring to stand among these rocks and try to imagine the artist diligently working at depicting his or her experiences. This is history dating back thousands of years; a natural history not a structural history. You are not seeing civilization in the form of homes or dwellings, but expressions of thought or creations of character. This is not history from a Euro-centric perspective, rather history of life as it occurred long before European contact. That's what makes this such a meaningful and special place. Very moving! I hope the photos in some way share the quality and beauty of this wonderful spot. From Buffalo Eddy we headed north to Moscow and the University of Idaho. The university is prepping for classes to begin next week, but the folks at the Native American Center on campus took time to sit down and chat. The Interim President, Steven B. Daley-Laursen and his wife, Diane (who is Chickasaw, yea!!) took some time out of their very busy schedules and spoke with us for a bit. I enjoyed spending time with everyone in the office and chatting with the students. While I was there I took the opportunity to call a friend who works in the Systems Administration department for the university. Larry Hughes and I have known each other since 8th grade, but have not seen each other for over 35 years! I just happened to get a LinkedIn (professional networking website) notice on my computer one day telling me that he now lived in the Moscow, ID area and if I was ever near here, to give him a call. Well, he happened to be just across the street!! What a pleasure it was to see him after all of these years! The same look, facial features (we both have gray hair now, but everything else still looks the same! ;o) He has the exact same sense of humor I remember from so many years ago. We went to a local watering hole and reminisced about days gone by. To give you an idea of just how small this world is, it turns out that his younger brother was a flight surgeon stationed in Adak, AK at just about the same time I was. How weird it would be if we actually crossed paths up there and didn't even know it. What's that they say about six degrees of separation? (No, that is not the math problem for today) After having spent a great day in Moscow (it's pronounced Moss go not Moss cow) we came back to observe a yearly ritual in Lewiston called The Hot August Night Cruise. Not a finer cultural experience to be had if you have a deep burning desire to watch automobiles cruise main and burn rubber every 20 feet! There are some classic cars mind you, but it is just not the same to watch a 1996 Honda Civic burn rubber from the front wheels while sitting beside a 1971 Chevelle SS 454! But, the street was packed and spectators were lining the curb cheering on their favorite tire burner! Tomorrow I get my trusty steed out of the bike shop and then visit Kamiah Elementary School for a presentation to the local community before heading out the following morning to Missoula and points east! So, for today's problem, let's revisit the Chevelle SS 454 (since I am not on my bike, I have to use a car as an example). The 454 stands of 454 cubic inch displacement (CID) of the engine. What exactly is CID and how is it calculated? Does it depend on the number of cylinders in an engine? How about the size of the piston? Since cubic inches is a measure of volume, can we describe the displacement of an engine in terms of another measure of volume? What would a metric equivalent? My assistant has forced me to tell you that if you have any desire to ascertain if I am actually alive and doing something productive (other than eat Buckin' Hot Habanero Caramels from Cowgirl Chocolates, www.cowgirlchocolates.com) please visit the press section of this website for proof (www.klewtv.com). More Images:            3 Comments
Aug 23, 2008 10:47 am - John Lamar wrote : Hi there John, I have been enjoying reading about your bike trip across the country. I think its really great that you are traveling by bike and sharing your experiences in space with people along the way. You are a teacher and a hero, something of which this country needs more. I would like, if you don't mind, to share with you a story about two young men also traveling cross country on bike this summer. My nephew Kyle and his buddy Scott set out at the end of july from Belmar NJ to cycle the Trans-America trail up to Oregon where Scott plans to go to school this Fall. They are doing this to raise money for the family of their friend Alfie who passed away from cancer this Summer. They all worked together at the same bike shop in NJ. Your can read about in their blog http://pedalingforalfie.blogspot.com/. They have been camping out in parks and campgrounds. Sometimes they are lucky and they have a night in a church or firehouse that welcome cyclists on the trail. There are discovering a lot about our country and themselves. Everybody in their famiies are very proud of them but its been tough on them and some days they get discouraged. The other day Kyle got a 3 inch cut in his tire and had to sew it up by hand and patch it with duct tape because they were not near a bike shop. So I'd like to ask you a big favor, could you take some time out of your busy days and meet up with them? I think it would mean lot to them to meet you and get some encouragement. It looks like your paths might cross in Colorado Springs. Kyle has another aunt and uncle who live just south of Colorado Springs and I think they might spend a couple days there. The boys have just gotten to Kansas in the last few days. They are doing about 50 to 75 miles a day so they are not to far away from the Springs. If you think you might be able to spare a little time to meet then, please respond and we can set it up. thanks for considering this. Safe Trip John Lamar Boston Ma
Aug 23, 2008 9:31 am - Angelique & Maverick wrote : John, It was truly an honor to meet you the University of Idaho Native American Student Center. My son, Maverick, was so thrilled to look at your blog this morning and see his picture with you. He has been looking through the past pages and getting a big kick out of your journey. Thank you for being such an inspirational role model to all Tribes! Best, Angelique and Maverick Add a comment: |
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Hey John, Your spirit is a fountain of sempiternal ebulliance. "never ending enthusiasm" You charge my battery just as it starts to feel low... Your blog is a conspectus of what I foresee as a great book to be written in the near future. Thank you for all the detail that your eyes and your spirit experience. RIDE BABY RIDE....