WEEK 34 (continued)...

LOOKING FOR AMERICA

Saturday, April 25 - Sunday, April 26, 2026

We arrived in Ogden, Utah, in the Salt Lake area in the mid-afternoon. David knows a couple, Heather and Garret, who live there in the winter and work in the Duluth, MN - Superior, WI area in the summer running a stand-up paddle board rental business. They invited us to park in front of their home, given the uncertainty of the weather at the campground higher up in the mountains.

I’m glad we did, because for the next two days it rained, which meant it was snowing at higher elevations.

I didn’t mind. Now and then, it is nice to just “stay home.” We had a lovely view out our dinette window — Ben Lomond Mountain, a 9,712-foot peak located in the Wasatch Range. It is the mountain that became Paramount Pictures' logo. Founder W.W. Hodkinson sketched the original logo based on his memories of the mountain from his youth in Utah. While inspired by Ben Lomond, the mountain in the logo has become more stylized and steep over the years, looking different from the real-life peak.

We made a loaf of Sourdough bread… but we overproofed it — I blame it on the elevation…and my fridge. We’re having difficulty regulating our fridge — it is either too warm or freezes everything. The sourdough loaf is put in the fridge for 5 hours or so before baking, giving the dough a chance to firm up its shape without rising. Mine rose as though it was left out on the counter! But who knows? Maybe I put in too much water for the altitude. Well, we’ll try, try again!

We spent some time both days visiting with Heather and Garret. They are interesting people living an extraordinary life. As I listen to their stories of what they’ve done through their lives so far — meeting in Alaska when Heather was managing a hostel and Garret rented a room…traveling around, taking on seasonal work…getting their degrees and taking on jobs in education, among other things, I find them incredibly inspiring. I admit, I also had to quell some thoughts of regret for what I didn’t know, and so didn’t do when I was young. It had never even occurred to me then that I could have gone off to explore the world and work seasonal jobs. I didn’t know anyone then who was doing that. My friends and I simply fell into the programmed life plans… go to school, get married, have children, figure it out as you go.

I will say, though, it’s the “figuring it out as you go” that becomes the adventure. I might not have been discovering America, but I was discovering my Self, who I am, what I am. Who my children are…my greatest teachers, for one thing. Searching for truth. Searching for healing of body and soul. Discovering my purpose. Learning. I am a Seeker.

I am at an age when my body cannot do what I have seen younger people do as I travel around the country. Long, long hikes. Mountain climbing. Rafting. Scuba diving.

But then I remind myself that some 25 years ago, I kayaked in Puget Sound, where I lived for one amazing year. I swam with seals and dolphins.

I snorkeled in Hawaii (nearly drowned!) I took sailing lessons, and I cross-country skied. I traveled to the UK with one of my daughters and toured Scotland with MacBackpackers' “jump on, jump off” touring bus with a bunch of 20-somethings who called me “Mum.” Once, I went with a small group of them, driving around the countryside despite the fact that I had a bad migraine. At one point, while the “kids” were exploring a trail, I was throwing up in front of several mountain goats who watched me curiously.

But was it only last month I rode a Mule down into the Grand Canyon? And two months ago, I climbed a small mountain in Colombia?

One of the lessons my father taught me was to never stop growing. I didn’t go looking for America in my twenties or thirties, but I am looking now!

The greatest lesson of all that I have learned is that the most important thing of all is to learn to receive and to give Love. Love is God…Love is Creator…Love is the Source of all that is.

I have learned that there is beauty, mystery, and blessings all around me every day. That the well-spring of Joy is within my own Being, not outside of me.

I have learned that Hope is like the little flower that manages to break through the crack in the rocks or the concrete and bloom, smiling up at the sun.

I have learned that Grace is always present, guiding, leading, and helping me.

I have learned that even in great sorrow, Love remains.