Shoot`n the Deschutes

Holding up for a few minutes in Maupin, Oregon - again... 4 days since our last blog entry we're back here. Here is the Imperial River Company (restaurant/hotel) check them out and make plans to come and see. It is a place to see - especially if you want to do a river raft trip from Mecca Flatts to Maupin on the Deschutes River (we didn't stay here- we're stuck with the scouts, and we truly thought of ditching the rest of the troop and staying here, the better angels of our nature took over.)

From Den - 50 miles into a 100 mile trip and here's what we're thinking:

Lewis and Clark were REAL men!

Urban cowboys are a legend...in their own mind.

I'm a fake urban cowboy - and that makes it all the worse.

Heard a story about John Colter running a 156 miles naked with Blackfoot Indians chasing him (he was a part of the original Lewis and Clark expedition, but stayed west). Couldn't believe it, but it's true and here we are 32 guys bellyaching about our sunburns - what a bunch wannabes.

The hardest part of the trip so far was on Tuesday when the wind was against us - here's my thought: this is a great picture of life, a bunch of guys going in one direction, a band of brothers with most of the elements against them, and we stuck together, and it was hard as heck. I got totally ticked at a few people and thought the lowest and worst of them, because I was so stinking tired. Found out that I was in error and apologized - that's kinda like life too, isn't it?

From Lee - not looking forward to this trip, with each week prior, a trial to look forward to. Over halfway through and other then the sleeping and eating and rowing and constant water logging, and stinking KYBO's (Keep Your Bowles Open) - it is a great time, but I need my cruiser bike!

From Den  - my point is proven about urban cowboys. We bow before the shadow of Meriwether Lewis & William Clark. As we wind our way down the Deschutes River to the Columbia River I can't help but think about the three plus years these men and their Corps of Discovery spent in such hostile and rugged terrain. Sure brought their experiences rich and real to my life today.

We're headed out in 10 minutes for the next 10 miles before we can bed for the night:  we who are about to raft the white water - salute you!

Comments

[Dennis Mansfield]

Thanks, Julie. Good book about L&C.

Re: Bill Sali - I was surprised to read the account in the Nampa paper, when I returned home. Bill's recent apology to his fellow Congressman seems to have been accepted graciously. (Good job!) Should Bill have ever said anything? He'd not be Bill Sali if he remained silent. The people who voted him in, want him to speak out on things...to "stir it up". If they tire of him, somebody else will fill the spot (though I bet 51% of them do NOT tire of him in 2008.)

Part of his argument (I bet) stems from www.WallBuilders.org. David Barton has done much research on this stuff. Years ago, I did too.

Here's where I am today: America is not a Christian Nation, anymore. Though the Founding Fathers had much to say on the subject(s), their "political progeny" have simply forgotten our national heritage. Many of our elected guys and gals in DC seem to be intentionally ignorant on the data.

Is it better or worse? It just "is". In reality, I have learned that I am a "citizen" of two countries: one a Republic and one a Monarchy...both at the same time.

If fellow US citizens (and elected officials) don't get the "Monarchy thing", it's probably because they haven't yet met the King of Kings.

(and BTW, that's not Elvis...)
Den

[Julie Fanselow]

A MORE service-driven faith ... sorry about that!

[Julie Fanselow]

Dennis, sounds like a great trip. And if you feel moved to do some more traveling in the wake of L&C - well, have I got a book for you!

http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Lewis-Clark-Trail-Falcon/dp/0762744375/ref=sr_1_5/102-4036981-4518546?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187107428&sr=1-5

Now, to ease you back into the "real" world, I have cited and linked to our "fundamentalist or evangelical" dialogue from a few months ago in a blog post at Red State Rebels regarding Bill Sali's recent comments about his Muslim colleague and a Hindu prayer in the U.S. Senate. (Click my name.)

I sincerly welcome your thoughts - as a fundamentalist who has moved toward a morfe service-driven faith - on Sali's statements and my response.

[Michael]

What a great trip! (Not counting the "nose job".)

[Richard]

I've been having withdrawals since we got home. I've really just wanted to find a nice Phoenix 2000 and use it right now. My bathrooms sure don't smell like cedar.