Dearly beloved,

I see it has been a while again, and for that I apologize. Since I last wrote, I’ve traveled through bits of Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia. I’m now in Seattle, but I’m going to write as though everything from several weeks ago is fresh in my memory…

We’ll begin with tales from Las Vegas. Vegas is a surprising city, even to someone who’s seen its image thousands of times in movies, television, and those ads that claim that “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” At night, the city’s Strip flares to life with a sea of flashing lights, fountains, and general hubbub, and the joy of passersby is absolutely contagious. The place feels like a bizarre playground for adults, and everyone’s pretty pumped that their kids are home with a babysitter. Formerly responsible members of society find themselves skipping from casino to casino, large fruity cocktails in hand (there are no open container laws), and somehow everyone feels it’s his or her lucky day.

But, some friendly forewarning to all those who want to visit: Vegas is rather hot and overwhelming during the day. Although I did not have the good fortune to do this, I recommend you spend your days by a pool or something, then go out to explore at night. Also, remember that the house pretty much always wins, and that the “friendly girl” you just met on the street may ask for financial compensation for your “date.” Other Nevada notes: the Hoover Dam is an astounding feat of engineering and is worth a trip outside the city; everyone working the souvenir shops seems to be from Israel; the Bellagio fountains are pretty impressive; slot machines have weird, historically insensitive names like “Pompeii” (“Yeah, it’s like that eruption from way back when… only this eruption is made of money instead of lava, and no one will perish unless its from joyful heart failure.”); and no matter how funny the show “Thunder Down Under” sounds, the guys with g-strings and greasy hair probably aren’t worth your admission money.

From Vegas, I continued on to Park City, Utah, where I spent several days with the Dallas relatives. The Viehmans showed me a fabulous time, complete with hiking, coffee shops, exploring, steak, and profane humor. One evening, I met up with my friend Scooter, and we managed to get super-speedy night rides on both the alpine slide and alpine rollercoaster for just $5 per person! I don’t know how we scammed the operators, but we were pleased with the outcome. I also visited Sundance, the mountain retreat owned by Robert Redford and just a half-hour outside of Park City. While I didn’t run into gorgeous Mr. Redford during my time there, I did have a chance to explore the various halls, shops, and museums. If ever you have the chance to go to Sundance, make sure to take the ski lift to the top of the mountains, thereafter taking a hike or mountain biking to any of the area’s various summits and waterfalls.

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Because this is such a long e-mail, you may want to take the next few minutes to use the restroom, refill your beverage, or take a nap and never return.
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After Park City, I headed to Jackson, Wyoming, where I stayed with a terrific and interesting trio of young women originally from the East Coast and Midwest. The first night I arrived, I cooked dinner with my newfound friends before we were joined by a number of music festival-goers who would also be crashing there for the evening. The festivities were made complete with great conversation, cold Pabst Blue Ribbon, and bonfires as the stars burned through the crisp night air. After a communal breakfast for what must have been 10-12 people, I wandered out to explore Jackson Hole and its surroundings.

My time in Wyoming was generally spent enjoying the outdoors. From Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone, I wandered the mountains and lakes with amazement. I marveled as buffalo, elk, and wolves waltzed out in front of my car, totally unconcerned with my presence, and as hot springs bubbled from the earth, painting the land in turquoise, orange, and lime green deposits. Old Faithful is certainly worth visiting, although I recommend you check out its scheduled eruption times and plan your visit before arriving; parking there can be a nightmare, and waiting a half hour with a large crowd is even worse.

The two highlights from my time in Wyoming were probably two events that occurred on the same wonderful evening…

I was lucky enough to join my friend’s aunt and uncle for dinner on their ranch just outside Jackson Hole. Although I’d never met the couple, Grace and Jimmy welcomed me into their home as though I were one of their own. Now, Jim walks about with a rancher’s strut, his handlebar moustache and cowboy boots completing his Wyoming look. Grace speaks in a demure, old-fashioned way, although she gets a mischievous twinkle in her eye when she speaks of her carefree youth. After some great down-home cooking, Grace and Jimmy took me outside to explore their property. Grace and I ate pie cherries, tomatoes, and raspberries fresh from the trees and vines, and Jim showed me the old covered wagon that my friend once studied in by firelight. We listened to the river waters rushing just beyond the next ridge, and I was shown the old Japanese internment shed that the couple uses to hold farm tools. After angel food cake and the setting of the sun, I thanked the two profusely for the wonderful evening, and I made my way back to the house where I was staying.

When I arrived home, there was a dinner party just beginning, and the gathering of individuals was unique, to say the least. The first people I met were the town healer, film-makers, and a yoga instructor, thereafter being introduced to ski instructors, geologists, photographers, and other wayward souls making a living doing what they love to do. I was seated next to Blue Thunder, a Native American spiritual leader who travels the nation working with different conservation efforts. Blue Thunder and I had some fabulous conversation, and I delighted in the meeting of so many quirky people. The strangest part of the whole evening was that the majority of people I met looked just like people I already knew. Yet another interesting, conversation- and bonfire-filled evening in Wyoming.

Anyway, it’s time I let you go. But, I’m planning to barrage you with numerous e-mail updates over the next week or two in order to make up for lost time. I hope you’re ready. If you’re not, just delete the next few… :)

Laughing at strange, big buffalo, I leave you.

Rachel


P.S. To track my journey:
Page 1 –http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108615724721649217631.00045208d5352931b9e50&ll=37.020098,-107.753906&spn=17.164462,28.78418&z=5
Page 2 –
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&num=200&start=58&msa=0&msid=108615724721649217631.00045208d5352931b9e50&ll=45.089036,-116.586914&spn=14.45785,35.375977&z=5

P.P.S. To see some photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/rarudwall