I Can See for Miles, Miles, Miles

Play this song while you read the update (for the full experience).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oCPAO3bp4Q



        Hey everybody, sorry for not updating in a while. Life has been on the move.

        Since the last update Levi and I have been pretty many places. We have been to Portland, Sequim (near the top of the Olympic peninsula), Seattle, Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Glacier National Park, Levi's brother's Zach's place in Montana, Yellowstone National Park, and now we are in Fort Collins Colorado, so we could have a lot to talk about. But looking back, what really stands out to me during our times in these places and driving to them has been the beauty of nature. Cam, a friend we stayed with in Kelowna, words come to mind...

      Searching for any sort of hold to latch my fingers into, which would allow me to work my way out of the overhang and onto the last slope of the climb, I quickly look forty feet below for some advice from Cam and Levi.
      "If you look up and to your right, I think you can grab that ledge that is just sticking out. When you have that, swing your legs around and put your right foot on the holds that are a bit father away." Cam instructed.
       "Almost done dude," Levi chimed in.
       Focusing on the advice, I reach for the hold and swing my right leg around the edge and onto the narrow surface that provides me enough space to hold steady and use my leg strength to bring the rest of my body into a standing position onto the last slope of the climb. With my forearms burning and most of my legs muscles begging for a break, I lean against the slanted rock face, take a few deep breaths, and gaze into the distance from my new vantage point.
       I can see for miles, miles, miles, I sing in my head, the line for that one Bon Iver song.
      The view is to much. Powerful but rolling golden hills, spotted with vineyards and pine trees, descend into the giant blue lake that the city of Kelowna and all of the other development in the area is built around. The sun makes an appearance but is anticipating her retreat because of the billowing clouds that promise rain in the distance. A little closer, a rainbow of new little boxes with matching black roofs paint the foothills next to the lake, and shortly to the left, tall, thin, black remains of the pine trees that once were remind of the destruction that is possible and of natures strength.
      "Are you ready to come down?" Cam asks.
       "Yeah," I reply.
      Taking in the last bits of my view from above I slowly sit back into my harness and allow physics to gently aid me down the rock face. As I reach the bottom, I bend my knees to brace myself for the solid ground and awkwardly bring myself to a standing position once again. I start to unbuckle the harness fixed around my waist while Levi squeezes in his shoes and Cam messes with the ropes.
     "Good view right?" Cam asks.
     "Yeah, super good." I reply.
      "I told my buddy this one time when we were up here," Cam continued, "If I ever get tired of this view, kick me in the balls."
       We have traveled through many National Parks, endless forest, dry desserts, and amazing cities. We have seen glaciers on the mountains in the summer, the painted red cliffs on the hills in the dessert, trees that are to big to see the top, sunsets that produce colors rarely seen; if I ever get tired of this, kick me in the balls.

     We are on the home stretch and will be back in Lancaster like August 6th. We will be passing through Nebraska, Kansas, Chicago, Illinios Canto Ohio, and some other places yet. We look forward to seeing everyone again. Keep us in your prayers


Much Love,

Levi and Elliot