Since I (Joe) am new to this whole "blogging" thing, bear with me. I'm up way past my bed time catching up on our first couple of days of what is "The Journey" (named given by Isaak and adopted by the family). At 4:30 P.M. PDT on July 5th, 2010, Sarah, the kids and I began our journey from the West to the East. Our first night was spent eating pizza and popcorn in Missoula, MT. We made it there from Wallace, ID in just over 3 hours. After dinner, the kids and I swam until our fingers were wrinkly and our eyes burned (prompted a trip to Costco for goggles). Up early for Isaak's favorite, continental breakfast then off to the Lewis & Clark Caverns. As some of you may know, I have lived almost my ENTIRE life in Washington, so when we crested the Rockies I can safely say I was awestruck. Sarah and I both felt how small the pioneers travelling east must have felt that first trip over. Lunch was a picnic at a non-descript rest are at the top of the Continental Divide. After lunch, we were off to the Lewis & Clark Caverns. When we got there, Sarah found out we were behind a group of 32, which meant an hour wait. SO, we cruised the gift shop, bought some post cards and were back on the road. We made it safely into West Yellowstone, MT right before dinner; we drove through town & found a quick bite at The Outpost. 
After dinner, we wandered through some great shops with Isabel asking every time we paused, "Can we go swimming yet?!?" Fortunately, Isaak pointed us toward the Yellowstone Historic Center. The family got to see exhibits on the first planes into Yellowstone, the Quake of '59 and the Great Fire of 1988. So after a little history lesson we "FINALLY got to go swimming" (Isabel's exact words). And, again, swam till our skin was wrinkly (no bleary eyes this time). And now, Sarah and the kids are tucked happily into bed with daddy catching up the blog. As I close, I keep thinking about the pioneers. How did they do it? Travelling out here...not knowing where the were headed or when they would get there...by horse or foot or wagon, maybe making 60 good miles a day, if they were lucky. Now we travel by every known conveyance, making 3-to 400 miles in a few hours. We blog, text, Facebook; use GPS, listen to satellite radio, use 2-way communication, etc. etc, etc. How far we have come!
Well, I am off to get some much-needed rest. Thank you to everyone who sent prayers and wished us luck. So far The Journey has been great, even though we still have a long road ahead. We love all of you and if you stay tuned, we'll keep you posted!
Love,
Joe, Sarah Isaak & Isabel
West Yellowstone, MT
