Only Physical Sign of the Corp of Discovery

While it took Lewis & Clark 28 months to make it from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back, there is only one remaining physical sign that exists to this day along the trail. That mark was left 200 years ago today when on July 25, 1806, near Billings, Mt., Capt. William Clark climbed onto a unique rock formation he named Pompey's Tower (later renamed Pompey's Pillar) and carved his name and the date. He wrote in hs journal that day:

"The wind continued high until 2 P.M. I proceeded on after the rain, lay a little, and at 4 P.M., arrived at a remarkable rock situated in an extensive bottom on the starboard side of the river and 250 paces from it. This rock I ascended and from its top had a most extensive view in every direction. This rock, which I shall call Pompey's Tower, is 200 feet high and 400 paces in circumference, and only accessible on one side, which is from the N.E., the other parts of it being a perpendicular cliff of lightish-colored gritty rock. On the top there is a tolerable soil about 5 or 6 feet thick covered with short grass. The Indians have made two piles of stone on the top of this tower. The natives have engraved on the face of this rock the figures of animals, &c., near which I marked my name and the day of the month and year. From the top of this tower I could discover two low mountains and the Rocky Mountains covered with snow."

End of an Era

Today, in my third interview CBS (not Katie Couric's new network) but Computer Betting Systems, offered me a new career. The journey begins Aug. 7. After nearly 13 years at the Las Vegas Hilton it was time for a change. The commute to CBS is just a little over a mile, so I can leave for my 8:30-4:30 Tuesday-Saturday shift four minutes before and make it on time. I'll be making about the same money but after three months I'll get a raise that will put me above Hilton wages. They even offered to pay my Cobra health insurance until I'm covered by their plan in three months. While I had recently qualified for four weeks vacation at the Hilton, CBS threw in an extra week, so I'm starting with three.

What will I be doing? Basically the same thing I did at the Hilton. Except I'll be helping other Race & Sports books when they have trouble with their betting computers. The same equipment I've worked on for 12 years. It's a nice small company with a family atmosphere that's been in business for years and services most of the major hotels and casinos in Nevada. I'll miss the free food but at least I won't be tempted by the sugar-filled treats the Hilton puts out to fatten up its employees. I'll be able to grow my beard back, come home for lunch and the weeknds are casual. You can wear jeans and T-shirts. What's not to like about it? Sure I'm leaving a few friends at the Hilton, but I'll still be talking to them when they call in with software and hardware problems. CBS already has two former Hilton employees and both are very glad they made the switch to improve their careers.

"Life is a series of Hellos and goodbyes, I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again," Billy Joel

 

Short but Sweet

Two nights is hardly enough to experience all Vegas has to offer but Micky, Sue and their local guide packed a lot of action, excitement and good times into about 48 hours. With a very small percentage of those hours allocated for sleeping.

Today Sue & Micky were up at 4:30 am to watch the British Open live. London is nine hours ahead. I was able to sleep in very late to the decadent hour of 6 am. The morning exercise was yoga taught by one of my favorite teachers Kim. It was good, but both Sue & I felt a little dizzy and light-headed. Maybe we were still feeling the effects of all the water acrobatics in last night's "O" show.

Something life-changing may have happened to me today but I can't release any details now. You'll just have to keep reading this journal to find out.

The afternoon was another relaxing time around the beautiful Bellagio pool. Then it was a sad goodbye to sis and my Britsh brother in law. 

 

 

An Amazing Day

Days like this don't come along very often. There was so much action packed in it's all I can do to keep my head up and not fall asleep on my keyboard. Or is it a pillow?

Up at 4:40 am. Hit gridlock on I-15 on the drive to pick up Sue at Bellagio due to fatal truck-bus crash that closed major highway for 12 hrs. Picked up sister at Bellagio and head out to Red Rock to run La Madre Springs loop. It's hard to believe but it was actually cold at Willow Springs parking area at 7am. Sue & I proceeded on treacherous terrain to circle mountain. We saw many white-tailed bunnies but no snakes (good) or big horn sheep (too bad).

After a brief rest it was time to check out the cool pool at Bellagio. Literally cool. One pool is kept at 75 degrees and it feels simultaneously freezing and refreshing. The other pool is a little warmer and easier to slip into. There was lots of skin, glitz and glamour baking in the hot sun.

Rosa Maria and Ruth joined us for dinner. We had a great table with a view of the Bellagio fountains. I had some kind of a spicy tofu dish. Sue & Ruth also were kind to animals and enjoyed tofu entries.

That's not all. The best we saved for last. The spectacular O show. It was incredible. Words can't describe it so I won't try. Traffic was stressful coming home and now it's time to hit the hay for a deep, deep, sleep.ZZZZZZ 

Houston Visitors

Ten days is a long time between journal entries. But who wants to hear about trips to the foot doctor and high blood sugar readings? Sister Sue and bro-in-law Micky arrived from Houston, Texas today to give me something to write about. Sue, the successful sibling in the family is staying at the $1.1 billion Bellagio. She was upgraded to a fabulous room with a view of Paris and the fountains.

Connected to the top people in show business, Sue secured a comp to Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian. The front-row center seats normally sell for $150 apiece. Meanwhile I schlepped off to my Ayurveda yoga class with Anne. It was just what I needed as Anne once again put in plenty of poses just for me to combat my diabetes. After class both blood pressure and blood sugar readings were very good and I feel as if I may have turned the corner after a couple of weeks of less than spectacular numbers.

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."
--Frederick Keonig

Back In The Saddle

Everything was going up. Blood pressure. Blood Sugar. Weight. So I had to take matters into my feet Sunday night and break this 10-day running fast. Sure my foot still hurts but not as bad as losing a limb or eyesight so I proceeded on to the RR track trail behind my condo. Under a near full moon (it's 97 percent now) I returned to running which is 2nd only to breathing for me.

Less than 10 minutes into the run as I was crossing over the iron trail I tripped on some loose rocks and felt a pain shoot through my ankle. Oh, no! My return to running is marred by an ankle injury. But after a few f*#ks and other bad words I shook it off and had little or no problem the rest of the 4-mile run. Most of the time I didn't notice the sting of the sores or the ankle twist. After the run and meditation I had an excellent bs reading and lived happily and healthy ever after.

Monday's full moon is known as the "Full Buck Moon," because July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur.

I shut my eyes in order to see.--PAUL GAUGUIN

  

One year later

It's been a year now since I started this journal. One year ago tonight I was sipping grog (warm whiskey & water) like Lewis & Clark 200 years ago. As the Corp of Discovery finished off the last of their spirits, I planned to honor them and go without alcohol for the remaining 15 months of their journey and document my efforts.

For the first four months it was smooth sailing. But then in October I came across a journal entry where some of the men had made beer, so I joined them. That tasted great after 120-plus days of abstinence. Then there was the LV Marathon and I rewarded myself after 20-mile training runs and the marathon with some fermented beverages. There were a few other exceptions so I can't say I succeeded in the original goal but it's still been a fun and rewarding experience to put down a few thoughts on a semi-regular basis for my three or four regular readers. That number did peak after Uncle Wally's death when a Neo Tech reference spiked blog hits.

Currently I'm struggling through a bit of a foot problem that has put my running shoes on the shelf. That's like a deep-sea diver losing his life line. But after a few adjustments I've got my diabetes numbers back under control so it's all good. Trips in the next 12 months will hopefully take me to California, Palm Beach Gardens, Sarasota, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. And after that maybe even Buffalo, N.Y.

Great doubt results in great enlightenment, small doubt results in small enlightenment, no doubt results in no enlightenment.--YUAN-HSIEN