Still and Listening

        After two months of submitting applications and handing out resumes, Mountain Man suddenly became very busy this September. Suddenly he was in demand for interviews and with winter on the horizon we were happy to make ourselves available no matter how far we might have to go for a meeting. Of course, many potential employers were happy to start with phone or video interviews but two in particular required a bit of a drive.

First we traveled across the state of Idaho to Boise. There was a giant trout inflated in front of the office where he interviewed. With his love of fishing that seemed a good sign. The children and I took the Bear exploring the river walk in the downtown area while the interview took place. After our walk we were standing at the river’s edge when we got the rare opportunity to sight a mountain man in a suit next to a river. With the interview behind us the fun part of our trip could begin. 

We went to a local farmer’s market and discovered some wonderful Idaho made mustard. Bob Wagner and his wife Cari are the owners and they make several flavors of mustard. If you have the opportunity I recommend one of every flavor! You can find them at www.wagnerdahofoods.com. After two months camping we then enjoyed an early evening at our hotel room playing in the indoor pool! No one else had the same plans that evening so it was a private pool and hot tub for the family. It was fun splashing and giggling.

Idaho City, ID

The next morning we decided to take a long route home and drive north through the Sawtooth Mountains to reach Salmon, Idaho. If the interview went particularly well, this town would be our new home. The trip was absolutely worth the extra hours on the road. We stopped for a picnic lunch along the Salmon River and it is just a beautiful area! Along the way we drove through Idaho City, founded in 1862. The main road looks much the same now as it did in the beginning with eighteen of the original buildings still in use by today’s inhabitants. Shortly after that we passed through the town of Clayton. This is not the smallest town in Idaho but with a population of 7 people it is the smallest town we have driven through. I am very impressed, for all that the town was so small, it did boast of a library, a museum, and a dry goods store. The country towns we traveled through all had informational signs that were wonderful for any history buff on the road to see.

Historical Information

In Stanley, Idaho, we met the father of a soldier named Matthew. He showed us many pictures of the local hunters and fishermen with elk, moose, wolf, and mountain lion as well as salmon and steelhead. He explained that they were not trying to eradicate these beautiful creatures but merely working to keep the balance. With everything going on in Iraq, where his son is stationed, I would ask that you please join me in praying for those in the Middle East. It is a blessing, to me, that we live in a place where we can each freely live according to our beliefs, where I can ask that you pray and you can choose whether or not you will. Thank goodness there are men and women willing to protect our rights.

Sawtooth Mountains near Stanley, ID

We finally reached the town of Salmon late in the day. I wish I had taken pictures but ever the optimist I went with the hope that this would not be our only visit to town. As we drove through the main area of town it seemed close to perfect. It has since been mentioned to us that Salmon is one of the most remote towns in the lower 48. With quilt shops, fly shops, and antique stores it seemed quite lovely to me. If you ever get through you should stop in to the Cornerstone Gifts & Collections. Her store has a little of everything and she is quite friendly.

Salmon River

Having thoroughly enjoyed our day it was time to drive home. Next time I will tell you about our second long interview trip, across the state of Wyoming into the bustling Cheyenne. As a homeschooling family, Cheyenne interests me personally because I know there would be a lot of opportunity for my children in such a large homeschooling community. As Catholics, there would also be the contrast between having one or two priests serve many churches spaced far apart as we see in the country towns in Idaho, vs. being in the Diocesan Seat with three churches to choose between in one town. Between one of the most remote towns and one of the busiest we’ve been to since our journey began how would we ever choose if we were lucky enough to end up with two job offers? Our hearts may long for the peace and quiet of a remote mountain home but we have said from the beginning of our journey that our main goal is to go where God would have us go. Honestly, I am glad that I do not feel I have to make the final choices… We just need to be still and listen.