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This log is current to July 22, 2009 April 3, 2009 at Expedition Headquarters Our new Toyota Land Cruiser may look like a soccer mom machine, but don’t let that fool you. This thing is amazing off road. If it won’t get you where you’re going, you probably shouldn’t be going there at all. Watch in the near future for pictures of t April 5, 2009 at HQ On the mountain above town, the ski runs have received five FEET of snow in the past eight days. Oddly, fifteen miles to the northeast there is no snow at all. When we arrived home from northern Thailand, the temperature was 100 degrees c A point worth making: We do our best to discover the world’s nooks and crannies, but find it important not to overlook the fabulous places of home. This shot was taken in late March 2009 on the north side of Montana’s Absarokee mountain range, about twenty-two miles from Expedition Headquarters. We never forget how blessed we are in life, and we never stop trying to help people less fortunate find the brightest corners of their worl April 12, 2009 at H.Q. in Montana Because they benefitted from his corrupt practices, they seek return of the former prime minister, who is under indictment and has fled the country. We see their actions as counterproductive and a blow to democra April 19, 2009 at our Montana HQ This inspired Becky (R) and her friends to dress up for the occasion. We are considering a new expedition to Central America, but meanwhile it seems there is no end to the fun right here in Montana (the state in which, Don is proud to say, he was born.) May Day 200 But no! This was the scene out our front door this morning, May 1, 2009. The mountains in the background lead to Yellowstone National park. The road leading there is currently packed with snowdrifts twenty-five feet high. Crews hope to have the road opened in three we May 6, 2009 at HQ Meena was found by our friend Allan Aistrope begging for food and shelter in a small mountain town. He contacted us, and we agreed to sponsor her from now through adulthood. She had been moved into a family we personally know, and deeply admire, in Kathmandu. We are honored and proud to provide this little girl with everything it takes to give her everything she needs to become a happy, healthy, educated, productive adult. She is now enrolled in pre-school where is is learning, among other things, English. We can’t wait to return to Nepal and meet her. May 9, 2009 at HQ May 16, 2009 in HQ Meena (see story above) is now “home” with her new family in Kathmandu (bottom center in this shot). We are proud to sponsor her, but more proud of Sandup (who was orphaned on the streets of Kathmandu as a child) and his wife Purphu for dedicating themselves to helping desperate and abandoned children. In this picture, two children are their own. The others have been taken in and saved from lives begging on the streets. May 17, 2009 at H Here is a picture of her new passport bearing her new home. Red Elvises: Becky wore an authentic Russian tank commander’s uniform (a general). Don dressed up a Joseph Stalin, and was convincing enough to frighten some of the 50 people who attended the pre-concert party. (For those just tuning in, we’re not Communists. We just think it’s interesting to act like them now and th May 19, 2009 at HQ The license derives from the fact that the new Gypsy Wagon is actually a Toyota Land Cruiser. Anyone spotting us outside of Montana is in for a lunch courtesy of the Expedition. One joy of having esta This is Grand Teton Peak in western Wyoming. It is about 13,800 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level and is impressive winter or summer. We can drive the Gypsy Wagon (not depicted) here in about four hours. May 28, 2009 at HQ In this p Meanwhile, we’re giving increasing consideration to Argentina and Chile as our next expedition destin June 7, 2009 at HQ In Billings, Montana, we joined friends who dressed up for a 1989s era rock concert. We were the Osbournes. Judging by the number of people who asked to have their picture taken with us, we must have looked the parts. Red Lodge, Montana continues to amaze us. The people here are like no others. People don’t attend things -- they participate in them. Costume parties and special events seem like daily affairs. Right now, the widely known Red Lodge Music Festival is in full swing. Students come from far and wide to learn from professional musicians and entertainers who come from far and wide. June 19, 2009 at HQ: We’ve agreed to pay all of Meena Lama’s expenses until adulthood, including the highest level of education she is able to attain. We are very excited to meet her. (See picture above) and will visit Chile and Argentina at a later time. Meanwhile, the band in which we perform on trumpet and drums, Alte Kameraden of Red Lodge, performed in Ashland, The St. Labre School offers preschool through high school education for Crow and Northern Cheyenne children. The school has three campuses and educates some 800 children. Photo: erecting tepees on the school grounds. July 2009 at HQ: |
he new Wagon climbing like a mountain goat.
older!
d.
cy in Thailand.
9
eks (good luck!).
ur 
Q
arty. Red Lodge, Montana doesn’t do anything half way, so we had a costume party at Headquarters and dressed up as Russians.
en).
blished our headquarters in southern Montana is the opportunity to visit some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
icture, the mountains above Red Lodge, Montana are being blasted by spring winds, which can reach hurricane force.
ations.
We’ll drop South America in favor of returning to Asia. On the tentative agenda, Nepal, Sikkim and Vietnam. In Kathmandu, we’ll meet the four-year-old girl who was orphaned in a remote village on the Annapurna circuit in Nepal.
Montana in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Saint Labre Indian School.