April 20, 2017 – Trout Lake, Washington

Carolla, you are my constant.

The thirteen-hour drive from Bozeman, Montana to Trout Lake, Washington would certainly have been a lot lonelier without my podcasts. I’ve actually been listening to Adam and Dr. Drew since I was a teenager and they worked on “Loveline” together, but over the past few years, their podcasts have really made an impact on me and got me through a vast number of lonely days.

There were plenty of beautiful sights on the way. Missouri Headwaters State Park in Montana. Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Spokane, Washington’s riverfront park. Endless mountains, then endless prairie. The Columbia River Gorge.

I met my new host (Jack) in White Salmon, where he was watching his daughter participate in a track meet. We spectated and conversated for a couple hours before he guided me to his homestead outside of Trout Lake. He seems very gentle and kind. Jack’s place is tucked away on the Eastern edge of the valley. A short walk provides a wide-open view of the nearby Mt. Adams. A stream runs through his property. A trailhead begins fifty feet from the house.

This appears to be an immensely calm, beautiful, and peaceful environment.

I pause Carolla’s voice mid-rant and turn off my iPod. To be continued, my friend. Jack shows me around the place and I get settled in to my spot in the loft, calling it a night.

My home for the next six weeks.

“…life isn’t a niche, life is life. If you stay in that one little place, how are you going to feel alive?” – Bernie Glassman