Greg Mortenson in Indianapolis

If you are a regular reader, you will recall that recently I read the book Three Cups of Tea. Shortly thereafter, I posted a book review. I was so excited about what this man is doing in Afghanistan and Pakistan - promoting peace through education. In the late '80's, early '90's, I wrote a column for my hometown paper called "Flip Side." It was a human interest column, usually about my children or general observations. My editor and I forged a friendship and through the years, she has asked me to write a piece for her.
I opened my email in late October, and there was a request that had been sent to her to be in Indianapolis and interview Greg Mortenson. Her request was a simple one, reading something akin to: "Hey Miss Smarty-pants English major, would you like to cover this for us?"
I absolutely flipped out. I couldn't believe it. I started to tell everyone what I was going to do before I had confirmed with Mortenson's publicist. Then I started to think what if this doesn't work out and I look like a fool?
So, I sent an email telling his publicist that I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to sit down and interview him. For the next couple of weeks, I was holding my breath. It didn't seem the day would ever arrive.
Greg started speaking in Indianapolis at the Convention Center at 8 a.m. I live a little over an hour from Indy, had to find the Center, secure parking for the day and then find the room that he was speaking in. I was up bright and early. Driving to Indianapolis, the moon was setting as the sun was rising. It was beautiful.
After securing my press credentials, I set out for the room where he was speaking.

Telling the audience about the children in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He has spoken on Capitol Hill, to crowds of thousands
and he was going to sit down and speak to 'lil ol' me.

Greg Mortenson and me. 11/2/09

Everyone kept asking me if I was nervous or scared. I would say "I may barf on his shoes, but it will be from excitement, not fear." There was no barf. I felt as if I was sitting down to chat with an old friend. I had read everything I could get my hands on and viewed every video of him produced in 2009.

Greg's people stood were nearby. There was a menacing looking manager turn body guard type who paced as we talked and like a cheetah closing in on its prey, he circled ever closer, checking his watch every couple of minutes. Greg was ignoring him, so I tried to ignore him, too.

Thanks to my editor friend, the opportunity to sit down and interview Greg Mortenson was one of the most exciting moments I've had for quite some time. If I sound like a gushing school girl, so be it. Anyone who knows me knows I wear my feelings on my sleeve. On that day in early November, my heart was glowing warmly for all to see.

Climbing Grandmother Mountain

On Saturday, October 10, we were nearing the end of our trip. On Sunday we departed Idaho to drive back to Portland to catch our flight out. We traveled all night (you don't want to hear about that) and arrived in Indianapolis on Monday, the 12th. And I have been playing catch-up ever since.
But first, I'll tell you about climbing Grandmother Mountain. It was two hours from Doug's brother's house, so we were gone for most of the day. The temperature was quite brisk. I believe it was around twenty-four when we started out. Doug loves to wear long-johns and as he didn't have any with him, he pulled the next best thing out of his pack and put them on over his hiking pants. We all had a good laugh.

Doug with bear themed pajama pants.

It is always good to have your photo taken with a trail sign.

We hadn't hiked for long when we were rewarded with some gorgeous views.

I like photos on mountains that scare the be-jesus out of my mother.

This is where we had lunch. It was lovely, but very cold and windy. We had bread, salami, cheese and of course, apples!

Currently my facebook profile pic.

A lot of great hiking trails. Unfortunately, a lot of hunters, too.

Doug and his brother on the summit.

Doug's brother prefers to dress as if he is a french gentleman hiking in Europe.

Us, on the summit.

Trail view.

It was a long, cold, sunny, blustery day. It was beautiful.

And so very nice to return to the farm for a roaring fire in the huge fireplace and some wonderful warm dinner.

A perfect way to end our visit to the apple farm.

IDAHO

On the 8th of October, we were nearly to Idaho. There was some beautiful scenery along the way. I kept wondering how they did it, how they traveled across this barren, rocky land in wagons pulled by oxen. Very difficult for me to imagine. The ground is extremely hard and there are rocks everywhere.

I call this photo "Past meets present." Beautiful!
We drove further than we needed to, but soon enough turned back
and found Tim and Diane's farm.

"Piggity-wiggity."

The pigs on the farm get a variety of treats including apples (of course), bread and whatever leftovers there might be. Also a bit of regular ground "pig food." I am not a pig owner - so all of this was very interesting and a bit foreign to me. None of the pigs are named, as they are food for the table.

Farm art.

I loved the chickens. There was a great number of them running about. I thought they were beautiful. I only brought home one feather and wished upon my return that I might have brought more. I'm not certain what I would do with them - but they are so pretty.

I don't remember the donkey's names, but they were always standing very near to one another. The oldest one is nearing his fiftieth birthday. I believe that is what Tim said. Nonetheless, I know that they are both old. How old in "donkey years?"

This is now Diane's facebook profile pic.

We went out the pacific northwest to pick apples and we did. Doug and I both loved the family apple boxes and Doug wanted to dismantle one and bring it home on the plane.

They have been at this for quite some time. They do not spray. Tim uses some sort of pheromone coated wires that he twists on the branches to confuse the male moths so they don't mate with the females and lay eggs (I think that is how the story goes). It was amazing to me how many apples could be on one little tree.

It was an apple-wonderland. We picked and ate all that we wanted. We had apple sauce and apples with french toast and apple syrup. After about three days of this, our tummies were on apple-overload.

And here is the happy apple-picker. It was perfect fall-like weather. Something akin to leaf-raking weather. Crisp and cold enough for your cheeks and hands to get cold. Cold enough that going into the house for a snack and something warm to drink and a warm mug to wrap your hands around felt delicious.

I will give a prize to the first person who can tell me exactly how many chins I'm sporting in the above photo.

The fragrance was intoxicating.

The view from in front of the house.

And Doug's brother, Tim, let him drive his tractor.

It just doesn't get any better than that!