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Well, what a time we have been having here in Marcus' home State of Wyoming. Our two and a half months here have just flown by and all too soon we will be hitting the road again only this time to different destinations ...
However, before we go into all that we want to give you a glimpse of what we've been up to in Wyoming for these past ten weeks ...
We flew into Denver on 18th February during some of the lowest temperatures the West has felt in years: -38 degrees celsius! We thought we had caught the wrong flight and were back in Siberia!
We could have been forgiven for thinking so when we drove up to Casper the following day and all around us for miles and miles was nothing but snow covered prairie - beautiful!
We were able to get out on the slopes of Casper mountain with Marcus' Uncle Harry and cousin Elaine, both certified ski instructors. The photo was taken before Fiona made a dramatic fall down what she later was told was the beginners slope!
The snow was a novelty for the first couple of weeks but when
we experienced our seventh snowfall on 25th April the novelty began to wear off!
However, we did not let the snow stop us getting out to see this beautiful state. Marcus Dad gave us a few rides in his aeroplane - a Cessna Skylane Retractable. Now that's the way to see this country!
From the air we could see all the geological formation of the land and even the old Oregon Trails of the 19th century pioneers. Dr. Brubaker was a wealth of information on all of this providing answers to all our questions and more.
Catching the spirit of the West, Fiona insisted upon digging deeper into this fascinating period of history. Her interest was met at the wonderful Wyoming Trails Centre in Casper where the trials, hardships and successes of these brave and hardy pioneering people was documented in informative and interactive exhibits. Fiona discovered in the electronically monitored handcart exhibit that she would not have made it to Oregon and would have been left behind by the rest of the party had she been pulling the wagon on her own! "Thank goodness for SUV's and interstates!" she was heard to mutter as she walked
Learning to cross-country ski
Uncle Harry gives Marcus a few tips away nursing her strained muscles!
Both of us have found that not being able to work (Fiona because of her tourist visa and Marcus because he is not here long enough) has been no reason to be idle in our time here. We have been very involved at Marcus' church, Highland Park Community Church and wondered where one could find the time to hold down a job!
We were welcomed into Marcus' parents Church Home Group (Bible study group), and although by far the youngest people in the group (the average age being 60yrs) we were in the company of some of the youngest at heart, fun, loving christians with whom we have had the priviledge to spend time.
Fiona got involved with the Highland Park Drama group, The Promise Players. She had a great time helping backstage for their Easter production of "John, His Story", a wonderful account through drama of the Gospel of John. It was a real encouragement to walk with the actors and actresses of this faithful and committed group as they went through the various ups and downs of putting on such a powerful production.
Also, a lot of fun was
Where the Oregon Trails crossed
Casper was a major crossing point for the Oregon Trail, Gold Rush Trail, Mormon Trail, and Pony Express. It was here the pioneers would cross the Platte River and head onward into new wildernesses ... helping out with The Candles, the childrens' drama group in the church. Working with these talented and uninhibited(!) young actors and actresses brought back a lot of good memories of Fiona's first days in drama and Mrs Bryan's displays (who some of you out there were priviledged to see!). It made us appreciate the gift, time and patience that drama teachers give to children and what a wonderful part of a child's development that can be.
We want to say a big 'thank you' to all of you involved in the drama at Highland Park for this time and the friendships that have been made. (-:
Another highlight of our time here was the wonderful birthday party that Dr and Mrs Brubaker put on for Fiona. It was a great chance to bring together all the people who we have renewed and made new friendships with in our short time here. Indeed, we were quite amazed at the number of people who turned up throughout the open house afternoon and very honoured that we have had so many wonderful people come into our lives here. Thank you to all of you for making us so welcome. We know
Going to hell in a hand-cart ?!
Fiona tries out the handcart at the Trails Centre, needs a bit of help ...! we will always have a home here. (-:
Fiona had the opportunity to play in the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra toward the end of our time here. Having played the viola in the worship group at church for Easter she was encouraged to get involved with the Orchestra for the last concert in their season. It was great to be playing in such a setting again and although her fingers bore the marks for the next week it was worth it to play such a lovely programme (Debussy's
"Toybox", Chausson's "Poeme de L'Amour et de La Mer" and Tchaikovsky's "Capriccio Italien").
Marcus' time here has been taken up with renewing old friendships, showing Fiona his old haunts like school, Scout Troop and youth camp, tidying out his room (no small task!) and job-hunting (that favourite past-time of us twenty-somethings!).
Happily, his search came to fruition last month when he was offered a job in the Washington D.C office of Wyoming's Congresswoman. He will start there on May 8th and is counting the days until he arrives in this city of which he has always dreamed of being a part.
Unfortunately, this also means a countdown until the
time when we have to be apart while Fiona returns to the U.K to finish the visa process for her U.S Green Card.
Hopefully, it will not be too long until we are back together but in the meantime Fiona will have a chance to see family and friends back in the Old Country before making that final move.
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James
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Alas the circle is complete
Glad to see some snap shots of what I am in for tommorow afternoon Marcus. Its been baking hot down in Denver these past two days and after indulging in some consumerism and gorging myself on US food portions I am ready for the countryside. I look forward to seeing you this saturday to complete the circle; as both you and Fiona have visited South Yorkshire Ghetto at the start of your blog and I have seen Paisley and Renfrew.