College vs. Prison

I am really giddy about the independent bookstore we stumbled upon in the historic section of Boise yesterday. I got 3 new books.

1. “Lewis and Clark’s Bittersweet Crossing” signed by the author Carol Lynn MacGregor. According to the jacket flap she is a native of Idaho, grew up near Boise, still resides here and is a PhD American historian. The illustrator is an Idahoan painter and his watercolor illustrations in the book are gorgeous. This children's book is very thorough - I'm sure most adults would be surprised by what they would learn. The whole Lewis and Clark thing always seemed boring to me and from school I only remember these two guys went exploring west and there was a test with a map with a line - the trail- from where they started to where they ended. I don't remember any nail bitting, hair raising, emotionally charged moments. I do remember the Indians helped them, (something like they traded the Indians stuff and the Indians pointed them in the right direction) but the significance of these encounters and of their journey was lost on me. I am looking forward to relearning it the right way with the kids.
That's why I'm excited about this book. It is written by an expert with passion. It is not a text book. MacGregor mentions when Lewis bought his black Newfoundland dog Seaman for a hefty $20 in 1804. The dog would travel with him through thick and thin. Which brings me to the next book I bought:
2. “The Captain’s Dog, My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe” by Roland Smith. A historical fiction novel that tells the story of Lewis and Clark through the dog, Seaman’s eyes.
3. “Wolf Stalker: A Mystery in Yellowstone Park” written by a mother and daughter team (how cool is that) currently writing a series of children’s chapter books called Mysteries in our National Parks, published by National Geographic.

Yesterday was Payton’s birthday so it was a fun day – we spent time on the campus of Boise State. Ate lunch in the Student Union among backpack toting and laptop engaged students.
After lunch we checked out the football stadium with their signature blue Astroturf.

We headed back to the Student Union where the kids bowled, and played ping pong and Matt and Payton played 4 rounds of pool.
Today we are headed to the tour of the Old Idaho Penitentiary. Like Alcatraz – a prison turned tourist attraction.

It is good for the kids to hang out on a college campus one day and a prison the next. This way they can get an idea of which life they may be better suited for and then figure out which path leads where.

Before we get going we will read Lewis and Clark’s Bittersweet Crossing, and do some journal writing, math, and laundry.

ITINERARY UPDATE: Matt left early this morning and we pick up my mom from the Boise Airport at 4:30. From the airport will head out to Twin Falls – spend one night there on the way to Yellowstone. She will be with us for a week.