D: 5 (Soap Lake, WA)
Friday, June 19, 2009 at 11:49PM "Soap Lake" comes from the word Smokiam, the Native American term for "healing waters" which the Indians would use for themselves and their animals. The lake was abandoned when the area was settled by pioneers.
The lake is dead.
Nothing grows or lives in the water, which seems strange considering its healing properties. The mud..."silt"...goes up to your thighs and leaves a weird coating on your skin. The locals say there is still some medicinal value in there but I'll have to admit some reluctance. The place seems to me more of a desert Pet Cemetery.
Soap Lake--the town--is small and seems to know a thing or two about a depressed economy.
Next to the trailer park is a small empty park with a flag pole standing at the corner. At the top of the pole flies the American flag; at the bottom a modest stone placard which reads:
"Dedicated to the veterans of all wars."
Reader Comments (5)
Tyler, I have been cheking in on your journey. Writing from Dillon, Montana. Talked about you with my brother in law who was at Dong Ha back in the day. Talked about you to some friends in the Barretts Hospital ER ( I volunteeras an EMT). We have friends with sons struggling to live now that they have returned and are packing their own infernos. We are with you in spirit, if not in person. Steve Armiger.
Steve... tyler did not get to the internet yesterday nor will he today likely... i am their SAG (support and gear) guy... we are departing Coulee Dam this morning at 0515 and on our way to Spokane.. likely will stay at Davenport they think...but they are rollin along well....and my guess is that they will come on into spokane... they are my guests for several days..... and there are some events planned..... I cook in the morning for the homelless and low income.... and 30 percent of our clients are Veterans.... He'ss still lookiing for support along the route..... so any readers out there that see this might consider "caring" for him for a day or two... I've only met him for the past three daysl... and it has been a wonderful experience..... best John Olsen <jcielsbleu@netscape.com>
Good evening all..... Tyler and his steady companion Ron are camped at the west edge of Davenport... having trundled in the rain off and on from Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt the Reservoir behind Grand Coulee Dam... Having found a nice couple of fellow riders camped at the fairgrounds that is where they put down for the night..... i pottered on back to Spokane, a 45 minute drive.... and unless I hear from them ( which i doubt i will)... it will be an early morning rise up to go out and leap frog them back to town, to my apartment and to a hot shower and meal and a load or two of laundry... Ron heads back tomorrow with a friend doing a pick up early in the day by car...( thanks for that).
All said, this has been for me quite a wonderful experience, and being part of a trek that may well change many lives along the way is a wonderful opportunity... It is a journey of Healing for those that will meet Tyler, and seeking Grace... and my deep prayer/meditation is that many jump on board and facilitate this "Journey out of Hell" as best you can.... you will not be sorry.... you will be proud... proud to have had time with Tyler and proud to have been at his side..... Shalom, John /ChefGus Spokane Wa