Road Sounds

   the

road

speaks

uncovers

 in stretches

white stripes

staggered lines

crushed gravel of

faded promises and

passing conversations

abandoned dreams and

destinations beckons anew

insists yes I am alive in these

rolled phrases, painted rhymes

jb

Jacques Enjoys the Open Air

Havre, Montana --- Camping at the Great Northern Fairgounds in Havre, once a thriving railroad town and during Prohibition years the home of an underground speakeasy.  The long, wet spring has helped the lilac bushes and cottonwood trees stay in bloom, their scent heavy in the early morning air.  Jacques enjoys an outing along with a whole chorus of meadowlarks, wrens and red-winged blackbirds.

Leaving Chester

At last, the sun mercifully breaks through the clouds and we are blessed with a tailwind.  This next stretch of Route 2 is dotted with a series of railroad towns, most in serious economic decline. Glad to be out of musty, cheap motels and looking foward to camping in the open air.

Native American Art Gallery

On our way through the Blackfeet Nation reservation at the foot of the Rocky Mountains we stopped by the Lodgeple Gallery and Tipi Village, which houses the fine art works of leading Native American Artists as well as a wide variety of artifacts, crafts and jewelry. We were struck by the high quality of the artists' work and the unique combinations of traditional and contemporary styles, each reflecting Native American cultures, languages and ways of life. For many indigenous peoples, visual arts, music and story telling have been the key to cultural survival in the fact of overwhelming obstacles.


We would like to encourage our readers and especially the young artists in Jacmel, Haiti to view some of these works at the Lodegpole Gallery online and to send their comments.

Across the Great Divide

Steep climbs, breathtaking views, stiff winds and heart-stopping descents have been the marks of this last leg of the Tour, from the toney resort of Whitefish, through Blackfeet Nation reservation lands, and finally to the wind-swept rugged town of Cut Bank, Montana.  It is difficult to select a single image that captures the beauty of this leg of the tour, but the view (above) of McDonald Lake in West Glacier comes close.

While we thought that the climb to Marias Pass (5,216 fit) and the Continental Divide would be the most challenging day, it turned out that what we expected to be the long, lazy descent into Cut Bank turned out to be a bone-chilling, 11-hour struggle into a 35-40 mph headwind, topped off with a 'back door' thunderstorm.  We arrived, soaked, frozen and shaking from fatique to find the last room and a warm welcome at the Cut Bank Super 8 Motel. Here we were treated to a steaming hot shower and a plate of spaghetti bolognese straight from heaven. 

Thank you, Blaise

We were just reminded that Jacques, our beautiful blue papier mache mascot from Haiti was created and signed by a young artist named Blaise at the Art Creation Foundation for Children in Jacmel.  Thank you, Blaise and all the children who make these treasures. As we face the weather, the mountains and the traffic, Jacques has become both a symbol of hope and endurance. To learn more about how you can support the work of the arts community in Jacmel and receive a 'Jacques' of your own, please visit the ACFFC website.

The Road Behind, The Road Ahead

Whitefish, Montana

As anticipated, the first five days of the Long Haul for Haiti have been both painful and exhilerating.  We have reached Whitefish after climbing, coasting, freezing, burning and clinging for dear life to a narrow shoulder laced with potholes, shuddering in the dust of of logging trucks, pickups and rv's as they hurtle by, enjoying the 70 mph Montana speed limit.  At the other extreme, the Tobacco Road from Eureka and the Farm to Market Road near Whitefish are among the most pastoral and beautiful we have ever experienced. Since passing through the Cabinet Mountains and the Libby Dam, we have been on a gradual climb toward the Marias Pass, which will take us from West Glacier to East Glacer and finally on a declisiously gradual descent to Cut Bank.  From there, we begin a very long trek across the plains of Eastern Montana and North Dakota.

We have named our little papier mache mascot made by the Haitian children 'Jacques'. From time to time, we assign Jacques the task of checking out the road ahead for possible problems. So far, we have not confronted any bears, cougars, mountain goats or other dangers thanks to Jacques' vigilance and foresight. 

Cabinet Mountains, Kootenai National Forest

You road I enter upon and look around, I believe you are
    not all that is here
I believe that much unseen is also here

                                        -Walt Whitman, 1856

Got road poems?

Do you have a short poem or song you would like to share with our readers (in English, French or Kreyol)?  Within the general theme of 'The Long Haul for Haiti,' the poems should be related in some way to:

• travel (paths, passages, transitions)
• recovery (from illness, accident, natural disaster)
• the road to recovery

Please send your contribution to jbrollinghome@gmail.com or post as a comment.  Merci!

Leaving Spokane

everyone has somewhere to go
          inasmuch as we know
                two astride, step aside
          for wheels in spin
eastbound, awakening

                
 jb 12 may        

 We're on our way. Thanks to our New Hampshire neighbor for this wonderful gift for the road....

she'll wheel (within wheel)
while he'll wheel (within wheel) while
we'll wish them (all) well

decarteret

106 glengarry dr

stratham nh 03885

Ready to Fly

This little bird is getting ready to fly.  On May 9, she will leave with us on a three-day train ride across the country, and then perch on our handlebars as we begin the 'Long Haul for Haiti' Tour, heading back home from Heron, Montana.  Crafted by young artists at the Art Creation Foundation for Children in Jacmel, Haiti, the bluebird is a symbol of hope. Crossing the North American continent is a huge effort that takes resolve and persistence, but it is not nearly as long or arduous as the road to recovery for the people of Haiti after the earthquake of January, 2010.  Help is needed for years after emergency needs of food, medical care and temporary housing have been met.  The sudden loss of family members, destruction of homes and disruption of daily routines takes an especially deep toll on children.  That is why we chose to dedicate this year's Rolling Home Tour to the ACFFC and to encourage people we meet along the way to directly support this wonderful organization. Please see our 'donate' page and help our fragile little friend continue on her journey for years to come.