Beam in.. Wall gone!

Two weeks ago, Keith helped me fish in two 2x12 iLevel micro laminate beams into our attic. The two were sistered together and attached to the ceiling joists. The beam is supported on either side by a wall which allowed us to remove the partition between the kitchen and living room.

It is amazing how much less claustrophobic it feels now. There are still two walls which need to come out, then we can start demolishing the kitchen. Can you say camp style cookin'?

February '10

Guess its time to reset the "Bear Counter".

DARPA Network Challenge Team Geocache

We are loosely taking part in the DARPA Network Challenge.. A game/contest/charity where the winner gets $40,000. We are not trying for the prize, but are part of a broader community of Geocachers trying to assist the Geocache.com team to win so they can donate the $40K plus $10K of their own money. Visit https://networkchallenge.darpa.mil/default.aspx for info on the Network Challenge and http://www.10balloonies.com to follow TeamGeocaching.com progress.

And, if by off chance that YOU see a BIG RED balloon, let us know!

Our Home

As if school, family visits and a wedding weren't enough for one summer, we thought we'd purchase a home too.

Shortly after we returned from our wedding in Glacier Park we met at Insured Title of Missoula with our extraordinary team to sign documents.

We were very pleased with our financing genius Astrid Oliver at Wells Fargo for deftly navigating certain intricacies of our situation. I will never forget her straightforward and matter-of-fact approach. It was much appreciated.

We are also eternally grateful to Jeannette Williams our beloved friend and Realtor. She put in the footwork and helped navigate two very nervous first time home buyers. She never failed in giving us an honest appraisal of our expectations and was patient and kind the whole way. We expected nothing less and received considerably more. Thank you Jeannette.

Finally, thank you to Moms and Dads. You have made so much possible for us. We love you all.

In the end, we ended up with a home in exactly the price range we were looking at with most of the amenities we felt most important. It is quiet and comfortable with room for improvement. We have a yard, a full basement and a garage.. Oak flooring and a kitchen fresh out of the Brady Bunch. We are happy newlyweds with bright plans for the future. Stay tuned for remodeling horrors and successes.. I'm sure there will be plenty of Blog fodder in the future.. Now hand me my Sawzall!!

Wedding 2009 (N 48* 47.695 W 113*42.729)

I can't imagine a better setting to exchange our vows.. Glacier Park, Montana USA. From the very beginning of our relationship Jessica and I have shared and absolute undying love for this place and its wildness and wonder.

The original plan, decided months before was to have Oliver Meister, respected owner of the North Fork Hostel perform the service. Oliver is not only an ordained minister, but is the kindest of souls and represents much of what our ideal life would look like.. Living in a wild place, off the grid at a slower pace in the shadows and sunbeams of absolute splendor. Oliver graciously agreed to perform the service without knowing much at all about Jessica and myself.

But as the date grew closer, it became more apparent that the logistics of getting ourselves up to his remote location after all the summer visitors would be exceedingly difficult. While we were intent on keeping this ceremony simple, we did not want it rushed or totally stressful. We made the mutual decision to alter the plan and have our friends Keith and Lila perform the ceremony. I think Oliver was relieved although I'm sure he would have made a remarkable officiant. Hopefully he can break in his license soon!

After leaving the Marks family, Jessica and I headed east towards Many Glacier early so we could procure a campsite which can be difficult in August. We got a beautiful site and were soon met by Keith and Lila. We set up camp and began what would be a weekend full of wonderful hikes and good company.

After hikes to the many lakes in the Swiftcurrent Valley and to Grinnel Glacier, we chose a location where I had seen a Grizzly bear two days before while perched on a large rock. The location was somewhat hidden from the main trail but still close enough to the campground so as to not be a major expedition.

The day of the ceremony was beautiful. The weather was perfect- sunny and warm with slight breeze. When we arrived at the rock I immediately spotted two large Grizzly bears on the hillside behind us. They were a perfect addition to our wedding experience.

Keith opened with kind words about us and the Park... and thoughts of those who could not also join us that day. I spread a token scattering of my father's ashes and we moved into the ceremony. We started by each say a few words to each other- loosely edited and from the heart. We recited a group of vows/promises from the Hindu tradition and exchanged rings to become husband and wife. There were words of congratulations, hugs and tears. It was a wonderful, wonderful event- all the while, Lila faithfully performing her duty as photographer, videographer, maid of honor and flower girl.





Shortly after the ceremony, we parted ways so we could all have time to reflect. Jessica and I headed up the drainage to see if we could find those bears! I assume Keith and Lila headed back to camp but we'll never know. :-)

We were treated that evening to wedding cake so thoughtfully cradled from Missoula, all the while kept on ice and in perfect shape. It was a wonderful luxury in an otherwise spartan camp..

We would both like to thank our two wonderful friends. They went above and beyond the call of duty.. This was short notice for them but you never would have known it. We thank Keith for artfully, fulfilling his obligation as head officiant, dutch oven extraordinaire and all around creative force. There was no doubt in my mind that he would find the kindest of words and soundest of advice he did not fail. And to Lila for her logistical support and reasoned approach to this event... With out her skillfully donning at least a half a dozen hats, this could not have been as special as it was.

And thank you to all of our wonderful friends and family from both coasts and at many points in between for your love and support. We are sorry that we could not have everyone join us. We plan on having many "mini-receptions" in the future so that you all may be a part of it too.

And lastly, for those of you who share our passion for coordinates, enter in the coordinates from the title to Google Earth and see the spot for yourself..

We love you all!

Deke and Jessica

Some Updates...

Well, it looks like we haven't updated our blog since early summer. On one hand, it is understandable since it has been one of the busiest times in our collective lives. But not understandable because it has been one of the most newsworthy as well.

Jessica, of course, completed the first round of her Master's program at the University of Montana. It was a crunch for several weeks but well worth it. She will finish up classwork next summer with a thesis-style project due the following summer.

Directly following classes, we were blessed with the presence of not one, but both of Jessica's siblings. Munchkin Lauren flew out for a week and was treated to many things Montana before heading off to college at Slippery Rock University in PA. She is a wonderful kid.. so thoughtful, and pleasant. A far cry from myself at her age.. We enjoyed having her.

Lauren's visit was immediately followed by Matt, Jessica's younger brother. He too was treated to a Montana adventure including Glacier Park and the Montana Knife Maker's Show here in Missoula. Matt, like all the Franks is the kindest of souls and a wonderful brother/in law. There is never a lack of conversation when Matt is in the house.. He fits right in in Montana.

The day after Matt left, my Aunt Caryl and Uncle Michael arrived with the twins Bryan and Regina in tow. We had a wonderful dinner at the Iron Horse in Missoula (their treat-thanks guys) and prepped for our sojourn up the Seeley Swan towards Glacier Park the next day. We all camped on the West side of the park and headed up to Logan Pass the next day. We opted to hike a section of the Highline Trail to Haystack Butte. It was a wonderful hike. We hurried back to the Pass so we could hightail it over to Many Glacier. Our goal is always to see wildlife and a trip to the Many Glacier section of the park increases your chance of seeing so many things. The ultimate goal, of course being a grizzly bear. Lo and behold, just before arriving at the parking area, we saw a big boar on the south side of the road. We all got out of the car and watched in awe as he rumbled around. Seeing a grizzly is always a highlight of any trip to Glacier. After our journey to Many Glacier was over, we piled back into our vehicles to begin the long drive to the west side of the park. Upon arriving at our campground, we all promptly hit the hay after a full day Jessica and Deke style.

The next morning, Jessica and I awoke, ready to head back to Many Glacier to meet our friends Keith and Lila for what would be our wedding weekend.

End of week one.

I have now completed the first week of my master's degree. It has been really inspiring. I find myself writing a lot during class about all the ideas I'm having. I get the vibe that, for some people, the presentations fill them with a sense of dread. Upon being given a presentation or performance assignment I immediately have a thousand different ideas and try to start working through them to come up with the best concept I possibly can.

It is also nice how I am jotting down creative notes in my hard journal (instead of just processing a crises here and there) - and how I've actually come to embrace the idea of challenging myself so quickly.

I wonder if I will hit a wall???

~Jessica