The Road Trip

I dove into Idaho in search of it's deep secrets...

   An impulse had overwhelmed me to just go. Of all the trips I could take, I took this one. I have always wanted to go to places like New Orleans. I have wanted to move to either Seattle or New York. I also wanted to go to Park City, Utah to see the Sundance Film Festival.

   Over all, I had always wanted to make movies. Being motivated to do so is one of the hardest things. There is nothing here where I am and it is also hard to leave where you can do it.

   I bought a camcorder to record my trip. I asked for the week off months in advance. I was uneasy about talking to my family about research. There are plenty of members that are trying to make a buck. I’m not trying to make any money; I want to be more knowledgeable about my background. I want to be informative about what is hidden in Idaho.

   I packed my things and headed off to Pocatello. This town was named after Chief Pocatello who had left before the massacre had taken place. This was where the Fort Hall Indian Reservation is.

   The speed on the highway ranged at 75 miles per hour while in Boise it went as high as 65. It was kind of a weird experience for me. As I drove through the reservation I saw Native Americans everywhere. I was floored. I never really had seen one before.

   I did have a friend growing up, she was part Indian. My step brother is part Indian. Seeing a Native American is as rare as seeing an African American. I wanted to say hi to everybody over there.

   I was lost when I made it to old Pokie. There are two parts of that town. Pocatello was bigger than I thought it was and more exciting. It would excite someone like me. I love museums. There is a museum everywhere you turn. I was getting closer to information of what I wanted.

   It almost felt pointless and I was a little bit nervous. I met my friend there. People are curious what I am doing and why. I am writing a screenplay and I am having a hard time admitting it. I am trying to find the real story to the massacre and my family’s involvement if any.

   We visited museums all over Pocatello. Just objects inside. Objects showing who people were and what kind of things were being used in different eras. No story of the Bear River Massacre.

    On the reservation for the Shoshone is a museum. As I toured, I got to see more about the reservation. It was more of a Sacajawea museum more than anything. My friend and I spoke with the woman running the museum. I felt kind of like an insensitive nerd when I was asking her about the tragedy.

   It is something that is not spoke of. The Shoshone do not want to talk about it because they do not dwell on the past. Understandably so, would you speak openly about 400 people being butchered? The subject must be spoken of in a light manner. It is going to be hard because it was a dark thing that happened.

   Two days of hospitality of my friend and her family. I had a great time reminiscing about the past and what I missed when I moved from my home town. Then I was off to Preston, Idaho.

   I knew where I was going. It was quite creepy, it was as though I had been there my whole life. I made it to the sleepy town that is obsessed with Napoleon Dynamite. That was where it was made. That has been the only excitement they have had in a while.

   I passed a sign saying “Point of Interest.” I had this feeling that was what I was looking for. But I drove past it hoping I would find something else. I found the monument that the Daughters Of Utah had erected. Beside it is a sign and it is full of dreamcatchers, baskets, bowls, and pieces of cloth.

   After that I passed over the Bear River. A chill ran through my body. I knew what happened here. Two miles later, I made it to Preston.

   I spoke with relatives when I settled down in a hotel. People think that I am working on a family tree for some reason. One had told me that the new monument was where the “point of interest” sign was.

   I headed back to it. I drove up the newly paved road. At the top overlooked the Bear River Massacre site. I took out my camera. It was a moment of complete silence. I couldn’t speak. If I did, I felt as though I meant disrespect.

   The writing began in Pocatello. It was to continue. Still a lack of inspiration. The people in Preston speak a little slow. I questioned the Chamber Of Commerce and they really had no idea what I was speaking about.

   People there knew who I was. Peter was a prominent figure in Mormon history. It is not hard to see why I would be easy to recognize. The book I wanted was in the library. It is available in one store and if I order it online it is $150.

   I headed down to Wellsville, Utah. What the hell are you doing there?? My relative asked. Wellsville used to be known as Maughan’s Fort. I made it there and I found the monument dedicated to the people that founded the town. Then I stayed in Preston again.

   The writing continued….  

 

Reviews

[Rain]

You have a very clear, distinct style. I like it. It's not clouded up with huge words or double meanings. It's interesting. It makes me want to know what's next. Good write. Rain..