Bloomfield, Iowa: Meeting the President

For all those who are praying for my safety and that kind people will cross my path--thank you so much. Not only do I feel your support, but little miracles are indeed happening.

As it turns out, losing my handcart has been a great blessing. It would've allowed me to travel in greater comfort, with more provisions--but it would've also kept me self-sufficient and on my own. On the other hand, backpacking with a light bag I've had to depend on the kindness of others, and have been required to take rides in order to reach refueling sites more often for food and water. But more than the necessities, I now have company. And I am finding out just how important a provision that is. No matter what your doing in life, a friend can make it better.

Just a word on my occasional hitchhiking; I know some of y'all are a little worried about me and so I want to share with you my general rules:
1. I only ask for rides to supplement my journey, I'm still trying to walk much of the Trail with my feet.
2. I never ask for rides at night, only during the day.
3. I only take rides from people with whom I feel safe.
4. I only ask for rides on back country roads, not freeways or highways. Thus, all of my rides so far have been local residents.
5. I continue to pray for the Lord's guidance and protection.

With that said, I want to let y'all know how many wonderful people I've met by accepting a little help from the folks around me. Its made all the difference in this journey so far. I feel like I'm not alone out here but am making so many friends along the way. So don't worry about me. This is a great world we live in, so full of good-hearted, kind individuals. Anyone who says this world is entirely mean or all dangerous is someone who's only exposure to it is television. I'm out here on foot and I can tell you--its a beautiful place. Sure there are real threats out there, and I would always encourage everyone to be smart and safe. But I would also let everyone know this: don't let the threat of harm poison your heart to the world. Don't let fear stop you from helping a stranger or being helped by a stranger. Worse than the threat of being hurt is the chance that we might become callous to kindness and abandon charity in the name of safety. As Christ said: "...fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

Speaking of friends, here are two new ones I've recently made near Bloomfield, Iowa.

Shelly:
Bloomfield is the county seat for Davis County. Its a beautiful town with a glorious county building, one in fact that almost looks out of place for rural south central Iowa. It speaks of another day when railroads and manufacturing prevailed. A hundred years ago this town was headed for a boom. But fate decided on a quieter, quainter path. In town a few Mormon Trail sites exist, and after documenting these I made my exit, still left with several hours of daylight to make more progress on the Trail.

Not more than three steps beyond the "You are now leaving Bloomfield" sign, a lady in a minivan pulled off the road in front of me. Shelly Gradwell-Brenneman popped out in enthusiasm and after introducing herself exclaimed: "I have to take you back into Bloomfield, there's someone there you just have to meet!" She described her job as one of the scenic byway coordinators for Iowa and explained how excited she was when she saw my backpack sign announcing my intent to walk the Mormon Trail. Her current job involves a lot of research for the Trail and has required Shelly be in contact with Leon Wilkinson, the president of Iowa Mormon Trial Association. "He would love to meet you" she said, and after making a few calls she cleared out a spot in her minivan so she, Ansel (her son), and I could track down Leon together.

Leon was purportedly volunteering at one of the many ball games taking place that evening, and it wasn't until three baseball fields later--having traversed the entire town--that we located him. Getting lost with a stranger affords you plenty of time to make a friend. Shelly and I had the chance to talk and as it turned out she has quite a fascinating story. She's originally from Iowa but left home to pursue an undergraduate degree at Colorado State. There she worked on environmental education. Later she received an advanced degree from Iowa State in sustainable agriculture. She has long been passionate about the natural environment and has a real desire to conserve the beauty around us for generations to come. Shelly spends part of the year in Alaska where her husband's family owns fishing rights for Sockeye salmon. They own the right to set nets at specific locations during specific days of the year.

We talked about her current work on the Mormon Trail and I was intrigued by the amount of studying she's done. I inquired about her interest in the Trail and she explained how--though she is not a Latter-Day Saint--she's always had a special respect for Mormons. That respect started not with a study of the history but with meeting everyday Mormons around her. She explained how one of her first interactions with a Latter-Day Saint occurred when the Post Office messed up a package delivery. The box that was scheduled to come to her from a distant friend had been badly damaged in transit, but re-taped and finally delivered. Upon opening the box Shelly discovered that not all the contents were hers. Several boxes must have been damaged together and some of the contents mixed when they were repaired. Inside Shelly's box was a small binder with many hand written pages.

Shelly read through these pages in an attempt to decipher the owner. Her reading revealed many touching stories of a young woman, far away from home in a distant land trying to serve and love and uplift the people there. After reading on Shelly discovered that this young lady was a Sister Missionary serving in South America. Shelly explained how she felt a special bond with this Sister even though they had never met. With enough information she was able to track down the owner of that journal and forward it to Salt Lake City where the author lived. I explained to Shelly how I too have lost my missionary journal through all the moving I have done. I hope someday it finds its way back to me--via some strangers heart.

After walking around several baseball diamonds we finally located Leon, and Shelly excitedly introduced us. Before She left I thanked her and her son Ansel for taking the time to stop and talk with me. And for taking a chance with a stranger. "No problem," she said "I felt good about it."

Leon:
Leon Wilkinson is one of those men you have to meet to really appreciate. He is 78 years old but he grabs your hand and will shake it wildly like he's still 21. He currently serves in many civic and volunteer positions, one of his favorite of which is President of the Iowa Mormon Trail Association. He was not only excited to meet and talk with me but within a few minutes of our introduction he had already invited me to stay with him for the night. Leon is not a man you can say no to; despite his age, his charm is youthfully intact.

He finished his business at the ball park and we then commenced an evening of laughing, story telling, and Trail planning. With his close-to-Missouri country twang he related tale after tale. I felt so elated and excited to meet Leon that I just had to call Annie and let her know. On the phone I excitedly explained to Annie that if there was only one person in Iowa I could meet in connection with this trek, it would've been him--the President of Iowa Mormon Trail Association. But I didn't plan this. It just happened. Or did it? I thanked Annie and I thank all of y'all back home for your prayers. The Lord--in a little but meaningful way to me--is guiding this journey. I feel so grateful to Him and to everyone.

A little more on Leon: He was part of the 1996 and 1997 re-enactment. That even took place over two years just like the original, initial trip of Brigham Young. In 1846 Brigham led the main body of the Saints from Nauvoo, Illinois to Winter Quarters, Nebraska. In 1847 He led a group from Winter Quarters to the Great Basin. The re-enactment was planned to follow that schedule. Leon played a large part. Although not a member of the LDS Church, Leon had grown up as a boy near a section of the Trail. He played in the ruts without knowing what they were. Years later he met a Utahan in Iowa who was looking for similar ruts. It was then that Leon started taking a real interest in researching and preserving the Mormon trail. He has been regularly involved in the Association since the late 80's and began his leadership role in the mid-90's. Since then he has been the go-to man for the trail in Iowa.

Of the re-enactment, Leon had many, many stories to tell. Before I went to sleep in Leon's basement he came downstairs with a few photo albums and we both sat on that bed till late in the night; he telling stories, me listening and laughing. Leon told me about Joe Vogul, another non-Mormon who went on that Trek in 96-97. He explained how just before the 97 part of the journey Joe got very sick. He was, as Leon explained it, a "died in the wool" Catholic. Some of the Brethren asked Joe if he would like a blessing. Joe said he would do anything to be on that trip. His Latter-Day Saint friends laid their hands on his head and gave him a blessing. As told by Leon, "it was a miracle!" Joe was rejuvenated without delay and was able to join the modern Pioneers.

Of Leon's life in Iowa, he spent 40 years working as a teacher and administrator in the school system in Bloomfield. He's had thousands of students and says he can't go anywhere without knowing someone. He taught math. Originally he started out in college as a business student. He planned on pursuing a career in accounting, but he said those accountants rubbed him the wrong way. He did said they were all mixed up about the definitions of a debit and a credit. He didn't say this, but I think the real reason is that Leon has too big a heart to be in business. In talking with him it was clear to see that his real passion is people, and stories, making a difference in lives. When I asked Leon if he had any regrets about his life, he defiantly struck back with "No sir!" He says he feels lucky with his life. He admits he doesn't have a lot of money. But he proudly brags that he has a lot of friends. And friends, he says, are the real gold mine.

Just before we parted early the next morning Leon said one more thing that I'm still thinking about miles later. He said "People are very competitive. We're always competing to 'one-up' the next guy. If you're negative, people around you will be more negative. If you tell other people how bad your life is going, well they'll come back with something more rotten that's happening to them. But if you're positive, then they'll try to out-shine you. That's what I do," he continued, "if someone asks me how I am I look 'em straight in the eye and shout: 'FANTASTIC!' I never give them the chance to be negative."

We soon split paths and I continued my journey down the Mormon Trail. Walking away from Bloomfield the second time, I felt very grateful in my heart. What a wonderful world it is, when we share it with others.