Jefferson's Independence Day

Departing on June 20, 2011 at 6:30am (GMT-9) to the roar of cheering fans, Jefferson left the driveway of his home headed for a life of adventure. No longer a dependent minor, he and his father embarked upon a unique "cross-country" project which will last at least 2 weeks, cover nearly 5,000 miles and "as many states as it takes" to visit every home that Jefferson has lived in (13), and every school he has attended (7). Along the way, the two of them will talk, run, sing, study, run, drive, and run together in final preparation for Jefferson to fully declare his independence as a college student (at Southern Virginia University) and a missionary (expected start date 1/1/2012).

First Stop: Salt Lake City, UT

We went to Temple Square and talked to the missionaries there. We also visited Welfare Square, where the Church's humanitarian efforts are coordinated. We stayed with Peter and Angela Mourik (and Rebecca-the-Great) in Provo.

We left Provo at 4:30am on Thursday 6/23, so we could make it to Arches National Park before the thermometer hit 100-degrees (which it did!). We ran about 10 miles on the primitive trails and saw over a dozen arches; absolutely magnificent landscapes!


We continued another 6 hours of driving into Golden, Colorado, and to the very apartment complex where Jefferson lived when he was just 1 year old, and then on to Roger & Beth Dickinson's in Centennial, CO to stay the night.

The next morning we slept in a bit, and then headed to Rocky Mountain National Park, where the Dickinson's have a beautiful mountain cabin. We drove to many scenic spots in the park, and hiked a few miles too. Among the highlights were the elk (lots of them), a moose (rare), a chipmunk eating a gummi bear, and the West Linn Lion King (aka Jefferson) perched upon a granite monolith about 30' off the ground.

On the road again the next day, but instead of endless glacial peaks, we saw endless cornfields across Nebraska! Our reward was to visit Elder Gordon Werrett, who is 18-months into his mission in Omaha. What a strong man he has become! We also visited Mormon historic sites in the area, including Winter Quarters Visitor Center and the Kanesville Tabernacle.

Pressing on the following day through Iowa, we met up with Cullen Wannarka (classmate and running buddy of Jefferson at WLHS) and toured Iowa State University, where Cullen will be attending in the Fall.

After a morning run across the Mississippi River and back (from Keokuk, IA), we traveled up to historic Nauvoo, IL and found Sister Alyssa Aramaki, who is serving a special 3-month performance mission over the summer there. As we talked with her and heard her sing, it occurred to me that there are still 3 Aramaki sisters who are not married yet, and there are 3 Chandler brothers of approximately the same ages...a father can dream, right??

Then, down the Mississippi and through the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (aka St. Louis Arch). The River was overflowing its banks, but the Arch was spectacular.

After a long drive from Cape Girardeau, MO, through Little Rock, AR (where we saw the little apartment we lived in for 6 months), we pushed further east into Memphis, TN for dinner...Honestly, we were just looking for good BBQ, but it was "Bike Night on Beale Street" and we not only got BBQ (and fried catfish), but some AMAZING blues harmonica music, and about 200 shiny Harleys! Probably the most memorable night for Tim...

Finally, after restful nights in Jackson, TN and Roanoke, VA, we arrived in Buena Vista, VA on the campus of Southern Virginia University. Within 28 hours of arrival, Jefferson registered for his summer and fall classes, secured an apartment (with good roommates), opened a checking account, landed a job (at an Italian restaurant), went for a run, drove back down to Roanoke to see a movie with his new friends, and learned how to play "Norwegian Kickball"!

With all that squared away, we took a couple days to drive up to Princeton, NJ to visit the homes and schools that influenced Jefferson between the ages of 3 and 10. We drove by Independence Hall (where the "other" Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence 235 years ago), and eventually back to the spot where it all began--Jefferson's birthplace--Washington, DC. We watched the fireworks from the National Cathedral on the 4th of July, and declared his own independence the following morning after dropping Tim off at the airport (Dulles) to fly back West...

May Jefferson enjoy Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness!