I took a trip with my youngest son, Jared, late last week from Idaho to Indiana and back. It was a "flying" trip in the which we left Thursday in the late afternoon, drove 1850 miles in 32 hours along I-80, arriving in Indiana at about 2:30 AM on Saturday morning. We visited my daughter, her husband and our first grandchild/nephew on Saturday and Sunday, helping to bless and name Braedon (a ceremony/ordinance in our faith), and then left Sunday in the late morning. We then drove 2100 miles back to Idaho. On the return trip we took the northern route using I-90 out of Chicago and visited my second oldest daughter in Bozeman where she works and goes to school.

On the way out, we saw good friend John R. (Bob) Locke and Eustace (Rick) and his wife. We visited Bob in Cheyenne, WY over breakfast on Friday morning and then Rick over dinner in Iowa that same evening.

Unfortunately we did not get a picture of Rick and his wonderful wife ... but we sure did chow down at a great Buffet and have a great, constitutional and patriotic discussion.

Then, upon arriving in Indiana, we were able to spend some GREAT time with my oldest daughter and that beautiful, beaming and innocent as fresh snow grandson. Here are some pictures of that visit.

His Dad feeds Braedon, A brand new family, A new Uncle (Jared) gets to hold his nephew

A nice home for a nice family, Braedon goes aloft, Braedon says hi while being held by Mom

Jared holding Braedon again, Grandad (me) holding the little critter, Braedon likes to play footsies.

My wife had spent 10 days there earlier helping the new Mom figure things out while she figured out what being a new Grandmom was all about. She liked it so much that I had to make the trip to see what being a Grandad was all about. Gotta tell you ... it's just another true indication of what life is all about ... after coming to know God, finding the right woman and having and raising good kids of our own in liberty.

Then we were off on the trip back. Here's a few pictures from that trip.

Chicago Skyline, The Sear Tower (God protect it), Rock Formations in Minnesota

Great to see the Mountains again, Devil's Tower Plaque, Devils Tower, Wyoming

Jared at the Custer Battlefield Memorial, Custer National Cemetary, Jared and his sister Rachel

Now, let me say a thing or two about our nation.

I will defend with my life the liberty of my children and grandchildren. Nobody, foreign or domestic, will take away their liberty to live life free, to have the absolute minimum intrusion (as intended by the foundres) and to retain the ability to defend their own liberty (2nd amendment) as long as I draw breath.

The list of "no-bodies" includes terrorists, foreign powers and any unscrupulous oath breakers amongst our own governmental officials, or any groups within the borders of this nation who would seek to do so.

I support our government's constitutional efforts to wage war against the enemies who attacked our nation. As I read it, the recent Executive Order calling for military tribunals for any foreign individual (and the order was very specific about it applying to foreign persons) particpating in terror attacks against our nation is fine and a needed provision for war time. I do not see it as a threat to the citizenry. However, the so called "Patriot Act" which takes freedom from all of us is not. The government has the tools it needs with respect to immigration, border control, visa control of foreigners and police powers for criminals to address these issues without curtailing the liberty of law abiding citizens.

The American people and patriots are aroused to defend their liberty, the government needs to make sure all of its actions are clearly pointed at doing that and not curtailing it. At the best, we help our enemies when we curtail the general liberty because that is the ultimate goal of those enemeies ... to destroy the liberty that hundreds of thousands have died defending, and therby destroy our nation. At the worst, such activities and curtailments are the acts of domestic enemies bent on ending American liberty and life as we no it. I will fight any such enemies to my last breath so that the coming generation, young ones like Braedon, may enjoy the liberty I have enjoyed, that my father enjoyed and that our bloodliines have enjoyed back to the American Revolution.

In conclusion, for anyone interested, our trip was great. That little critter, Braedon, is a joy and a God send ... and Jared an I are once agains back home with our own in our adopted and beloved Idaho.