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First night, EUREKA!

July 5th, 2007 by

Part of the fun of staying in a town called Eureka is every time you say it, you can say it as an exclamation (EUREKA!). This never gets old. Especially when on a long road trip.

EUREKA! is a wonderful town with a population of about 600 (although I feel like they might have double counted). Whenever I see little towns like this, I always think this was how it was for Josh and Mandy growing up. One restaurant, a hardware store, a hotel, and everybody knows each other. They will probably try and tell you Billings was bigger, but they are just denying their past.

Main Street, Eureka, NV

Jackson House Hotel

There actually was only one restaurant, so it wasn’t hard to choose where to eat. After dinner, the town had a pretty amazing firework show to celebrate the 4th. Niko powered through his bedtime and got to see his first fireworks. It was an amazing evening that reminded me how far we have come.

Three years ago I was in radiation treatment. Two years ago we were trying to come to terms with the fact that we might not be able to have children. One year ago, I was in the hospital with my wife, grappling with her breast cancer diagnosis. Yet there I was last night, on the main street of a small town in the middle of the Nevada desert. It was a perfect night and the temperature was neither hot, nor cold. My wife sat next to me on chairs a fireman brought out for us. Niko buried his head into my chest as the first explosions went off. Colors filled the sky above and I watched them reflect off my son’s face. His bright dancing eyes would move from the fireworks, back to mine, and his expression said, “Can you believe this? Are you seeing this? This, is amazing.” Niko fell asleep in Jul’s arms as the show ended, and I carried him back to the room, his head nestled into crook of my neck.

I’m not dumb enough to think we have escaped pain, suffering, or death. But I’m smart enough to know how lucky we are. Last night I watch my son with the same awe he watched the fireworks. My eyes would move from him, back to my wife, and all my heart said, “Can you believe this? Are you seeing this? This, is amazing.“

3 Comments »

3 Responses to “First night, EUREKA!”

  1. on 06 Jul 2007 at 5:28 am   John and Jan

    Keep Tahoe Blue. Love that place (a little late on my post). Trip looks awesome. Just like the pioneers did it, except I’m pretty sure they went West and they only had Treos not IPhones. Tell Martha to get some inspiration for another beautiful painting while you’re out there; our walls are empty back here, and we only buy Olbrys…

  2. on 06 Jul 2007 at 5:43 am   Leslie

    Enjoy it all, every minute-no one deserves it more than the two of you. Love you all, wish we were with you, sounds like a fantastic experience. Can’t wait to see you in August. Love, Leslie

  3. on 06 Jul 2007 at 12:24 pm   Jacqui Rounds

    Scott,
    You’re little walk through memory lane is precious. There is no feeling in the world better than your infant asleep in the crook of your neck. It is amazing! And I thank you for sharing your heart. So many people either never take the time to relish the moment or are not so thankful for what they have been blessed with. Even without a picture, I am seeing this!