The worst day of the trip turns into the best day of the trip. That’s right, for a little while it was the worst day. It was miserable. The pain of the 1lb burger and 1lb of tater tots started to disperse and things became amazing. And here are the stories that made up October 30th, 2006 in Boise, Idaho, the best day ever. Banks Teddy set out to take me on a secret adventure. …

After a casual morning Teddy, Joey, Cole, Dan and I headed to Big Juds, a tiny local burger joint that is well known. Why’s it well known? It’s well known for the Big Jud challenge: eating a huge 1lb burger and a pound of fries or tater tots. They put me to the test and Bugsy and never turn down a challenge. Dan also went for it. The reward? …a photo on the wall for a place in history. …

During the last couple months I’ve been asking people to pick a few university’s that would be great for me to visit on the trip to represent college life. A week ago I knew nothing about Boise State University. I would have never imagined staying with students at BSU. But it’s one of the greatest things that has happened and I don’t think it could get any better. However, just when you think things don’t get better, they do! …

As this trip goes on I’m learning a lot, seeing a lot, and having the experience of a lifetime. But I couldn’t have predicted as many memories as I already have. It’s not the big things that you anticipate but the little unkowns. They’re endless. They are the kind of memories that you reminisce about for years and years, the ones that never get old to laugh about. The ones that bring old friends close once again. …

If there is one thing that has been here day in and day out in Boise it’s being spontaneous. Not in some big picture with the plans for the day, but it’s the small things. Skateboarding down the sidewalk taking goofy photos. Lying down in the middle of the capital floor looking up. Dressed up in green head to toe as a last minute Halloween costume for an entire group. And the highlight of today, ICEBLOCKING! …

What do you get when you put seven college students together (that is if I can still call myself a college student, at least an honorary one while I’m at BSU) that are dressed from head to two in green? You get gangrene, oops, I mean Gang Green. That was the crew last night. And you have to let your guard down if you’re hanging with this crew. I don’t think I’ve ever worn shorts that are that tight and that small, but it’s part of the experience and one of the most creative costumes I’ve seen around here, thanks to Theodore. …

What can I say, I miss college. I graduated about six months ago and I’m back at it. This time I’m rocking out at Boise State University. It’s home of the famous “Smurf Turf.” The BSU Broncos are currently undefeated and ranked #15 in the country. I’ll be wearing my blue and orange next Wednesday night at the football game. The university has about 20,000 students. I’m staying with Teddy, his girlfriend Kristy, and visiting with Kristy’s mom who’s also in town for the week and being host. …

Today marked the longest single day drive on the trip so far at 549 miles. It was a haul! But I still made it in less time than I expected. I’m used to the 55mph speed limit in Yooper Country rather than the 75mph limit on the interstate here. I made it, in one piece, and with hardly any effort. I didn’t leave until about 2pm today from Helena, as I grabbed a quick bite with Andrew and Emily before heading out of town. …

For well over a year I’ve been a faithful fan of the Gigapixel Project. To me this is one of the coolest photography projects I’ve ever seen. I’ve always been fascinated with huge prints, detail, and fine quality. So there I was in the Montana Capitol. While looking into the House of Representatives room there was this guy, setting up this huge tripod, using a scale and being very precise. Then it came out, this huge box of a device. …

There is a lot to say for a small town. There is a sense of community that can’t be found in a big city. Part of it starts with a small weekly newspaper, the L’Anse Sentinel. People from home subscribe to it across the country after they move away. I don’t hear of many people subscribing to the Detroit Free Press after moving away. It’s close knit, it keeps you feeling at home. …