I finished the route and read the papers. After some breakfast I showered and took an abbreviated nap. I started the washing and took off at seven o'clock on the way to Ontario to giver Joel a May visit. Stopped for some gas at Pilot and on to La Grande for some coffee and pie at McDonalds. There was a couple of pit stops and after the Weatherly Rest Stop a semi load of lumber had hit the right hand guard rail, flipped the trailer and hit the left guard rail. It really messed up the truck and there were a couple of ambulances. I tried to take a picture but I woke up too late. It slowed the traffic to a crawl.

I arrived in Ontario with an hour to spare so I drifted on into Ontario and went walking to K-Mart and walked around. I found a ditty bag that I needed and a $5.00 frame for the ram that Michael drew. I got a package of cotton swabs since I needed some at the office.

I went back to the prison and went through the admittance procedure and  then they said that Joel was in the room.

He had picked out a place about the same as the last time. He looked good. I gave him a big hug. He is really a decent lovable young kid.  I really wish there was some way I could get him out of there. Anyway I told him all about the guy who wanted him to write something about his daughter. I don't think he was as excited as I was. We talked about many things and I thought about them all the way home. He is going to write about the other three guys that he has some pictures of. I was struck by the dark haired blue eyed one who is his cellmate. Yesterday was his 21st birthday. His name is Stranger Davis. I thought that was weird name as did Joel. I asked him if it was like a family name and he said he didn't know. He said I asked him if that was his dad's name and he got pissed off. Joel's sense of humor is so great - I really had to laugh at that. I was a little concerned that he seems to be having his cell searched a lot. He also imtimated that there was drugs readily available on his tier. In fact the guy next door wanted him to keep watch because he could see the cop's cage. He said he refused.

Soon - really too soon - they said the thing was over and I had to hug him good bye. I sure hate to leave without him. I made the trip home after a stop at the Baker City Truck Corral for a terrible taco salad.

I watched the VCR tapes of The Office and The David Letterman Show. They were very good.

The Most Memorable Positive Moment was walking in there and seeing Joel and giving him a big hug. I hope he gets as much out of it as I do.