John Milligan’s Uncharted Adventure While talking to Alan Murray, he mentioned he was involved with an idea. He said that he would like to have beta testers for a new site called ‘Uncharted’ that was about to launch. He explained that Uncharted was kind of like a National Geographic Facebook combo. I have been a long-time fan of National Geographic, and had heard of Facebook. The idea shot strait at me penetrating deep into my mind. After a week we talked again. I mentioned I would love to give him some money if he thought they would need it. I went up to Oregon with a friend on a trip, took a lot of pictures, and posted them. I went on many more small trips, and posted pictures from past trips. I was becoming part of Uncharted. A month after talking to Alan about Uncharted, Alan and Scott Stevenson introduced me to Iggies’ bread dip as they talked to me about this exciting new idea. I had pre-determined they would need to present a solid business plan before I would want to invest. To my surprise, they seemed more interested in me than my money and had a well thought out business plan. After reading the business plan, I was certain that Uncharted was something I wanted to be a part of. I mentioned to them since I am an Engineer by trade who designs bio-reactors, I did not know why they wanted me. Scott Stevenson insisted that I would fit in ‘somehow.’ Later they interviewed me and asked me to be a member of the team as a Staff Associate. Soon I found myself leaving the ordinary and mundane for Ashton Idaho to help cover the American Dog Derby. My truck was pointed north to Idaho where I would stay with the Davidson family, whom I had never met. I was driving down a dark, unfamiliar highway when I called Alan to tell him I would be arriving soon. He said he was not actually in Sugar City. He was in a town called Archer, Idaho. I punched the coordinates into my GPS and turned down a lonely, remote road. My Uncharted Adventure was beginning. I was headed to a place called Big Jud’s. I drove quickly down the snow-packed, cold road thinking ‘I hope this GPS doesn’t quit because I have no Idea where I am. Just when I was sure my GPS was wrong (because I was pretty sure I was in Timbukthree) Big Jud’s appeared. Soon I met Brian and his wife, Michelle. My first impression of Brian was of a jovial, but mischievous man, downing a 1lb burger and what looked to be Noah’s ark full of fries. Alan also took the Big Jud’s challenge, but I withered at the massive sight of it. Brian’s family was great, and a lot of fun. It was interesting listening to Michelle’s vast knowledge of Star Trek. It also made me laugh inside when I was asked every fifteen minutes what time it was by four-year-old Isaac Davidson, in spite of the fact that I was not wearing a watch. Early the next morning, I found myself in the sub-arctic town of Ashton Idaho, listening to the sound of a hundred dogs all amped up for the “American Dog Derby.” Suddenly, I realized that I was part of Uncharted, even though during the week I am an Engineer. I was now part of a very capable journalist team. Dogs were jumping and their yelps seemed to add to the excitement. The rising sun was a warm, welcome site, and soon, the dogs were off. One team would complete their 100 mile route in 3.5 hours. I rapidly shot pictures in all directions. The people of Ashton gave me plenty of room to take pictures. Our team interviewed people of interest. It was a pleasure to be a part of such a capable team. We wandered out into the even colder country side with the Grand Teton in the back ground. Dog teams were running parallel to the road we were on. Alan took some great pictures worthy of the home page. We saw a gathering at a dog crossing. Nearby was a yellow Snow cat and what looked to be a cross between a swamp boat and an airplane. Clark Lenz called it a ‘Snow plane.’ What a site! My enthusiasm for snow motor sports peaked my curiosity. Brian and Alan interviewed him and took some more pictures used in the homepage story! Soon reality came back as we reminisced over some cold crispy noodles at the Davidson’s kitchen table. Good times were had by all. Soon, Alan and I headed back to Idaho and back to Big Jud’s. This time I would tackle the 1lb giant of a burger, while Alan took on the Yak version. Though I am proud that I conquered Big Jud’s burger, I will never eat it again. I felt as though my stomach was the size of an elephant, trapped inside my tiny body. Alan noticed that Andrew’s picture was on the wall for being one of the few crazies to eat such a behemoth. The next day we recruited Amanda, Jason, and Stephen. It was a pleasure to see the team come together and get to know members newer than me. I’m sure they will have as much fun as I have had! It was not long before Alan and I headed down to the Holi Festival of Color. When we arrived, I felt as though I’d stepped through a magic portal from Utah to somewhere in Southeast Asia. An Indian temple stood majestically on the hill. A little lower than the Temple, I noticed a large edifice with sticks all around it. It looked like it was about to be burned. I was glad the edifice was in the middle of the sticks and not me. Alan and I made our way to the temple. Many people were lined up to buy sacks of colored flour that would later be simultaneously hurled into the air as a ritual for the Krishna God. There was a lot going on, including an Indonesian dance that I wandered over to. They were very surprised when I greeted them in Indonesian, as I happen to know enough to get me by. Then, a man who also knew Indonesian began talking to me. I understood some of what he was saying, but boy was I rusty! I waited on the balcony of the temple. The tension was high as everyone waited for the launch. The anticipation proved too much—the launch began before it was time. I started taking pictures as fast as I could while a cloud of dust approached, that blocked the sun. I thought of poor Alan who was down in the middle of it all. He got some amazing pictures that are up on the site. He was caked with dust afterward. I mean he looked like he got it bad! When it was all done, I used my GPS to note that cars were lined up 2.3 miles for the Colors event. We stopped at Two Jack Pizza in Spanish fork UT, where I ate pizza and bread sticks while Alan wrote the story and chose the pictures that would be used for the site. It was all going well ‘til Alan’s battery ran out on his laptop. We changed locations to the closest Flying J truck stop, where Alan found a place to plug in his computer. He finished the story with truck drivers snickering and looking in bewilderment at the conglomeration of colors that adorned his entire person. Alan finished and we arrived home a t 2:30 a.m. What an adventure! It sure beats writing spread sheets all day. Now we are looking forward to possibly doing a story on the Grand Teton. Life is good. Uncharted is exciting. With rumors of next year’s retreat in Antarctica, I wonder where I will end up next! Note to self: Next time you talk to Alan, be careful, you don’t know where you will end up!