A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Idaho: One Question with K. Russell

Claude gives Jeff a hard time on the road to Idaho

TheGourdsNews: When I say "The strangest thing you've ever seen on the road", what's the first thing that comes to mind?

Kevin Russell: You're asking 'cause you just heard about what happened?

TGN: No, I'm asking because I can't think of anything else off the top of my head right now.

KR: Well, I don't know if I believe that, but it doesn't matter. I'm just gonna read to you what I wrote down that day. Hang on a second.

TGN: Sure.

KR: Okay. It starts here. This is August 1st, 2pm: "After a mysterious object went down in the woods we stopped to see what it was and if we could be of help. Former Navy man Jeff Cook jumped ahead of all of us and then turned to tell us calmly, but firmly with a hint of dark knowledge, that we were not going to go any further into the forest. His reasoning was based on a predictable concern for the well being of The Gourds and making our show on time. But Claude thought this a bit too convenient. He alone questioned Jeff about the moral obligation we have as humans to render aid when confronted with another living thing's suffering. He spoke eloquently, quoting from various literary and religious works, including the Parable of the Good Samaritan. We were all moved by his speech. Jeff Cook struggled with his moral conscience, but when push came to shove he would not allow us access to the trail which led deeper into the mountainous crash site. Things got a bit heated. I thought there might be a real possibility that we would have to overwhelm our good friend and brother of the road until a dozen white vans arrived with police escort. I took pictures of them too, but a man walked over, took my phone and deleted them all with a smirk on his face. And as he walked down the trail with the other government agents I swear I saw him look at Jeff and give a little 'thanks from Uncle Sam, shadowy power salute'. Not another word was spoke the rest of the way to Idaho. But I could tell that we all learned more than we wanted to that day. Sometimes a man must make unpopular decisions". That's it. That's how it happened.