Meeting Jane Goodall - March 2007

Part 2 of my "Cool Stuff Happens" series. RMD did a biography book report on Jane Goodall in 3rd grade. I figured RMD would like Jane and I was right. After her report was completed she told me that one of her life goals was to meet Jane Goodall. So of course I got on the web to do a search on Jane and what do you know - Jane Goodall was speaking at a presentation at Washington State University 3 weeks after that search! We were so excited - we immediately made plans to go and see her. RMD's teacher did not mind at all that she would miss 2 days of school, and the school librarian actually gave us the library copy of a Jane Goodall book and asked if we could get it signed! We drove 5 hours to Pullman, WA and lined up at the Coliseum early - there were no advance tickets and we did not want to miss Jane because all the seats were taken. Jane's talk was mainly about her then new book "Harvest for Hope". As I had read it prior to going to see Jane, her talk was particularly fascinating to me. After we saw her speak, we lined up to have the books we purchased prior to the talk signed. The line was VERY long, and it was about 10PM. We were resigned to stay, though - this was a once in a lifetime chance. We were even having fun in line - having met the mom and daughter right behind us. This little girl had also done a report on Jane Goodall and even brought it to be signed by Jane. While we were chatting with them, an usher came around, looked at RMD and grabbed her out of line. Apparently, he was looking for really little kids to get them to the front of the line so they could get to bed! Because RMD is so short he grabbed her too. Well, we grabbed our new friends and whizzed off to the very front of the 2 hour line! Jane signed our books as well as the library book for the school. She signed our friend's book report too. I was able to snap a few blurry pictures, but it was so worth it! Afterwards we went to have dessert at Denny's with our new friends and then we hit the hay at the Holiday Inn (which, by the way, was where Jane stayed as well!) What a COOL adventure! And, I now check Jane's website every once in awhile. I'd love to see her again!

Oh, and guess what? Jane Goodall was homeschooled!