Friday, July 13, 2007
Final Day
We got up in a little bit of a rush this morning, but we were able to get underway around 9:30am! After fueling up, we hit the road, and I’m not sure the other fellows were prepared for the view they got coming over the Rocky Mountains today.
Just east of Glenwood Springs is Glenwood Canyon, a beautiful spot where they had to hack out the rock to get the freeway through to Glenwood Springs. There is just enough room in the canyon for 4 lanes of freeway, a river and some railroad tracks. That’s IT (note the cool picture Brian took)! Then we drove over to the vicinity of Vail, Colorado and start climbing up and up and up!
We stopped in the Georgetown, CO area...where the pictures you see are from...and then on to drop off Brian at Denver International Airport, which is on the FAR northeast side of Denver. Unfortunately his flight was in the early evening, so he spent a less than exciting afternoon trying to catch a standby flight home unsuccessfully.
Robert, Johnny and I went south to Colorado Springs and visited Garden of the Gods Park (I need to point out that last night I said it was a national park, and it IS NOT!) It is in reality owned by the city of Colorado Springs. It is the only spot on this trip where we have all visited before. It was very hot, and a little disappointing, because they have closed a LOT of the areas you used to be able to scramble around the rocks and climb. But, we got some cool pics and then did a couple of interviews of each other for the video.
We are just about to cross into Texas as I write this, and eager for home...
We have arrived in Amarillo -- it is 10:15pm, 11:15pm back here in good ‘ol Texas. We look to be home sometime around 5pm on Saturday. I have finished the video and am working on uploading to itunes so ya’ll can download it for free. Check back in a day or so on the blog and I will add the internet link.
Love to all,
Ryan
Just east of Glenwood Springs is Glenwood Canyon, a beautiful spot where they had to hack out the rock to get the freeway through to Glenwood Springs. There is just enough room in the canyon for 4 lanes of freeway, a river and some railroad tracks. That’s IT (note the cool picture Brian took)! Then we drove over to the vicinity of Vail, Colorado and start climbing up and up and up!
We stopped in the Georgetown, CO area...where the pictures you see are from...and then on to drop off Brian at Denver International Airport, which is on the FAR northeast side of Denver. Unfortunately his flight was in the early evening, so he spent a less than exciting afternoon trying to catch a standby flight home unsuccessfully.
Robert, Johnny and I went south to Colorado Springs and visited Garden of the Gods Park (I need to point out that last night I said it was a national park, and it IS NOT!) It is in reality owned by the city of Colorado Springs. It is the only spot on this trip where we have all visited before. It was very hot, and a little disappointing, because they have closed a LOT of the areas you used to be able to scramble around the rocks and climb. But, we got some cool pics and then did a couple of interviews of each other for the video.
We are just about to cross into Texas as I write this, and eager for home...
We have arrived in Amarillo -- it is 10:15pm, 11:15pm back here in good ‘ol Texas. We look to be home sometime around 5pm on Saturday. I have finished the video and am working on uploading to itunes so ya’ll can download it for free. Check back in a day or so on the blog and I will add the internet link.
Love to all,
Ryan
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Day 12
Well, we have pretty well come to the end of the road. Brian leaves out tomorrow from Denver to fly home for his vestry meeting on Saturday morning, and then Johnny, Robert and I will make a stop at Garden of the Gods National Park tomorrow afternoon, and our goal is to be in Amarillo tomorrow night.
Today we had a very nice, slow, relaxing day -- the perfect kind of day before making the long trek back.
We woke up around 10am, finished our laundry and went in town to have lunch at Juicy Lucey’s in Glenwood Springs. We did a little bit of shopping (a nice lady at a local bookshop showed us some boxes of free books -- nothing this group likes more than free books!), had ice cream and coffee, and then came back here to the ranch (you can note the beautiful scenery here from our host home).
Around 5pm the four of us went with my father-in-law to Snowmass Monastery outside of Aspen. It had a lovely bookstore, and we shared in a beautiful service together. The Church was serene but beautiful and the surrounding countryside was awesome, despite the overcast and rainy weather. It is even supposed to get down to 54 degrees here tonight...just the way I like it!
I hope we will have high speed internet tomorrow night, and we will update the blog one more time after Garden of the Gods. Several of you ave asked about pictures - we have only put a fraction of the pictures we have taken up on the blog. Between Johnny, Robert and I we have close to 1500 pictures BEFORE we go to Colorado Springs tomorrow.
I am finishing up a little video of our trip, and if we can update the blog tomorrow, I will also put this video up on itunes and you can download it for free. Also, we are going to pool all of our pics and put them on cd’s for each guy, so if individual friends or family want pics, each of us will have them. It has been so great to keep up with you guys this way -- thanks for all your comments! We love you and look forward to seeing you very much...it has been great, but I, for one, am antsy to see my wife and kids! Much love to you all and have a GREAT Friday!
Today we had a very nice, slow, relaxing day -- the perfect kind of day before making the long trek back.
We woke up around 10am, finished our laundry and went in town to have lunch at Juicy Lucey’s in Glenwood Springs. We did a little bit of shopping (a nice lady at a local bookshop showed us some boxes of free books -- nothing this group likes more than free books!), had ice cream and coffee, and then came back here to the ranch (you can note the beautiful scenery here from our host home).
Around 5pm the four of us went with my father-in-law to Snowmass Monastery outside of Aspen. It had a lovely bookstore, and we shared in a beautiful service together. The Church was serene but beautiful and the surrounding countryside was awesome, despite the overcast and rainy weather. It is even supposed to get down to 54 degrees here tonight...just the way I like it!
I hope we will have high speed internet tomorrow night, and we will update the blog one more time after Garden of the Gods. Several of you ave asked about pictures - we have only put a fraction of the pictures we have taken up on the blog. Between Johnny, Robert and I we have close to 1500 pictures BEFORE we go to Colorado Springs tomorrow.
I am finishing up a little video of our trip, and if we can update the blog tomorrow, I will also put this video up on itunes and you can download it for free. Also, we are going to pool all of our pics and put them on cd’s for each guy, so if individual friends or family want pics, each of us will have them. It has been so great to keep up with you guys this way -- thanks for all your comments! We love you and look forward to seeing you very much...it has been great, but I, for one, am antsy to see my wife and kids! Much love to you all and have a GREAT Friday!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Day11
Well, cross off one more state on our road trip...so far, we have been through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and now Colorado.
After Robert got sewn up last night (we are glad to report that his only pain today was that his injury might leave a scar) we spent a very agreeable evening in Jackson Hole. We ordered some wonderful pizza and salad from the Mile High Pizza Pie Company and walked around this great little town while we were waiting for it to cook. After we got our food we went back for a VERY relaxing evening at the Best Western, which Brian dubbed the best hotel of the road trip.
We had a good breakfast and I got 10% off of our bill because the jacuzzi jets didn’t work in our huge tub.
Then we had a little problem as we tried to get on the road. Brian had gone last night to a specialty store in Jackson Hole looking for Wyoming-made wine (you remember I told about his little problem, right?) -- and she said nobody made wine in Wyoming.
Well, she was wrong, and Brian found out about it, and wanted to go buy some at this store he had heard about at 9am in the morning. We all said no, and he has seethed off and on all day, and told us on more than one occasion that he intends to purchase that wine online, and when he gets it he refuses to share with us (smile).
It has been a COMPLETELY uneventful day. Robert drove this morning until we stopped at McDonald’s for lunch. Johnny drove us to Craig, CO and Brian finished the drive to Glenwood Springs (for those of you who might not know, my wife Amy grew up here). We are not completely sure what our plans are, except that we all need to do laundry very badly. My in-laws are here on vacation and we will be staying at some friends of theirs. We did get about 5 drops of rain outside of Rifle, Co -- the first rain we had since we were in Western New Mexico a week ago Sunday.
Friday morning we drive to Denver and deposit Brian for his flight back and then Johnny, Robert and I will head home via Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. Thanks!!
After Robert got sewn up last night (we are glad to report that his only pain today was that his injury might leave a scar) we spent a very agreeable evening in Jackson Hole. We ordered some wonderful pizza and salad from the Mile High Pizza Pie Company and walked around this great little town while we were waiting for it to cook. After we got our food we went back for a VERY relaxing evening at the Best Western, which Brian dubbed the best hotel of the road trip.
We had a good breakfast and I got 10% off of our bill because the jacuzzi jets didn’t work in our huge tub.
Then we had a little problem as we tried to get on the road. Brian had gone last night to a specialty store in Jackson Hole looking for Wyoming-made wine (you remember I told about his little problem, right?) -- and she said nobody made wine in Wyoming.
Well, she was wrong, and Brian found out about it, and wanted to go buy some at this store he had heard about at 9am in the morning. We all said no, and he has seethed off and on all day, and told us on more than one occasion that he intends to purchase that wine online, and when he gets it he refuses to share with us (smile).
It has been a COMPLETELY uneventful day. Robert drove this morning until we stopped at McDonald’s for lunch. Johnny drove us to Craig, CO and Brian finished the drive to Glenwood Springs (for those of you who might not know, my wife Amy grew up here). We are not completely sure what our plans are, except that we all need to do laundry very badly. My in-laws are here on vacation and we will be staying at some friends of theirs. We did get about 5 drops of rain outside of Rifle, Co -- the first rain we had since we were in Western New Mexico a week ago Sunday.
Friday morning we drive to Denver and deposit Brian for his flight back and then Johnny, Robert and I will head home via Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. Thanks!!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Day 10 -- Robert Saves the Day!!
Well, we are now in Jackson, Wyoming on what has been the most eventful day of the trip so far. This morning Pick was in the gift shop so Johnny, Robert and I were cleaning out the van while we waited. As we dropped stuff in the trash can, I had the van keys in my left hand. Suddenly I realized that I had dropped the keys into the trash can along with everything else. I calmly said to Johnny and Robert, ‘Umm, can I tell you about the dumb thing I just did?’ This was one of those special bear-proof cans and we had the devil of a time getting those keys back out. I thought that would be the highlight of the blog today, but that was not to be.
So we started touring around Yellowstone. We stopped at a Spring and a Mudhole and Yellowstone Lake, and we were having a great time. But, as you know, my son Nathan is a big animal lover, so as we were about to exit Yellowstone National Park, I spotted a bison, and got out of the van to take a picture. The boys were in the van hatching an escape plan, as we had just watched a video at the welcome center telling us not approach the wildlife. I scooted closer to get a good shot for Nate (PLEASE look at the picture -- it could have cost Robert his life) and suddenly, the bison turned on me. I scampered back toward the van just as Robert jumped out to save me. He wrapped his left arm under the Bison’s neck and hopped on his back. He rode that Bison for about 50 feet until the bison suddenly made a sharp left turn and Robert was struck in the head by a low hanging limb. He had to dash to higher ground, and, as you can see by the picture, he barely came out with his life. Robert, the entire Gibbons family thanks you for saving my life today!
So we started touring around Yellowstone. We stopped at a Spring and a Mudhole and Yellowstone Lake, and we were having a great time. But, as you know, my son Nathan is a big animal lover, so as we were about to exit Yellowstone National Park, I spotted a bison, and got out of the van to take a picture. The boys were in the van hatching an escape plan, as we had just watched a video at the welcome center telling us not approach the wildlife. I scooted closer to get a good shot for Nate (PLEASE look at the picture -- it could have cost Robert his life) and suddenly, the bison turned on me. I scampered back toward the van just as Robert jumped out to save me. He wrapped his left arm under the Bison’s neck and hopped on his back. He rode that Bison for about 50 feet until the bison suddenly made a sharp left turn and Robert was struck in the head by a low hanging limb. He had to dash to higher ground, and, as you can see by the picture, he barely came out with his life. Robert, the entire Gibbons family thanks you for saving my life today!
Day 10B - The Rest of the Story
In reality, however, what really happened was this...we had left Yellowstone for Grand TETON National Park. We had stopped to collect some walking sticks from the lakeside, and I had walked back to the van. The boys were gone for a long time, and something told me all was not well. I turned on my cell phone, which hadn’t worked in two days. Amazingly, I had cell coverage so I called Robert, who calmly said, would you please bring the medical kit to me -- I cut my head. THANK, YOU -- THANK YOU -- THANK YOU, to Mrs. Pratt for purchasing said medical kit. So, I walked back down to the beach, and the three fellows were walking toward me, with Robert holding his head.
It seems that, in a state of altitude induced-delirium, Robert had decided that he liked this particular stick, but that it was too long, and he would break it by dropping a large rock on it. In hindsight, this plan appears to have had serious flaws. After he dropped the rock on the stick, the stick rose up and smote him on the forehead.
Because this happened in Timbuk-2, we had to drive all the way to Jackson Hole (about 40 miles) with Robert moaning slightly while holding ice to his head.
We are proud to say that Robert was treated at the Jackson Hole E.R. and is now fit as a fiddle (please note the picture of his 4 lovely stitches) -- and he wants you to know that he took the entire thing like a man, and they even gave him a sticker when he left the hospital (also, he flirted with the girl at reception, and did so well, she forgot to charge him -- such is life on the road with Robert Ortega).
We will get back on the road in the morning and head to Glenwood Springs, CO. In reality, Jackson Hole is a much nicer place to stay than where we had originally intended, AND they have high speed wireless internet. Have a great day tomorrow...we move one state closer home tomorrow!
It seems that, in a state of altitude induced-delirium, Robert had decided that he liked this particular stick, but that it was too long, and he would break it by dropping a large rock on it. In hindsight, this plan appears to have had serious flaws. After he dropped the rock on the stick, the stick rose up and smote him on the forehead.
Because this happened in Timbuk-2, we had to drive all the way to Jackson Hole (about 40 miles) with Robert moaning slightly while holding ice to his head.
We are proud to say that Robert was treated at the Jackson Hole E.R. and is now fit as a fiddle (please note the picture of his 4 lovely stitches) -- and he wants you to know that he took the entire thing like a man, and they even gave him a sticker when he left the hospital (also, he flirted with the girl at reception, and did so well, she forgot to charge him -- such is life on the road with Robert Ortega).
We will get back on the road in the morning and head to Glenwood Springs, CO. In reality, Jackson Hole is a much nicer place to stay than where we had originally intended, AND they have high speed wireless internet. Have a great day tomorrow...we move one state closer home tomorrow!
Day 9B
Day 9B...
OK, so yesterday’s entry was written about midday, and then we all got a little altitude sickness. So, we took some aspirin, had some caffeine and laid down to allow our bodies to adjust.
The hotel is nice but lacks air conditioning, and some brainy fixed the windows so you can only push them up maybe 6 inches or so. Therefore, it was STIFLING last night, even though it was only 50 degrees outside or so.
We went out to look at the stars, and met a nice couple from Alabama. After he established we were both Southerners, he said to me, I think they got stars up here we ain’t got down there. He was a real good ‘ol boy and he rooted for the Crimson Tide.
What we forgot about was Old Faithful while we were laying outside, and he decided to go off while we were there. We tried to get pictures, but it was just too dark.
I had looked everywhere for somewhere to use the internet, and they are very proud here that they don’t offer this service to guests. So, it was about to be the first night of no blogging, but then we met our new friend Robert at the front desk. He told me that they had wifi in the employee quarters and where I should park to get access (and what the password was). So we drove quietly to the employee quarters and he was right on. So there was a blog entry after all.
However, it probably was not my best effort, as I think I forgot a couple of things, left a couple of things out (like Uncle Dave's nickname). We usually all edit it together as we are about to post it, but last night we were nervous. People kept looking at us with our laptop in the van. One guy in particular kept looking our way and we thought we were about to get busted. So we just posted the rough draft and headed along our merry way. We’ll fix the mistakes tonight.
We have had a quiet morning, and we are going to see Yellowstone and drive through Grand Teton National Park today. Our goal is to make it somewhere into Southern Wyoming by nightfall. We have many mountains to cross before we get there. Then it’s on to the mountains of Colorado.
OK, so yesterday’s entry was written about midday, and then we all got a little altitude sickness. So, we took some aspirin, had some caffeine and laid down to allow our bodies to adjust.
The hotel is nice but lacks air conditioning, and some brainy fixed the windows so you can only push them up maybe 6 inches or so. Therefore, it was STIFLING last night, even though it was only 50 degrees outside or so.
We went out to look at the stars, and met a nice couple from Alabama. After he established we were both Southerners, he said to me, I think they got stars up here we ain’t got down there. He was a real good ‘ol boy and he rooted for the Crimson Tide.
What we forgot about was Old Faithful while we were laying outside, and he decided to go off while we were there. We tried to get pictures, but it was just too dark.
I had looked everywhere for somewhere to use the internet, and they are very proud here that they don’t offer this service to guests. So, it was about to be the first night of no blogging, but then we met our new friend Robert at the front desk. He told me that they had wifi in the employee quarters and where I should park to get access (and what the password was). So we drove quietly to the employee quarters and he was right on. So there was a blog entry after all.
However, it probably was not my best effort, as I think I forgot a couple of things, left a couple of things out (like Uncle Dave's nickname). We usually all edit it together as we are about to post it, but last night we were nervous. People kept looking at us with our laptop in the van. One guy in particular kept looking our way and we thought we were about to get busted. So we just posted the rough draft and headed along our merry way. We’ll fix the mistakes tonight.
We have had a quiet morning, and we are going to see Yellowstone and drive through Grand Teton National Park today. Our goal is to make it somewhere into Southern Wyoming by nightfall. We have many mountains to cross before we get there. Then it’s on to the mountains of Colorado.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Day 9
WOW! Idaho may be the most boring place in North America -- at least as boring as San Angelo.
So, we left this morning after checking out the gorge at Twin Falls, which has been the one lone bright spot of beauty in this state.
We don’t recommend Red Lion Hotels to you -- last night was a disappointment. Robert was particularly perturbed that there was no free breakfast this morning. But when coming through Southern Idaho, the pickings are slim and you take what you can get.
Brian has some issues we should probably let you in on. We have chronicled the pamphlet problem -- right now we have a HUGE bag of pamphlets that he has collected from each and every stop along the way. We have begged him to stop on the grounds that there isn’t enough room for the pamphlets and US, but he turns a deaf ear.
Now there is a new problem. He is collecting a bottle of wine made in every state we are visiting. With what we bought the other day in wine country, and what Brian has bought at every stop, pray we don’t internally combust.
OK, so we are now making our way home, and the chances aren’t good for blogging the next day or two. Also, cell phone coverage will be very spotty as we will be off interstates and in the mountains until Wednesday evening.
We want to thank many of you who have helped us along the way. Many thanks to Mr. Ortega for instilling a frugal spirit in Robert -- it has kept us all on the straight and narrow (we have eaten from the food cooler at least once a day). Thanks to JP’s Uncle Dave, who has joined in the nickname parade, and will be henceforth known as DaveTree . Thanks for the interesting, fun comments on our blog. Thanks also to Mrs. Gibbons for allowing me to be gone this long -- if I got much older I would not be able to keep up this pace. Thanks to Mama Priest (Mrs. Pickard) who amazes us with her concerned late night calls (we know who to call now if we ever have an emergency late at night). Thanks also to Grand mommy Joyce for allowing us to take Johnny away on your birthday. Thanks to Mrs. Ortega, as she seems to bring so much fun and entertainment to Robert (we enjoy listening on the other end of everyone’s conversations). Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Pratt for raising such a fine son -- it is always a privilege to spend time with him.
From the windows of our room here in the lodge you can see Old Faithful. We sat around and watched her go off as soon as we got in. What an amazing sight...it really reminded me of the scripture where Jesus says that if we don’t praise His name, the very rocks will cry out. Seems to me like they do here, all the time.
I felt a little bit of altitude sickness this evening, so I laid down and had some water and an aspirin, and the boys went exploring -- you can do a lot of adventuring right here in the area of our lodge. We only have dial-up services, so I probably won’t try to put pictures on tonight. We love you and look forward to seeing you all soon!
A Message to Nate:
As we were driving to our hotel tonight, we noticed a bunch of cars pulled off on the side of the road, so we slowed down, too. There was an elk right there, maybe 50 feet from the car. I couldn’t help thinking of you, and wondered what all you could tell me about elk.
Love
Dad
So, we left this morning after checking out the gorge at Twin Falls, which has been the one lone bright spot of beauty in this state.
We don’t recommend Red Lion Hotels to you -- last night was a disappointment. Robert was particularly perturbed that there was no free breakfast this morning. But when coming through Southern Idaho, the pickings are slim and you take what you can get.
Brian has some issues we should probably let you in on. We have chronicled the pamphlet problem -- right now we have a HUGE bag of pamphlets that he has collected from each and every stop along the way. We have begged him to stop on the grounds that there isn’t enough room for the pamphlets and US, but he turns a deaf ear.
Now there is a new problem. He is collecting a bottle of wine made in every state we are visiting. With what we bought the other day in wine country, and what Brian has bought at every stop, pray we don’t internally combust.
OK, so we are now making our way home, and the chances aren’t good for blogging the next day or two. Also, cell phone coverage will be very spotty as we will be off interstates and in the mountains until Wednesday evening.
We want to thank many of you who have helped us along the way. Many thanks to Mr. Ortega for instilling a frugal spirit in Robert -- it has kept us all on the straight and narrow (we have eaten from the food cooler at least once a day). Thanks to JP’s Uncle Dave, who has joined in the nickname parade, and will be henceforth known as DaveTree . Thanks for the interesting, fun comments on our blog. Thanks also to Mrs. Gibbons for allowing me to be gone this long -- if I got much older I would not be able to keep up this pace. Thanks to Mama Priest (Mrs. Pickard) who amazes us with her concerned late night calls (we know who to call now if we ever have an emergency late at night). Thanks also to Grand mommy Joyce for allowing us to take Johnny away on your birthday. Thanks to Mrs. Ortega, as she seems to bring so much fun and entertainment to Robert (we enjoy listening on the other end of everyone’s conversations). Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Pratt for raising such a fine son -- it is always a privilege to spend time with him.
From the windows of our room here in the lodge you can see Old Faithful. We sat around and watched her go off as soon as we got in. What an amazing sight...it really reminded me of the scripture where Jesus says that if we don’t praise His name, the very rocks will cry out. Seems to me like they do here, all the time.
I felt a little bit of altitude sickness this evening, so I laid down and had some water and an aspirin, and the boys went exploring -- you can do a lot of adventuring right here in the area of our lodge. We only have dial-up services, so I probably won’t try to put pictures on tonight. We love you and look forward to seeing you all soon!
A Message to Nate:
As we were driving to our hotel tonight, we noticed a bunch of cars pulled off on the side of the road, so we slowed down, too. There was an elk right there, maybe 50 feet from the car. I couldn’t help thinking of you, and wondered what all you could tell me about elk.
Love
Dad
Sunday, July 8, 2007
A Message to Nate
When JP and I went to the zoo yesterday, I found you a great book on oceans and sea creatures. It even includes some web sites you can go to on the computer and find out more information -- I think you’ll LOVE it!
Love ya,
Dad
Love ya,
Dad
Oregon Capitol
Pick made us stop here...the lamest stop of the trip, and then he whined for about three hours cause we wouldn't let him stop at the Idaho Capitol (smile!).
Day 8...
We went Church hopping!
We had to get up early and pack our stuff so Pick could go to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and so our stuff would be out of the way so the PUMP Church Staff would be able to come in and get set up for Church today.
After packing and Pick’s departure, Robert and Johnny and I went and had breakfast at Grendel’s Coffee Shop (yes, Amy, THAT Grendel’s). Then we went on to Donald Miller’s Church, Imago Dei, which meets in Franklin High School. It was very interesting as high school auditoriums go, and we all agreed we would have loved to have staged our high school plays and musicals there. The Church had a lovely spirit to it, and I can see why I have heard people speak so highly of it. We didn’t want to leave, but we had agreed to go to PUMP, since they had so graciously cared for us over the last couple of days.
We all rendezvoused back at the PUMP House about 10am (thanks to Ike for the use of his Vanagon so we could go two different places) and shared in the worship time there. We left just before the closing prayer, so that I didn’t get caught there for an hour talking to people I know, and quickly headed toward Idaho.
We stopped for lunch in Arlington, OREGON which is an idyllic spot in the Columbia River Gorge, and rested in a beautiful gazebo on the water’s edge (note Robert’s pictures).
We were able to make good time for a couple of hours, but then the mountains kicked in again, and we are winding our way through the far Eastern Portion of Oregon at this moment.
We have stopped for the night in Hickville, Idaho, aka Twin Falls. We are on the edge of the non-smoking wing, and this is the worst smelling town in America. Tomorrow we travel to Yellowstone, where we will spend the night at the Old Faithful Inn. We love you all!
We had to get up early and pack our stuff so Pick could go to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and so our stuff would be out of the way so the PUMP Church Staff would be able to come in and get set up for Church today.
After packing and Pick’s departure, Robert and Johnny and I went and had breakfast at Grendel’s Coffee Shop (yes, Amy, THAT Grendel’s). Then we went on to Donald Miller’s Church, Imago Dei, which meets in Franklin High School. It was very interesting as high school auditoriums go, and we all agreed we would have loved to have staged our high school plays and musicals there. The Church had a lovely spirit to it, and I can see why I have heard people speak so highly of it. We didn’t want to leave, but we had agreed to go to PUMP, since they had so graciously cared for us over the last couple of days.
We all rendezvoused back at the PUMP House about 10am (thanks to Ike for the use of his Vanagon so we could go two different places) and shared in the worship time there. We left just before the closing prayer, so that I didn’t get caught there for an hour talking to people I know, and quickly headed toward Idaho.
We stopped for lunch in Arlington, OREGON which is an idyllic spot in the Columbia River Gorge, and rested in a beautiful gazebo on the water’s edge (note Robert’s pictures).
We were able to make good time for a couple of hours, but then the mountains kicked in again, and we are winding our way through the far Eastern Portion of Oregon at this moment.
We have stopped for the night in Hickville, Idaho, aka Twin Falls. We are on the edge of the non-smoking wing, and this is the worst smelling town in America. Tomorrow we travel to Yellowstone, where we will spend the night at the Old Faithful Inn. We love you all!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Day 7
This morning it looked like it would be quite chilly today, which turned out NOT to be the case, but we dressed that way, and paid for it all day (except for Robert, ever the pragmatist!
We started the morning by riding the Maxx (Public Elevated Train) down to the Saturday Market, a weekly artsy/bohemian gathering of folks who sold things from pottery to duct tape wallets to panoramic pictures to handmade clothing. There was an Irish band playing in the background and we enjoyed ourselves immensely!!
We took the Maxx to Pioneer Square (the center of th downtown district) and walked around for a while (we ran into a proselytizing group of primmitive baptists singing acappella), then out to Washington Park, which is home to the zoo, an arboretum, a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and a few other things to boot. Johnny and I stayed there, and took a train from the zoo up to the Rose Garden and Japanese Garden, then back to the Zoo for some Nathan and Lily shopping at the gift shop. Meanwhile, Robert and Brian headed back into downtown (they had had their fill of beautiful scenery!) and spent some time sightseeing there.
We drove into Washington (so everyone could say we had been there) and were disappointed that there was no welcome center to feed his pamphlet addiction.
This evening we went with my friend Ike Graul to the Hawthorn district, which is a historical neighborhood with great shops and restaurants and ate at the Baghdad Theater (made famous in Donald Miller’s books) -- and the boys got their first taste of Marion berries (we had cobbler and ice cream) -- hmm, hmm, good!
Tomorrow morning we are all going to Church (actually several Churches) -- Trinity Cathedral, Imago Dei and PUMP Church of Christ (more on that later). Then we will hit the road and end up somehwere in Eastern Idaho tomorrow evening.
Presently Johnny and Robert are having a dueling banjo (snoring) competition, and I need to go clean our bathroom here at the PUMP house. Hope that you have a GREAT Sunday, and pray for us as we begin the journey home!
We started the morning by riding the Maxx (Public Elevated Train) down to the Saturday Market, a weekly artsy/bohemian gathering of folks who sold things from pottery to duct tape wallets to panoramic pictures to handmade clothing. There was an Irish band playing in the background and we enjoyed ourselves immensely!!
We took the Maxx to Pioneer Square (the center of th downtown district) and walked around for a while (we ran into a proselytizing group of primmitive baptists singing acappella), then out to Washington Park, which is home to the zoo, an arboretum, a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and a few other things to boot. Johnny and I stayed there, and took a train from the zoo up to the Rose Garden and Japanese Garden, then back to the Zoo for some Nathan and Lily shopping at the gift shop. Meanwhile, Robert and Brian headed back into downtown (they had had their fill of beautiful scenery!) and spent some time sightseeing there.
We drove into Washington (so everyone could say we had been there) and were disappointed that there was no welcome center to feed his pamphlet addiction.
This evening we went with my friend Ike Graul to the Hawthorn district, which is a historical neighborhood with great shops and restaurants and ate at the Baghdad Theater (made famous in Donald Miller’s books) -- and the boys got their first taste of Marion berries (we had cobbler and ice cream) -- hmm, hmm, good!
Tomorrow morning we are all going to Church (actually several Churches) -- Trinity Cathedral, Imago Dei and PUMP Church of Christ (more on that later). Then we will hit the road and end up somehwere in Eastern Idaho tomorrow evening.
Presently Johnny and Robert are having a dueling banjo (snoring) competition, and I need to go clean our bathroom here at the PUMP house. Hope that you have a GREAT Sunday, and pray for us as we begin the journey home!
A message to Nate
Good morning, son! Last night we hiked up a mountain in Portland, just like when we were at PSP!! I picked up a rock for you and Lily, and I can’t wait to show you all my pictures!!
Love,
Dad
Love,
Dad
Friday, July 6, 2007
Day 6
Brian insisted we go to the State Capitol since we stayed in Salem. What a disappointment! We quickly made up for that by going to Portland and heading to Powell’s City of Books. Powells is the largest bookstore in America, and we were lost for 90 minutes or so in it’s mesmerizing aura.
Then we had lunch at the Noodle Company -- what a unique restaurant! It was a great meal and we emerged refreshed and ready for more action!
We each took some time in the afternoon to look around the area we were in, and did a little shopping. Then we hooked up with my friend Ike Graul who lives here in Portland for a trip up to Larch Mountain, which gives a great view of Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood.
Then he took us careening around the mountain in his Vanagon to Multnomah Falls, the second largest waterfall in the lower 48. Robert, Brian and Johnny hiked to the top (a very strenuous mile-long hike straight up!)
We closed the day buy eating at Burgerville, which is a chain of local restaurants specializing in meals comprised of foods grown in this area. Walla-Walla onion rings from Washington, Tillamook Cheese form Oregon, locally grown meats and handmade fruit shakes made from local berries.
Everyone is tired tonight, and as I type this, Johnny and Brian are snoring rather loudly and Robert is dozing! I’m going to sleep, too...everybody sleep well!
Then we had lunch at the Noodle Company -- what a unique restaurant! It was a great meal and we emerged refreshed and ready for more action!
We each took some time in the afternoon to look around the area we were in, and did a little shopping. Then we hooked up with my friend Ike Graul who lives here in Portland for a trip up to Larch Mountain, which gives a great view of Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood.
Then he took us careening around the mountain in his Vanagon to Multnomah Falls, the second largest waterfall in the lower 48. Robert, Brian and Johnny hiked to the top (a very strenuous mile-long hike straight up!)
We closed the day buy eating at Burgerville, which is a chain of local restaurants specializing in meals comprised of foods grown in this area. Walla-Walla onion rings from Washington, Tillamook Cheese form Oregon, locally grown meats and handmade fruit shakes made from local berries.
Everyone is tired tonight, and as I type this, Johnny and Brian are snoring rather loudly and Robert is dozing! I’m going to sleep, too...everybody sleep well!
Day 5
Well, it doesn’t seem like we did a lot of stuff Thursday, but we took all day to do it! Plus, we had an awesome time!
After an underwhelming time in Napa Valley on Wednesday, when almost every place was closed, we decided to veer off course a little bit and go through what has been described as the last great undiscovered wine region, the Umpqua valley in Southern Oregon.
Along the way we met some incredibly interesting people, like our barmaids Jazz (what a great name) and Rachel (she decided she needed a change, so she took a map of Oregon and made it a dart board, and the spot she hit was in wine country, so she moved there). Or, take one of the winemakers named Greg, who left his defense contractor job in Washington D.C. to move back home to Oregon and make wine. He came home after his mother died a few years ago to hike to the peak of Mt. Hood with his 84 year old father, got inspired and got retired! He toured us around his winery and even yodeled for us Texans!
Or how about the vineyard manager named Don who looked like he was a body builder, and had previously lived in Napa Valley and worked in the wine business, until he moved to Umpqua Valley. Ironically, business took him back to Napa to a vineyard they were buying grapes from, and the Napa folks, wanted to charge him a tasting fee in the tasting room. That was when he washed his hands of Napa, and they grow or buy all their stuff in Oregon.
We also got an education in wines -- how to sample, what to look for, what tastes we liked. We learned that some winemakers (like Greg) don’t take all the extra sediment out, and that we LIKED that!
Johnny and Robert had a ball since they are now 21 (I made the folks card them wherever we went) -- and learned how many differences there were between wines.
We ate a lot, laughed a lot and talked a lot. We had a very serious conversation about marriage and what it means to be a man of God -- one of the best conversations of my life.
Before you knew it, it was 6pm, so we headed up the road and stopped in Salem for the night (Oregon’s capital and right outside of Portland). We have amended our travel plans and will stay here for two more nights, thus skipping Seattle. Sunday we will begin to make our way back toward Texas by driving to the Yellowstone NP area. Today we experience the city -- Powells Books, Chinatown, maybe even the Zoo. Hope you have a great day -- we are doing laundry and getting ready for the day! Much love to you all!
After an underwhelming time in Napa Valley on Wednesday, when almost every place was closed, we decided to veer off course a little bit and go through what has been described as the last great undiscovered wine region, the Umpqua valley in Southern Oregon.
Along the way we met some incredibly interesting people, like our barmaids Jazz (what a great name) and Rachel (she decided she needed a change, so she took a map of Oregon and made it a dart board, and the spot she hit was in wine country, so she moved there). Or, take one of the winemakers named Greg, who left his defense contractor job in Washington D.C. to move back home to Oregon and make wine. He came home after his mother died a few years ago to hike to the peak of Mt. Hood with his 84 year old father, got inspired and got retired! He toured us around his winery and even yodeled for us Texans!
Or how about the vineyard manager named Don who looked like he was a body builder, and had previously lived in Napa Valley and worked in the wine business, until he moved to Umpqua Valley. Ironically, business took him back to Napa to a vineyard they were buying grapes from, and the Napa folks, wanted to charge him a tasting fee in the tasting room. That was when he washed his hands of Napa, and they grow or buy all their stuff in Oregon.
We also got an education in wines -- how to sample, what to look for, what tastes we liked. We learned that some winemakers (like Greg) don’t take all the extra sediment out, and that we LIKED that!
Johnny and Robert had a ball since they are now 21 (I made the folks card them wherever we went) -- and learned how many differences there were between wines.
We ate a lot, laughed a lot and talked a lot. We had a very serious conversation about marriage and what it means to be a man of God -- one of the best conversations of my life.
Before you knew it, it was 6pm, so we headed up the road and stopped in Salem for the night (Oregon’s capital and right outside of Portland). We have amended our travel plans and will stay here for two more nights, thus skipping Seattle. Sunday we will begin to make our way back toward Texas by driving to the Yellowstone NP area. Today we experience the city -- Powells Books, Chinatown, maybe even the Zoo. Hope you have a great day -- we are doing laundry and getting ready for the day! Much love to you all!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Day 4
We started the day in Brian’s honor by going to Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, which is good, because he didn’t get to do anything else he wanted today (he wanted to go to the Catholic Church and Point Reyes, but there wasn’t time)!
Unfortunately, because it’s July 4th, the bookstore at Grace Cathedral was closed (a big bummer for all of us!) However, there are two prayer-walk labyrinths there (one indoor and one outdoor -- check out the picture of Robert), as well as a number of icons, pieces of art and some AMAZING stained glass.
The streets in San Francisco were an additional challenge (we didn’t know EVERY street was a mountain)!! Brian was driving and Ryan was navigating and Johnny and Robert were taking pictures.
We stopped at Fisherman’s Wharf (again note the picture) and then crossed over the Golden Gate bridge. We took a brief side venture by turning west on the coast road (CA 1) and went out to Muir Beach. Johnny, Brian and Robert went out and stood in the water and called many of you while I drove around and around in this puny parking lot waiting for someone to come out.
Finally someone did, and I headed toward the beach, meeting the boys about halfway down as they were coming back to the car. Brian and I went down to the beach and took each other’s picture with the Pacific Ocean in the background.
Then it was off to Napa Valley (we were hoping for a vision of Tuscany, and it fell a little short) and did a wine tasting at the only winery we could find open on July 4th, the Madonna Estate winery. We took a taste of 6 wines (we got to keep the glass-a major bonus!), and we bought a couple of bottles of wine (which were more money than we wanted to pay).
Tomorrow we are hitting the Umpqua Valley Wine Region in Southern Oregon, where we are hoping the wines are cheaper to purchase and more distinctive in flavor than what we found in Napa Valley. Then it’s on to Portland, and Powells Books, Mount Hood and whatever else we find.
Everyone is fine -- including Robert, who sprained his ankle mildly yesterday at Yosemite. But, you can tell we’ve been on the road for several days as our patience levels are not as high as when we started. Pray that we can continue to be a team as we experience this beautiful country together.
We are driving North on I-5 as I type this and have decided to stay the night in Medford, OR! Have a GREAT Thursday!
Unfortunately, because it’s July 4th, the bookstore at Grace Cathedral was closed (a big bummer for all of us!) However, there are two prayer-walk labyrinths there (one indoor and one outdoor -- check out the picture of Robert), as well as a number of icons, pieces of art and some AMAZING stained glass.
The streets in San Francisco were an additional challenge (we didn’t know EVERY street was a mountain)!! Brian was driving and Ryan was navigating and Johnny and Robert were taking pictures.
We stopped at Fisherman’s Wharf (again note the picture) and then crossed over the Golden Gate bridge. We took a brief side venture by turning west on the coast road (CA 1) and went out to Muir Beach. Johnny, Brian and Robert went out and stood in the water and called many of you while I drove around and around in this puny parking lot waiting for someone to come out.
Finally someone did, and I headed toward the beach, meeting the boys about halfway down as they were coming back to the car. Brian and I went down to the beach and took each other’s picture with the Pacific Ocean in the background.
Then it was off to Napa Valley (we were hoping for a vision of Tuscany, and it fell a little short) and did a wine tasting at the only winery we could find open on July 4th, the Madonna Estate winery. We took a taste of 6 wines (we got to keep the glass-a major bonus!), and we bought a couple of bottles of wine (which were more money than we wanted to pay).
Tomorrow we are hitting the Umpqua Valley Wine Region in Southern Oregon, where we are hoping the wines are cheaper to purchase and more distinctive in flavor than what we found in Napa Valley. Then it’s on to Portland, and Powells Books, Mount Hood and whatever else we find.
Everyone is fine -- including Robert, who sprained his ankle mildly yesterday at Yosemite. But, you can tell we’ve been on the road for several days as our patience levels are not as high as when we started. Pray that we can continue to be a team as we experience this beautiful country together.
We are driving North on I-5 as I type this and have decided to stay the night in Medford, OR! Have a GREAT Thursday!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Another Message for Nate
At Yosemite National Park, they have to have these special trash cans, which have locks and latches to keep the bears out. We didn’t actually see a bear, but I got you some good books to study up on when I get home.
Love,
Dad
Love,
Dad
Name the Boy Band Contest
Johnny, Robert and Brian have decided to start a boy band, but they need your help to name the band. Leave a comment with a suggestion or two and if they pick your name, they will give you premium seats at their first gig as well as backstage passes after the show.
Thinking about God's Power
While Johnny, Robert and Brian hiked all the way up to the spot where the Falls falls, I stayed on a big rock about halfway up, gazing out at this huge mountain of rock and majestic falls. Here were my thoughts...
'This is my feeble attempt to capture what I am seeing. The beauty of God’s creation is immense. I am sitting here on this rock beneath the falls at Yosemite National Park. Yesterday, we were at Sequoia National Park looking at trees I had seen before in pictures but could only being to fathom how big they actually were when I was actually standing UNDERNEATH them.
I picked up my Bible and journal and found these words from Psalm 125...
A song of ascents.
1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.
As I sit here, gazing up at this great wall of granite, I am truly thankful for God’s power and support. Sometimes I doubt their presence, but sitting here today, I am more confident then I have ever been of his care and provision.'
'This is my feeble attempt to capture what I am seeing. The beauty of God’s creation is immense. I am sitting here on this rock beneath the falls at Yosemite National Park. Yesterday, we were at Sequoia National Park looking at trees I had seen before in pictures but could only being to fathom how big they actually were when I was actually standing UNDERNEATH them.
I picked up my Bible and journal and found these words from Psalm 125...
A song of ascents.
1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.
As I sit here, gazing up at this great wall of granite, I am truly thankful for God’s power and support. Sometimes I doubt their presence, but sitting here today, I am more confident then I have ever been of his care and provision.'
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