Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Day Three
So.
We slept. Boy, did we sleep. Even Johnny and Robert were asleep before midnight. Brian got up early and went to mass at the Episcopal Cathedral that his current priest Lawrence used to work for when he lived out here.
We drove to Yosemite (have we mentioned how long it takes to get ANYWHERE on these mountain roads?) and arrived around midday. Then we spent all day moving through the National Park. We had lunch by the Merced River, and Johnny, Robert and Ryan got in a VERY cold river up to their ankles.
Then we moved to the Falls, which are 2,500 feet high. This was a majestic site, and we spent all afternoon hiking around. Robert even got in the water up to his knees at the base of the Falls, for which we gave him manly man honors.
It took us 3 hours to go about 90 miles to Stockton, where we had dinner at El Torito (which we gave a B+) and are now at the Residence Inn. We plan to take Brian to see Grace Cathedral in the morning, drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, have lunch on the beach and then go to Napa Valley. Tomorrow evening we will make the turn North and head toward Oregon. Not sure when we will be able to update the blog again, so check back periodically, and realize you can post messages for us if you want.
We slept. Boy, did we sleep. Even Johnny and Robert were asleep before midnight. Brian got up early and went to mass at the Episcopal Cathedral that his current priest Lawrence used to work for when he lived out here.
We drove to Yosemite (have we mentioned how long it takes to get ANYWHERE on these mountain roads?) and arrived around midday. Then we spent all day moving through the National Park. We had lunch by the Merced River, and Johnny, Robert and Ryan got in a VERY cold river up to their ankles.
Then we moved to the Falls, which are 2,500 feet high. This was a majestic site, and we spent all afternoon hiking around. Robert even got in the water up to his knees at the base of the Falls, for which we gave him manly man honors.
It took us 3 hours to go about 90 miles to Stockton, where we had dinner at El Torito (which we gave a B+) and are now at the Residence Inn. We plan to take Brian to see Grace Cathedral in the morning, drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, have lunch on the beach and then go to Napa Valley. Tomorrow evening we will make the turn North and head toward Oregon. Not sure when we will be able to update the blog again, so check back periodically, and realize you can post messages for us if you want.
A message to Nate
Nate:
Yesterday I stood next to the largest tree in THE WORLD. It is a Sequoia called General Sherman and it stands over 300 feet tall. Every year the amount this tree grows would be enough to make a very large tree in our back yard. I think you would really love seeing these trees. And the park rangers warned us not to feed the bears! Love, dad
Yesterday I stood next to the largest tree in THE WORLD. It is a Sequoia called General Sherman and it stands over 300 feet tall. Every year the amount this tree grows would be enough to make a very large tree in our back yard. I think you would really love seeing these trees. And the park rangers warned us not to feed the bears! Love, dad
Monday, July 2, 2007
Day 2
We arrived in Central California around 1pm pacific time on Monday, and made a stop at an orchard in Bakersfield, sampled the local products, and took away a bagful of stuff to add to our meal basket.
After this stop, we had lunch at a rest area and made our way to the Sequoia visitor center. Did YOU know that the Sequoias only grow at around 8,000 ft. above sea level? WE DIDN’T. We found out that it takes between 3 and 4 hours just to drive through the national park.
But it was all worth it as we made our way to the treetops. We had all seen pictures of these mammoth trees before, but these pictures did not prepare us for the sheer size we were confronted with. You will notice a picture where Johnny is standing in the foreground. This picture will give you some idea of the scope of these trees.
After that we made our way to Fresno, found our Residence Inn and went to get a pizza from the local ‘Pizza Guys’ franchise. Now we are relaxing, having a glass of wine, and getting in the shower for the first time since Sunday morning, and looking forward to a good night’s rest in a bed.
Tomorrow we will be going to Yosemite National Park and then on to spend the night just outside of San Francisco. We will be staying in a hotel there, as well, and so we will be updating the blog tomorrow, as well.
After this stop, we had lunch at a rest area and made our way to the Sequoia visitor center. Did YOU know that the Sequoias only grow at around 8,000 ft. above sea level? WE DIDN’T. We found out that it takes between 3 and 4 hours just to drive through the national park.
But it was all worth it as we made our way to the treetops. We had all seen pictures of these mammoth trees before, but these pictures did not prepare us for the sheer size we were confronted with. You will notice a picture where Johnny is standing in the foreground. This picture will give you some idea of the scope of these trees.
After that we made our way to Fresno, found our Residence Inn and went to get a pizza from the local ‘Pizza Guys’ franchise. Now we are relaxing, having a glass of wine, and getting in the shower for the first time since Sunday morning, and looking forward to a good night’s rest in a bed.
Tomorrow we will be going to Yosemite National Park and then on to spend the night just outside of San Francisco. We will be staying in a hotel there, as well, and so we will be updating the blog tomorrow, as well.
Day 1
So. West Texas isn’t the most beautiful place on God’s green earth. But, we left Arlington by noon and were able to exit the state of Texas by 7:30pm.
We stopped in San Jon, New Mexico for a dinner of smoked ham and cheetos. We were hoping to stop at the New Mexico welcome center so we could break out our cooler and enjoy some dinner, but it was under construction. So, we drove on to San Jon and stopped at the city park for a lovely repast.
As the evening wound down, we witnessed one of the most spectacular sunsets of our lives (check out the pictures). It was accompanied by an equally spectacular but brief rain shower and lightning show.
The old men (Ryan and Brian) took turns and drove from Arlington to Albuquerque, and the young men (Johnny and Robert) took over. They drove some of the overnight hours, and the old men took over again about 6am. We are all tired but glad to have covered so much ground in a day.
We stopped in San Jon, New Mexico for a dinner of smoked ham and cheetos. We were hoping to stop at the New Mexico welcome center so we could break out our cooler and enjoy some dinner, but it was under construction. So, we drove on to San Jon and stopped at the city park for a lovely repast.
As the evening wound down, we witnessed one of the most spectacular sunsets of our lives (check out the pictures). It was accompanied by an equally spectacular but brief rain shower and lightning show.
The old men (Ryan and Brian) took turns and drove from Arlington to Albuquerque, and the young men (Johnny and Robert) took over. They drove some of the overnight hours, and the old men took over again about 6am. We are all tired but glad to have covered so much ground in a day.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Getting ready to go!
Well, JP and Mex had a dream...to go through the West on a guys trip. I entered and said I wanted to do it like Donald Miller did it in 'Through Painted Deserts', and we pulled Priest in against his will.
Tomorrow we will leave right after Church and we'll stop when we get to California. We are packing tonight and getting ready to head out. I didn't sleep well last night because I am so excited. My wife Amy is the greatest thing ever for letting me take this trip!
When we get settled in California, we'll post some pictures for everyone.
Tomorrow we will leave right after Church and we'll stop when we get to California. We are packing tonight and getting ready to head out. I didn't sleep well last night because I am so excited. My wife Amy is the greatest thing ever for letting me take this trip!
When we get settled in California, we'll post some pictures for everyone.
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