From Washington State and Back

We’re on the road. Come join us!

We’ve encountered amazing people and friendships we won’t forget!

We are concluding our trip, now near the western edge of Colorado where we’re camped out in the country, parking next to our host’s home. A two story log house. We view the Battlement Mesa out of our front window. They tell us–though we did not see–there are bears here and mountain lions. Plenty of mule deer too. As we drove down the one & 1/2 mile driveway, we saw them hopping happily in a pasture with a grazing horse. Closer to the log house, seven young mule deer glanced at us with their inquisitive eyes and huge ears!

This trip has been different..

This trip has been different from the others in so many ways. We’ve been many places together: Paris, Jerusalem, Istanbul, Normandy Beach, The Panama Canal, The Caribbean, and Australia. I enjoy our country the best. Though we’ve been gone a long time, I didn’t get homesick until this week. Most likely it’s because we were in our native land and language. On other trips, we were in different cultures and languages.

Here’s a summation of our eight week trip:

Idaho

We started in Washington, heading east. In Post Falls, Idaho, located in the panhandle of Idaho, we stopped briefly to view the solar eclipse. Don’t we look goofy in those glasses?

Montana

Montana is beautiful. The western part of the state contains Glacier National Park. I’ve been to Glacier five times and each time, I am awestruck at its beauty. The eastern part of Montana loses the big pines and bodies of water and contains stark bluffs and ravines. The colors are varied in their amber, browns and creams against a clear blue sky. Some of my family lives in Montana and it holds a special place for me. Jim has adopted my family as his and he loves them too.

North Dakota

What’s in North Dakota you might ask? Our former pastor and his family live here. The Theodore Roosevelt National Park is here. And Medora Musical.  We loved it all.

South Dakota

Badlands, Crazy Horse, Mt. Rushmore, and wheat fields, lots of open spaces. We didn’t visit all of it this time, but this state has much to see.

Nebraska

One aunt and cousins! The state of my birth. Farmlands and cattle. Warm personalities.

Iowa

Birthplace of Herbert Hoover, cornfields and good people abound. And of course our grands and kids.

Wisconsin

Home of the Green Bay Packers, Dairy farms, and cheese. A beautiful, green state with lots of trees, fields and water.

Lambeau Field

Michigan

First time in this very pretty state. There’s lots of green and blue here. We drove by one of the Great Lakes traveling north and ended in Mackinac with the long suspended bridge straddling Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. We toured the Mackinac Island, where no autos or other motorized vehicles are allowed–except an ambulance and fire truck. We took a tour in a horse drawn carriage. Lots of fun and quiet! Very few people live on the island in the winter and it felt nippy even in early September.

New York

Niagara Falls. Webster–where family lives right on Lake Ontario–the smallest of the Great Lakes–but still very large. It was the people who lived in the home on the lake that we enjoyed. Oh my. We were so blessed by food and conversation. Loved Cousin Linda and Tom!

Welcome to New York!

Our view, standing by Niagara Falls

Vermont

We were astounded by the beauty in this state. High mountains, valleys and trees marching up the slopes. We were too early to see the turning of the leaves, but I can imagine how beautiful it must look. We loved the winding roads that took us through small towns and villages. The old barns and houses. Another friend lives in this state and that makes it more endearing.

Maine

Oh my. The original Portland is there with lighthouses, harbors, lobster, and Kennebunkport–the summer home of the George H.W and Barbara Bush.

Again, we made friendship with our hosts there, Court and Lovedy. We want to return. And perhaps we may.

 

Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire

We’re used to larger states and often, we didn’t know which state we were in! I had the impression that the New England States were highly populated, but it didn’t seem that way while we meandered among the many winding country roads, with a surprise at every turn. There were cemeteries with countless headstones, many leaning over. Larger than I’ve ever seen. And the homes and barns….I loved one road called “Bread and Milk”. Even close to the cities, it was instant country. We strolled through Sturbridge Village, a village with churches, barns, stores, print shops, blacksmiths and potters. The year was 1830. There was an instant connection with each of our hosts. Our friendship was because we belonged to the same faith.

Boston and Philadelphia

We were awed by all the history in these cities. The smaller buildings that once were the tallest were dwarfed by sky scrapers. We are blessed to live in this free republic. I’m so grateful to those who had a vision for the country we have. It is wide and diverse.

Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky

We camped by a small lake in Ohio, about a mile from the border to Kentucky. Indiana not far away. Here we explored the Creation Museum and went to the Ark Encounter. Both were impressive displays of the Bible and creation–the ark in correct proportions as the Bible laid out. It was huge! The Ark Encounter exhibit encompassed many acres and was on par with Disneyland with bridges, and roads, and buses to shuttle visitors to the Ark.

Illinois

Land of Lincoln. We visited Springfield, the state capital, where Lincoln lived most of his life. The Lincoln Library and Museum were also full of information and appreciation for our history. In the museum, they used holograms so in historical settings we watched what seemed lifelike figures talking to us and to Mr Lincoln. We explored the family home there, saw a replica of the log cabin where Lincoln grew up and taught himself how to read. Met through life-like figures, the family members. My heart hurt for Mrs. Lincoln. Her little three-year old died of consumption, her eleven year old died in the White House during the conclusion of the Civil War of typhoid fever. Then the dreadful, assassination of her husband, right before her eyes! Later, her 18 year old son died, too. Her surviving son committed her to an insane asylum for a time.

Missouri and Branson

The Las Vegas of Missouri–with a Family-friendly entertainment. We enjoyed the Dixie Stampede with loads of entertainment. In the Sight and Sound Theater, we watched the musical play ” Moses” complete with live animals. Very well done. Loads of talent on the stage.  We strolled along the river in Branson with family.  My brother and sister in law were traveling east and we were returning west. We met in the middle. Had so much fun!

Colorado

Our next destination: Colorado. I was scheduled to speak in three places in this diverse state. We spent time in Colorado Springs, where we toured the Christian Ministry, Focus on the Family. Wow. Over a million people visit there every year. A great place to bring children–and they invite moms to come here for play dates with their children. Very child-friendly and fun for them with an imaginary radio station where they can see themselves in the monitor. We strolled through Odyssey, the imaginary town with memorable characters: Whit, Connie, and more. We peered into  Narnia and saw the sound studio where the radio plays entertain many.

Colorado Plains

After enjoying a few days of rest from driving, we headed back to the eastern part of the state, where I spoke to a small, but lovely group of women. Leota, one of the ladies I visited with, was turning 91 in November. She did not look her age, wearing contemporary slim cut pants, comfortable looking, yet fashionable shoes, and a hair cut that belied her age. I enjoyed conversing with her on our way to the dinner meeting. She lived alone in a little house, next door to her son. Her main concern was being able to renew her driver’s license.

Next day, we traveled west, to the Denver area and had a treat in meeting an old friend. We picked up right where we left off 17 years later.

Tomorrow, we head out further west and closer home. We’ll stop in Arches and Canyonlands–and HOME!

I understand what those early settlers saw in our vast and varied country. It far surpasses all of the man-made buildings and edifices. I believe it’s the land and the people that make our nation great. I know all of you know this song, but I feel compelled to include the first verse describing our county.

I hope you’ve enjoyed our trip. Writing down events helps us remember. We have a vast and varied country. We are blessed. We are now in Utah where we’ll enjoy two National Parks. Here’s a photo from last year.

Until next time, when our wandering will be over–for awhile anyway. Thanks for joining us on the trip.