Westward Ho / We Have Landed!

We found our way along beautiful Route 50 again as we headed southwest out of Tahoe.  When we hit our 5 hour mark..we had a heated discussion about continuing to our Santa Cruz destination.  My argument was that Bill was tired and there was a high wind advisory through Pacheco Pass, our final mountain to overcome....he denied tiredness and wanted to disregard our 5 hour driving rule.  Silent treatment ensued for an hour while we retreated at a truck stop to lick our wounds!  Final decision was to hang out at the truck stop for the night which ended up being fun:  great restaurant, card playing, and a drivers' lounge where Bill caught a Tom Cruise movie!!  Father's Day 2018 found us on the road, passing the huge & beautiful San Luis Reservoir, and finally rejoicing when we hit the boardwalk signs!!





We have had a full week of activity:  Boardwalk, Walk on West Cliff with 2 of my kids , holding babies, playing at the park, "tailgate lunch party" before having dessert at Yougurtland!
Today, we are excitedly awaiting the arrival of the Tegelaar Tribe... cousin time for all 10 of our little hooligans!!  They are the best!

Westward Ho / Lake Tahoe, CA / Days 12-16

So glad we scheduled 3 nights at D.L. Bliss State Park in this BEAUTIFUL spot!  Quite remote with no electricity, but quiet, calming and restful.  We didn't realize how "on the go" we had been for the last 2 weeks; so sitting, reading, observing nature, and sleeping were all huge blessings.  Discovering that our propane to the refrigerator was not working, was a bit frustrating; but we just "returned to our roots" and put ice in the refrigerator!  Climbing Route 89 north, on the west side of the lake proved a bit of a challenge for these low-elevation Michiganders ....especially with construction:  being forced to stop on a curved  incline at 7000 feet elevation to wait for oncoming traffic heading south ..😮 .  Thankful for our trusty van, and God's protection.  (The next night I dreamed about the return trip, the van dashing over the edge....).




   

Sitting on the beach for a whole day, hiking the Rubicon Trail, reading books and chatting with our very interesting neighbors...an Israeli American couple.  He was a Rabbi and she a lawyer specializing in Constitutional Rights, with an 8 month old son.  So love understanding their culture and beliefs, and interacting about our shared ministry lives.  We had many questions about how they perceive different Old Testament passages.  So delightful to discuss and learn, with no divisive quarrels.  We have come to realize that openness and love go a long way in reflecting the true Light, Jesus.







Reflected on the light-hearted chipmunks, scurrying and scavenging scraps; and realized how we need to take "play" more seriously; rather than being like the ants dutifully climbing up and down the Ponderosa Pines, doing their jobs.  God calls us to a balance in our lives.
After heading back down to South Lake Tahoe, we decided to spend one last day closer to civilization!  Rode bikes on their fabulous trail, enjoyed delicious Baklava near the Marina, discovered Tallac Historical Site (the premier Resort in the World in the early 1900's), and soaked in one more view of Lake Tahoe (22 miles long by 12 miles wide....72 total miles to drive around).
MEMORABLE

 

Westward Ho / Nevada Towns Along US 50

Another 6:00 am departure from Bryce-Zion Campground, this time to get a headstart on traffic into Nevada---however, as we hit US 50, we realized that this wasn't named "Loneliest Road in America" for no reason!  Our aim was to get to Ely, and we did!  After a gas stop and lunch at Evah's, Bill napped beside a downtown park, as I took a short walk, enjoying the wonderful artistic buildings.  
 We couldn't believe the many terrains across Nevada, in fact there is an Indian name that we ran across in Utah meaning "land of many uses".  So true!  Mountains, farming, salt flats, mining and sagebrush with dust-storms.  We saw it all in 2 days!

 

Deciding we could make Eureka for our overnight stay, we headed back on the lonely road (towns few and far between, cars few and far between!!), and as God would providentially direct; Bill meets the sheriff at the local Chevron station, and she invites us to park free behind the local ball park!!  Only my husband can make these connections!  What an interesting little town...originally known for its silver mining, but now for its gold mining!  Lots of history in this county seat.  The local Opera House is still utilized for special music events.  We had a great breakfast at a hometown diner run by 2 Mennonite gals....and her cousin attended my alma mater, Columbia Bible College !! 

  

Our final stop on this great Nevada drive was Fallon.  Not near as charming nor as deserted, Fallon provided a cheap motel after our "boondocking" experience of the night before.  We also had an afternoon date watching "Oceans 8", quite entertaining!  We ended the evening at a delicious Chinese restaurant with Bill choosing a Beef & Broccoli, and I, a honey glazed grilled shrimp & walnut special!       

     

Westward Ho / Zion National Park / Day 11

Another early morning out--left our campground by 6:20, however we really had no clue what we were heading into!!  East Entrance to Zion involved very high climbs and MANY switchbacks, we thought we were back in the Hegins Valley of PA!!  However, the views were amazing as we traveled right next to all the rugged, stately slabs of rock walls.  Even though we arrived by 7:20, the parking lot was 1/2 full and the shuttle line was already forming...but we still needed a map so had to wait until 8 am for the Visitor's center to open.  Only had to stand in line for 45 minutes to board the shuttle!  It was very informative, and we chose Emerald Pools to hike so we could view the "falls".  Granted, the water level is low here, but having been to Niagara Falls, Buckhill Falls in PA, and even Michigan's Tahquamenon Falls....the falls in Zion were a bit disappointing....but the cliffs and majesty of the place took our breath away!  I so understand the lyrics to America the Beautiful in a new & powerful way.

   



We rested a bit on the Zion Lodge grounds, then headed back to the van.  What we totally didn't comprehend on our way out of the park is that you must return the way you entered 😁.  So we made sure we were on Route 9 as we departed the West Entrance; but we were heading west, not east.  About 30 minutes later, on what we thought was a 45 minute drive - we "discovered" the error of our ways.  Oh dear, how to undo the disaster???  Rather than going back to the park and following all the slow & annoying traffic meandering thru the park...and again retracing all the switchbacks; we elected to take the least mountainous route, which led us south first --with an unexpected tour through northern AZ!!!, then back north.  A wonderfully joyous 3 hour trip 😡.  I have to say, Bill offered no blame or shame to the navigator; but the van hated this very long drive in the heat and began balking on those mountains--that's when the tenseness became intense IN the van.  Suffice it to say, with many prayers, we arrived back to the campground with grateful hearts and calm spirits, our marriage still intact!!