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!!

  

Westward Ho / Bryce Canyon National Park

We were so weary of driving when we finally pulled into Bryce Zion Campground, located about half way between the two National Parks that were highly touted by friends.  Heading out at 6:30 am on Friday, June 8th -- we arrived before the park officially opened at 8;  but so glad that we did!  Jumped on the first shuttle and headed to the farthest observation point - Bryce Point.  We chose the 2 mile hike along the rim & LOVED it.  The Paiute Indians described their lives in this area with such love and reverence.  Before cutting down trees, flowers or animals--they asked the Creator for permission, believing that each part of creation had purpose.  Interesting stories in the visitors center regarding their love of this land.




The red rock formations are breathtaking, most of them spire shaped, and many with Hoodoos, "odd pillars of rock left standing from the forces of erosion".  I do not claim to understand any of the glacier history, nor how erosion takes place---but what I loved to imagine is that God reached down and formed these unique pillars with his hands, almost like a potter crafting his special pieces!  Then with a twist of his fingers, he created the Hoodoo tops.

Westward Ho / Heading to UTAH

We hit the 1 week mark, heading out of Colorado Springs on Wednesday morning, June 6th.  Some amazing mountain ranges as we passed all of the Colorado ski areas, with snow covered peaks.  This reminded us of a long ago cross country trip with my sister & family:  the kids all jumped out of the motor home to have a snowball fight, and apparently Ben "saved" them from a dangerous snake!!
Stories from long ago, get bigger and better!






After spending the night near Grand Junction, CO, we were anxious to cross over into UT to make a pit stop--but much to our dismay, the first sign we saw directed us to the next "facilities" that were 42 miles away at the Visitors Centre!!  WHAT?  Utah is not very welcoming!!  We were able to "hold it" as we made our way across Route 70, with repeated signs declaring "no services".  Yikes.

 

The most impressive thing about traveling across Utah were the many changes in the rock formations and colors--lots of hills that reminded us of "anthills" if we would have been looking down from a distance.  The scattered rocks around larger formations made us imagine that God playfully dropped them while creating this beautiful scenery for us.

It was fun to recognize the towns of Salina and Richfield.  These were places where my former employer, Miller Energy Company, participated in drilling oil wells.

Westward Ho / Colorado Springs / Day 3

Our last day in the Springs, and yet another old (young) friend to visit!  Stacey Dupre Lenters was one of our "kids" back in our Valley View, PA days.  Just a year older than Mikkel, she was an integral part of our youth ministry ...and memorized Scripture like a wild woman on our quiz team!  We caught up on her life with offshore -rigging husband and SIX kids!  So great to hear how God has been speaking so clearly to her in many areas of her life.  Loved these 2 hours with them!
                                               


We spent the afternoon at Manitou Cliff Dwellings--these close reproductions document the cave dwellers from 1100 - 1300 AD.  Quite interesting.  Through the years, various people groups inhabited these structures, and supposedly the Pueblo Indians were descendants who lived here in the 1800's.








Although we did not have extremely high expectations, we wanted to "see" THE INCLINE --2500 steps leading straight up, where serious hikers head to the Pikes Peak trail.  As Bill and I surveyed the amazing upward slope, we determined we could get to the first leveled area---and we did!  With his knee replacement still not perfect, and my issues with light-headedness -added to the high altitude --we were pretty proud of ourselves for climbing 405!!  Many stops to drink water and gulp air!!  It was a great way to end our Colorado adventures!   

Memories of Steve

We have lost a dear friend this year, my brother-in-law, Steve DeBoer.  Married to Arlene in June 1970, I had known him since my freshman year in high school --although since he was my best friend's brother, I actually "knew about him" since 7th grade!  Arlene was a bit smitten with this young teen-ager in high school!  I remember their Jr./Sr. Prom, their attendance at the Honor Banquet together, their decision to head to Michigan State together.  We hung out all together with a bigger group during my last years of high school; at the lake, at the county fair, at school functions.  I clearly remember the late night when Arlene came  home from her date and wanted to turn on the light in our room, and I grumpily complained--but when she showed me that dazzling diamond, my attitude quickly improved!  A wedding to her high school sweetheart was planned.  In those early years, Steve appeared quiet and a bit bashful, but as the years progressed and he became more comfortable in the noisy Knight family--his wit, competitive spirit and rapid "zingers" became commonplace as we gathered together.

When both Bill and Andy were welcomed into the family, those three became the tight knit "outlaw brothers".  It became quite a competition for them to "earn" brownie points with Maynard & Merle, and Steve was usually in the lead because he & Arlene seemed to come up with some of the best gift ideas for them:  an old time record player/cd/cassette tape combination that Mom had long desired; patio furniture; a riding tractor for Dad---who can keep up with that?  The three became golf buddies, traveling companions and friends. We all did life together.

God gifted Steve with intelligence, integrity and the ability to practically apply his faith in countless  situations.  We were the grateful recipients of his generosity in many ways.  Two wonderful trips out West in their motor home, only 9 (Steve, Arlene, Bill, Marlita -- and 5 kids) traveling together!!  The last trip we took to Hawaii together was such a gift from him...a memory to cherish as Arlene went to heaven several weeks later.  Those months following were difficult, but I felt drawn to stop often at the house, listen, cry and pray for this heartbroken man.  He amazingly approached his grief as he did other areas in his life:  with as many tools as he could gather (counseling, books, faith), and a conscientious plan to heal.

With surprise and delight, we watched God faithfully provide a new wife for him to love and cherish.  Pam was a unique gift from God for him.  She was welcomed into the Knight clan, and we watched them living a new life together.

In these months following his death, my heart has grieved- -not only for him, but for all the losses that have gone before:  for Arlene, for Amy,  for the unique family-friend relationships that were forged over these many years....and for the pain in knowing that those together times are over.

Steve, enjoy your new forever life as you celebrate your first heavenly birthday together with Jesus.

Westward Ho / Colorado Springs / Day 2

Monday, June 4th was a fully loaded day!  Resting a bit with our coffee first, we then headed to Old Colorado to hook up with our friends, Tim & Anne Evans, for a lovely lunch in Manitou Springs on the Cliff House veranda.  The Evans are "shirt-tail relations", the parents of Amy DeBoer  who we claim as a niece (via marriage to nephew Curt).  We have touched base over the past 15 years when they have been in MI, but what a great extended time of sharing God stories with one another!

Nancy graciously volunteered to chauffeur us all over town to the "hot spots".  The Navigators, where Ken works, was our first stop--interesting history of the beautiful castle, now owned and used for Christian ministry.  On to The Broadmoor, where we pretended to "belong"!  HA!  Loved the wall of honor--so many celebrities, athletes and politicians have been guests there-fun to recognize so many of the "oldies".  Spontaneity is the spice of life, so we unexpectedly took the trolley to the 7 Falls, also owned and operated by The Broadmoor.  It was a restful spot, sitting in the rocking chairs and observing God's handiwork!

  

 

Westward Ho/ Colorado Springs / Day 1

This was my favorite welcome sign thus far!  (Notice our Roadtrek on the side of the road.) Colorado Springs was great fun, so much to see and do.  Before locating the Hendrens' home, we stopped at Garden of the Gods, amazing red rock formations- recommended by my friend, Karen Ullrich.  The photo below was the Twin Sisters, with a "peek at Pikes Peak" through the little "window".  Quite a bit of hiking and viewing climbers doing a great job of ascending some sheer cliff faces.  Great way to start out the day.  Stopping briefly at a flea market, we found the Watt Apple pattern soup dish with handle...for 75 cents!! I have several odd pieces with this pattern!
We were so warmly welcomed at Ken & Nancy's.  Had great meals, conversations and prayer with them.  It was a delight to finally spend some quality time instead of just exchanging FB chatter & photos of our shared grandkids.







   

Westward Ho/ Missouri & Kansas

It's time to see the GRANDS, and -oh yes, the adult children too!  Departing from Otsego on Wednesday, May 30; we hit St. Louis shortly after noon, just in time to have a bite at the well-reviewed "Twisted Ranch"--over 30 types of ranch dressing, served with every item on the menu!  FUN!  (Except for Bill not loving driving in city traffic, and slightly messing with his back vent due to a low hanging branch!😞)





Stopped at a very disappointing campground when we "hit the wall"--so won't even mention the name!  Suffice it to say that Missouri does have some less than stellar campground owners.  Onward to Independence on Thursday, and very impressed with both the Harry Truman Library and Home! 
5 STARS!  I didn't remember that Truman was a Baptist democrat (so interesting!)--and I loved learning about the issues he was passionate about:  wanting Healthcare for all Americans (pre-courser to Medicare), and feeling strongly that the USA could not continue to be isolationists like they became after WWI, so he bit the bullet and gave aid to Europe to re-build after WWII --knowing we needed to keep those Allies. The Oak Grove KOA just outside Kansas City was FANTASTIC with a salt water pool, slightly pricey for our budget---but after 2 sweltering days, we produced the cash so we could use the air conditioner! 

Friday found us traveling through Kansas....how many grain bins and solar windmills can we exclaim over????  Looks like lots of farmers also selling mineral rights to oil companies ---lots of drilling.  We read about a City Park in Ellis, Kansas that offered electric hook-up and showers for $20 a nite.  All's we needed to do was put our check in the box!  We biked the city, ate at the one local diner, stopped at two churches to look at the old curved pews, and the stained glass.  Fun ride.  Up early the next morning, we found a local diner in a neighboring town.  Enjoyed great conversations with the locals as we ate the BEST pancakes and biscuits--OUTSTANDING.  On to NICODEMUS, KS--on Route 24.  This was an all black community founded in 1877 by freed slaves after the Civil War who were looking for better opportunities than the Southern reconstructionists were "selling".  Interesting and enlightening to again hear about the hard times that our country went through.  Praying for racial understanding and healing still.  Best campground so far was Shady Grove in Siebert, CO.   Small but immaculately kept up by a young couple transplanted from CA!  SWEET!  A walk around the "ghost" town made us very sad for these small communities that are dying -- locals say that the kids who graduate move out, as there are not enough jobs to keep them.  A slice of Americana that we saw firsthand.