Home, Jane!
As I write this we are approaching the border of the US and Canada at Sarnia. It is a beautiful day and we have mixed emotions. It is always good to get home and settled again, but on the other hand we have had such a blissful time and the thought of all the mail (bills!), banking, messages and dirty laundry is enough to make us dizzy!
We are so grateful for this gift of sabbatical time and our hearts go out in a special way to our church family of West Plains who made this possible, my Mom who gave us this funky, perfect vehicle for the trip, and to our wonderful family and friends who encouraged us and supported us all along.
And we could not finish without a grateful word to “Jane”, our mostly dependable GPS who save many a trial of figuring out where to go and how to get there! We have finally given her our home address and soon she will have a well deserved vacation!
We have been overwhelmed with the beauty the one God of us all has created – there have been so many inspirational and prayerful moments and most of them not in a church at all!
When we started out 10 weeks ago on April 15th we had 111,545 km. on our vehicle. At this present time as we roll down the highway we have passed the 132,000 km mark so it would appear that we will have logged about 21,000 km or 12,600 miles (for our new US friends!).
As a variation of one of my Mom’s favourite expressions says:
“Home, Jane (James), and don’t spare the horses!!!”
Thanks for sharing the journey with us and we can’t wait to see you all soon!
Love and thanks to everyone!!
Rip and Joyce
PS: It is Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at 8:45 pm and we have just pulled into “home” and we are so glad to be here safe and sound. Amen and good night all!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A Day with Elizabeth Taylor!
Last stop – the windy city!
Our last stop is a B&B in Chicago to celebrate our anniversary and also to get used to a “real” bed before we get home! We hop the “L” metro tram train from the B&B and then downtown we climb aboard a double decker tour bus and sit at the top to get a great view and pictures. The tour guide is an actress and very informative and entertaining. This is a perfect way to see a large city and learn the history and see the sights. Her name is Elizabeth Taylor (!) and she shows us the highlights of Chicago in a 2 hour tour – you can “hop on- hop off” at any stop. We stay on the tour bus for a long stretch with Elizabeth (we are on a first name basis now!) because she is exciting and charming.
As we pass the various landmarks, Elizabeth tells us about Millennium Park, the Michigan Avenue drawbridge, the Theatre District, the Palmer House Hotel, the Art Institute, Hilton Chicago, the renowned Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum with Sue, the largest and most complete T-Rex (top of the list!), the hotels, skyscrapers including the Trump Tower and Sears Tower, Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, John Hancock Observatory, and literally hundreds of other hidden gems in the city. The architecture is fascinating, a real mix of new glass castles and old museums and churches.
We reluctantly leave Elizabeth and get off the bus to visit Navy Pier on Lake Michigan and later stop at the shopping district called The Magnificent Mile. Never have I seen larger stores than this. We don’t want to miss the other sights for shopping (need more time!), so we spend an hour or so here, and cool off in the air conditioned shops. We bought nothing but it was very interesting. Our bus tour ticket includes a free chocolate bar at the Hershey store, and a bag of popcorn in the theatre district so we can’t pass those up! Good lunch – main course and dessert!!!
After a full day of touring and walking we take the “L” (Line) “home” and painfully climb the 50 stairs to our 3rd floor room – we are beginning to know how Rips Joy feels climbing those mountain road! We go for supper at a little (I mean little!) Thai restaurant around the corner from our B&B.
We have spent most of the day in Chicago with Elizabeth Taylor and it was mighty fine!
Our last stop is a B&B in Chicago to celebrate our anniversary and also to get used to a “real” bed before we get home! We hop the “L” metro tram train from the B&B and then downtown we climb aboard a double decker tour bus and sit at the top to get a great view and pictures. The tour guide is an actress and very informative and entertaining. This is a perfect way to see a large city and learn the history and see the sights. Her name is Elizabeth Taylor (!) and she shows us the highlights of Chicago in a 2 hour tour – you can “hop on- hop off” at any stop. We stay on the tour bus for a long stretch with Elizabeth (we are on a first name basis now!) because she is exciting and charming.
As we pass the various landmarks, Elizabeth tells us about Millennium Park, the Michigan Avenue drawbridge, the Theatre District, the Palmer House Hotel, the Art Institute, Hilton Chicago, the renowned Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum with Sue, the largest and most complete T-Rex (top of the list!), the hotels, skyscrapers including the Trump Tower and Sears Tower, Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, John Hancock Observatory, and literally hundreds of other hidden gems in the city. The architecture is fascinating, a real mix of new glass castles and old museums and churches.
We reluctantly leave Elizabeth and get off the bus to visit Navy Pier on Lake Michigan and later stop at the shopping district called The Magnificent Mile. Never have I seen larger stores than this. We don’t want to miss the other sights for shopping (need more time!), so we spend an hour or so here, and cool off in the air conditioned shops. We bought nothing but it was very interesting. Our bus tour ticket includes a free chocolate bar at the Hershey store, and a bag of popcorn in the theatre district so we can’t pass those up! Good lunch – main course and dessert!!!
After a full day of touring and walking we take the “L” (Line) “home” and painfully climb the 50 stairs to our 3rd floor room – we are beginning to know how Rips Joy feels climbing those mountain road! We go for supper at a little (I mean little!) Thai restaurant around the corner from our B&B.
We have spent most of the day in Chicago with Elizabeth Taylor and it was mighty fine!
Crazy Horse!
We are in South Dakota, land of bison, pronghorn antelope, prairie dogs, bluebirds – and Crazy Horse! The famous Crazy Horse mountain carving has been a work in progress since June 3, 1948. It is to honour the first nations people and their leader, Crazy Horse.
The mountain carving will be 641 feet long and 563 high “in the round”.
The sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, was born in Boston of Polish descent. Lakota Chief Standing Bear invited him to carve the memorial so that “white man would know that red m an has great heroes too”. Korczak rose to the task even though he only had $174 to his name and started the grueling, slow work on the mountain at age 40. The first blast on the mountain took off 10 tons of stone and millions of tons have been removed since.
Rip and I were curious to see if we could notice any changes since our visit 15 years ago. We have to say that at first we didn’t! On a closer look there were finishing touches to the head of Chief Crazy Horse which was unveiled as completed in 1999. Next the workers are blocking out the 22 story-high horse’s head! The Chief is sitting on his horse and his horse will have a 45 foot ear and a 16 foot wide eye. Korczak is now deceased but 5 of his 7 children have taken on the continuation of the project – a real mission. Korczak wanted the project to be a nonprofit educational and cultural endeavor, so twice he turned down 10 million dollars in federal funding! It is quite the mountain carving to behold even in its infancy. Rip said he wanted to see it finished, but he probably would have to live another 100 years or more – maybe!
While in the Crazy Horse area we toured Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park where we cruised the park roads with the bison within touching distance! We also took the 20 miles Needles Highway where one tunnel opening is about 9’ by 12’. Rips Joy was overjoyed not to get ripped in the process. There are three tunnels about the same size and the views of rock and lushly treed landscape – including water of course – was sublime!
From the Crazy Horse monument are we found ourselves camping in the town of Wall, home of the famous Wall Drug store. For 100 miles through the dry plains of South Dakota a huge natural barrier called the Wall can be seen as a long ridge, sculptured into fantastic pinnacles and gullies. Water has been carving away at the cliffs for the past half million years and fossilized bones of ancient beasts can be found by the hundreds. The Badlands is home to bison, pronghorn and bighorn sheep.
Badlands National Park is on the edge of the town of Wall and was established in 1978 to preserve the land and sacred places of the native peoples, the Oglala. The 30 miles Badlands Loop is full of overlooks and trails with very unique, barren and yet striking panoramic views. The cliffs are layered colours of pink and grey, representing numerous geological moments in times. Beyond the cliffs, you can see for miles and miles.
We can almost see Crazy Horse from here!
The mountain carving will be 641 feet long and 563 high “in the round”.
The sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, was born in Boston of Polish descent. Lakota Chief Standing Bear invited him to carve the memorial so that “white man would know that red m an has great heroes too”. Korczak rose to the task even though he only had $174 to his name and started the grueling, slow work on the mountain at age 40. The first blast on the mountain took off 10 tons of stone and millions of tons have been removed since.
Rip and I were curious to see if we could notice any changes since our visit 15 years ago. We have to say that at first we didn’t! On a closer look there were finishing touches to the head of Chief Crazy Horse which was unveiled as completed in 1999. Next the workers are blocking out the 22 story-high horse’s head! The Chief is sitting on his horse and his horse will have a 45 foot ear and a 16 foot wide eye. Korczak is now deceased but 5 of his 7 children have taken on the continuation of the project – a real mission. Korczak wanted the project to be a nonprofit educational and cultural endeavor, so twice he turned down 10 million dollars in federal funding! It is quite the mountain carving to behold even in its infancy. Rip said he wanted to see it finished, but he probably would have to live another 100 years or more – maybe!
While in the Crazy Horse area we toured Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park where we cruised the park roads with the bison within touching distance! We also took the 20 miles Needles Highway where one tunnel opening is about 9’ by 12’. Rips Joy was overjoyed not to get ripped in the process. There are three tunnels about the same size and the views of rock and lushly treed landscape – including water of course – was sublime!
From the Crazy Horse monument are we found ourselves camping in the town of Wall, home of the famous Wall Drug store. For 100 miles through the dry plains of South Dakota a huge natural barrier called the Wall can be seen as a long ridge, sculptured into fantastic pinnacles and gullies. Water has been carving away at the cliffs for the past half million years and fossilized bones of ancient beasts can be found by the hundreds. The Badlands is home to bison, pronghorn and bighorn sheep.
Badlands National Park is on the edge of the town of Wall and was established in 1978 to preserve the land and sacred places of the native peoples, the Oglala. The 30 miles Badlands Loop is full of overlooks and trails with very unique, barren and yet striking panoramic views. The cliffs are layered colours of pink and grey, representing numerous geological moments in times. Beyond the cliffs, you can see for miles and miles.
We can almost see Crazy Horse from here!
Water For Elephants!
Our new route took us north through the rockies of Colorado – ski country! We just went from the top of one mountain into the valley and up into another mountain pass – reaching 11,000’ at one point. It was spectacular. The mountains were still iced with snow, just like a dripping ice cream cone. We saw numerous waterfall thaws and rushing rocky rivers. From Durango in the south to Denver it was one amazing scene to another, driving through rock tunnels, past natural hot springs, into pristine ski resort towns with chalets (like Veil), rushing waters and smooth, green ski runs on the mountains that seemed to reach to heaven. The area is called “White Water Region” so you can imagine the rafting and kayaking we saw in the rivers along the highway.
There were places where barriers are used to close the roads during winter and it seemed that nearly everyone had a 4 wheel drive vehicle or a truck – no wonder!
It was a slow drive for our Westy, getting up those mountain tops, and then sliding down again. Reminded us of how we have felt on this trip when we have hiked up a slope! Poor Rips Joy is out of shape too, and has only been around since 1988! There was road construction and for the first time we had a delay of about an hour. Lots of cars and trucks were pulled off and overheated. We stopped to cool down the engine too and just enjoyed the scenery. Right beside us was one of those snow-melt waterfalls. There is something truly mesmerizing about water.
I have just finished another book, Water For Elephants, by Sara Gruen. It is the fascinating story of a man, trained as a veterinarian, and who finds himself in a travelling Circus at the beginning of his career. The story flips back and forth a few times (not so often that you get lost!) from his younger days to his present life in a nursing home. It is a “can’t put it down” kind of read with lots of tragedy and triumph.
As compared to Arizona, Colorado country sure has enough water for elephants!
There were places where barriers are used to close the roads during winter and it seemed that nearly everyone had a 4 wheel drive vehicle or a truck – no wonder!
It was a slow drive for our Westy, getting up those mountain tops, and then sliding down again. Reminded us of how we have felt on this trip when we have hiked up a slope! Poor Rips Joy is out of shape too, and has only been around since 1988! There was road construction and for the first time we had a delay of about an hour. Lots of cars and trucks were pulled off and overheated. We stopped to cool down the engine too and just enjoyed the scenery. Right beside us was one of those snow-melt waterfalls. There is something truly mesmerizing about water.
I have just finished another book, Water For Elephants, by Sara Gruen. It is the fascinating story of a man, trained as a veterinarian, and who finds himself in a travelling Circus at the beginning of his career. The story flips back and forth a few times (not so often that you get lost!) from his younger days to his present life in a nursing home. It is a “can’t put it down” kind of read with lots of tragedy and triumph.
As compared to Arizona, Colorado country sure has enough water for elephants!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Rip's camping thoughts 2
Another thing about camping that has changed in the last 15 years – 15 years ago when I went camping there was more solitude. Quiet time. You travelled around and maybe never talked to your family for weeks at a time, and no one could get in touch with you until you got in touch with them. Modern day camping involves cell phones and computers. You are always in touch with people at home, your family and friends and you’re made aware of all the little problems and surprises that come up in life. They affect the solitude of your trip. Camping to me as a boy was getting away from everything.
We have choices in life. I could turn off the cell phone and computer but I’m addicted!!
I’m addicted to the interent, wanting to know what’s happening, who I can email, who I can Skype and talk to and I’m addicted to the cell phone. Can someone please help me with my addictions?!!
We have choices in life. I could turn off the cell phone and computer but I’m addicted!!
I’m addicted to the interent, wanting to know what’s happening, who I can email, who I can Skype and talk to and I’m addicted to the cell phone. Can someone please help me with my addictions?!!
Any Dream Will Do!
Since my early theological training I have had a recurring dream – not quite a nightmare but pretty close! I dream that I am leading worship and just into the service I can’t find my sermon notes!! I am overwhelmed and trying to think of what I might say, or how much I can remember. Then I wake up and give my head a shake and push that scenario out of my mind.
It did happen once. In Rockton one Sunday the service was underway and I checked my hymn book for my sermon and it wasn’t there. Right in the middle of worship I asked the choir to check their hymn books for me and sure enough books had been switched and someone had my sermon – whew!!
Many times I have wished that I was not so dependent on notes for worship, but it is something that I have had to accept as part of my humanity so to speak!
The dream came again a few nights ago. But this time there was a surprising and calm resolution. This time I didn’t panic or ask if someone else had my notes. I simply opened the Bible to a psalm and asked everyone to reflect on the words. It turned out to be a meaningful time in the service that day.
This dream has a message for me! I have realized in this sabbatical time that I use too many words and have depended too much on words in ministry. I don’t know exactly how this new insight will unfold, but I do know that the Spirit is leading me in a new way.
As the song in Joseph goes, “any dream will do”! Dreams can teach us some important. Of course I don’t always remember my dreams, but when I do I know there is a message.
Any dream will do!
It did happen once. In Rockton one Sunday the service was underway and I checked my hymn book for my sermon and it wasn’t there. Right in the middle of worship I asked the choir to check their hymn books for me and sure enough books had been switched and someone had my sermon – whew!!
Many times I have wished that I was not so dependent on notes for worship, but it is something that I have had to accept as part of my humanity so to speak!
The dream came again a few nights ago. But this time there was a surprising and calm resolution. This time I didn’t panic or ask if someone else had my notes. I simply opened the Bible to a psalm and asked everyone to reflect on the words. It turned out to be a meaningful time in the service that day.
This dream has a message for me! I have realized in this sabbatical time that I use too many words and have depended too much on words in ministry. I don’t know exactly how this new insight will unfold, but I do know that the Spirit is leading me in a new way.
As the song in Joseph goes, “any dream will do”! Dreams can teach us some important. Of course I don’t always remember my dreams, but when I do I know there is a message.
Any dream will do!
The Green Table
Marj, you were right. Mesa Verde is fascinating! Mesa means “table” in Spanish and Verde means “green”. What a green table top this National Park is covering 52, 074 acres. At Mesa Verde multistoried dwellings fill the cliff-rock alcoves that rise 2,000 feet above Montezuma Valley. Here in Mesa Verde archaeologists have located more than 4800 archaeological sites including 600 cliff dwellings dating from 550 to 1300 CE.
The cliff dwellings document the lives of the ancestral Puebloans. They built their dwellings in natural shelters formed by water percolating down through the sandstone. These intricate cliffside homes were discovered by 2 cowboys in 1888 who were tracking stray cattle and saw throw snowfall the honeycombed network of rooms and inside them stone tools, pottery and other artifacts that had been left behind some 600 years before.
Rip and I decided to take the Cliff Palace tour to see the largest cliff dwelling site. It is an alcove more than 200 feet wide which housed around 80 people or so. Every inch of space has a purpose. Holes are cut in the roof to vent out fire smoke and “duct-work” I the stone lets in fresh air. It is all very clever and beautiful. Around their homes (tiny round or square rooms with firepits and small windows) are 8 large round rooms called “kivas” (religious or ceremonial rooms) where the people gathered socially and for religious rites. I was most interested in these! In the centre of the room is a deep pit surrounded by rocks where the Puebloans believed “first man and first woman” came into the world. The pit honours this religious story. It is most fascinating to me that so many religious paths have similar stories, each framed a little uniquely!
Our tour guide was wonderful and informative. It made the trek down treacherous stone paths and steps and up three steep, narrow ladders very worthwhile! We are blown away by the intricacy of the stonework, and small size of the rooms (estimated maximum height of the native ancestors was about 5 feet – I suddenly feel at home with them!) and the ingenious use of natural protection for housing. We spent some time in the museum fascinated with the tools and basketweaving and beautiful pottery. These people are not so outdated after all!
The cliff dwellings document the lives of the ancestral Puebloans. They built their dwellings in natural shelters formed by water percolating down through the sandstone. These intricate cliffside homes were discovered by 2 cowboys in 1888 who were tracking stray cattle and saw throw snowfall the honeycombed network of rooms and inside them stone tools, pottery and other artifacts that had been left behind some 600 years before.
Rip and I decided to take the Cliff Palace tour to see the largest cliff dwelling site. It is an alcove more than 200 feet wide which housed around 80 people or so. Every inch of space has a purpose. Holes are cut in the roof to vent out fire smoke and “duct-work” I the stone lets in fresh air. It is all very clever and beautiful. Around their homes (tiny round or square rooms with firepits and small windows) are 8 large round rooms called “kivas” (religious or ceremonial rooms) where the people gathered socially and for religious rites. I was most interested in these! In the centre of the room is a deep pit surrounded by rocks where the Puebloans believed “first man and first woman” came into the world. The pit honours this religious story. It is most fascinating to me that so many religious paths have similar stories, each framed a little uniquely!
Our tour guide was wonderful and informative. It made the trek down treacherous stone paths and steps and up three steep, narrow ladders very worthwhile! We are blown away by the intricacy of the stonework, and small size of the rooms (estimated maximum height of the native ancestors was about 5 feet – I suddenly feel at home with them!) and the ingenious use of natural protection for housing. We spent some time in the museum fascinated with the tools and basketweaving and beautiful pottery. These people are not so outdated after all!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Rip's camping thoughts
I find as I’m driving along the roads of South Dakota, very straight and flat, that I’m thinking about the past few weeks in our adventures. Camping sure has changed over the past 15 years since we last took a one month trip across the States and Canada in our Ford Tempo, tenting along the way. 15 years ago tenting was the norm. Now RVing is the norm. Now Rip’s Joy is half way between tenting and RVing so we don’t fall into any sort of category that people recognize. We are self contained – we have a stove, water, a bed off the ground, and a porta-potty. Sometimes when we are looking for a campsite we pull into an RV park just wanting a place to stop and pop our top and sleep for the night. Now comes the questions from the camp owner – Are you self contained? - I say “yes”. His next question is- Do you have a shower? - When that question comes, I know he doesn’t want us staying at his RV campground. 15 years ago when we were tenting we didn’t shower every day; now people expect to shower every day, sometimes twice- even when camping!
Now tenting sites are usually the uneven ground for your vehicle and a small patch of flat ground for your tent which doesn’t help us because we need flat ground for our vehicle to sleep in it without being on such an angle that we roll into each other! Not that we have a lot of rolling room in a four foot wide bed!! The cost of a campsite sure has escalated too. We have paid up to $50 for a tent site per night!! Also many tent sites have become barrier bound where you can’t park your vehicle right beside where your tent would be.
Now don’t get me wrong, because we found lots of great sites and had some great camping, it just has changed in 15 years.
Jo has added a new dimension to her photography – Rip’s Joy car antenna has snuck into a few of the panorama shots she has taken! Still I don’t want to discourage the photography monster in her, because without her I’d be missing a lot of panoramic photos as we drive along.
Now tenting sites are usually the uneven ground for your vehicle and a small patch of flat ground for your tent which doesn’t help us because we need flat ground for our vehicle to sleep in it without being on such an angle that we roll into each other! Not that we have a lot of rolling room in a four foot wide bed!! The cost of a campsite sure has escalated too. We have paid up to $50 for a tent site per night!! Also many tent sites have become barrier bound where you can’t park your vehicle right beside where your tent would be.
Now don’t get me wrong, because we found lots of great sites and had some great camping, it just has changed in 15 years.
Jo has added a new dimension to her photography – Rip’s Joy car antenna has snuck into a few of the panorama shots she has taken! Still I don’t want to discourage the photography monster in her, because without her I’d be missing a lot of panoramic photos as we drive along.
Blog-away!
You will notice that some days we post a few blogs and some days none at all. I don’t write the blogs as they appear (several at a time). The key is that we have to have internet service to post the blogs, so as Rip is driving along, I write the blogs, usually one a day. Then we watch for somewhere to check our email, post our blogs and sometimes make a call on Skype or check for information on the place where we are heading – hail to this modern age! Some days we find a connection easily; other days none at all.
The first travel purchase we made was a book called, The Next Exit, which has proved invaluable. You look up the state you are in and the state highway you are travelling on and then you can see each exit, and not only the exit and where it goes, but also the gas stations, restaurants, hotels and motels, campgrounds, and large stores. It is amazing! It even tells you with a S,N,E,W which way off the highway each listing is located. If the listing is not within view of the highway, Next Exit will tell you how far away it is. Amazing!
We are also grateful to those businesses that offer unsecured WiFi (free internet). Among them are Safeway grocery stores (the most reliable), McDonalds (some of them), Motel 8, and sometimes Best Western. We have sat in many parking lots juggling for a spot to pick up a good signal!
I have to run no - Loosey Lips told Rip that a Cabela's Outdoors Store was at an exit up ahead - it isn't up ahead any more!
The first travel purchase we made was a book called, The Next Exit, which has proved invaluable. You look up the state you are in and the state highway you are travelling on and then you can see each exit, and not only the exit and where it goes, but also the gas stations, restaurants, hotels and motels, campgrounds, and large stores. It is amazing! It even tells you with a S,N,E,W which way off the highway each listing is located. If the listing is not within view of the highway, Next Exit will tell you how far away it is. Amazing!
We are also grateful to those businesses that offer unsecured WiFi (free internet). Among them are Safeway grocery stores (the most reliable), McDonalds (some of them), Motel 8, and sometimes Best Western. We have sat in many parking lots juggling for a spot to pick up a good signal!
I have to run no - Loosey Lips told Rip that a Cabela's Outdoors Store was at an exit up ahead - it isn't up ahead any more!
Ran into Friends!
At Antelope Slot Canyon, we ran into our friends, Susan and Gordon, from Ogden, Utah!! Can you believe it? Well, honestly we literally ran into them! And we didn’t know them before, but we were exchanging pleasantries when the surprise hit us! We were on some benches, facing other passengers (including our new, special friends!), on the back of a small truck heading by tour to the canyon when suddenly our truck slammed into the back of a van ahead of us! We were going at a pretty good clip, so we got cozy with Susan and Gordon as we crashed into them from the jarring of the accident. (Sorry about your shoulder check, Gordon!). At least we had a soft place to fall – Susan and Gordon were thrown against the steel back of the truck cab. Fortunately we were all okay, but Susan may have some bruises. Just think about this – we have travelled 16,000 km without a vehicle incident and here we are on our first driving tour and……..
Despite the unplanned beginning, the Antelope Slot Canyon tour near Page, Arizona is a very, very special place. You enter the canyon at ground level. It is sandy and the cave-like entrance is pink and the ground covered with pale pink, soft sand. In the canyon you look up (way, way up! – that’s my way of saying I don’t know how high it is, but it is up there!) to walls that dance and turn and bend with the occasional glimpse of blue sky. The sunlight slips through the walls at unpredictable moments like a flashlight casting light and shadow in the most enchanting way. At one point you round the corner to a sand “waterfall” and then a corkscrew view that takes your breath away. Meanwhile a native guide tells the story of the canyon and the native people who lived there. There were also at one time antelope that called the canyon area home – hence the name.
The canyon name in the native language means “place where the water runs through”. It is the flash floods that have formed this tall, thin, canyon masterpiece. The last one was in 2006 and lasted 36 hours! The walk cuts through the canyon walls like slots, in some places skinny and curvy and in other places round and wide. The length of the canyon is ¼ mile which sounds small, but the photo opportunities endless.
Again, we have just stopped in Page for the night with no tours in mind. I spotted an advertisement and remembered that the Hamilton Spec had printed an article about the canyon one time in the travel section. Rip and I both remembered it.
The tour was awesome; the place beyond words. And we ran into our new, special friends, Susan and Gordon! We hope we will run into them again in Ontario – with a softer place to land this time. And you know the old advice – be sure to wear clean underwear every day – you never know what might happen!
Despite the unplanned beginning, the Antelope Slot Canyon tour near Page, Arizona is a very, very special place. You enter the canyon at ground level. It is sandy and the cave-like entrance is pink and the ground covered with pale pink, soft sand. In the canyon you look up (way, way up! – that’s my way of saying I don’t know how high it is, but it is up there!) to walls that dance and turn and bend with the occasional glimpse of blue sky. The sunlight slips through the walls at unpredictable moments like a flashlight casting light and shadow in the most enchanting way. At one point you round the corner to a sand “waterfall” and then a corkscrew view that takes your breath away. Meanwhile a native guide tells the story of the canyon and the native people who lived there. There were also at one time antelope that called the canyon area home – hence the name.
The canyon name in the native language means “place where the water runs through”. It is the flash floods that have formed this tall, thin, canyon masterpiece. The last one was in 2006 and lasted 36 hours! The walk cuts through the canyon walls like slots, in some places skinny and curvy and in other places round and wide. The length of the canyon is ¼ mile which sounds small, but the photo opportunities endless.
Again, we have just stopped in Page for the night with no tours in mind. I spotted an advertisement and remembered that the Hamilton Spec had printed an article about the canyon one time in the travel section. Rip and I both remembered it.
The tour was awesome; the place beyond words. And we ran into our new, special friends, Susan and Gordon! We hope we will run into them again in Ontario – with a softer place to land this time. And you know the old advice – be sure to wear clean underwear every day – you never know what might happen!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Rip's Monster!
I’ve created a monster! For years I have been the main photographer for all our trips, anniversaries and parties. I finally got Jo to pick up the camera as we were travelling along and take some pictures. Consequently I’m downloading some 250 pictures each night to my picture folder. I don’t know how to kill the monster. I don’t want to discourage her ‘cause I like the pictures but boy do we have a lot of pictures to show you all. Now mind you some of them have poles and trees stuck in the middle of scenes and the occasional splattered bug on the windshield, but she has been getting some amazing shots.
Our shots reveal the changing scenes and how quickly we move from one geographic view to another. Yesterday while travelling up highway 70 along the Colorado river off to the right are lush green hills and mountains; off to the left are dry, sparse hills and mountains. And there’s only a span of 5 miles between mountains from left to right. How one side can be so dry and the other side so lush is beyond me.
As we travelled through the mountains we’d come over a mountain into a flat land instantly. This has been happening to us all along our trip through desert, mountains, plateaus and grasslands. I’ve tried fishing in every stream I could find and stop by, catching mostly rainbows and the occasional brown trout.
The past nine weeks have gone by so fast I find we need more time to see this country, so I’m not coming home or bringing Jo home until the end of September. Everyone will have to celebrate my 60th birthday at the cottage without me. So long.
Our shots reveal the changing scenes and how quickly we move from one geographic view to another. Yesterday while travelling up highway 70 along the Colorado river off to the right are lush green hills and mountains; off to the left are dry, sparse hills and mountains. And there’s only a span of 5 miles between mountains from left to right. How one side can be so dry and the other side so lush is beyond me.
As we travelled through the mountains we’d come over a mountain into a flat land instantly. This has been happening to us all along our trip through desert, mountains, plateaus and grasslands. I’ve tried fishing in every stream I could find and stop by, catching mostly rainbows and the occasional brown trout.
The past nine weeks have gone by so fast I find we need more time to see this country, so I’m not coming home or bringing Jo home until the end of September. Everyone will have to celebrate my 60th birthday at the cottage without me. So long.
Hoodoos and Booboos!
Ruby’s Inn just outside Bryce Canyon is a tourist village built Mr. Ruby and his family. It has everything from motel, cabins, campground, restaurants, shops and gas to a Mormon church service on Sunday afternoons at 3 pm. It was Sunday on our day of touring but we had church instead at Inspiration Point along the canyon rim. Wow – Rip said, “can you imagine anything more spiritual than this?” No, I couldn’t. At Inspiration Point you could see in the distance 9,000 foot high tablelands of forest and in the foreground the huge canyon basin with warm yellows and oranges, people-like spires of rock (called hoodoos) and fluted walls and sculptured pinnacles.
There is a deeply spiritual sense of place here that goes beyond rocks. Some local Paiute Indians explain it with a legend. Once there lived animal-like creatures that changed themselves into people. They behaved badly so the Coyote turned them into rocks of various configurations. The spell-bound creatures still huddle together here with faces painted just as they were before being turned into stone. Enchanting hoodoos.
It is easy to imagine and “see” these people at Inspiration Point. The wind there even sounded like the mountains around the canyon were singing to us. Maybe they were.
The largest and most striking canyon bowl at Bryce is the natural Amphitheatre – it encompasses 6 square miles! Try to imagine that one.
Ruby’s was a very hospitable campground with upscale showers and laundry facilities. We were glad we had gotten a reservation – there is no where else to go! This is where I found out that toothpaste is not a good substitute for soap. I rushed into the shower to hasten an early start to the day – couldn’t find the toiletry bag in a hurry so grabbed my toothbrush and paste and also shampoo and towel (I thought). In the shower I realized I didn’t have the shampoo or my towel, so I used toothpaste as soap. I wouldn’t recommend it but I expect my skin to be gleaming white any day now! I used my clothes as a towel and walked out half wet to the van. I bet I won’t forget my towel again – or the shampoo and soap! It was a day of hoodoos and booboos!
There is a deeply spiritual sense of place here that goes beyond rocks. Some local Paiute Indians explain it with a legend. Once there lived animal-like creatures that changed themselves into people. They behaved badly so the Coyote turned them into rocks of various configurations. The spell-bound creatures still huddle together here with faces painted just as they were before being turned into stone. Enchanting hoodoos.
It is easy to imagine and “see” these people at Inspiration Point. The wind there even sounded like the mountains around the canyon were singing to us. Maybe they were.
The largest and most striking canyon bowl at Bryce is the natural Amphitheatre – it encompasses 6 square miles! Try to imagine that one.
Ruby’s was a very hospitable campground with upscale showers and laundry facilities. We were glad we had gotten a reservation – there is no where else to go! This is where I found out that toothpaste is not a good substitute for soap. I rushed into the shower to hasten an early start to the day – couldn’t find the toiletry bag in a hurry so grabbed my toothbrush and paste and also shampoo and towel (I thought). In the shower I realized I didn’t have the shampoo or my towel, so I used toothpaste as soap. I wouldn’t recommend it but I expect my skin to be gleaming white any day now! I used my clothes as a towel and walked out half wet to the van. I bet I won’t forget my towel again – or the shampoo and soap! It was a day of hoodoos and booboos!
Seeing red!
Purely Celestial!
We are high-tailing it to Bryce Canyon. We have a campsite reservation and we have been on a wait list for it. It is Saturday night – always a “red light” day to find a campsite. On the way we can take the quick route or add another ½ hour to go through Zion National Park. I say to Rip that it must be a National Park for a reason and since we have the reservation we go on intuition – again! It has certainly paid off before.
Zion is the heavenly city of the Bible and so the name came from Mormon pioneers who saw the sculptured rock as the “natural temples of God” and so named the canyon Little Zion. How fitting. Honestly the Grand Canyon is 1 of 7 natural wonders of the world, but we found Zion and Red Rock Canyon attached to it equally as spectacular.
A million years of flowing water has cut the red and white beds of Navajo sandstone into high walls of mighty cliffs, some 2,000 feet or more. Instead of viewing it from the rim like Grand Canyon, Zion Canyon is viewed as you travel from the bottom looking up. The Park’s 229 square miles offer a landscape of remote terraces and narrow gorges, Utah juniper, ponderosa pine cottonwood and also the desert cactus. As we left the park we entered “Red Rock Canyon” where the sculptured sandstone and rock was bright red – including the roadway! It was 2 miles of pure orangey-red wonder at every turn. We danced beside and under and around red sandstone cliffs, adobe type rocks, tunnels and arches. We are really seeing red! We were certainly led to a most heavenly place.
We are high-tailing it to Bryce Canyon. We have a campsite reservation and we have been on a wait list for it. It is Saturday night – always a “red light” day to find a campsite. On the way we can take the quick route or add another ½ hour to go through Zion National Park. I say to Rip that it must be a National Park for a reason and since we have the reservation we go on intuition – again! It has certainly paid off before.
Zion is the heavenly city of the Bible and so the name came from Mormon pioneers who saw the sculptured rock as the “natural temples of God” and so named the canyon Little Zion. How fitting. Honestly the Grand Canyon is 1 of 7 natural wonders of the world, but we found Zion and Red Rock Canyon attached to it equally as spectacular.
A million years of flowing water has cut the red and white beds of Navajo sandstone into high walls of mighty cliffs, some 2,000 feet or more. Instead of viewing it from the rim like Grand Canyon, Zion Canyon is viewed as you travel from the bottom looking up. The Park’s 229 square miles offer a landscape of remote terraces and narrow gorges, Utah juniper, ponderosa pine cottonwood and also the desert cactus. As we left the park we entered “Red Rock Canyon” where the sculptured sandstone and rock was bright red – including the roadway! It was 2 miles of pure orangey-red wonder at every turn. We danced beside and under and around red sandstone cliffs, adobe type rocks, tunnels and arches. We are really seeing red! We were certainly led to a most heavenly place.
Do we or don't we??
Do we or don’t we? After Yosemite we headed toward Bryce Canyon, Utah. We find ourselves late in the day at a beautiful, treed and quiet campground in Jacob Lake, 40 miles from the North Rim of Grand Canyon. We have already been to the South Rim. Maybe that was enough considering we have so much else to see.
Then I overheard a man talking about the North Rim and its beauty and non-commercialized wonder compared to the South Rim. It seems a shame to miss it when we are so close. What the heck – here we go.
We see bluebirds and many deer along the way – it is 6 o’clock in the morning – we had gained an hour and didn’t know! The clock seems to have its own mind is these parts! A spectacular drive lands us near the Visitor Centre on a picnic table by the rim of the canyon eating our breakfast cereal. The “snap, crackle, pop is not only in our bowls! A deer ambles by; we are captivated by the view of canyon and beast.
We get the goods on what to do from the Visitor Centre. Our first stop – Grand Canyon Lodge, which is built on the edge of the rim at the most breath-taking point. Large windows – I mean gi-normous- edge the grand sitting room of the lodge lobby. A dining room to the right offers tables with the same larger-than-ever-seen-before windows. We walk to lookouts, mouths gaping open with awe, and yet we have not seen the best of our day.
Several unique and unbelievable views fill our eyes as we drive the tour of the North Rim away from the lodge. We stop at the lookouts and often we are the only ones there. There are sometimes short or longer trails, and in one spot a wedding site with rustic log “pews”. I pretend to conduct a wedding but am careful not to step back – Rip jokes that that he needs me to back up 3 feet for the picture – I am not fooled! It is a bit unnerving – here in the US guardrails or edges of any kind are a rarity.
For lunch we find a stone wall with a fab view and eat the best cheese sandwiches ever tasted – sliced extra old cheddar squeezed in between 2 Breton crackers. Mighty fine! We’ll have to see if those cheese delights taste as good at home. Our “do we or don’t we” day is filled with spiritual bliss and unforgettable moments. Good choice!
Then I overheard a man talking about the North Rim and its beauty and non-commercialized wonder compared to the South Rim. It seems a shame to miss it when we are so close. What the heck – here we go.
We see bluebirds and many deer along the way – it is 6 o’clock in the morning – we had gained an hour and didn’t know! The clock seems to have its own mind is these parts! A spectacular drive lands us near the Visitor Centre on a picnic table by the rim of the canyon eating our breakfast cereal. The “snap, crackle, pop is not only in our bowls! A deer ambles by; we are captivated by the view of canyon and beast.
We get the goods on what to do from the Visitor Centre. Our first stop – Grand Canyon Lodge, which is built on the edge of the rim at the most breath-taking point. Large windows – I mean gi-normous- edge the grand sitting room of the lodge lobby. A dining room to the right offers tables with the same larger-than-ever-seen-before windows. We walk to lookouts, mouths gaping open with awe, and yet we have not seen the best of our day.
Several unique and unbelievable views fill our eyes as we drive the tour of the North Rim away from the lodge. We stop at the lookouts and often we are the only ones there. There are sometimes short or longer trails, and in one spot a wedding site with rustic log “pews”. I pretend to conduct a wedding but am careful not to step back – Rip jokes that that he needs me to back up 3 feet for the picture – I am not fooled! It is a bit unnerving – here in the US guardrails or edges of any kind are a rarity.
For lunch we find a stone wall with a fab view and eat the best cheese sandwiches ever tasted – sliced extra old cheddar squeezed in between 2 Breton crackers. Mighty fine! We’ll have to see if those cheese delights taste as good at home. Our “do we or don’t we” day is filled with spiritual bliss and unforgettable moments. Good choice!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Yosemite - the real thing!
The Yosemite Room at Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispro was a splurge night and totally awesome. A cave room with fireplace, rock shower/waterfall and rock sink, floors, walls – everywhere a rock – gave us a taste of what Yosemite National Park might be like. Or so we thought!
Yosemite covers 747,956 acres if you can even fathom the size of it! Sheer granite walls, high meadows, crashing creeks, tunneled roads, soaring cliffs, and most of all those plunging waterfalls took our breath away. Every moment another “wow!” The Yosemite Falls (2,425 feet high! - the second highest in the world) and Bridalveil Falls attracted people like flies to honey. And we could see why! Bridalveil poured over the cliff in a flat pattern like a veil and moved with the wind in the most wonderful dance.
Campsites were booked 6 months in advance so we were lucky to find the last one at 12 noon for the night at a site 30 miles out of the park!
Our second day there was our favourite if you can believe it. We took “the road less travelled” through the upper areas of the park and before you knew it we could throw snowballs at each other! More crashing waterfalls, lots of deer, we even saw a bear. And those mountains and cliffs – Madonna Inn was nice, but there’s nothing like the real thing!
Yosemite covers 747,956 acres if you can even fathom the size of it! Sheer granite walls, high meadows, crashing creeks, tunneled roads, soaring cliffs, and most of all those plunging waterfalls took our breath away. Every moment another “wow!” The Yosemite Falls (2,425 feet high! - the second highest in the world) and Bridalveil Falls attracted people like flies to honey. And we could see why! Bridalveil poured over the cliff in a flat pattern like a veil and moved with the wind in the most wonderful dance.
Campsites were booked 6 months in advance so we were lucky to find the last one at 12 noon for the night at a site 30 miles out of the park!
Our second day there was our favourite if you can believe it. We took “the road less travelled” through the upper areas of the park and before you knew it we could throw snowballs at each other! More crashing waterfalls, lots of deer, we even saw a bear. And those mountains and cliffs – Madonna Inn was nice, but there’s nothing like the real thing!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Turn Around When Possible!
Our GPS, Jane, loves to tell us "turn around when possible" whenever she thinks we have made a wrong turn, or if we turn off the highway for any reason. We are getting the point when we hear these words that we tell her in no uncertain or polite terms to "mind her own business"!!
But she has a point. We made a major change in our itinerary while in San Francisco. Since we would miss our friends, Ray and Les, in Vancouver because we were falling behind time and they were leaving for Spain, and add to that there would be a possibility of me seeing my friend Allison in Colorado again after 30 years, we looked at a map and the wheels started to spin!
I could see some possiblities - Yosemite National Park, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Red Rock Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs, Antelope Canyon, Mesa Verde - the hot spots jumped into my eyes from maps and internet.
Honestly, Jane as so right. It is wise sometimes to "turn around when possible". This turn in our agenda has been beyond description - every day my new mantra is "wow, look at that" - over and over and over. Rip laughs now when I utter the words.
We have turned around and now everything is possible!!
But she has a point. We made a major change in our itinerary while in San Francisco. Since we would miss our friends, Ray and Les, in Vancouver because we were falling behind time and they were leaving for Spain, and add to that there would be a possibility of me seeing my friend Allison in Colorado again after 30 years, we looked at a map and the wheels started to spin!
I could see some possiblities - Yosemite National Park, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Red Rock Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs, Antelope Canyon, Mesa Verde - the hot spots jumped into my eyes from maps and internet.
Honestly, Jane as so right. It is wise sometimes to "turn around when possible". This turn in our agenda has been beyond description - every day my new mantra is "wow, look at that" - over and over and over. Rip laughs now when I utter the words.
We have turned around and now everything is possible!!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Rice-a-Roni!
Bridges and water and weather! San Francisco is an amazing city. Marvellous Marvin (remember him from Grand Canyon) would love it here too! Everywhere you look there is sunlight peering on mountains, dark clouds loaming over water, and fog drifting over Golden Gate Bridge. It is “weather” in the best sense of the word.
After the drive up the coast through Big Sur and on to San Fran, we thought we’d seen it all. It was so picturesque with the blue surf and high cliffs. The only down side is that the population of California is equal to the population of all of Canada. It is evident as you tour, and when we tried to make camping reservations we were told that many campsites are booked 5 or 6 months in advance!!
Last Sunday we “churched” on a tour of San Fran! Somewhere I crossed something allergic or (perish the thought) bed bugs in the skuzzy motel we landed on in Morro Bay. Anyway, at that point I am covered with “rash, bites or whatever” on my face, arms and back. I am an itching mess – church is not going to happen this day. I am ready to kiss the feet of whoever invented antihistamines – literally saved my sanity! Rip took a picture of my spotted back – this one isn’t going on the Facebook photos!!
Laura and Wayne (Laura calls me “Aunt Joyce”; sort of like “Uncle Bill” – we’re not related but feel like family) host us with a real bed and bathroom (yeah!) and tour us around the city and tell us what to see. We visit Mount Tampalais to get an overview of all the water and bridges and areas. Next we visit Lombard Street – the one the zigzags down a steep hill (also called the “serpent road”). It is right out of the old Rice-a-roni commercial with the trolley cars ringing. At one point I said to our driver, Wayne, “you don’t have to go up that street” – it seemed straight up to me and I was happy to see it and thought perhaps I might fall out the back window! I have lived to tell the tale.
We saw Pier 39, the painted ladies (6 famous houses with fabulous trim and paint), Napa Valley, and a host of other highlights. We had a visit with our friend Brian’s family – Gabriel, Shilo and handsome new son Gio. Gabe told us that there are about 12 different weather patterns in the San Fran area – it is amazing. I thought how thrilled Terry would be to see her family happy and settled and her new grandchild. (Brian’s wife, Terry, passed away suddenly 7 years ago). I truly believe that the spirit world is far greater than we can ever imagine or hope for, so I do believe Terry in some God-given way is looking on them all with great joy and pride.
Like the Toronto area, San Fran is a conglomerate of many cities joined together, around the water and bridges and roads. The steep roads are remarkable and the beauty of the city shines through in sunlight or in clouds. Rice-a-roni is not the only San Francisco treat!
After the drive up the coast through Big Sur and on to San Fran, we thought we’d seen it all. It was so picturesque with the blue surf and high cliffs. The only down side is that the population of California is equal to the population of all of Canada. It is evident as you tour, and when we tried to make camping reservations we were told that many campsites are booked 5 or 6 months in advance!!
Last Sunday we “churched” on a tour of San Fran! Somewhere I crossed something allergic or (perish the thought) bed bugs in the skuzzy motel we landed on in Morro Bay. Anyway, at that point I am covered with “rash, bites or whatever” on my face, arms and back. I am an itching mess – church is not going to happen this day. I am ready to kiss the feet of whoever invented antihistamines – literally saved my sanity! Rip took a picture of my spotted back – this one isn’t going on the Facebook photos!!
Laura and Wayne (Laura calls me “Aunt Joyce”; sort of like “Uncle Bill” – we’re not related but feel like family) host us with a real bed and bathroom (yeah!) and tour us around the city and tell us what to see. We visit Mount Tampalais to get an overview of all the water and bridges and areas. Next we visit Lombard Street – the one the zigzags down a steep hill (also called the “serpent road”). It is right out of the old Rice-a-roni commercial with the trolley cars ringing. At one point I said to our driver, Wayne, “you don’t have to go up that street” – it seemed straight up to me and I was happy to see it and thought perhaps I might fall out the back window! I have lived to tell the tale.
We saw Pier 39, the painted ladies (6 famous houses with fabulous trim and paint), Napa Valley, and a host of other highlights. We had a visit with our friend Brian’s family – Gabriel, Shilo and handsome new son Gio. Gabe told us that there are about 12 different weather patterns in the San Fran area – it is amazing. I thought how thrilled Terry would be to see her family happy and settled and her new grandchild. (Brian’s wife, Terry, passed away suddenly 7 years ago). I truly believe that the spirit world is far greater than we can ever imagine or hope for, so I do believe Terry in some God-given way is looking on them all with great joy and pride.
Like the Toronto area, San Fran is a conglomerate of many cities joined together, around the water and bridges and roads. The steep roads are remarkable and the beauty of the city shines through in sunlight or in clouds. Rice-a-roni is not the only San Francisco treat!
California Girl!
I was almost a California girl! Reminds me of that fab song by the Beach Boys – if you are old enough to know what I am talking about you are wise in my books :)(The older, the wiser?!!).
I am standing in front of my mother’s high school in Oakland, California. Fremont High School had less than 300 students in her day and a picture tells me that it was white and proper. Anyway, I am standing out front taking a picture and it dawns on me that if it weren’t for “Uncle Bill” I might well be Californian! My mother and her parents and Uncle Bill came to Oakland to build houses. They were labourers and had built many houses in the East end of Hamilton – London Street, Cope Street and others. Uncle Bill heard it was the land of plenty. The internet tells me that 13,000 houses or more were built in the years my family were there – about 1922-1927. My Mom was born in 1911.
Fremont High School today has 1,000 or more students. The racial profile goes like this:
Asian 15%; Hispanic 49%; African American 35%; Whites and other ethnic groups – you got it – 1%. My mother, true to some others in her generation, might just roll over in her urn! Otherwise the school is like any other in Burlington, Ontario. There are blue jeans, tattoes, sculpted hair cuts and overall high spirited youth hanging out together.
I am thinking that it is sometimes by a hair that we end up where we are geographically. Uncle Bill got disenchanted with California – I’m not sure why – so my family moved back to Hamilton. You can tell that “Uncle Bill” had big vote.
My mother’s brother, Clifford, was born in Oakland while they were there. He was 14years younger than my mother and my grandmother was 43 when he was born. As I stand near where they made home I am thinking that one of the hardest things about the death of a parent is that you don’t have access to their story any more. My mother would have been thrilled that I went to Oakland where she had lived – I wish I knew what street it was.
My guess is that life was interesting in California and that lots of families in that day coped with many challenges and heartaches amid the joys and gifts of life. Sabbatical time gives you the moments you need to become perhaps a little more philosophical about life and time to savour the flavour of the moment – so much easier than in the 1920’s - in California no less!
I am standing in front of my mother’s high school in Oakland, California. Fremont High School had less than 300 students in her day and a picture tells me that it was white and proper. Anyway, I am standing out front taking a picture and it dawns on me that if it weren’t for “Uncle Bill” I might well be Californian! My mother and her parents and Uncle Bill came to Oakland to build houses. They were labourers and had built many houses in the East end of Hamilton – London Street, Cope Street and others. Uncle Bill heard it was the land of plenty. The internet tells me that 13,000 houses or more were built in the years my family were there – about 1922-1927. My Mom was born in 1911.
Fremont High School today has 1,000 or more students. The racial profile goes like this:
Asian 15%; Hispanic 49%; African American 35%; Whites and other ethnic groups – you got it – 1%. My mother, true to some others in her generation, might just roll over in her urn! Otherwise the school is like any other in Burlington, Ontario. There are blue jeans, tattoes, sculpted hair cuts and overall high spirited youth hanging out together.
I am thinking that it is sometimes by a hair that we end up where we are geographically. Uncle Bill got disenchanted with California – I’m not sure why – so my family moved back to Hamilton. You can tell that “Uncle Bill” had big vote.
My mother’s brother, Clifford, was born in Oakland while they were there. He was 14years younger than my mother and my grandmother was 43 when he was born. As I stand near where they made home I am thinking that one of the hardest things about the death of a parent is that you don’t have access to their story any more. My mother would have been thrilled that I went to Oakland where she had lived – I wish I knew what street it was.
My guess is that life was interesting in California and that lots of families in that day coped with many challenges and heartaches amid the joys and gifts of life. Sabbatical time gives you the moments you need to become perhaps a little more philosophical about life and time to savour the flavour of the moment – so much easier than in the 1920’s - in California no less!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Surprises
It was a day of breath-taking surprises! First of all, Rip had lost his hat and we had been back to several stops to check for it with no luck. Finally Rip checked the coffee shop at Madonna Inn (another blog) and there it was! Next we saw lots of cars parked along the road near Big Sur (the amazing coastline on Highway 1). We stopped and witnessed hundreds of elephant seals lying on the beach to shed their coats. They do this over a one month period each May-June. The adults weigh about 1500 pounds (I feel thinner already!).
They were mostly sunning on the beach with a few in the water, very sleepy and quiet - quite a sight to see - quite a smell to behold too!
Next I picked up my emails and got a wonderful surprise. I had written a note to a friend from years ago, Allison, who I met while working at Blue Spruce Inn on Oxtongue Lake a couple of summers (1970 and 1971 I think). Allison was a bridesmaid in my wedding in 1972. She was a wonderful friend and we shared many great times. We lost touch after she moved to the US to go to university. I sent the note in early March and had not heard back so I let the dream of reconnecting go.
Her email said that she has been living abroad for a few years, using the address and home in Colorado only periodically. Allison said she was glad to reconnect.
It made my day to get that response - those are the best surprises!
They were mostly sunning on the beach with a few in the water, very sleepy and quiet - quite a sight to see - quite a smell to behold too!
Next I picked up my emails and got a wonderful surprise. I had written a note to a friend from years ago, Allison, who I met while working at Blue Spruce Inn on Oxtongue Lake a couple of summers (1970 and 1971 I think). Allison was a bridesmaid in my wedding in 1972. She was a wonderful friend and we shared many great times. We lost touch after she moved to the US to go to university. I sent the note in early March and had not heard back so I let the dream of reconnecting go.
Her email said that she has been living abroad for a few years, using the address and home in Colorado only periodically. Allison said she was glad to reconnect.
It made my day to get that response - those are the best surprises!
Hearst Castle
It was foggy, foggy, foggy just like the day we began our trek to Grand Canyon. Such was the day again on our way to Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA. Again, the spirit wind blew the fog away as we bounced our way up the winding road on the bus to the top of the mountain where William Randolph Hearst built a castle and 3 guesthouses (some have 8 bedrooms so I use the term "guesthouse" loosely!).
It was an amazing sight and the rooms were beyond description. And this was just one of his palatial homes. Of course he had several homes (you can't have your wife and your girlfriend in the same house you know - oops - well, he was quite the man!) Hearst Castle once housed a zoo on the property too with lions, tigers, zebras (still there), bears, etc. etc. He looked after his animals well, bringing in special foods and zookeepers and such. And the outdoor and indoor pools took our breath away with their size and beauty. The whole thing is remarkable; created by Hurst and architect Julia Moore - a pioneer in her field in the 1950's. Even the downspouts were specially made for the castle and imprinted with his name!
The family still maintain and use another home on the property that can't be seen by the road taken by tourists. They are very generous to share their spectacular inheritance with "jo-public" and rip too of course!
It was an amazing sight and the rooms were beyond description. And this was just one of his palatial homes. Of course he had several homes (you can't have your wife and your girlfriend in the same house you know - oops - well, he was quite the man!) Hearst Castle once housed a zoo on the property too with lions, tigers, zebras (still there), bears, etc. etc. He looked after his animals well, bringing in special foods and zookeepers and such. And the outdoor and indoor pools took our breath away with their size and beauty. The whole thing is remarkable; created by Hurst and architect Julia Moore - a pioneer in her field in the 1950's. Even the downspouts were specially made for the castle and imprinted with his name!
The family still maintain and use another home on the property that can't be seen by the road taken by tourists. They are very generous to share their spectacular inheritance with "jo-public" and rip too of course!
La Jolla
La Jolla means "the jewel" and this is where we ended up for church last Sunday - La Jolla United Methodist Church is nestled in a very exclusive area just outside San Diego. We had stayed in the KOA in San Diego at $63. a campsite (in a quishy, pathetic parking spot). Literally it was "highway robbery" as the camp "spot" was right next to the major highway where lots of cars were rolling in all night long. There was a big marathon run on Sunday so we high-tailed it out of town early, thinking that sitting by the ocean watching the waves crashing in might just be a good "church" for the day. Then we happened upon the UM church just at the right time. The service was very similar to WP.
La Jolla was a jewel of a place; small and beautiful, hugging the gorgeous coastline.
La Jolla was a jewel of a place; small and beautiful, hugging the gorgeous coastline.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Joshua Trees
Our first taste of California is Joshua Tree National Park. It was established in 1936 to preserve the groves of the unusual, spiny-leaved Joshua Tree. Apparently it got its name from Mormon travellers around 1851 who saw the twisted branches and the upraised arms - this reminded them of the biblical leader Joshua (he followed Moses as leader)! The park is stunning with amazing boulders which house some campsites right out of the Flintstones! The park houses 2 desert landscapes, each unique and special.
As we travel toward San Diego the landscape and the temperature changes dramatically. It is like crossing a barrier from desert to lush; from steamy hot to damp and cool. Our last night in Arizona, near Parker, our van was about 98F in the night - Rip got up around 3 am to take a shower and found me asleep on the grass outside our van - I had come back from a shower myself, wrapped in a towel and just plopped myself on the cool green carpet! That was a first.
San Diego brings new and incredibly beautiful tree - we are told it is called "red bud" but there is nothing red about it. It is bright purple and it is blooming everywhere. Wow!
As we travel toward San Diego the landscape and the temperature changes dramatically. It is like crossing a barrier from desert to lush; from steamy hot to damp and cool. Our last night in Arizona, near Parker, our van was about 98F in the night - Rip got up around 3 am to take a shower and found me asleep on the grass outside our van - I had come back from a shower myself, wrapped in a towel and just plopped myself on the cool green carpet! That was a first.
San Diego brings new and incredibly beautiful tree - we are told it is called "red bud" but there is nothing red about it. It is bright purple and it is blooming everywhere. Wow!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tw-ouble!
I got clunked by a cupboard last night - well, perhaps I was the one who clunked first! The back seat folds down to a bed in our van - and it is what I call -
Tw-ouble! Our sleeping "mattress" width is in between a twin size (36") and a double (54"). That's what I call Tw-ouble! Being used to a king size now at home, this whole thing is quite an adjustment! I am surprised insurance companies haven't gotten in the game as we suffer from "zipper surprise" when the sleeping bag zipper snaps some innocent body part in the middle of the night (my zipper tends to be half undone for those occasional instant hot flashes) or "10 minutes for elbowing" when one us elbows the other and it is at least 10 minutes before you get back to sleep, or "knee jerk" when you are trying to change position in a non-change position situation!
So far, so good. We are getting used to "signaling our turns" and when one of us starts to roll over, the other one better follow suit or forever hold your "place"!
One thing I know for sure - it is a good thing we are both good sleepers. This would be even more Tw-ouble if either one snored or got up in the night or was restless. It gives new meaning to being compatible! There is a cute visual - Rip gets into bed backwards and feet first - it is quite the picture to watch - there are advantages of being short!
For me, I continue to clunk the pots and pans cupboards and get nipped by the zipper, but really the whole experience isn't really as much "Tw-ouble" as it sounds.
Tw-ouble! Our sleeping "mattress" width is in between a twin size (36") and a double (54"). That's what I call Tw-ouble! Being used to a king size now at home, this whole thing is quite an adjustment! I am surprised insurance companies haven't gotten in the game as we suffer from "zipper surprise" when the sleeping bag zipper snaps some innocent body part in the middle of the night (my zipper tends to be half undone for those occasional instant hot flashes) or "10 minutes for elbowing" when one us elbows the other and it is at least 10 minutes before you get back to sleep, or "knee jerk" when you are trying to change position in a non-change position situation!
So far, so good. We are getting used to "signaling our turns" and when one of us starts to roll over, the other one better follow suit or forever hold your "place"!
One thing I know for sure - it is a good thing we are both good sleepers. This would be even more Tw-ouble if either one snored or got up in the night or was restless. It gives new meaning to being compatible! There is a cute visual - Rip gets into bed backwards and feet first - it is quite the picture to watch - there are advantages of being short!
For me, I continue to clunk the pots and pans cupboards and get nipped by the zipper, but really the whole experience isn't really as much "Tw-ouble" as it sounds.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Glass Castles
We have been to the top of the Eiffel Tower - the one in Las Vegas! What a view. It is 50 stories high and the elevator has a glass front so the ride up and down is just as thrilling as the view from the top. "Paris" was being built last time we were here (1995). It is quite a contrast to drive from ghost towns to glass castles. Appropriately enough I am just finishing the book, The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls. It is a gripping memoir about her life with non-conformist parents who with 4 children lived a nomadic life in desert towns of the US. Her father's mission was to built a "glass castle" for his family. The story is fascinating and especially intriguing because it is about the author's life. Her parents become street people (by choice) after their children are grown. She never looks at street people in the same way again.
Las Vegas is a place of many contrasts too - the beauty of glass, the marvellous shows of fountains and waterfalls, the gorgeous sculptures, volcanoes and pirate ships. And then the street people, the addictions, the cards handed out every 10 feet offering "hot babes". The push and shove of people in the heat.
The glass castles of Vegas - a little trip out of the real world - fine for a time.
Las Vegas is a place of many contrasts too - the beauty of glass, the marvellous shows of fountains and waterfalls, the gorgeous sculptures, volcanoes and pirate ships. And then the street people, the addictions, the cards handed out every 10 feet offering "hot babes". The push and shove of people in the heat.
The glass castles of Vegas - a little trip out of the real world - fine for a time.
Get your kicks on Route 66!
On Route 66 Outlaw Willie will draw his guns, arrest you with gunfire, and transform into Rev. Rod Hall, the wedding man, and perform your wedding in a mine, on the road, in a boat, on a hillside, wherever you say! That gives new meaning to a "shotgun wedding"! Route 66 or the "Mother Road" as it is called was the result of the need seen in the early 1900's for a national highway system. Eight states built the "Main Street of America" which was completed in 1937 from Chicago to Santa Monica.
Route 66 is right out of TV memory for us! The little towns are just as you might imagine - old and full of character. We arrived in Oatman (mining ghost town) just as the Ghostriders Gun Fighters were putting on the show that closes the road for 30 minutes! We arrived in Seligman as the 3 wheel motorcyles club were meeting in front of the Copper Cart restaurant!
I thought of my mother who travelled with her parents and "Uncle Bill" (family friend - more about that later) to California when she was 12 (1923). They were moving there from Hamilton to find work building houses in Oakland. Some friend had told them about this opportunity. There was no Route 66 completed yet. It must have been quite the trip. Route 66 is at best a 2 lane roadway, sometimes narrowing as it winds around a mountain; sometimes flat as a pancake and straight as an arrow. My Mom always talked about how long the trip took. I can see why now!
The towns were delightful and full of character - we loved the wild burros that wander the streets - the mountains were treacherous at times - no guard rails - lots of crosses where cars have gone over - the little shops and restaurants were quaint and owned by proud locals. On one mountain stop we climbed to a lookout point where a pool of spring fed water attracted bird and butterflies.
Lots of kicks on Route 66 - ghost towns, guns, burros, shot-gun weddings - who could want for more?
Route 66 is right out of TV memory for us! The little towns are just as you might imagine - old and full of character. We arrived in Oatman (mining ghost town) just as the Ghostriders Gun Fighters were putting on the show that closes the road for 30 minutes! We arrived in Seligman as the 3 wheel motorcyles club were meeting in front of the Copper Cart restaurant!
I thought of my mother who travelled with her parents and "Uncle Bill" (family friend - more about that later) to California when she was 12 (1923). They were moving there from Hamilton to find work building houses in Oakland. Some friend had told them about this opportunity. There was no Route 66 completed yet. It must have been quite the trip. Route 66 is at best a 2 lane roadway, sometimes narrowing as it winds around a mountain; sometimes flat as a pancake and straight as an arrow. My Mom always talked about how long the trip took. I can see why now!
The towns were delightful and full of character - we loved the wild burros that wander the streets - the mountains were treacherous at times - no guard rails - lots of crosses where cars have gone over - the little shops and restaurants were quaint and owned by proud locals. On one mountain stop we climbed to a lookout point where a pool of spring fed water attracted bird and butterflies.
Lots of kicks on Route 66 - ghost towns, guns, burros, shot-gun weddings - who could want for more?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sweet
How do we figure out what church to visit on a Sunday? In small towns it is fairly simple to choose. In bigger places, we wait for direction! At the Kingman Visitor's Centre we picked up a sheet of local churches - 2 pages of them! The only problem was that no service times were listed. We could call, but decided to pick three Protestant types that sounded good (Ha!) and drive by. They had to be within 20 minutes of our campsite. Thank you, Jane (our GPS).
Church 1 looked dead. The time was falling off the sign - maybe not. Church 2 seemed okay - maybe. Church 3 was sweet! By the front door there was a plexiglass covered board with a sample service on one side and a welcome to visitors on the other, saying that they would welcome us, ask us to fill in an address form and that only this was expected in the offering plate for visitors. Sweet. On top of that, there were parking spaces marked "Visitors - welcome!. Even sweeter.
We arrived and parked as Visitors. It was a very casual, young atmosphere. Padded chairs served as seats and we could see a guitar/drum combo warming. Pastor Ken came out in casual wear and said a few words of welcome and then picked up his guitar and joined the others.
The service was very informal and educational. Pastor Ken could sing, play and preach! The best part was that the lesson for the day was on Joseph!! (West Plains produced Joseph in December). We were humming the songs in our minds as the story unfolded (35 min. sermon; lots of time for songs). Sweet.
Afterwards we got out our Joseph T-shirts and had a picture taken in front of the church. And we got a surprise! On our van was a card thanking us for coming to the service along with two candy cane striped candies attached! Very sweet. The whole thing was very, very sweet. Food for thought.
Church 1 looked dead. The time was falling off the sign - maybe not. Church 2 seemed okay - maybe. Church 3 was sweet! By the front door there was a plexiglass covered board with a sample service on one side and a welcome to visitors on the other, saying that they would welcome us, ask us to fill in an address form and that only this was expected in the offering plate for visitors. Sweet. On top of that, there were parking spaces marked "Visitors - welcome!. Even sweeter.
We arrived and parked as Visitors. It was a very casual, young atmosphere. Padded chairs served as seats and we could see a guitar/drum combo warming. Pastor Ken came out in casual wear and said a few words of welcome and then picked up his guitar and joined the others.
The service was very informal and educational. Pastor Ken could sing, play and preach! The best part was that the lesson for the day was on Joseph!! (West Plains produced Joseph in December). We were humming the songs in our minds as the story unfolded (35 min. sermon; lots of time for songs). Sweet.
Afterwards we got out our Joseph T-shirts and had a picture taken in front of the church. And we got a surprise! On our van was a card thanking us for coming to the service along with two candy cane striped candies attached! Very sweet. The whole thing was very, very sweet. Food for thought.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
KOA
We arrived at beautiful Kingman KOA campground last night. I took my contact lenses out in the van. Let me tell you that I can see about as well without my lenses as that dense fog we faced at first glance over Grand Canyon! This morning I decided to put my lenses in at the washroom and have a shower. Rip pointed out the building and it wasn't very far away so I was good to go.
No one was in the washroom - I am often alone as those fancy RV's that surround us in parks come millionaire style with their own washroom, shower and TV, etc. As I am getting into the shower I hear an electric razor. Not one os those delicate, girly kinds. One of those meaty, grazing, lawn-cutting sounds. Ohm no! Am I in the women's washroom?? Did I chose the wrong door?
I wait and wait until I am totally SURE that I am alone again before I begin to slink out of the shower. I run to put my lenses in and as I am cleaning them, I look in the sink. Razor stubble. It surround the sink vessel. I am now in panic mode. I see a urinal. I am mortified. I put my lenses so fast, I don't remember doint it.
I go outside and check the door. It says, "Women". I go inside again. The "urinal" is another seaprate sink, lower and bigger and separate from the other three, I guess for washing dishes. It looked like a urinal to me in my fuzzy state.
I don't know much except this; some woman needs a new razor out there. Or some man got confused today. The whole situation was KOA - Kind Of Awkward.
We are now off to church - Canyon Community Church - I can finally relax, but you can bet I will wear my lenses to campsite washrooms from now on.
No one was in the washroom - I am often alone as those fancy RV's that surround us in parks come millionaire style with their own washroom, shower and TV, etc. As I am getting into the shower I hear an electric razor. Not one os those delicate, girly kinds. One of those meaty, grazing, lawn-cutting sounds. Ohm no! Am I in the women's washroom?? Did I chose the wrong door?
I wait and wait until I am totally SURE that I am alone again before I begin to slink out of the shower. I run to put my lenses in and as I am cleaning them, I look in the sink. Razor stubble. It surround the sink vessel. I am now in panic mode. I see a urinal. I am mortified. I put my lenses so fast, I don't remember doint it.
I go outside and check the door. It says, "Women". I go inside again. The "urinal" is another seaprate sink, lower and bigger and separate from the other three, I guess for washing dishes. It looked like a urinal to me in my fuzzy state.
I don't know much except this; some woman needs a new razor out there. Or some man got confused today. The whole situation was KOA - Kind Of Awkward.
We are now off to church - Canyon Community Church - I can finally relax, but you can bet I will wear my lenses to campsite washrooms from now on.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Finally Fishing!
We awake this morning after a heavy rain on Lake Cataract camp grounds. As usual I am up at 500 am and off for a walk. I am chasing Blue Birds, Eagles and Ospreys for a photo opp all around this lake. I have seen many men fishing over the past two days but nothing caught. As I am walking back to our camp a fisherman catches a Rainbow Trout. I walk down to see it closer and talk with John the fisherman. He says that I should try my luck. Not being one to pass up an opportunity to fish I am back in a flash with my rod. I have three trout on shore with four casts and I ask john if he wants them. He only wants to know what magical lure I am using. I show him my Panther Martin lure and offer him one. I catch another 8 Rainbows within the hour and Give them all to John except one for lunch. He is happy that I showed him the lure and now he is catching more fish. All the other fisherman on the lake have come to shore and are casting around us, but they do not have the magical lure. We leave the camp ground and I have made a new friend from Arizona.
Pea Soup!
PEA SOUP!
Here we are standing at the edge of 1 of the 7 natural Wonders of the World. All we can see is thick, white, blinding fog. We stayed 3 days in Williams, Arizona (gateway to Grand Canyon), hoping for a sunny day to take a tour of Grand Canyon with Marvelous Marv (MM) as recommended by friends. We called MM early this morning to suggest changing our date. We checked the internet at the Visitor’s Centre where we find out the Grand Canyon is expecting thunderstorms and rain today – 70% chance. The ticket for the tour is $85 each. We have 5 weeks left, and the WW (Grand Canyon) is on our Bucket List! We are inclined to wait. MM tells us that he has 3 others going, and if we back out the tour is off (minimum 4 people). Don’t you think that such heart twisting ethical decisions should be on the “not on the sabbatical” list?? Me too!
Of course you know what we chose – our tripmates tipped the scale on decision making. MM assured us that seeing WW is better with “weather”. It is downright boring on a sunny, blue sky kind of day. The Irish in me is tempted to call this malarkey (sp?). On the way the rains came harder and harder, slowing as we approached the WW entrance kiosk. The big, bold sign says, “Bad Weather Conditions” – no refunds. This does not bode well.
Standing at the first viewpoint, seeing 2 feet maybe in front of our faces, and no canyon in sight, we are starting to wonder if MM is really Moneymaker Marv. Marv says, “can’t change Mother Nature; could be socked in like this for a week”!! Where was that info at 7 am this morning? All the faces around us are forlorn. I am starting to plan our return trip after Las Vegas.
MM diverts our soul-sinking spirits with his wealth of information about the formation of WW – 2 billion years ago an earth plate carrying island arcs and the one that became North America collided and made the base of the canyon. Rivers and seas and moving mountains formed the Colorado Plateau and then the powerful Col. River cut down through the mountains forming the incredible canyon.
We think it might be incredible at this point – but so far not sure. Just as we are about to move to another destination, Divine Intervention or Marv Magic brings a sheer miracle.
The fog begins to dance and move upward in swirls of milk twisters giving us our first glimpse of the South Rim Canyon – Most Magnificent. It is this weather that in the end gives us a show rarely seen at the WW. We continue our tour as the visual sights transform from Soup to Super. Marv dazzles us with his knowledge of the WW and of all the plants and trees he identifies and shows how they have been used by the first nations people for food, clothing and medicines.
The day is a mix of cloud, more fog, little bursts of sun and blue sky and as we are leaving the heavens open up again with a steady rainfall. What timing.
Magical – Marvelous Marv truly is a great guide. We highly recommend him. At one point he took pictures of the passengers of the day, and presented us with that photo as a keepsake. So nice. Our day turned from pea soup to super; but honestly a little blue sky and sun could never make this magical place boring.
Here we are standing at the edge of 1 of the 7 natural Wonders of the World. All we can see is thick, white, blinding fog. We stayed 3 days in Williams, Arizona (gateway to Grand Canyon), hoping for a sunny day to take a tour of Grand Canyon with Marvelous Marv (MM) as recommended by friends. We called MM early this morning to suggest changing our date. We checked the internet at the Visitor’s Centre where we find out the Grand Canyon is expecting thunderstorms and rain today – 70% chance. The ticket for the tour is $85 each. We have 5 weeks left, and the WW (Grand Canyon) is on our Bucket List! We are inclined to wait. MM tells us that he has 3 others going, and if we back out the tour is off (minimum 4 people). Don’t you think that such heart twisting ethical decisions should be on the “not on the sabbatical” list?? Me too!
Of course you know what we chose – our tripmates tipped the scale on decision making. MM assured us that seeing WW is better with “weather”. It is downright boring on a sunny, blue sky kind of day. The Irish in me is tempted to call this malarkey (sp?). On the way the rains came harder and harder, slowing as we approached the WW entrance kiosk. The big, bold sign says, “Bad Weather Conditions” – no refunds. This does not bode well.
Standing at the first viewpoint, seeing 2 feet maybe in front of our faces, and no canyon in sight, we are starting to wonder if MM is really Moneymaker Marv. Marv says, “can’t change Mother Nature; could be socked in like this for a week”!! Where was that info at 7 am this morning? All the faces around us are forlorn. I am starting to plan our return trip after Las Vegas.
MM diverts our soul-sinking spirits with his wealth of information about the formation of WW – 2 billion years ago an earth plate carrying island arcs and the one that became North America collided and made the base of the canyon. Rivers and seas and moving mountains formed the Colorado Plateau and then the powerful Col. River cut down through the mountains forming the incredible canyon.
We think it might be incredible at this point – but so far not sure. Just as we are about to move to another destination, Divine Intervention or Marv Magic brings a sheer miracle.
The fog begins to dance and move upward in swirls of milk twisters giving us our first glimpse of the South Rim Canyon – Most Magnificent. It is this weather that in the end gives us a show rarely seen at the WW. We continue our tour as the visual sights transform from Soup to Super. Marv dazzles us with his knowledge of the WW and of all the plants and trees he identifies and shows how they have been used by the first nations people for food, clothing and medicines.
The day is a mix of cloud, more fog, little bursts of sun and blue sky and as we are leaving the heavens open up again with a steady rainfall. What timing.
Magical – Marvelous Marv truly is a great guide. We highly recommend him. At one point he took pictures of the passengers of the day, and presented us with that photo as a keepsake. So nice. Our day turned from pea soup to super; but honestly a little blue sky and sun could never make this magical place boring.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Heaven
We arrived in Flagstaff to our first rain since Texas - a long while back! It is also cool and green. We thought about finding a motel instead of camping, and as we rounded a corner I saw an attractive place I thought would be perfect. We got close to the driveway and I saw the sign, "The Mortuary"!!! Oops - not quite ready for that yet. We drove on and found a perfect campsite in the trees called Woody Mountain - it was heaven all right!
The Studio
On Sunday we visited Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ (glad I don't have to say that too often!) for their contemporary/casual service called The Studio. We arrived 5 minutes before start time (I can't get used to that!). It was very intriguing. The topic was 'listening'. The service included lots of greeting time, a clip from You Tube about a man who finds a stethoscope on the sidewalk and proceeds to use it to "listen" to various things along his path and then his own heart. Very thoughtful. There was a also a mimed skit with three young adults acting out the scene with Mary and Martha and Jesus; Martha working hard to make supper and Mary sitting - listening - to Jesus. The scriptures were I believe from The Message (popular cutting edge modern interpretation of scripture). The songs were originals written by their music vocalist and pianist. There was a very good jazz band, various reflections and poetry, and a really warm welcome. Again, we were blessed by the service and really moved by the innovative ways of worship. And again, we missed our dear friends and family at West Plains - you're the best!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A word from Rip!
RIPS JOY has air brakes! Several things have been happening along the trip for me. First of all Joyce finally made it up in the morning before I did. This is such a rare occasion that I did need to mention it.
Secondly I have discovered that our van has air brakes. They are not the type on big trucks so I will explain. This part of the country is very mountainous and Rips Joy has been handling the climb up the mountains very well, but the decent has caused some problems with the brakes over heating. So now on the decent I turn on the air conditioner. This slows down the vehicle and along with engine braking we are able to glide down the mountains at an acceptable pace without overheating the brakes. The air brakes not only slow the vehicle but keep us cool. Thank goodness we have air conditioning with the intense heat of Arizona. It also has been very dry and no signs of streams to fish in. I am waiting to get further north and maybe then I can cast a line. Although there are signs all along the roads warnings do not enter if flooded. We must be here at the wrong time of the year. I have been taking lot of photos but I am unsure if I will be able to edit them down to show size for viewing.
The third thing I have learned about is pollution. Some of the magnificent caves we have been visiting have a pollution problem that I never thought about. They close down for a number of weeks a year while volunteers come in vacuum up lint. Yes that is right, lint in caves from people’s clothing is polluting the environment. When that happens I wonder what we are doing to our world and I have become more conscious of the smaller things I do to keep our beautiful world cleaner. Therefore I have decided to walk to work from now on, just I soon as I stop being retired!
Secondly I have discovered that our van has air brakes. They are not the type on big trucks so I will explain. This part of the country is very mountainous and Rips Joy has been handling the climb up the mountains very well, but the decent has caused some problems with the brakes over heating. So now on the decent I turn on the air conditioner. This slows down the vehicle and along with engine braking we are able to glide down the mountains at an acceptable pace without overheating the brakes. The air brakes not only slow the vehicle but keep us cool. Thank goodness we have air conditioning with the intense heat of Arizona. It also has been very dry and no signs of streams to fish in. I am waiting to get further north and maybe then I can cast a line. Although there are signs all along the roads warnings do not enter if flooded. We must be here at the wrong time of the year. I have been taking lot of photos but I am unsure if I will be able to edit them down to show size for viewing.
The third thing I have learned about is pollution. Some of the magnificent caves we have been visiting have a pollution problem that I never thought about. They close down for a number of weeks a year while volunteers come in vacuum up lint. Yes that is right, lint in caves from people’s clothing is polluting the environment. When that happens I wonder what we are doing to our world and I have become more conscious of the smaller things I do to keep our beautiful world cleaner. Therefore I have decided to walk to work from now on, just I soon as I stop being retired!
The "Green" Arch!
We are here in Sedona - the views are beyond imagination! The businesses and homes are low rise and finished with colours that match the landscape- beiges and terra cotta, browns and soft greens. Believe it or not, even the McDonald's has a GREEN arch, not a golden one!! And that arch is small and on the building, not the kind you can spot a mile away. All of the business signs are likewise considerate of the beautiful geography of the area. We even passed a Walmart that had a similiar small, classy look. We visited Holy Cross church tucked into the red rocks half way to heaven. They have a taize service once a week, and welcome visitors every day to sit in the chapel or gaze out over the majesty of red rocks. But a green arch? Wow, that's political influence - it can be done! What a breath of fresh air - or should I say smell of fresh coffee?
At home in Jerome
Jerome is a mountain town of bikers, hippies, and artists. We saw several Westfalia vans and got the "peace fingers" from a few! Once a booming town of 15,000 during copper mining days, it dwindled to 100 in the early 1950's. People were giving their homes up for grocery debts. Some hippies took up residence not long after (unwelcome really to the neighbouring villages at that time). Jerome evolved into an arts extravaganza with pretty shops and trades winding their way up the mountain top. It is beautiful country overlooking the Verde Valley. Our westy had quite the trip from Prescott - 188 sharp bends in the road in 12 miles!! We found the locals as you would think of hippies- friendly, down-to-earth and relaxed. We felt right at home!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Blown Away
From Wickenburg we headed back to the Phoenix area for one more day. One the road Rip was looking for some body cream and the only one close by (in the glove box) was Marilyn's foot cream! It was lovely on our dry arms and we joked that now we would be able to walk around on our hands!!
We were not going to visit the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix (have to make choices!) BUT we had picked up a flyer from a tourist info spot in Wickenburg that told us that the spectacular glassworks of Dale Chihuly were going to be on display throughout the garden. Chihuly's spectacular creations are found in more than 200 museums worldwide.
The whole experience blew us away. It is hard to describe what we saw (you might check a website for a taste of it). I have not been a person connected very closely to the world of art, but I have to admit this was a conversion experience. Dale Chihuly is known for his unique glass sculptures, and this was his first exhibition in a desert garden environment - you had to book your time to visit the Botanical Gardens.
We got up at 4:45 am and drove from Wickenburg for our 7 am time reservation. It was a good choice to be there in the cooler moments of the day. The glass works throughout the garden display included white beluga whales, giant tiger lilies, mirrored hornets, marlins, reeds, boats full of glass sculptures that were abstract, yet people-like and gigantic chandeliers of brightly coloured swirls of glass, some 20 or 30 feet, even 40 feet high. The artist says he likes to play with light and colours and you can tell.
We were blown away.
We were not going to visit the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix (have to make choices!) BUT we had picked up a flyer from a tourist info spot in Wickenburg that told us that the spectacular glassworks of Dale Chihuly were going to be on display throughout the garden. Chihuly's spectacular creations are found in more than 200 museums worldwide.
The whole experience blew us away. It is hard to describe what we saw (you might check a website for a taste of it). I have not been a person connected very closely to the world of art, but I have to admit this was a conversion experience. Dale Chihuly is known for his unique glass sculptures, and this was his first exhibition in a desert garden environment - you had to book your time to visit the Botanical Gardens.
We got up at 4:45 am and drove from Wickenburg for our 7 am time reservation. It was a good choice to be there in the cooler moments of the day. The glass works throughout the garden display included white beluga whales, giant tiger lilies, mirrored hornets, marlins, reeds, boats full of glass sculptures that were abstract, yet people-like and gigantic chandeliers of brightly coloured swirls of glass, some 20 or 30 feet, even 40 feet high. The artist says he likes to play with light and colours and you can tell.
We were blown away.
Wicked Wickenburg
Wickenburg is a town most people have never heard of, just outside the booming metropolis of Phoenix, population 5,082. Henry Wickenburg discovered a gold mine there in 1863 and the town boomed. In fact, by 1866 the town was the third largest city in Arizona and missed becoming the state capital by only 2 votes! It is an old western town right out of Gunsmoke and the shops are old and wooden and full of character - one of them is called "Buckshot Babes". On the streets they have life sized "people" of old at various corners, complete with an audio history who at the press of a button will tell you their story of making Wickenburg successful.
We had lunch at a place built in 1937 where the owner, "Uncle Wes", age 89 as of last week, chatted us up and told us his story of living in Wickenburg. He was obviously proud of the place and still stood tall and walked around confidently making sure things were in order.
We camped in a wonderful RV park close to town with lots of trees and a gorgeous pool where we met people who live there either full time or 6 months at a time. The atmosphere and hospitality of the place was truly "wicked"!
We had lunch at a place built in 1937 where the owner, "Uncle Wes", age 89 as of last week, chatted us up and told us his story of living in Wickenburg. He was obviously proud of the place and still stood tall and walked around confidently making sure things were in order.
We camped in a wonderful RV park close to town with lots of trees and a gorgeous pool where we met people who live there either full time or 6 months at a time. The atmosphere and hospitality of the place was truly "wicked"!
Hello Dolly
Near the old stagecoach stop of Tortilla Flats on the Apache Trail is a lake that fills the canyon - Canyon Lake! It is 10 miles long but very jagged with long thin spikes trailing off of it - just as you would imagine a lake that fills a canyon to be. Dolly Steamboat cruises that lake daily and we took the trip to get kissing close to the canyon walls and spot a mountain lion. The cliffs have been formed a gazillion years ago from archaeological events and shifts. At one moment in time all the trees were felled by a quake and piled on top of each other like a woodpile. Those trees are now petrified in the canyon walls and we could see them along a certain height of the cliff walls. Fascinating! We could also spot "ET", JS Bach playing his organ, an elephant and limitless figures and scenes - the power of imagination! No mountain lions were out in the heat - likely curled up in some cliffside cave having a siesta. I noted that in Ontario we would worry about rain on a day of boating, but here they tell us that there won't be any rain until at least July. After our cruise we went to the restaurant/saloon in Tortilla Flats
(one of two buildings in that "town") for their famous burger while perched on a horse saddle (instead of barstools). We camped by the lake and took a dip - canyon lake water is very cold and our skin sizzled as we dove in. Dolly wasn't the only one steaming!
(one of two buildings in that "town") for their famous burger while perched on a horse saddle (instead of barstools). We camped by the lake and took a dip - canyon lake water is very cold and our skin sizzled as we dove in. Dolly wasn't the only one steaming!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Surprising Breezes!
The days are hot, hot, hot - Sam Cook said it all right!! Most times the temperature is about 100F and our van heats up to 104 or so when we are going uphill and have to turn the air conditioner off to get RipsJoy going! There is always a good breeze blowing as we travel and an occasional breeze when we are off the road. We have been staying in some "no frills" camping sites at times. It is all a matter of availability at the time we arrive. The first time we put in at a campsite with outhouses, i.e., the non-flush kind, I was impressed with the "state of the art" cans! Clean, well maintained, large and pleasant. I sat down and jumped up again with a "wow- what's that?!!"
These toilets have air blowing from the inside out! Okay, that was a shock! Rip couldn't figure out how come I was so long coming back. Let's just say that good breezes are hard to find in this Arizona desert land!
These toilets have air blowing from the inside out! Okay, that was a shock! Rip couldn't figure out how come I was so long coming back. Let's just say that good breezes are hard to find in this Arizona desert land!
Hairy Raising!
Rip and I have returned to Arizona from our quick trip home for my high school reunion. It brought back a lot of memories! I met both my husbands, Rip and John, for the first time at my high school graduation dinner/dance!! Rip keeps asking me, did you meet anyone else that night?!! Let me think now :) Most people looked more or less the same as they did 40 years ago, (a few more pounds; or a few more wrinkles) except the men! The peach fuzz most of them had in high school was now for many full beards and moustaches. It took a few moments to recognize some of them under the forest cover. Of course that didn’t apply to the tops of those heads :)
Speaking of hairy, we have just completed the 120 mile Apache Trail just outside Phoenix. The road winds through the mountains with hairpin turns leading to the Roosevelt Dam. It is spectacular to see the red rock canyons and blooming cactus and streams. Rip said it was truly a spiritual experience. Amen to that. The road becomes unpaved, washboard contoured and clouds of dust spin off the tires. We see a couple of cars that have previously taken the deep plunge off the mountainside – of course there are no guard rails! There were many hairy spots that narrowed so we prayed no one else was coming the other way. Hair-raising. Lucky for us it is off season and the road was very quiet. I said, “at least we have our CAA card if the van quits” – yeah right! We stopped at a rare stagecoach stop to have “prickly pear ice cream”. Yummy! It is made from the pp cactus and is pink and a little tart compared to other ice creams. At the end of the Apache Trail Rip asked me if we had to go back the same way – no more hair-raising moments for today!
Speaking of hairy, we have just completed the 120 mile Apache Trail just outside Phoenix. The road winds through the mountains with hairpin turns leading to the Roosevelt Dam. It is spectacular to see the red rock canyons and blooming cactus and streams. Rip said it was truly a spiritual experience. Amen to that. The road becomes unpaved, washboard contoured and clouds of dust spin off the tires. We see a couple of cars that have previously taken the deep plunge off the mountainside – of course there are no guard rails! There were many hairy spots that narrowed so we prayed no one else was coming the other way. Hair-raising. Lucky for us it is off season and the road was very quiet. I said, “at least we have our CAA card if the van quits” – yeah right! We stopped at a rare stagecoach stop to have “prickly pear ice cream”. Yummy! It is made from the pp cactus and is pink and a little tart compared to other ice creams. At the end of the Apache Trail Rip asked me if we had to go back the same way – no more hair-raising moments for today!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
8700 km!
We are in Phoenix now and have had some relax, down-time. Rip bought a small digital thermometer that read 111F out of the sun yesterday. That's hot - don't give me any of that "dry heat" business; it may be dry, but hot is hot at this point! We went to a mall to have a walk, and were stunned at the few number of people there and the number of stores closed. It was very strange - this is the first significant sign we have seen of the depressed economical situation here.
For dinner we went to Joe's Farm Grill just outside Phoenix. It is a family run farm that creates delicious food using their own cattle, poultry and produce. Another feature in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives! You eat at a picnic tables surrounded by crops and fruit trees. Rip ordered a chicken pizza; thin homemade crust with bbq chicken, fresh-grown sweet peppers, home-cured maple syrup bacon, and fresh cut basil on top. Wow. I ordered a small salad - their own lettuce, carrots, onions and fresh cut herbs on top. They even make their own dressings. I chose Asian-balsamic. Rip said, "Did you come 8,700 km to order a salad?" Yes, siree, and it was might fine. Of course I tried the pizza too - awesome.
The farm in just outside Phoenix and is proud to be an urban farm and offer the fruits of the land in that setting. This is what my parents would have called "God's country". It is all God's country, of course, but this was extra special - too bad it is 8700 km from home.
Speaking of home, we will be taking a sabbatical from the sabbatical blogging! Today we are flying home for my high school's 50th Anniversary (Ancaster) and the
40th anniversary of my graduating class. How can that be? We are flying Southwest Air from Phoenix to Buffalo today and returning next Tuesday. The cost for the 2 of us return was just over $400. Someone said to me, "Are you sure that includes landing?" I'll let you know!
For dinner we went to Joe's Farm Grill just outside Phoenix. It is a family run farm that creates delicious food using their own cattle, poultry and produce. Another feature in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives! You eat at a picnic tables surrounded by crops and fruit trees. Rip ordered a chicken pizza; thin homemade crust with bbq chicken, fresh-grown sweet peppers, home-cured maple syrup bacon, and fresh cut basil on top. Wow. I ordered a small salad - their own lettuce, carrots, onions and fresh cut herbs on top. They even make their own dressings. I chose Asian-balsamic. Rip said, "Did you come 8,700 km to order a salad?" Yes, siree, and it was might fine. Of course I tried the pizza too - awesome.
The farm in just outside Phoenix and is proud to be an urban farm and offer the fruits of the land in that setting. This is what my parents would have called "God's country". It is all God's country, of course, but this was extra special - too bad it is 8700 km from home.
Speaking of home, we will be taking a sabbatical from the sabbatical blogging! Today we are flying home for my high school's 50th Anniversary (Ancaster) and the
40th anniversary of my graduating class. How can that be? We are flying Southwest Air from Phoenix to Buffalo today and returning next Tuesday. The cost for the 2 of us return was just over $400. Someone said to me, "Are you sure that includes landing?" I'll let you know!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Riparian Rip!
We spent a whole day at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Wow. It hosts 300 animals and 120 plants and minerals native to the Sonoran Desert region. It is cleverly laid out with 2 miles of outdoor walks interpersed with tours through caves, shaded displays of reptiles, underwater views of fish and seals, history museums, and aviaries and "meet and greet" with real live stars such as the 18" tall barn owe chstted with!
The different habitat of the Sonora desert were fascinating, and beautiful and tour friendly! At every new sight we found ice cold water fountains, shaded bench stops and the washrooms even had a complimentary sunscreen dispenser beside the soap dispenser!
One area was the Riparian Habitat! Riparian means "stream-side" - how perfectly named after our fisherman Rip! The desert has many such locations of free flowing streams; many less in the last 10 years though.
An interesting tidbit from "Life on the Rocks". It takes 80 pounds of rock from the Sonoran Desert to produce 1 penny. It takes 150,000 tons of the earth's crust from any other region to produce the same 1 penny!!
Rip's favourite stop was the Hummingbird Aviary. Here we got up close and personal with many of these beautiful birds who whisked by us to savour nectar from one flower, then another. We saw for the first time a mother warming her nest of 2 eggs - she was 12 inches from our face!
My favourite area was the walk-in aviary with more than 40 species of native birds living in trees and bathing in streams and waterfalls.
Along with the lizards, snakes, scorpions, big horns, bobcats, javelinas and so much more we were spinning with info and delight! This place is a zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden all in one - amazing. A real Riparian pleaser!
PS I finished my "relax" book last night, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean Dominique-Bauby. Highly recommend - a man after a cardiovascular event in his 40's lives with what he calls "Locked In Syndrome". This is his story dictated by use of blinks and nods.
The different habitat of the Sonora desert were fascinating, and beautiful and tour friendly! At every new sight we found ice cold water fountains, shaded bench stops and the washrooms even had a complimentary sunscreen dispenser beside the soap dispenser!
One area was the Riparian Habitat! Riparian means "stream-side" - how perfectly named after our fisherman Rip! The desert has many such locations of free flowing streams; many less in the last 10 years though.
An interesting tidbit from "Life on the Rocks". It takes 80 pounds of rock from the Sonoran Desert to produce 1 penny. It takes 150,000 tons of the earth's crust from any other region to produce the same 1 penny!!
Rip's favourite stop was the Hummingbird Aviary. Here we got up close and personal with many of these beautiful birds who whisked by us to savour nectar from one flower, then another. We saw for the first time a mother warming her nest of 2 eggs - she was 12 inches from our face!
My favourite area was the walk-in aviary with more than 40 species of native birds living in trees and bathing in streams and waterfalls.
Along with the lizards, snakes, scorpions, big horns, bobcats, javelinas and so much more we were spinning with info and delight! This place is a zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden all in one - amazing. A real Riparian pleaser!
PS I finished my "relax" book last night, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean Dominique-Bauby. Highly recommend - a man after a cardiovascular event in his 40's lives with what he calls "Locked In Syndrome". This is his story dictated by use of blinks and nods.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
High tea
When we are camping in a state or national park, we often have cereal (in those little self-contained bowl-come-boxes) with warm milk (the propane connection to the frig is not working yet) or crackers with peanut butter. It is quite delicious when you are hungry. Rip also makes me a great tea, using our propane burner and cute mini kettle. How sweet! We are finding food to be very reasonable, but cold drinks and tea, not so. At one RV park we had a sumptuous Breakfast special for $1.99 (eggs, potato and toast) - enough to last us until dinner time. But the hot tea was $2.00!! Go figure. Perhaps that is what is meant by "high tea" after all.
Trailer Park Trash
We have officially qualified as Trailer Park Trash! We are in Casa Grande on our way to Phoenix and we were looking for a spot to camp. We often stay at State or National Parks, but when roaming toward a large city the parks disappear. We went to an RV park (looked pretty splashy with a gate guard and palm trees and big trailer homes) and the guard took one look and said, "Sorry, we only allow Class A and B". I guess Westfalia is a class "W"??? What can we say? He was very nice and seemed embarrassed to turn us away........as it turns out the rate for an RV spot was $43 and we found a motel down the street for $46 - a/c, king size bed, cont. breakfast in the morning, tv, WiFi, bath tub (I forgot what that was!). What a no brainer. It is not so bad to be Trailer Park Trash after all!
Tired Dude!
The Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson features 80,000 acres of outdoor airplanes and 5 hangars of indoor gems complete with history, video and “try me out” sit in styles. Rip loves airplanes! Today I became a convert! We took the hour long tram tour of the property and it was fascinating. The tour guide showed us amphibians, decoys, helicopters, Presidential aircraft (we got to tour the one used by Johnston and Kennedy) and pointed out where the location of cameras, radar, skis in some cases and some with pointy rears for refueling! We saw a helicopter used for cargo called, “Tired Dude”!! He spoke a whole new language and it was so informative. He explained why some models were retired or improved and the growth of technology to address glitches. A few times he lost me with the lingo. I thought to myself, perhaps this is how folks feel when they come to church for the first time or the first time in a long time. Hmmm. Food for thought.
I sent Rip off on the 1 hour bus tour of the “boneyard” (they call it the “rejeneration yard” in fact – interesting sermon or funeral homily in those words perhaps!). I have spent more than enough time in cemeteries thank you very much! So I found a cold water, my good relax book (The Diving Board and Butterfly) and a cool spot to sit. Just before Rip left on the boneyard tour, the battery on the camera died (fitting timing!). He got out our old model (the one baptized in the Saugeen River last summer on our canoe trip – another story!). While he was away I purchased a CD of photos of the wondrous specimens he was admiring just in case!!! It’s a surprise for later by the way – shhhh.
My favourite plane was a small white and blue Beech purchased by an American, Marion Rice Hart, at age 73! She retro-fitted to a larger fuel tank and drove the plane many times to Europe – solo! You go girl! She must have been one tired dude too! In her mid-80’s she decided to retire from flying and donated it to the Museum.
The day was full and by afternoon the temperature reached “triple digits” – for some reason here they use that term rather than 100F –maybe it sounds cooler! Off we went to Mount Lemmon and climbed the curvy mountain road 24 miles to the top (9,158 feet). It was 30 degrees cooler and we were told that the snow only left last week! It was lovely. Pictures will never do it justice. We watched the vegetation change from desert cacti and cottonwood trees, to deciduous trees and then to coniferous. Wow.
Eventually, down the mountain we came, all of us, including our Westy, - we were all three of us some tired dudes!
I sent Rip off on the 1 hour bus tour of the “boneyard” (they call it the “rejeneration yard” in fact – interesting sermon or funeral homily in those words perhaps!). I have spent more than enough time in cemeteries thank you very much! So I found a cold water, my good relax book (The Diving Board and Butterfly) and a cool spot to sit. Just before Rip left on the boneyard tour, the battery on the camera died (fitting timing!). He got out our old model (the one baptized in the Saugeen River last summer on our canoe trip – another story!). While he was away I purchased a CD of photos of the wondrous specimens he was admiring just in case!!! It’s a surprise for later by the way – shhhh.
My favourite plane was a small white and blue Beech purchased by an American, Marion Rice Hart, at age 73! She retro-fitted to a larger fuel tank and drove the plane many times to Europe – solo! You go girl! She must have been one tired dude too! In her mid-80’s she decided to retire from flying and donated it to the Museum.
The day was full and by afternoon the temperature reached “triple digits” – for some reason here they use that term rather than 100F –maybe it sounds cooler! Off we went to Mount Lemmon and climbed the curvy mountain road 24 miles to the top (9,158 feet). It was 30 degrees cooler and we were told that the snow only left last week! It was lovely. Pictures will never do it justice. We watched the vegetation change from desert cacti and cottonwood trees, to deciduous trees and then to coniferous. Wow.
Eventually, down the mountain we came, all of us, including our Westy, - we were all three of us some tired dudes!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Cookies and RIP in RVIP
We are enjoying our time in RV Parks. Many gracious hosts offer Rip free cookies - a bonus! Rip is in RVIP (RV In Peace!) In Tombstone, the RV park had a logo of a tombstone with RVIP inscribed in it. In my sabbatical reading, I am learning that the most successful mainline churches are tops in hospitality and mission. What has this got to do with cookies?!! Our last church visit showed us. The hospitality was outstanding and they were in the process of baking up a storm for a local prison. A couple of surprising rules! You were not to put raisins in the cookies or frosting in the top! Why? Because inmates can turn raisins or icing into alcohol!! Now I can see the raisins, but frosting?? Surprising cookie education. Imagine rules for the beloved cookie. Rip is RVIP with delicious cookies!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Hospitality plus!
We visited Patagonia United Methodist Community church this morning. It was awesome. It was our first time being acknowledged in church while away - with applause! This church is your best-ever family style church (next to WPUC of course!). A small congregation, a small sanctuary, bright and warm and welcoming. Several people welcomed us; what an intimate, friendly place. Pastor Ned was relaxed and open to the spirit. We felt very much at home - as close to West Plains as we have found so far! The children joined in for communion at the end of the service and we were invited several times over to coffee time. It is very special to arrive at worship service 5 minutes ahead of the beginning, and even more special still to be able to just be in the moment and not be thinking of the next part of the service. Amazing.
My prayer shawl was blessed once again and with new energy we are off to Tucson!
We miss you, West Plains, and all our wonderful friends. This is an experience to remember.
My prayer shawl was blessed once again and with new energy we are off to Tucson!
We miss you, West Plains, and all our wonderful friends. This is an experience to remember.
Fire's burning!
We travelled to wine country in southern Arizona and enjoyed a winery that was featuring some live music and new wines. The vines here are very young and willowy compared to our Niagara crops, but the wines were just as delicious. Next door to the winery a large fire was burning but most of the locals said they thought it was under control. The grasses on the large ranch style properties in the entire area were a crisp, parched light brown colour and the drought in the area is keenly evident. As we were leaving we noticed the fire was bigger and the smoke seemed to be moving across more and more grassy land. Then suddenly the air water bomber appeared in the sky and before you knew it he was coming in for a dive - it was amazing. We had never seen such a thing. Along with the fire trucks screaming down the dusty road, the air was filled with danger - and smoke.
Shirley and Allan, a couple we met at the winery, suggested the Canela Bistro for dinner in town. We arrived and minutes after the power went out. The owner was super nice and said she could offer us wine and buns and salad - some appetizers - but the water pump was electric and she was low on water and feared she would have to close. It was very sad really because the horse derby was in town that day and many people had made reservations at her bistro and she were prepared to serve them.
What did we have for dinner? Wine (this time a whole glass instead of a taste) and buns - it was a real communion experience! (We also had a brussel sprouts dish in a vinaigrette sauce with bacon and dates that was truly extraordinary!). We are off to the Patagonia State Park for overnight and then on to Patagonia United Methodist Community Church on Sunday morning.
Shirley and Allan, a couple we met at the winery, suggested the Canela Bistro for dinner in town. We arrived and minutes after the power went out. The owner was super nice and said she could offer us wine and buns and salad - some appetizers - but the water pump was electric and she was low on water and feared she would have to close. It was very sad really because the horse derby was in town that day and many people had made reservations at her bistro and she were prepared to serve them.
What did we have for dinner? Wine (this time a whole glass instead of a taste) and buns - it was a real communion experience! (We also had a brussel sprouts dish in a vinaigrette sauce with bacon and dates that was truly extraordinary!). We are off to the Patagonia State Park for overnight and then on to Patagonia United Methodist Community Church on Sunday morning.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Pearces in Pearce!
We have been touring the small towns in southern Arizona. It is wonderful to be off the highway now and no more white-knuckle miles of "Caution - Dust Storms - Drive with Extreme Care". Truly I was the only one with the white knuckles, and one time as Rip was nodding off on a well deserved power nap, one of those gusts jolted both of us to snappy attention! So much for the nap.
We went out of our way to visit Pearce, Arizona yesterday hoping for a town sign at least to get a picture. The place was so small (located on Old Ghost Town Road -you get my drift!) there was only a sign for the "Pearce Cemetery" so we made do with that. It was quiet - I bet you guessed that already. We also took a spectacular tour of Kartchner Caverns in the state park by that name where we camped the night before. We thought it might be a stelactite-stalagmite repeat of Mammoth Cave, but not so. It was very different because these caves are "active" - geological delicacies inside growing at a rate of less than one inch per century! That gives new meaning to active. Those caves move at sabbatical pace.
At Bisbee we met a local and owner of a twin Westfalia, 1988, blue, and we chatted. He loves Bisbee so much it is his retirement town. The town is built on a hill and features many unique shops and residents and a great, old mine. All the buildings are old and it takes you back in time to be there. The next stop was Tombstone where we ambled the dirt streets (they covered the asphalt a couple of years ago to restore the "old", authentic look. Horse-drawn stagecoaches with period dressed characters take folks on a tour of the town. We stopped into an old saloon with dark wood and stained glass to hear "Mick" strum his guitar and sing a few great tunes.
Today we are off to the Sonoita wine region where special music and gourmet treats will accompany the launch of a new wine in the area today, and to Patagonia which has the "Tree of Life" Rejuvenation Centre. I wonder what church we will visit tomorrow? I wish it could be in Pearce, but it will have to be just the Pearces near Pearce!
We went out of our way to visit Pearce, Arizona yesterday hoping for a town sign at least to get a picture. The place was so small (located on Old Ghost Town Road -you get my drift!) there was only a sign for the "Pearce Cemetery" so we made do with that. It was quiet - I bet you guessed that already. We also took a spectacular tour of Kartchner Caverns in the state park by that name where we camped the night before. We thought it might be a stelactite-stalagmite repeat of Mammoth Cave, but not so. It was very different because these caves are "active" - geological delicacies inside growing at a rate of less than one inch per century! That gives new meaning to active. Those caves move at sabbatical pace.
At Bisbee we met a local and owner of a twin Westfalia, 1988, blue, and we chatted. He loves Bisbee so much it is his retirement town. The town is built on a hill and features many unique shops and residents and a great, old mine. All the buildings are old and it takes you back in time to be there. The next stop was Tombstone where we ambled the dirt streets (they covered the asphalt a couple of years ago to restore the "old", authentic look. Horse-drawn stagecoaches with period dressed characters take folks on a tour of the town. We stopped into an old saloon with dark wood and stained glass to hear "Mick" strum his guitar and sing a few great tunes.
Today we are off to the Sonoita wine region where special music and gourmet treats will accompany the launch of a new wine in the area today, and to Patagonia which has the "Tree of Life" Rejuvenation Centre. I wonder what church we will visit tomorrow? I wish it could be in Pearce, but it will have to be just the Pearces near Pearce!
Friday, May 1, 2009
A post from Rip!
This is my first time at blogging as the lead driver in Rips Joy and the adventure. We have made it to Arizona and the time changes have given me jet lag or something like that. It is now 6:30 pm and I am ready for bed. Now at home it would be 9:30 pm and almost my bed time. The sun is setting and this is adding to my jet lag so I have decided to open up Rips Drive-in movies. Well that is what we call a laptop computer and a series of movies on DVD’s about California that my friend Randy gave me. So far the first episode was interesting!
Travelling east to west across the southern USA was an eye opening adventure watching the landscape change. Yesterday we stayed at a small state park called Balmorhea State Park. This park is in the middle of nowheresville. Its claim to fame is a spring fed swimming pool that is the world’s largest (77,083 sq. ft. artesian spring). At our last park Big Bend the local news paper stated that Big Bend is a desert park and if you want to swim go to Balmorhea, so we did. A great place to swim although at night a water snake makes its way into the pool for fishing and cooling off. Oh yes this being a natural pool is 25 feet deep in the middle with rocks on the bottom and lost of minnows and catfish swimming around. The outside is a cement bottom for swimmers and to make it the worlds largest spring fed swimming pool.
I visited the local town “ Balmorhea” and spoke to a local girl in the corner store. When I ask what this town had going for it and she said water from the state park. The water flows along paved ditch aquaducts through farm land and through the town and ends in a lake. The town diverts water once a week for watering everything.
Our next stop was Kartchner Caverns State Park. This must be the off season as there is only four other campers in the camp grounds of the state park last night. Yes the jet lag had me up just before 5:00 am as the sun was rising!
Travelling east to west across the southern USA was an eye opening adventure watching the landscape change. Yesterday we stayed at a small state park called Balmorhea State Park. This park is in the middle of nowheresville. Its claim to fame is a spring fed swimming pool that is the world’s largest (77,083 sq. ft. artesian spring). At our last park Big Bend the local news paper stated that Big Bend is a desert park and if you want to swim go to Balmorhea, so we did. A great place to swim although at night a water snake makes its way into the pool for fishing and cooling off. Oh yes this being a natural pool is 25 feet deep in the middle with rocks on the bottom and lost of minnows and catfish swimming around. The outside is a cement bottom for swimmers and to make it the worlds largest spring fed swimming pool.
I visited the local town “ Balmorhea” and spoke to a local girl in the corner store. When I ask what this town had going for it and she said water from the state park. The water flows along paved ditch aquaducts through farm land and through the town and ends in a lake. The town diverts water once a week for watering everything.
Our next stop was Kartchner Caverns State Park. This must be the off season as there is only four other campers in the camp grounds of the state park last night. Yes the jet lag had me up just before 5:00 am as the sun was rising!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Coastin'
Did you miss us? For the last 3 days we have been coastin’ in Big Bend Nat’l Park, Texas. (The park “bends” around the Rio Grande River (2,000 m. long) which divides Texas from Mexico). Now Rip loves to coast. It is one of his favourite things! At home, when returning from Waterdown, once through the hollow at the hilltop he tries to “coast” down Waterdown Road and into our driveway – no gas pedal! It is quite the feat – he has done it many times. The stoplights are the biggest curse – back to Big Bend.
We did lots of coasting in the park. No stoplights there! On our way from the campsite at Chicos (in the mountains which top 8,ooo ft) down to the one by the river at Rio Grande we coasted many miles - record 10 or more! Obviously, no traffic!
We coasted in other ways too. One day it was 97F – we coasted in the heat. On a nature trail illustrating desert plants, we started to feel just as “prickly” as those cactus! Mid-day we decided to do laundry – in the a/c store! Mind you, Rip didn’t have much – he does his “wash and freshly squeezed” bits each day at the campsite and hangs them from the upper bed in the van (aka The Penthouse) to dry. It is a guy thing.
Coastin’ brought many breath-taking sites from multiple deer on our campsite, to the neon tinted birds (tomato-red vermillion flycatcher and bright blue Mexican Jay – wow), to tarantulas, lizards, canyons and river views. A favourite coasting place was a 7:30 am soak in the natural spring hot tub by the RG river. The large, low, stone tub was built in the 1920’s but first nations folk were there long before and left pictographs on the cliffs close by. Hot spring water is considered “old” water, fossil water, ancient and laden with minerals – and claims of therapeutic value for spirit and soul. It was a long, rough, wash-board, pot-holed drive and then walk to get there but soul-quenching as promised.
On our way now to Arizona – more coastin’!
We did lots of coasting in the park. No stoplights there! On our way from the campsite at Chicos (in the mountains which top 8,ooo ft) down to the one by the river at Rio Grande we coasted many miles - record 10 or more! Obviously, no traffic!
We coasted in other ways too. One day it was 97F – we coasted in the heat. On a nature trail illustrating desert plants, we started to feel just as “prickly” as those cactus! Mid-day we decided to do laundry – in the a/c store! Mind you, Rip didn’t have much – he does his “wash and freshly squeezed” bits each day at the campsite and hangs them from the upper bed in the van (aka The Penthouse) to dry. It is a guy thing.
Coastin’ brought many breath-taking sites from multiple deer on our campsite, to the neon tinted birds (tomato-red vermillion flycatcher and bright blue Mexican Jay – wow), to tarantulas, lizards, canyons and river views. A favourite coasting place was a 7:30 am soak in the natural spring hot tub by the RG river. The large, low, stone tub was built in the 1920’s but first nations folk were there long before and left pictographs on the cliffs close by. Hot spring water is considered “old” water, fossil water, ancient and laden with minerals – and claims of therapeutic value for spirit and soul. It was a long, rough, wash-board, pot-holed drive and then walk to get there but soul-quenching as promised.
On our way now to Arizona – more coastin’!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Soul Food - until!
I was going to write about the Soul Food of San Antonio. I was going to chat about the River Walk - 2.5 miles of water, waterfalls, flowers, people, shops and cafes. Wow. It was Fiesta Weekend and thousands of people lined the streets for the Mariachi Parade and filled the Riverwalk with lively chatter and colourful hats and flower headbands. I was going to write about that until.......
I was going to write about our Soul Food visit (that was the sermon title) to Travis Park United Methodist church - happy music, good words (!), enthusiastic Celebration band and singers- they even had Rip a-toe-tapping!! I was going to write more about that until......
Until.......Rip and I survived a tornado. I mean really. We were heading west towards Big Bend National Park and the sky got darker and more purple and the rains began. Suddenly all the cars and trucks in front and behind us pulled off the highway. I mean they pulled off, not slowly onto the shoulder, but right off the highway as if they meant business on scruffy land where you would never think to go. They pulled over and huddled beside large rocks, as close as they could get.
We followed. We knew someone knew something important. We turned on the radio. An announcer was giving instructions for safety - go to the basement of your house if you have one. If you don't get on the floor under a bed - cover your head. If you are in a vehicle, pull over. Take cover. Finally the announcer said that a tornado had been spotted at Interstate 10 and exit 290, heading east.
We were 1/2 mile from I-10 and 290 heading west. Coming our way. The air was cool and clammy and weird. The sky was dark purple, but there was a warm, haunting light on the rocks next to the dark black of the highway pavement.
The rain drops became as large as fists; then the hail started, large as golf balls. Some trucks positioned themselves backwards from how they had been travelling - to protect their windshield. We waited.
We moved when others moved; stopping many times under roadway bridges; going from winds to rain to hail; lighter, heavier, heavier still. In some places it looked like a snowstorm at the side of the road. The hail ping-ed, ping-ed, ping-ed on our RipsJoy windows and metal.
It was some miles before we felt safe again. Rip said I looked like a "deer in the headlights". He pretended all was well - but afterwards said how scared he was to someone at our campsite. So Mars and Venus of us!
We had survived a tornado. The locals say they never get used to it. We arrived at Fort Stockton, Texas and found a campsite, some Soul Food and a bottle of wine. We will get to Big Bend Ntl. Park another day - :) until then!
I was going to write about our Soul Food visit (that was the sermon title) to Travis Park United Methodist church - happy music, good words (!), enthusiastic Celebration band and singers- they even had Rip a-toe-tapping!! I was going to write more about that until......
Until.......Rip and I survived a tornado. I mean really. We were heading west towards Big Bend National Park and the sky got darker and more purple and the rains began. Suddenly all the cars and trucks in front and behind us pulled off the highway. I mean they pulled off, not slowly onto the shoulder, but right off the highway as if they meant business on scruffy land where you would never think to go. They pulled over and huddled beside large rocks, as close as they could get.
We followed. We knew someone knew something important. We turned on the radio. An announcer was giving instructions for safety - go to the basement of your house if you have one. If you don't get on the floor under a bed - cover your head. If you are in a vehicle, pull over. Take cover. Finally the announcer said that a tornado had been spotted at Interstate 10 and exit 290, heading east.
We were 1/2 mile from I-10 and 290 heading west. Coming our way. The air was cool and clammy and weird. The sky was dark purple, but there was a warm, haunting light on the rocks next to the dark black of the highway pavement.
The rain drops became as large as fists; then the hail started, large as golf balls. Some trucks positioned themselves backwards from how they had been travelling - to protect their windshield. We waited.
We moved when others moved; stopping many times under roadway bridges; going from winds to rain to hail; lighter, heavier, heavier still. In some places it looked like a snowstorm at the side of the road. The hail ping-ed, ping-ed, ping-ed on our RipsJoy windows and metal.
It was some miles before we felt safe again. Rip said I looked like a "deer in the headlights". He pretended all was well - but afterwards said how scared he was to someone at our campsite. So Mars and Venus of us!
We had survived a tornado. The locals say they never get used to it. We arrived at Fort Stockton, Texas and found a campsite, some Soul Food and a bottle of wine. We will get to Big Bend Ntl. Park another day - :) until then!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Is it Saturday?
We have arrived in San Antonio during the Mariachi Festival! It was a 5 hour drive today and we were as impressed with the rest stops as ever - one had a "stretch your legs trail" made out of cork - 1/4 mile of cushy walking - it was great.
I keep thinking it can't be Saturday - usually on Saturday I am on the computer finishing the sermon, or at a wedding or w. appointment, and then back on the computer. It is such a treat to be free to enjoy the Riverwalk here in SA. Thanks, Heather! It really is Saturday after all.
I keep thinking it can't be Saturday - usually on Saturday I am on the computer finishing the sermon, or at a wedding or w. appointment, and then back on the computer. It is such a treat to be free to enjoy the Riverwalk here in SA. Thanks, Heather! It really is Saturday after all.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Alligator Pie
"Alligator pie, alligator pie, if I don't get some I think I'm gonna die!"
Do you remember reading that book to your kids - I do. I thought it was a delightful, imaginery poem. Imagine - eating alligator? Never! It was such a funny thought.
Never say never. Last night we settled into a KOA campground - early this time! Then we headed out to "Boutin's-A-Cajun Music and Dining experience". It was recommended for a true taste of Louisana - complete with bayou shack decor! As promised a group of musicians were strummin' up a beat as we entered. There was an accordian, banjo, guitar, drum and a real "down home"singer. And a large dance floor with "real" type dancing.
We weren't too hungry after our beignet spiritual experience (!) - so I ordered a crab bisque soup and Rip ordered fried alligator - our waitress said it was her favourite. I loved my soup, and considered for more than a few moments about the alligator. Not sure why I can't stomach the thought of venison - but alligator seemed an easier challenge- perhaps it's the image of Bambi ingrained from childhood!
Bottom line - the alligator was delicious; a bit like chicken and very tender and tasty.
Maybe the writer of that children's book wasn't kidding after all.
Do you remember reading that book to your kids - I do. I thought it was a delightful, imaginery poem. Imagine - eating alligator? Never! It was such a funny thought.
Never say never. Last night we settled into a KOA campground - early this time! Then we headed out to "Boutin's-A-Cajun Music and Dining experience". It was recommended for a true taste of Louisana - complete with bayou shack decor! As promised a group of musicians were strummin' up a beat as we entered. There was an accordian, banjo, guitar, drum and a real "down home"singer. And a large dance floor with "real" type dancing.
We weren't too hungry after our beignet spiritual experience (!) - so I ordered a crab bisque soup and Rip ordered fried alligator - our waitress said it was her favourite. I loved my soup, and considered for more than a few moments about the alligator. Not sure why I can't stomach the thought of venison - but alligator seemed an easier challenge- perhaps it's the image of Bambi ingrained from childhood!
Bottom line - the alligator was delicious; a bit like chicken and very tender and tasty.
Maybe the writer of that children's book wasn't kidding after all.
No means NO
New Orleans is a fascinating place, called "an inevitable city on an impossible site". We could not believe the miles and miles of bridges to get there! We see few signs of the hurricane Katrina aftermath even though 80% of the city was under water. It is a city with character. The first settlers arrived in 1699 from France and were joined by the Cajuns (Acadians from Nova Scotia) and some German settlers. We spent the morning on the Riverwalk - a beautiful walkway along the Mississippi River where you can watch the Steamboats coming and going and enjoy the little shops, fountains and even a Southern beverage and food museum. In the afternoon we ambled our way through the French Quarter, pausing for a cold drink in a market area bistro listening to a jazz band, The Old Skools! The French Quarter is a little bit of France with the narrow streets with shops and bars and live music everywhere. There is a character at every corner!
Last stop was the famous Cafe du Monde, French market coffee stand begun in 1862, where they make mouthwatering beignets (homemade donuts floating on a cushion of icing sugar). My black capris bear witness to this treat (and the hips under them of course!). The beignets were warm, soft, melt-in-your-mouth - this has to qualify as a true sabbatical spiritual experience!
We walked our socks off on this most perfect day of sun and sightseeing, and as we headed out of the city Rip asked me, "Where is a town called No?" I said I didn't know, but proceeded to look up the name in our CAA guide book. I couldn't find it. Rip said he saw No Wireless, No Taxis and No Airport - it suddenly dawned on me - NO on all those signs is short for New Orleans! Duh. Our minds are truly on vacation.
Last stop was the famous Cafe du Monde, French market coffee stand begun in 1862, where they make mouthwatering beignets (homemade donuts floating on a cushion of icing sugar). My black capris bear witness to this treat (and the hips under them of course!). The beignets were warm, soft, melt-in-your-mouth - this has to qualify as a true sabbatical spiritual experience!
We walked our socks off on this most perfect day of sun and sightseeing, and as we headed out of the city Rip asked me, "Where is a town called No?" I said I didn't know, but proceeded to look up the name in our CAA guide book. I couldn't find it. Rip said he saw No Wireless, No Taxis and No Airport - it suddenly dawned on me - NO on all those signs is short for New Orleans! Duh. Our minds are truly on vacation.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Niagara Falls!
We lost track of time on Pensacola Beach - it was divine. We walked a pier and the beach which stretches for miles and miles. There are covered picnic tables with barbecues, washrooms and clean, white sand and turquoise surf. It is so picturesque. After a light bite at McGuire's Irish Pub (complete with 750,000 one dollar bills on the ceiling signed by native Irish visitors), it was too dark to find a regular campsite.
This is where church hospitality comes in! We spotted a beautiful church of the Latter Day Saints with lovely manicured property and pulled in to a darker, back spot for the night. Perfect - well almost! At 3 am or so I sat up and thought that Niagara Falls had descended on the van! Water, water everywhere - we didn't see a cloud in sight as we retired for the night - what was this? Monsoon? Cloud burst?
Rip was sent to investigate. Sure enough, we had parked, nose forward, right in front of a large nozzle for an automatic lawn sprinkler system. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at 3 am.
Niagara Falls - look out!
This is where church hospitality comes in! We spotted a beautiful church of the Latter Day Saints with lovely manicured property and pulled in to a darker, back spot for the night. Perfect - well almost! At 3 am or so I sat up and thought that Niagara Falls had descended on the van! Water, water everywhere - we didn't see a cloud in sight as we retired for the night - what was this? Monsoon? Cloud burst?
Rip was sent to investigate. Sure enough, we had parked, nose forward, right in front of a large nozzle for an automatic lawn sprinkler system. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at 3 am.
Niagara Falls - look out!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Home Jane!
We had a great visit with our dear friends, Jan and Greg, and family in Tallahassee. We thought we were arriving after dinner, and walked into their beautiful home to the smells of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding wafting past our noses - yummy! I had not enjoyed Yorkshire pudding in a long time - a memory of my Mom who was born in Yorkshire.
Nicole and Dalton, their children, were 3 and 6 when we visited their home last - wow - at 13 and 16 they are awesome young people - Dalton a handsome, keen mathemetician going away to some State competition next weekend - and Nicole a clever self taught musician with personality pizzaz! We are proud to know you.
We are "ripping" down the highway toward New Orleans. Our CAA tour book says that there is a phenomenal National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. We defer to our GPS -"home Jane" - take us there! And she does. It is free and awesome! From Blue Angels to Corsairs Rip is in airplane heaven. I get to sit in a cockpit (they made men smaller then, didn't they?). Then we experience the Imax theatre production of Grand Canyon - wow, my stomach says I am in that plane! We love the kayak trip down the Colorado River - we were really with them.
Our CAA book says don't miss the Pensacaola Beach - "home Jane" again! She delivers. It is a beach like no other - pure white sand, amazing, deserted, gorgeous, long. The sand is so white because it is 99% quartz. So soft. We sit for a time with snacks and music and a glass of wine. It doesn't get better. We have come to rely on Jane - our expert navigator - thanks for saving directional spats - ha, ha! From the old days of "Home, James!" we are converts to "Home, Jane!" Thank you, Jane, and thank you to whoever is sharing is internet connection on the beach!
Nicole and Dalton, their children, were 3 and 6 when we visited their home last - wow - at 13 and 16 they are awesome young people - Dalton a handsome, keen mathemetician going away to some State competition next weekend - and Nicole a clever self taught musician with personality pizzaz! We are proud to know you.
We are "ripping" down the highway toward New Orleans. Our CAA tour book says that there is a phenomenal National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. We defer to our GPS -"home Jane" - take us there! And she does. It is free and awesome! From Blue Angels to Corsairs Rip is in airplane heaven. I get to sit in a cockpit (they made men smaller then, didn't they?). Then we experience the Imax theatre production of Grand Canyon - wow, my stomach says I am in that plane! We love the kayak trip down the Colorado River - we were really with them.
Our CAA book says don't miss the Pensacaola Beach - "home Jane" again! She delivers. It is a beach like no other - pure white sand, amazing, deserted, gorgeous, long. The sand is so white because it is 99% quartz. So soft. We sit for a time with snacks and music and a glass of wine. It doesn't get better. We have come to rely on Jane - our expert navigator - thanks for saving directional spats - ha, ha! From the old days of "Home, James!" we are converts to "Home, Jane!" Thank you, Jane, and thank you to whoever is sharing is internet connection on the beach!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Skinny's
Anna Marie Island is a skinny piece of paradise, a 26 mile long white sand beach. Skinny is a word that brings many images - never pertaining to my body, I know, :) but I have known those who might be called skinny or better yet slender, slim, svelte, etc.
Carl "Skinny" and his wife opened a homemade hamburger place on the island in 1952 and the family has never looked back and neither have their visitors. The homemade hamburgs and curly fries and tender, crisy onion rings are a taste to behold! I could not figure out the name "Skinny's" on first hearing, for I am sure no one who eats this food could be skinny for long! On the other hand, one visit clarified the origin of the name, and indeed that clientelle that visit there are (many of them) - skinny, bikini clad bodies that call this place a regular hot spot on vacation. No wonder it is hard to find a place to sit!
Before our skinny lunch, Rip and Larry went for a walk to the pier and Rip rescued some starfish babies who somehow found their way out of the water. It reminds me of the story of the man who was throwing starfish back into the water to save them, and someone asked him why he bothered since so many were not going to make it. He said, "but this one did". So true. A skinny moment of opportunity for those particular starfish.
Our time on Anna Maria Island is coming to a close. What a "skinny" moment in time of rest, beach walks, laughter of good friends, savouring of delicious food. We hear about Susan Boyle, British singer whose "skinny" moment on TV has changed her life forever. Even Simon Cowell was blown away - what can we say?
We may not be skinny, but Rip and I have had many "skinny" moments of bliss thus far.
Carl "Skinny" and his wife opened a homemade hamburger place on the island in 1952 and the family has never looked back and neither have their visitors. The homemade hamburgs and curly fries and tender, crisy onion rings are a taste to behold! I could not figure out the name "Skinny's" on first hearing, for I am sure no one who eats this food could be skinny for long! On the other hand, one visit clarified the origin of the name, and indeed that clientelle that visit there are (many of them) - skinny, bikini clad bodies that call this place a regular hot spot on vacation. No wonder it is hard to find a place to sit!
Before our skinny lunch, Rip and Larry went for a walk to the pier and Rip rescued some starfish babies who somehow found their way out of the water. It reminds me of the story of the man who was throwing starfish back into the water to save them, and someone asked him why he bothered since so many were not going to make it. He said, "but this one did". So true. A skinny moment of opportunity for those particular starfish.
Our time on Anna Maria Island is coming to a close. What a "skinny" moment in time of rest, beach walks, laughter of good friends, savouring of delicious food. We hear about Susan Boyle, British singer whose "skinny" moment on TV has changed her life forever. Even Simon Cowell was blown away - what can we say?
We may not be skinny, but Rip and I have had many "skinny" moments of bliss thus far.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Hug Tester
A little girl comes home from her Grandmother's house bursting with the story of Snow White that she saw on DVD. "Mom, Snow White met a prince at the end, and guess what happened then?" Her mom said, "they lived happily ever after". "No, Mom. Wrong."
-"they got married"!!
And so began the sermon on, of all texts, Ephesians 5:22-33. I dare you to look it up! It is a passage I have avoided like the plague for 14 years. Enough said. I can't even bring myself to type those words of Paul. Peaked your curiosity yet?
First Baptist church is full of the joy of the Lord, so to speak. My friend Bettejane attends with 2 other friends on the island. I can see why. Talk about the "comfortable pew". It is like entering a theatre - greeters on the sidewalk and again inside; one of them has a tag "I'm a hug tester!" - the "sanctuary" is complete with sloped floor with comfy padded seats, large stage platform, 22 piece orchestra (you heard me!) and 52 in the choir with 4 song leaders out front and a grand piano - hundreds in the "pews" and that's on a "low" Sunday when some of the snowbirds have already left for home. Last week's attendance - 1,230! Oh, and this note for my church family folk and colleagues - the offering from last week was $35,294.64. No signs of a drooping economy here.
Pastor Rick is nowhere to be seen before the sermon. It is all about the singing! And everyone seems overjoyed with the love of God in the spirit. There is lots of clapping, smiling - and of course during the greeting - hugging! I love it that people are happy there. The sermon begins and is really very well done - Pastor Rick is a great speaker and he wanders in and out of the text and everyday life. He is traditional and engaging and knowledgable. His only mistake in my mind - 45 minutes is just too long no matter how good it is. I found out what it is to be a pew sitter once again - end of sermon!
I am glad to have experienced this worship service. The best part - the hug tester - who was very careful and appropriate - and the height of friendly.
Blessings on all!
-"they got married"!!
And so began the sermon on, of all texts, Ephesians 5:22-33. I dare you to look it up! It is a passage I have avoided like the plague for 14 years. Enough said. I can't even bring myself to type those words of Paul. Peaked your curiosity yet?
First Baptist church is full of the joy of the Lord, so to speak. My friend Bettejane attends with 2 other friends on the island. I can see why. Talk about the "comfortable pew". It is like entering a theatre - greeters on the sidewalk and again inside; one of them has a tag "I'm a hug tester!" - the "sanctuary" is complete with sloped floor with comfy padded seats, large stage platform, 22 piece orchestra (you heard me!) and 52 in the choir with 4 song leaders out front and a grand piano - hundreds in the "pews" and that's on a "low" Sunday when some of the snowbirds have already left for home. Last week's attendance - 1,230! Oh, and this note for my church family folk and colleagues - the offering from last week was $35,294.64. No signs of a drooping economy here.
Pastor Rick is nowhere to be seen before the sermon. It is all about the singing! And everyone seems overjoyed with the love of God in the spirit. There is lots of clapping, smiling - and of course during the greeting - hugging! I love it that people are happy there. The sermon begins and is really very well done - Pastor Rick is a great speaker and he wanders in and out of the text and everyday life. He is traditional and engaging and knowledgable. His only mistake in my mind - 45 minutes is just too long no matter how good it is. I found out what it is to be a pew sitter once again - end of sermon!
I am glad to have experienced this worship service. The best part - the hug tester - who was very careful and appropriate - and the height of friendly.
Blessings on all!
The Next Exit
Saturday found us rolling down highway I-75 toward Anna Maria Island in Florida. The landscape has changed from budding trees to full blown tree foliage; from a chilly wind to shorts and sandals, and "the wages of sin are death" to "adult superstore ahead"! Whew. Every exit we anticipate what is next - the next fast food outlet - a quick rest area stop or a pecan fix at Stuckey's and of course Rip's favourite - Flying J's for gas (he has a discount card with a real value of several cents on a gas fill up - can't be beat! It is a dream gas station with internet, lounge chairs in front of a megga screen TV and - if you need a pick-me-up- showers! Twice we have gotten gas at some other stop and then the next exit was a Flying J's and you must have heard Rip's groan clear to Ontario. It appears our GPS has limits.
Okay there is a solution. Believe it or not, we found a book called, "The Next Exit", which lists all the stops on major highways in the US and what gas, food and accommodation we might find- so no more guessing games or watching the gas needle drop into the red zone in hopes of "the next stop".
It's so true of life, isn't it, that we are keen to know exactly what is ahead and spend a lot of time anticipating the next move and thinking about the future instead of living in the present moment. Along the highway, when we are not possessing about "the next exit", we are singing the songs of "Joseph" and munching Picard's peanuts and savouring each new scene.
Sabbatical time allows such a delightful refocus of "being" - the hours fly by and we have arrived at our friends and neighbour's (Bettejane and Larry) beautiful condo by the beach - you can smell the sea and after 15 hours of driving we are very glad to have arrived at "the next exit"!
Okay there is a solution. Believe it or not, we found a book called, "The Next Exit", which lists all the stops on major highways in the US and what gas, food and accommodation we might find- so no more guessing games or watching the gas needle drop into the red zone in hopes of "the next stop".
It's so true of life, isn't it, that we are keen to know exactly what is ahead and spend a lot of time anticipating the next move and thinking about the future instead of living in the present moment. Along the highway, when we are not possessing about "the next exit", we are singing the songs of "Joseph" and munching Picard's peanuts and savouring each new scene.
Sabbatical time allows such a delightful refocus of "being" - the hours fly by and we have arrived at our friends and neighbour's (Bettejane and Larry) beautiful condo by the beach - you can smell the sea and after 15 hours of driving we are very glad to have arrived at "the next exit"!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Craving the Caving
We got up and ready for the 8 am opening of the Visitor's Centre as we knew that some of the caving tours sell out quickly. We parked in the lot at 8:05 am and went to the doors - closed. Hmmm. Another car rolled up - okay we are clueless. We had gained 1 hour in our travels and the time was really 7:05 am. We are not so smart after all!
Took the Historic Tour in the morning (2 hours) and Frozen Niagara (1 hour) in the afternoon. Amazing Just to give you some idea, please picture going through passages called, "Tall Man's Misery" and "Fat Man's Agony". Okay, you must have a visual. Let us just say that it is a lot easier to be 5'2" than 6' - okay already.
The Mammoth Caves have 367 miles of caves - it is all so interesting and the history would fascinate even the most claustrophic of persons. It is so beautiful you can just see the Creator's handiwork - you just could not miss it really. The Green River carved all the caverns over time. It was an experience to remember. We thought it might not be busy, but some of the schools in nearby states were on school break so there were lots of families touring today.
After 3 hours of caving we had seen quite a lot and decided to move on. It is a beautiful day - it must be 75F and blue, sunny sky. We left for Bowling Green and toured the Corvette Museum - quite a contrast to caving let's say. We decided to quit the day early and relax rather than logging more hours on the road. After all, I am in withdrawal from having an agenda, and I cannot believe that my daybook says nothing at all for Friday, April 17th. It says nothing, but I have experienced breathtaking moments. Says a lot about sabbatical time.
Took the Historic Tour in the morning (2 hours) and Frozen Niagara (1 hour) in the afternoon. Amazing Just to give you some idea, please picture going through passages called, "Tall Man's Misery" and "Fat Man's Agony". Okay, you must have a visual. Let us just say that it is a lot easier to be 5'2" than 6' - okay already.
The Mammoth Caves have 367 miles of caves - it is all so interesting and the history would fascinate even the most claustrophic of persons. It is so beautiful you can just see the Creator's handiwork - you just could not miss it really. The Green River carved all the caverns over time. It was an experience to remember. We thought it might not be busy, but some of the schools in nearby states were on school break so there were lots of families touring today.
After 3 hours of caving we had seen quite a lot and decided to move on. It is a beautiful day - it must be 75F and blue, sunny sky. We left for Bowling Green and toured the Corvette Museum - quite a contrast to caving let's say. We decided to quit the day early and relax rather than logging more hours on the road. After all, I am in withdrawal from having an agenda, and I cannot believe that my daybook says nothing at all for Friday, April 17th. It says nothing, but I have experienced breathtaking moments. Says a lot about sabbatical time.
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