Home again! Aug 22

Well folks, we are back home with "dial-up" and it is late, so I will not post any pictures at this hour. Yesterday morning we were at the St Louis Arch soon after they opened. We went through the museum there and did ride the "bubble" to the top. We were afraid we could not see anything since it was a rainy and foggy morning. Much to our surprise, we could see quite a bit and could take some pictures. I thought it was really pretty around there. The walkway to the arch is just a beautiful walk. A person could spend alot of time there just walking and also enjoying the river there (if the sun shines) We then hit the road for the east. It was planned earlier that we would take a more southern route home, but we both were feeling the need to get back home to be with family.We drove into our "motel" for the night and it looked good! The black eyed susans and the morning glories are blooming since we left. We also are noticing the "night" sounds already. It was so good to see everyone today. We spent most of the day today with Rich & Sharon at the hospital today.Continue to join us in praying for God's will and acceptance in this difficult situation. Praise God for Drs, and the nurses working with Rich and the kindness shown to Sharon. I may be able to post pictures again when it is not so late.

Day of driving-Aug 20

We took turns driving today. We would drive 100 mile or a little more and then switched drivers. As we came into Missouri, the sign was right overhead in a very busy traffic area, around Kansas City, so this shot will need to do. We are spending the night near St Louis at St Charles. We plan to go see the arch tomorrow and then head east again! We enjoyed the satellite radio today alot. We also listened to an audio book on this trip which was an interesting thing to do while traveling. We would remember what chapter we ended on and then start from there the next time. This way we could read and sight see at the same time!!
A snap of Kansas City s we drove by. The weather today was overcast, but made better driving since the sun was not so bright. There is always something good in a day!!

Aug 18 & 19-Pikes Peak, and more

We drove longer than we planned and are staying in Hays, Kansas tonight. It was so nice to see the fields of sunflowers blooming.
We visited Focus on the Family and took the tours through the Operations and Administrations buildings. It is a large campus. We enjoyed the Bookstore, visitor center and the theater. It was very refreshing to see God as the center after touring the country and seeing many things.
One of the buildings at Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs.
Grandpa and "Mr. Whitaker" at Odessy at Focus on the Family.
Very interesting place to visit.
"Chief Elroy" coming out of the tepee
We visited the Manatou Cliff Dwellers. It was so interesting! We went through the museum, watched Indian dances and walked through a house in the cliff.
Grandma coming down from the second story of this house.
We also visited and enjoyed walking through the Garden of the Gods.We watched some rock climbers while there.
A big balanced rock at The Garden of the Gods. Do you happen to see grandpa under there?
A view from our walk in the Garden of the Gods. This was what they called the "kissing camels". I could not get the whole thing in the picture.
It was 29 degrees on the Summit. At one point we were above the clouds, but then the higher we went, it was very foggy. The 86 yr old lady that sat next to us said she is so sorry that we couldn't see more. She lives there and had her 2 granddaughters with her. If on a clear day, they say we could have seen all of Colorado Springs and also into Kansas. We were still glad we went up and saw what we could.
These boys were very concerned about the lady that was using oxygen while on the Summit.
All the way! We could tell a difference in our breathing. An elderly lady that also rode the train, needed O2 while there.
Of Course, we reached the summit and there was snow!!
A pretty view on the way
A view on the way up the mountain. The one area reminded me of Sound of Music hills.
WE did take the cog railway up the mountain. There was a guide talking on the way up explaining things seen on the way up.
Yesterday we did go to Pikes Peak. I could not get the internet last night so I will do double pictures tonight.

Royal Gorge and Seven Falls-Aug 17

The entrance to Seven Falls. The drive in through the mountains to the falls was so pretty. The camera would not capture what I really wanted it to.
Seven Falls from the deck up on the mountains. Since it rained this morning and a good shower while we were there, the water was a little brown.We would have done more hiking, but since it was wet, the steps were very wet. They did close down the elevator due to thunder and lighting. We visited the visitor center during the rain. Very worth while visiting this area!!
This is a tunnel we walked through at Seven Falls to get to the elevator to go to the top of the mountain.
We left this am and went to the Royal Gorge Bridge. It was so overcast this morning and had some rain so we weren't sure what we could see, but it did clear up enough to have a wonderful day! We felt "hugged" again that we had that spot of the day that was so nice.
A view of the bridge
We drove across and also walked across the bridge. We could feel it giving as the cars and people walked. We were surprised they allowed people and vehicles to go at the same time.
We even rode the incline railway to the bottom of the gorge. The one guy said he feels like a horse because they put us in a cage and closed the doors.

Day of travel-Aug 16

We are spending the night in Canon City, Colorado tonight. We hope to see Royal Gorge, Pikes Peak, Focus on the family before we leave this area. We had rain today as we traveled here. This was the first rain we have had on our whole trip! It was rather foggy here this eve, so we aren't sure what we will be able to see. A waitress told us it is to rain all weekend. As we went up a mountain today, we had 70 degrees at the bottom, when we reached the top (about 1/2 hr) we had 41 degrees!! That was a change. We will need to wait and see what happens tomorrow. We spoke with alot of folks back home today. Our prayers are still flying for Rich and Sharon and the girls.
This was a very pretty sight. In driving from Utah to Colorado,one town had pots of flowers like this on either side of the street. Mel started counting them and thought it was about 150 big pots on one side of the street!!
A view of the "Bridal Veil Falls".This was along the road. Very pretty
Before the concert began. The choir went up on stage and the orchestra was preparing. This was so worth hearing!!! It was a wonderful eve out under the stars. It was cool enough that we wore our light jackets and also had a blanket around us. Some folks even had gloves on.
Waiting for the concert to begin. We brought our small cooler and had our drink and things to eat with us. It was interesting sitting and talking to others around us.
We attended the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Utah Symphony Concert at Deer Valley, Ut last night (Fri)People are gathering for the concert. We needed to bring our lawn chairs (low) could have a picnic basket. It was fun.

A day in Moab, Ut-Aug 14

We ended the day at Arches National Park.We are staying in Price, UT tonight. tomorrow we plan to go to Park City, UT and attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir/Utah Symphony in the eve. I don't think I can blog tomorrow, but will catch up on Sat eve. We hope to be in Colorado on Saturday.
One of the many unique rock formations
One of the arches at Arches National. We were going to do some hiking, but it was 99 degrees and we felt it was too hot to hike, so we did most of view points.
This was where we got the ATV in Moab, Utah, that we went on a 11 miles ride one way down into a canyon and then way to the top.
There was a trailer provided to haul the ATV, we hooked it to the car and away we went.
We also saw some pictographs (?) on the trail. Dawson-we took this for you. Is that what this is?
We enjoyed the Cati's we saw growing along the trail
Here we sit in our little dune buggy!It was fun, but I sure had my fears and wondered if we should go with a tour rather than alone-in case we got lost, what if we had trouble...but Mel said we will be fine.
I got out and walked ahead around several curves to get a video of Mel coming down the mountain
One view out the side which dropped waaay down. We were on top of this mountain that looked very large when we drove past it!
This was the view on the "other side" of the mountain when we reached the top.
We made it to the top of this canyon.
The natural bridge at Bryce Canyon. These pictures went with yesterday's blog. It is allowing me to post tonight.
View of the Bryce Canyon. Mel said it felt like walking through a fairyland as we walked.
This was during our hike down into the canyon.
A view at Bryce Canyon-awe inspiring!
For Dawson, Jasmine, Alia, Owen-- This squirrel came right up to us at Bryce Canyon. He is getting excited that grandpa and grandma will be home before too long. He was so cute.