10/26 just hanging out

 It rained on Monday.   Then we hung out.  

Went for a walk on beach yesterday.  Took girls to playground 

10/24 Girl Scouts -chill day

 Liz did a bike ride- no whale airings.  Liz got to go to scouts with Nora!

Ross was recovering from a cold. 

Mist was like being in a fog.

10/23 car show and hike

 Base had a car show.  Not many mustangs, but Ferraris, Lotus, Mclaren, Lamborghini, etc.  the girl’s favorite was the VW camping van. 

But they had bouncy things for the girls.  Girls worked as a team to get through the obstacle.

Then we went on a hike.  

10/22 Avila beach to touch a starfish

 We went to Avila Beach to the little aquarium they have there.  The girls got to touch a starfish and even a small shark.  (But nothing like baby shark)

10/21 beach with girls

 

We took the girls to the beach this afternoon. Isla got stung by a wasp when we initially walked onto the beach, but God protected her from any traction to it. It was soon forgotten and sand castle building and burying of each other commenced. 

10/20 VSFB

Woke to revelry again. We both went for morning bike rides up the coast. We saw some more whales and they were breaching about a 1/4 mile offshore. Quite impressive. After lunch we went pumpkin hunting with the family. Good fun. 

Scripture of the day…..

I delight to do Your will, my God; Your Law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8

10/18 Revelry 0700

Awakened by revelry from the base speakers at 7am.  Liz’s mission today was laundry. We had a mountain of it. Ross was able to sneak in a morning ride up the coast on base.  He saw a deer, a coyote, and a pod of whales all in the same ride. Can’t see that in SD 🤪.

Spent the bulk of the day over at Lukes house catching up with each other and spending time with the girls after school.  They’re bundles of energy for sure.

Scripture of the day……

The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant. My eyes are continually toward the Lord, For He will rescue my feet from the net.

Psalm 25:14-15 - 

10/19 VSFB

We were awakened again to the morning playing of revelry on the base speakers. No sleeping in here 🤪. 

Just spent time with our kids and grandkids. Did a little mountain biking with Luke in the morning and went to the local playgrounds with the girls. They are strong little climbers!

Fun day!

10/17. Landed in California

 Made it to California and got to see family!

10/16 River Mountain Loop Trail

After taking it easy yesterday, both of us rode the 34 mile River Mountain Loop Trail around Black Mountain and skirting the edge of Vegas. Ross was way ahead of Liz.  It was a curvy paved trail but a total of nearly 2800 feet of elevation.  With the wind, and the winding path, it was a bit of a struggle for both of us.  Took a nap and did some reading after the ride. Another beautiful day overlooking Lake Meade. So many colors at the end of the day.

10/14 going to Hoover Dam visitor center

 Today was visiting one of those inspirational places that we spent so much time studying as civil engineering students.  Hoover Dam is amazing.  All we could visit is the visitor center, but it was awesome walking across the top.  

“For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.54.10.NLT  

10/13 Ride to Hoover Dam

 Travel day.  We arrived at Lake Meade.  Went for a bike ride out to see Hoover Dam.  

10/12 rain again

 

We were able to connect with Barry and Joann, and hike a short trail in Snow Canyon.  Unfortunately it was rainy and misting because our original plan was to bike it.  Still had a great time with them.  

10/11 biking in Zion park

 Since the weather was sorta cool, we decided against trying the narrows and pulled out our bikes to bike in Zion.

We biked thru the canyon and the awesome views of canyon walls accompanied us.  

My soul waits in silence for God alone; From Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I will not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 62:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2062:1-2&version=NASB

10/10 Hiking in Zion

We got up early and went up to hike in Zion.  The plan was to go up to Angel’s Landing.  We made it up to Scout’s lookout, but there was so many people, Liz decided to chill with the chipmunk.  In the end, Ross decided there was too many people, so we got to check out the emerald pools which was a fun hike.  

Today’s verse below.  

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/jos.1.9.NLT

10/9. Travel day to outside Zion

 We made it thru the night in Bryce.  Luckily it never got to freezing.  We packed up early and arrived at our new resort by noon.   Sunshine.  Electricity!   Hit the hurricane Cliffs mountain bike Patk. Liz hiked and Ross rode.

10/8. Rain

“You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.55.12.NLT

I can imagine that the trees are mountains are singing!  

10/7/21 Travel to Bryce

  

Woke up to this scripture. As we’ve been traveling thru the desert of Utah, this Really jumped out at me from Psalm 63.

 

God, You are my God; I shall be watching for You; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and exhausted land where there is no water. So have I seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and glory. Because Your favor is better than life, My lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

Psalm 63:1-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2063:1-4&version=NASB

 

Travel day. We head to Bryce and will likely be off grid without cell service the next couple of days.

10/6/21 Capitol Reef National Park

Woke up to Isaiah 26. Entire chapter is really helpful….but vs 4 stuck out to me as we will be exploring the rocks of Capitol Reef National Park today.

Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.

Isaiah 26:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2026:4&version=NASB

 

Gods creation is incredible in all these rock canyons. Fortunately He does not erode like the canyons. 

 

We rode they the park on the scenic byway. We had to hike the gorge at the end as bikes were not allowed on that stretch….contrary to what the park ranger told us. Bummer! The gorge was “gorgeous” 🤪

 

The Gifford House at the front end of the park makes the best fruit pies! Definitely worth a visit.

 

Day ended with another hike to Hickman Bridge…..which actually sure seems like another arch. Pretty cool.

10/5/21 Travel to Torrey from Goblin

Another great desert sunrise. We decided to hike they the Valley of the Goblins before packing up camp. Really bizarre landscape. 

 

Anyway, we travelled thru Capital Reef on our way to Torrey. It was actually raining today….pretty rare in the desert.  Made plans for tomorrow after getting camp set up.

 

Reconnected to the outside world now that we have cell service again. 

10/4 Goblin Valley State Park

Awesome desert sunrise this morning. After breakfast we tried doing a bit of mountain biking on the trails above the campground. Unfortunately we chose the hardest one to start with. Liz injured her calf so we went back to the camper to attend to the wounds. She decided to take it easy and paint the amazing butte. What’s odd about this butte is that it is essentially all dirt. The erosion makes it look like rugged rock. I went and did more mountain biking exploring all the trails these are more my speed in that they are dirt trails….not rocky. 

 

We’re off grid….no electricity and no phone service. Nice!

 

 

10/3/21 Travel from Moab to Goblin Valley

 I woke up to this scripture……

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:3-9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Peter%201:3-9&version=NASB

 

That is reassuring in todays chaotic climate and culture…..with unpredictable mandates,  peer pressure, and canceling.

 

Today was a travel day. We moved from Moab to Goblin Valley State Park. We were  sad to leave our new friend John who is staying on for a jeep 4x4 time with his club. John was put in our path….or shall I say in the next camp site for some divine purpose. We had lots of spiritual as well RV mentoring discussions. 

 

We got set up at Goblin and then went for a hike. We ended up in the middle of the valley of the goblins. Kinda reminds us of the Badlands back in SD.  Some of the buttes around here are really impressive. 

 

Trying out some Dutch oven cooking tonight….pork chops with stuffed apples.

 

Ross

10/2 Arches -delicate arch

We hit Arches National Park again.  We went to Delicate Arch(the one on the license plate).  That was a blast.  There was a couple taking wedding photos and other fun groups.   

So then we decided to make funny pics.  

Then we went to the windows area and enjoyed the next few arches such as double arch. 

10/1 Dead Horse State Park

 

We both visited Dead Horse State Park (nice place and facilities) and went out to the view point.  Liz went for a five mile hike and Ross took off and rode his bike back down to our campsite.  Hung out in the evening with a neighbor.