Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Road Trip!!!!!

We took 13 days to drive from southern California to Denver, Colorado. It was an amazing drive: we saw friends, God's beautiful creation and truly enjoyed our time together!!




Lisa and Sarah Lewis: Geoff's sister and niece that we visited in Fresno, California.

Then onto Mary Jacobs' house where we stayed for 2 nights with her. We were blessed to visit with Geoff's longtime friend, Matt Jacobs, Mary's son.











Geoff, Matt and another good longtime friend, Sue Barnes in Vallejo, California.


We enjoyed a BBQ with Mike and Sarah Lavezzo and their family. SOOOO good to see friends!!!













Next stop: SAN FRANCISCO!!!!! We were surprised to see Jack Fruit for sale in the Chinatown market!!

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge!!! But, watch out--it's WINDY and COLD up there!!











Geoff couldn't resist posing next to this sign on the bridge (we walked 1/2 way across and back!)















Yup. The coldest winter I ever had was a summer in San Francisco!!!



Continuing up north brought us to the Redwood forest. . . land of the HUGE trees!!!








Ahhh, Daddy and his boys somewhere near the Redwood forest in northern California.


The trees are big enough to stand in . . .

. . . and drive through!!!!


















We traveled for a long time along the beautiful Oregon coast before heading inland toward Vancouver, WA.











Gold Beach, OR, where we spent a night . . . the hotel clerk said we were lucky to have gone there on a day when the wind was not so strong! WHAT???? Didn't seem very tame OR warm to us!



Cold or not, Toby and Acacia insisted on going barefoot in shorts!









As we drove on toward Vancouver we stopped to eat lunch in a small town and were happy to find that the restaurant served lunch in vintage cars!



A dear friend from Pepperdine University, Rosy (Vela) Gunter who, with her husband, is a faithful
supporter of New Hope Uganda.


After visiting with the Gunter's we traveled onto to the Hood Canal across the sound from Seattle to visit with Geoff's Aunt Martha and Uncle Wayne. Their place is gorgeous and so peaceful.


The kids had a blast driving the GREEN MACHINE--Uncle Wayne's John Deere "get around" cart.


They played with their cousins Nolan and Max.

Picked Berries, yum yum.
Us with Uncle Wayne and Aunt Martha. With Geoff's cousin Barb's family.



We had a treat of a visit with Tal and Tiffany Anderson and their kids when they stopped by Aunt Martha and Uncle Wayne's on their way down the Hood Canal. It was truly God's timing that we were able to meet! Tal is the manager at New Hope Uganda and he and Tiffany are fellow Pepperdine alums. They are also on furlough for the next few months.








We were also able to make a brief visit to see my cousin, Eric and his family. Again, the cousins had a great time playing together!

On the way to Yellowstone we saw a lake that was filled with dead trees. Curious, we stopped at a roadside sign to read about why. In August 1957 there was an earthquake that cause a huge mudslide. The slide dammed up the lake and flooded the valley. Many campers died in the flood and the entire landscape was changed forever. The lake is now called "Earthquake Lake."
Finally! Yellowstone National Park. WOW!!! If you haven't been, you NEED to go. I don't know how anyone can see the beauty and creativity displayed in that park and NOT see the hand of our creative GOD. His work is AMAZING!


Rock climbing the sheepeater cliffs.
















Having just spotted a real moose and her cub, they couldn't resist posing.












The colors in Yellowstone are unparalleled.





orangesyellows and greens

and the power and beauty of Old Faithful.






The lower falls. We hiked a mile to get a good view of these beautiful falls. If you can manage to see it, there is a viewing point to the right of the top of the falls and there are people crowded on the overlook. That helps give some perspective of the size of the falls. We chose instead to hike farther away for an overall view.





We thought this was an interesting spot. This picture may look like a winter landscape, but it was HOT here as there was much geo-thermal activity. It turned the soil white and killed the tree. You can see the steam from a geyser in the background. A stunning turquoise-colored pool. The rising steam indicates the intense geo-thermal area.


Driving south from Yellowstone you immediately enter the Grand Teton National Park.


These mountains are majestic and towering. It is an awesome drive--you almost can't keep your eyes off of them.







Actually, this picture is supposed to be before the Yellowstone ones. Once we left Washington, it was into Idaho, then Montana, and then Wyoming where Yellowstone National Park is located.




Crossing the Continental Divide in Wyoming. Yes, I took this picture while I was driving! I don't recommend it.




Day 13--dropping down into Colorado. The landscape suddenly changes and there are more trees and greenery.










Reaching our destination: Papa and Grandma's!


We'll stay put for awhile before the next road trip. In late August early September we'll head out again to Texas for about 10 days.

3 comments:

Glenda said...

so glad you put pics up...I have been checking every day since you left Long Beach. Miss you all so much. The pics are spectacular!! I was wondering on the ones that are oranges and greens is that water??? can't tell. Anyway love all of the photos and can't wait to see Toby this Friday! Love you All!!!

Britton Family said...

The oranges and greens are soil where the bacteria live and when mixed with the water and the heat they produce specific colors. YOU HAVE to go sometime!

Beto and Laura Perez Speaks said...

love love love the blog. havn't been here in awhile since i don't get much time at the internet. oh my, i just looked up to see my husband melting a plastic tube over a candle on top of my dish rag in the kitchen. he owes me dish rags. anywho, love the pics too. glenda we'll have to go to yellowstone together. so what's up with the burgers from hoffs? and love the pics with aunt cindi! love you guys and great to talk to youtoday!