DAY 2 – CLAYTON, NM ~ GRAPE CREEK – WESTCLIFFE, CO

We got a fairly good start this a.m. We only had 200+ miles to drive today. We planned to arrive early, set up camp, and wait for the others to arrive.

Along the way we stopped for…..

GAS in Raton, NM…


Then again in Walsenburg, CO.

We arrived at Grape Creek RV Park and managed to get our site moved to the back row – Mike says the wee bit of whining I indulged in paid off well. We decided we needed a tent site and an RV site. The tent sites are along the creek. Our site was across the park. They let us move to the one slot left on the back row….our view is THIS….


Zander was supposed to tell Mike when to stop. ::snort::

Anyway, this view sure beats the shower house. ::snort::

Everyone pitched in to set up camp.

I made lunch and we ate it while marveling at the mountains.

Unfortunately, my cell phone died and so we have no communication with our traveling family. We decided to explore the area as we waited.

Monkey in the Middle


Grape Creek

Wildflowers







We have no picnic table or fire ring here…no s’mores. Ah well that takes care of the marshmallow dilemma…we still are enjoying sitting around camp, viewing the mountains, reading, playing games, (Mike’s studying) and WAITING for the others….

This phrase was oft repeated this afternoon as a storm blew in, “it feels so GOOD to be cold again.” ::snort::

1900 and none of the older kids are here. My cell phone has died. Mike’s phone is NOT for “personal business”. We drove in to Westcliffe and called them from Subway – 4 cell phones and not ONE of them picked up…..we’ll try in a few more hours. Meanwhile we'll play games and eat popcorn.


2000 – Girls arrived. 10 minutes later boys arrived. The boys had been to the top of some mountain – yeah map quest. LOL Eventually, they found us.





All phones are charging.

I fed them all chili and bagels….it’s late now….so off to bed.

©2008 D.R.G.

WOOT!!!

Today THIS young man from TX......

And THESE young women from WA .....

will meet THIS GROUP (where's STACIA?)

in the mountains of Colorado.....outside Grape Creek/Westcliffe...something or other. And we'll enjoy 6 days of having everyone together....

before Josiah leaves to come back to TX....and the girls leave to go back to WA....and eventually we'll come back to TX too.

©2008 D.R.G.

Day 1 of our Vacation

First, Mike has dubbed this communication central for the next few weeks. Note the EHD, laptop (with wifi tonight), camera and phone (minus charger - ARGH).

Jamin and Josiah will be driving out to CO tomorrow.....he will be bringing a few things we forgot: phone charger, the dog....

Early this a.m. (4:30) I began hauling food and clothes out the trailer.

A package from Mom and Dad arrived! You are so thoughtful. Thanks. Here's Stacia in her "Princess Dress" - because it has rhinestones on the yoke. ::snort::

We'll love the toys, magazines, towels etc on the trip. Thanks again.

First stop on our wild trip - Dumas, TX


Second stop - Lubbock, TX (is it trending DOWN?)

We also got lunch at Lubbock. We'd been texting the girls and were alarmed that they were NOT out of WA as of 10:00, 11:00.....Bre said Krista had an "errand that was taking some time". Krista is always up early and ready to go...we wondered....It turns out that she signed the papers this a.m. for a new job. She'll not be going back to Master's Commission this year. She's been recommended for a couple of ministry opportunities and is still praying about the Doulous. Regardless of what she does the job will be handy and allow her to save $. For this year the plan is to finish up her ministry course in Spokane, work, and pray about which door to walk through.

From Lubbock, TX to Clayton, NM there is not a lot to see. A friend loaned us his Garmin GPS and we amused ourselves by trying to trip it up. ::snort:: (The following photos were taken in a jumpy vehicle).

We saw lots of corn....

Sleeping kids...

Trains....

The littles really enjoyed getting out of the van. We've unpacked, called Jamin to remind him to bring the phone charger...checked on the address of the place outside of Westcliffe where we will be for the next week.....

The rest of the evenings we'll play games, or read, or go for a walk...... and if I take photos I may pop in and upload them as I may not have another chance for a few days. (Do check back as some posts are set to post automatically).

Tomorrow the older kids should all join us at a campground outside of Grape Creek in the Wet Mountain Valley in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range.There are 36 acres of grass lawns, flowering shrubs, spectacular wild flowers and majestic high mountain views for your enjoyment. Excellent trout fishing right in the park! Mike fondly remembers many hikes as a child and youth in these mountains....and I've attempted it a time or two with him....so if you don't hear from us it's because there are no connections in the area...and we'll be slipping and sliding up and down mountains.

I will be journaling....a trip diary of sorts. Long time readers know that at its heart this blog is a ministry to my family. I want to get our life down while I can still remember....so that will continue.


©2008 D.R.G.

Pray for China


I've been meaning to blog this.....



I received one of those little rubber bracelets in the mail. This one says "Pray for China". I've been wearing it and I must admit that it has caused a new awareness of the persecuted church in my life.....I have ordred more to share.


The band is from Voice of the Mrtyrs. Here's a bit from their site:

Despite what you may hear in the news, Chinese Christians who refuse to register with the government controlled church are being persecuted. Many have undergone
horrific suffering.

Recently a prominent representative of a group of house churches in China asked Christians throughout the free world to pray for China during the Olympics. The Voice of the Martyrs, in partnership with China Aid Associates, has accepted that call and has produced the Olympic Prayer Band.

You can go here for a free bracelet....and here to order more. Over 1/2 a million bracelets have been ordered....and if my experience is any indication that translates to lots of prayers for our brothers and sisters in China.

©2008 D.R.G.

COUNTDOWN....1 DAY until all the pieces of my heart unite in CO.....

What can I say? I found this photo when I was taking the 1980's out of magnetic albums. This is the very first time that BreAnne saw Krista.

Mike didn't grow up with a brother. I had no sisters. When we met Krista (6-3-1987) we had such hopes and dreams of the relationship these two "sisters" would develop. That relationship has developed.

Honestly, Bre has embraced her role as big sister from this very moment.....and Krista has followed suite. They've been amazing big sisters for all the children.

I love the excitement on Bre's face. We've seen the same excitement in recent years when we drove up in Spokane,WA.....when she and Krista RAN across the flightline in San Angelo to get to their siblings....and in one more day we'll see that excitement in the mountains of CO.

If you think of it pray for the girls and for Mike, I and the younger 5 as we travel today. We'll be traveling again tomorrow...as will the older two boys.

Stephanie...we'll post that new circle of faces as soon as we find a connection after taking it. ::snort::

©2008 D.R.G.

Too Screaming BUSY to take even ONE photos Today!!!

How's that for a title?

I cannot begin to remember all that we did today; but it all focused on getting us out of here.

Josiah called and volunteered to take the younger 3 to his apartment for a couple of hours. What a huge HELP. They LOVED having time with him at his "partment". It worked out well for all.

Josiah WILL be meeting us in CO. Another manager volunteered to work extra hours so he doesn't have to close Tuesday. He and Jamin will drive the whole shot in one day.

Arielle and I ran to Walmart for the annual "socks and underwear spree" that mortifies certain male members of this family. We had time for a nice little discussion about growing up et al....and um to those who were asking - I figured out that it worked best without a book. ::snort::

Jamin and Jared worked all day hauling things to the trailer.

The pool is drained, the water heater and a LOT of other stuff now reside at the dump, the clothes are packed.....lists are made...shepherd's pie and garlic mashed potatoes are in the freezer....it's coming together and we'll be leaving EARLY tomorrow. (Actually in a few short hours).

Yes, of course, I'll blog from the road every chance I get. I know how much my faithful readers look forward to the annual gas pump photos. ::snort:: Shoot - the Grand Canyon, London Bridge, Disney World...NOTHING holds a candle to the gas pumps of America. ::snort::

©2008 D.R.G.

Healing Choice "Give Away"

Ladies, both copies of Healing Choice will be mailed out as soon as I find addresses.

I do have a personal copy that I've loaned out. When I return from vacation if any other local women would like to borrow that copy, please let me know.

©2008 D.R.G.