After a cold night's sleep in the van (at a KOA, not Wal mart...yay, showers!) we woke up to frost on the inside of our windows. A hot shower felt great! We left for our next destination: Mt Rushmore. On our way we made an impromptu stop at a veteran's cemetery with fields of white tombstones that could be seen from the road. The pristine green grass and the manner in which the two men working in outside stopped their work and removed their hats as a funeral procession drove increased our sense of respect for those who served our country in this way. After walking up and down a few rows a man who was a Vietnam veteran stepped out of his car to pay his respects to friends and acquaintances. He shared with me ... read more

Cows. Pick up trucks. Land. Antelope. Land. It is perhaps this simplicity that is causing my city-boy husband to long to make his home on this range. This day was a sad day for my sister and brother-in-law, we'd appreciate your prayers for them. As we drove along this beautiful land listening to our Bible reading for the day I continued to think of and pray for them. “Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:34-5)... read more

I can't believe we are in the farthest northwest state in the continental USA! Here, in a suburb of Seattle, we spent a 4-day Easter weekend with a family of friends who had lived in Beijing for several years. The kids had a blast being with other kids and renewing friendships. Our younger kids taught them how to play “Pablo” while our oldest had lots of laughs with their oldest who shares a mutual sense of witty humor. We also enjoyed reconnecting and being with people who know the struggles and joys of life abroad and being “Third Culture.” We loved sharing in their interests as they took us out for 2 days of field trips to the Boeing Museum of Flight, and the Seattle Science Museum. We also watched some of their kids' creative home-videos ... read more

From S. California we drove up I-5, central state, passing long stretches of grapevines, rolling green hills, and sheep. Quite different from the dry rocky hills of the southern desert. Mid-afternoon we arrived at Yosemite National Park and at once were enthralled by the towering pine trees surrounding us. We drove tight curves embanked by several feet of snow to one side and long pine covered hills dropping off the other side. We stopped to stomp through the snow to see the Mariposa Grove. Paths alongside clear, cold streams racing over rocks led us to the majestic Giant Sequoias. Pictures just can't do these beauties justice, they were truly majestic. On the way to the valley where we were to camp the next two nights, we passed El Capitan and Half Dome, rock cliffs that the ... read more

When we entered Arizona we recalled the saying, “Whoever says the world is over-crowded has never driven across the United States.” I waited to hear that wild west whistle, but not even that was to be heard. Eventually we came across scattered worn-down trailers with a few Rvs or pick-up trucks by them. A few wild and thin horses grazed along the highways outside of wire fences. We noticed that most of the people we saw seemed to be of Native American descent and wondered if the area we were driving through was an Indian Reservation. Eventually we came upon parts of the highway that were dotted with roadside stands selling Navajo crafts, jewelry, and pottery. Eventually we left the warmer desert lands and rose into the higher grounds of the Grand Canyon. What a surprise ... read more