At Tim's House

Ok, so I've lost track of time.  I don't even know what day we're on, so I'll just lump them all together as that's the way it seems right at the moment--days running into each other.

Instead of talking specifically about what happened each day, I'm being led in another direction this morning.  As I think back over the days on the road and the ones here at Tim's, I can't help but think about "family".  Paul and I enjoy traveling and being together.  That's sort of obvious since we'll be married 42 years come November 29th.  But we also enjoy having our family with us.  Brandon and Meredith have been a real blessing to us this trip.  Paul has had help loading and unloading the luggage from the van to the room and back.  Meredith was a real help to me when I was in such pain after walking so far to the balloon fiesta and back to the van.  Most of you know I’ve been going to physical therapy for my back and walking doesn’t help the condition.   But I made it, and painkillers and ice helped a lot.  That long walk was on Saturday night for the ‘night glow’ show.  

 The next morning, we got up early enough to get a parking spot much closer, so my back didn’t fare as badly.  Words can’t describe the balloon fiesta.  Pictures do a better job, but they still can’t capture all the excitement and wonder of so many hot air balloons in one place, all being blown up, people trying to hold them down with ropes until they were completely inflated, and then others trying to hold the baskets down until they were ready to go airborne. 

 Once the balloons were completely inflated, it was only a matter of a couple of minutes before they were in the air, drifting over our heads, people waving down at us.  One balloon’s pilot was handicapped.  He had a special rig that contained his wheelchair.  It was amazing to see what only looked like him and his wheelchair dangling from underneath the balloon.  He was part of the “Bee” family.  These were actually three balloons all related.  Two bees looked to be joined together and would “kiss” as they lifted into the air and then flew away hand-in-hand.  The ‘bee’ that the handicapped man piloted was their baby bee.  

 God is so wonderful to allow us to do the things we enjoy even though we may not be able to do it just like everyone else does.  I’m glad this man did not allow his handicap to stop him.  (See his feet dangling down in the picture below.)

It was a blessing to be able to share this experience with Brandon and Meredith.   

Tim and his family were unable to make it after all due to work obligations.  I wish all our family could have been there with us, but maybe another time.  I’m sure we’ll make it back this way again.

Family time with Tim, Maryann, Ethan, Kate, and Natalie has been precious.  Being with them during their every day routines is just as good as doing more exciting things, such as the balloon fiesta.  It would have been nice if they were there, but sitting here relaxing, playing, sharing meals and sunsets across the mountains are all blessed events.  

 Paul, Tim, Brandon, Meredith, and I did drive through the Sonoran Desert, climbed a mountain (yes, I did!), and went to the desert museum.  It was such a nice day (except for getting car-sick on the drive back—yuck).  I’m much better today.  

 I can do this!  I think I can . . .

 Ok, here I go.

 I did it!!! Now, to get back down.

 Today we're just relaxing.  I'm not sure of our plans for later today, but tomorrow morning we head out to the Grand Canyon.  Love all you guys.

Playing Catch Up for Days 3 & 4--Part One

Ok, so I've had a good night's rest.  I'm sitting out by the pool at Tim's house overlooking the desert--very peaceful and relaxing.  Just what I need after being on the road for four days.  Yesterday was supposed to be the shortest day of driving--WRONG!  Only about an hour away from Tim's we ran into road construction.  It took us about an hour and a half to go 3 miles.  That's not a typo.  3 miles in an hour and a half.  Thank goodness I had my knit therapy with me!

And my I-pod.  When we finally broke free of the traffic and construction, we still had another hour to get to Tim's.  The kids were so excited to see us!  Natalie (after all the hugs) put her hands on her hips and said, "Where have you been so long!!"  I don't know if she meant that we were so late getting there, or if she meant since my last visit in June.  Either way, it was such a sweet and grown-up remark.  So, let me back up to the blog I promised on the third night--Yukon to Albuquerque.  We left our hotel and went to see the home of the Clydesdales--such beautiful animals.

 We didn't realize that we were actually on the Chisholm Trail until we stumbled across this.

 Brandon said this was a Texas Longhorn.  I said, "Well, it's now an "Oklahoma Longhorn"!

After a quick stop at a yard sale, yep, I said yard sale, we were on the road again to Groom, OK, home of the world's largest cross.  We've seen this before on our cross country trips, but we never had the time to stop.  We planned for a stop this time.  What a reverent place.  Yes, it is just brick, mortar, and stone, but what works of art to the glory of God and the sacrifice Jesus. 

 

After a quick picnic lunch here, and a short stop at the Cadillac ranch,

we were on the road again to New Mexico.

 One quick stop we made after we left Albuquerque was in Hatch, NM, the "chili capital of the world".  Look at all those chili peppers!  Yep, Paul bought a bunch.  Part Two of this blog will tell about the balloon fiesta.  Gotta rest awhile!

Day Three--Yukon to Albuquerque

Tonight's blog is short.  I'm too tired to even think.  These pictures are just a little glimpse of what we saw today and tonight.  It's an awesome trip so far.  I promise more details later.  Night all.

Day Two--Mt. Juliet, TN, to Yukon, OK

Well, tonight the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" will write this blog.  We rode, and rode, and rode, and . . . etc.

This is the way the day started out.

We praise the Lord that this did not happen to us. (see below)

 

We crossed the mighty Mississippi . . .

. . . into Arkansas.

Paul drove and drove and drove.  He loves it.

Brandon and Meredith were good little children.

 

On to Oklahoma . . .

 The sun was out part of the day.  This is nearing nightfall, getting closer to Yukon, OK.

 And to a good night's rest.  Thank you, Jesus, for safe travels and being there for us.

Tomorrow, on to Albuquerque.  Good night, loved ones.

Day One--From home to Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
     It was a long day driving, but we aren't as tired as we would be if Paul hadn't stopped every hour to an hour and a half.  Just getting out and moving around some helps a lot.  Brandon and Meredith behaved themselves (most of the time) and Meredith only asked once "Are we there yet?"

Paul, well, that's a different story.  He . . .  Just kidding.  

He did an awesome job driving through all this traffic.  

The best bumper sticker I saw was "Anybody but Obama!"  Amen to that!

 

We ate a picnic lunch just before we crossed the NC/TN border.  We almost FROZE it was so cold! 

 The drive was mostly uneventful, which was a good thing.  We did see many minor accidents, though.  The trees were not in their full fall colors, yet, but a few were turning.  

The mountains, of course, never change.  They're always beautiful!

 This is a view of the sky as it was nearing sunset and just before we arrived at Mt. Juliet.  

Oh, the wonders of His hands!

Thanks to "all y'all" for praying for us!

Funny for today.

The Excitement is Growing!

         Well, a few more hours and we're on the road again!  Yep, ANOTHER cross-country trip.  Brandon and Meredith are going with us.  You might wonder if we'll all still love each other when we get back, but I don't doubt that we will.  I'm glad our family loves being with each other.  (Most of the time, anyway.)  This this will only be a 10 day round trip, all the way to Tim's house in Tucson and then the Grand Canyon--my 4th time viewing this magnificent work of God.  On the ride over we're stopping at Albuquerque, New Mexico to see the mass ascension of 500 balloons at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta!!  WooHoo!  I've wanted to see this for over three years, and we're finally hit the timing just right!  Tim and his family are driving from their house to Albuquerque also to spend Saturday afternoon and night with us at the balloon fiesta and watch the balloon ascension.  Then we'll all ride back to their house together.  Watch for a daily blog to keep up with our travels and see our pictures.  Please pray for us to have a safe journey.  (Oh, I changed the look of the blog.  Be sure to check out the kitty on the right.  Move your mouse all around her and watch and listen.  Cute.)