Curve Balls We've had a few "curve balls" thrown at us over the past 4 months, some anticipated and some totally unexpected. Yet, through all the loss and hardship, we are coming out the other side more fulfilled, intentional and more prepared for the next phase of life than we ever have been. This period has changed us and I like the changes. No other time of life has taught me more to not despise the storms of life. The hardships were a catalyst for internal change, bringing greater character, wisdom, love, and grace into our lives and more intentional habits that are producing fruit. Those are all things I need more of and I've come to treasure life's storms, knowing that life afterwards is all the sweeter and richer. 3 in 1 In the span of one month, we lost my sweet mother-in-law, went … [Read more...] about The Roller Coaster of Life
Trips
Heading West Part V
In this final part of our 2019 Heading West series, I take you along on our last three stops before heading home after 3 weeks. It all started in the Wind River Range of Wyoming and you can read Part I here, Part II here, Part III here and Part IV here. Recognize this face? I mentioned before that my youngest two children, now adults, had never seen Yellowstone National Park before this trip. They also had never seen Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, so we made a point to stop by. It was an overcast day but it didn't dampen the amazing sight of Borglum's artistry. Gutzon Borglum chose this mountain due to its height (5700' above sea level), the soft grainy consistency of the granite, and the fact that it catches the sun for the greatest part of the day. Did you know the original plan was to … [Read more...] about Heading West Part V
Heading West Part IV
Spending a significant time in the West is one of our family's favorite summer traditions. We've been doing it for 39 years and it goes back even further if you count my husband's childhood. Over the last few weeks, I've been chronicling our 2019 trip to the Wind River Range of Wyoming and the stops we made afterwards. You can read Part I here, Part II here, and Part III here. America's Favorite National Park After 8 days, we left our primitive camp in the Wind River Range to head north. Our two youngest had never seen Yellowstone which seemed unacceptable since they were practically adults now. So we pulled into a Yellowstone campground to spend 2 nights and a full day hitting the typical highlights of this unique park. One day is not near enough to see it all, but we had the perfect weather and made … [Read more...] about Heading West Part IV
Heading West Part III
Our family primitive camped in the Wind River Range of western Wyoming in June 2019. You can read Part I here and Part II here. Exploring We took a 4 mile hike on the Continental Divide Trail right out of camp in the Wind River Range. 4 miles was less than a drop in the bucket of the total 3,100 mile trail running between Canada and Mexico. First we had to cross the Green River on a well made and well worn bridge. Both Forest Service and private horsepack groups use this trail as well as hikers and backpackers. The horse shoes have worn down the center of this bridge. Life Slows Down Photo credit: LBS I'm usually in the back of our group, stopping to take pictures of course. You can't rush a photographer. ;) Photo Credit: LBS This hike did not gain much elevation until … [Read more...] about Heading West Part III
Heading West Part II
A Little Bit of Heaven Our family took a much needed break on the Continental Divide of the Rocky Mountains recently ~ read Part I here if you missed it! We started our trip with 8 days at the headwaters of the Green River in the northern part of the Wind River Range of WY. Bridger Wilderness was a stone's throw away, just on the other side of the river. We learned that this area was "home" to the earliest trappers and the Shoshone Indians (Sacajewea, who led Lewis & Clark through the mountains, was Shoshone). The Mountain Man Fur Trade Rendezvous was held 4 times in the 1830's along the Green River near this spot. As it was then, it is still a grizzly and black bear habitat area and visitors must be extremely cautious. Grizzlies or not, this was THE best primitive campsite we've ever had in … [Read more...] about Heading West Part II