Fixed it

Here are a few ideas for those of you who like to "fix it yourself." Whether it is a guitar, a post, door locks, or just a plumber's crack, there is always a simple solution.

Hiking in VA

Well, I forgot my camera and got no pictures of my own. I am hoping others will share theirs with me.

We left at 6:00 AM for Virginia last Saturday and arrived at Peaks of Otter Campground near Bedford VA in plenty of time to set up camp and eat a good supper.

Sunday we were up early and off to Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, a church with an attendance of around 12,000 for their 8:30 service. We met Lyle McAuley, Julie, and her son Ian there and then went to her house for a fabulous brunch. She treated us like we were long lost friends and sent us away full of all kinds of goodies. Sunday afternoon we hiked up 1500 foot Sharp Top mountain. It was only a 3 mile hike, but straight up and straight down. The peak seemed like the top of the world after flat Saginaw.

Monday we hiked about 10 miles total, starting out by climbing Flat Top (1600 ft.) and ending on the Falling Water Cascade Trail. Joey and his friend Tom experienced the friendly deer up close and personal when one actually licked the sweat off of their arm. They have pix to prove it.

Tuesday we began our hiking on the Appalachian Trail. We only did about 35 miles of the 2100 mile trail but it was challenging and beautiful. We shared a shelter one night with a fellow who called himself G.I. Joe. He had been on the trail since May and hiked over 750 miles. He announced that he did not use deoderant because it attracted bugs. We never would have guessed (Phew!). We had our devotions just feet from where he layed in his sleeping bag. After that everyone we met asked if we were "that church group." Hopefully our testimony was positive.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday brought mountains of 4200 ft, 2200 feet, three of over 1000 ft and many beautiful overlooks. We had rain Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Wednesday it rained so hard we found ourselves hiking uphill through inches of water for hours. It seemed like we were going up a waterfall for hours. Needless to say we were soaked, cold, and tired when we met the van with John at the end of the day. I agreed that we needed to drive someplace where we could put dry clothes on and get warm. We stopped at a Resort Lodge to check out the restrooms. The next thing I knew Chris Klien came out to announce that she had rented two rooms for the night. So much for roughing it. But I did still have to sleep on the floor and there was no TV or phone. There was a wonderful hot shower though - the first of the week. We had been washing in cold water, sometimes in creeks. Afterward we all went to Pizza Hut and stuffed ourselves. The next day was back to the trail and tents.

Friday was mostly downhill in the afternoon. We climbed to 4200 ft then down to around 600 ft. where we ended at the longest foot bridge on the AT. As the end approached, Sarah took the lead and it was clear that she intended to finish first. I tried to keep up and did pretty well until the last 1/2 mile. She then began to run. I ran too at first, then Joey flew by me and I knew it was over. It was amazing, after all the weariness to see how much energy was in reserve at the end.

Saturday, the trip home was uneventfull. The beautiful mountain drive through western Virginia and West Virginia was missed by most because they were asleep. I think all enjoyed it. I have already had some ask what we are going to do next year.

One Nation Under God

On this Independence Day weekend I pause to think of the current and future state of our nation.

Our founding fathers recognized that we were "endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights." These did not include the right to marry someone of your own gender. They did not include the right to murder unborn children. They did not include the right to take legal action against anyone who would credit God or Jesus in a public forum. They were simply the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The taxation, regulation and government control of today was most certainly not the liberty and freedom that was sought by men who sacrificed their fortune, their sacred honor, and their very lives for independence. The government they sought to establish was not one of socialism. They never envisioned a government that would own banks and major corporations. They never dreamed that this government would dictate wages and salaries or fine them for not having the right kind of insurance.

The government that our forefathers established was a representative democracy. I'm quite sure that they never thought that offices could be determined by elections where more votes were cast than there were voters, or that elections would be decided by courts.

The world I lived in as a child feared "godless communism." Today, it seems, this is the government that is being embraced by the citizens of our country.

We now have government that votes on bills thousands of pages in length without even reading them or knowing what they are voting for. It matters not what is good for the country. Only that your party wins.

If you tell the truth, you are ridiculed. If you lie, you are reelected. Honesty has no value. Faithfulness to the vows of your marriage doesn't matter. The economy of our children and grandchildren can be sacrificed for the sake of pet projects that may buy additional votes.

Ultimately, we will never have a perfect government until Jesus Christ reigns. In the mean time, should we stand by and watch our country being destroyed? Sure, we can vote (if our votes are counted), but isn't there more that we can do? Are you earnestly praying? Are you talking to your friends and neighbors - and not backing down when they disagree? Do you write your elected officials? Have you read the founding documents of our country? Do you teach your children your values? Perhaps the time is quickly approaching when we will be called on to do more. Our forefathers bled and died for our freedom, can we be inconvenienced?

The future of this great nation, the nation that has sent more missionaries into the world than any other, the nation that once called itself Christian and blessed by God may be one in which we will be called upon to decide what values are worth more than our personal comfort. I believe in the near future Christians who live according to the truth of God's Word may go to jail like the apostles unless our direction is changed soon. We must seek out candidates for office who are dedicated, committed Christians and throw out the current office holders. And, again, we MUST pray.

John Piper on Abortion

I hope I am doing this right. I want you to see this video by John Piper on the president's position on abortion. It is powerful. Please check out this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O68MByaMVdM

Mountain hiking

Christian and I did some mountain hiking west of Denver on our recent trip.

As you can see, the terrain is a little different from the Saginaw Valley. In one day we took a hike of about 4.2 miles up to 7400 feet, then after lunch in a small BBQ joint in Evergreen, we climbed to the top of Evergreen Mountain, another 6.2 miles. These are not level miles, but half are down hill. We noticed the thin air on the way up.

If you blow up the first picture you will see rock climbers about 25 feet from the top.

The lighting wasn't real good for this shot of a waterfall, but I thought it showed one of the many mountain streams we saw.

This third one is Echo Lake. Notice the snow on the ground. the weather in Denver was near 80 degrees, but up at altitude is was in the low 40's.
We thought the snow capped mountains were beautiful, as this shot from the car shows.

We were hoping that this hike would help us prepare for our backpacking trip on the Appalacian Trail this summer. I am sure Virginia will be warmer, but the altitude will only reach to about 4,400 feet, and I am quite sure we'll see no snow then.

It was a little hazy in the morning, but we could still see the roads etc. down below.

We did see some critters. Most were too quick for me to get pictures, but a few were just enjoying the sun.

The elk and deer we saw were a little shaggy looking as they were just starting to shed their winter coats. We had one deer pass right in front of us about 2o feet ahead and it was amazing how he disappeared into the brush without making a sound. Though this is a cow, we saw some nice bulls with half grown antlers in the velvet.

I started with a long sleeved shirt and jeans, but by lunch time I changed to shorts and a tee shirt. Even though the wind was cool, the sun was warm and the constant climbing sure warms you up. We both got a little sun burned and sore, but had a great time.

We're off to see the lizard

We took the kids to Midland Center for the Arts to see the squamate exhibit (snakes and lizards). There were wonderful displays in natural environments of lizards as small as 3 inches to snakes as long as 14 feet.

Some were very colorful, others were so camoflaged that we could hardly find them right in front of our eyes.

James was a big help in identifying each type of lizard or snake and what was unique about them. This beauty is a green mamba - the second most poisonous snake on earth according to our family expert.

Some were in arid environments and others like this fellow were actually in the water. Some of the displays were at floor level which made it interesting for Evan - especially when they were moving around.


We tried to figure out what was in this little guy's brain when his eyes revolved around independent of each other. Did he have and image like a split screen TV image?

The museum is on three floors and has everything from a full sized skeleton of a giant mammoth with bones dug up in Michigan to interactive games that put live pictures of the players right into the game. Evan enjoyed doing some of the hands on stuff that made noise, while the other kids seemed more interested in games and puzzles they could compete in. Hannah left her picture in one game as one of the top ten scores of the day. I would recommend this place to anyone with kids from 5 up (but little ones also enjoy it if you can keep up with them). They even gave us each a coupon for free "iggy sundaes" at the Eastman Rd. McDonalds. We came home tired with lots of interesting stuff still running through our minds.

A few more pictures

Cathy thought I should add a few more pictures. I'm not sure if these are the ones she had in mind. I thought you might like to see a couple of those Easter eggs, like the one with the bunny being bombed.
Or maybe you like the one with the mountain biker better. I kind of liked the purple one with the jewel-like spots painted on it.

A suit doesn't have to get in the way of play time. Evan loves to open and shut doors, so he had a great time with the shutters on the play house in the nursery.

Paul and Pat Dye were here for a visit. Paul has a soft heart, but I was still a little surprised to see a tear in his eye when he held Evan.

We needed to include one shot of Evan and Pastor Mark since they were dressed alike. Both had blue blazers with tan pants and of course neckties.

Well, it has been another enjoyable weekend. Who knew grandkids would be the most enjoyable time of life? We are as proud of them as we are of our own two children. Thanks Pam and James for letting us spend time with them.
Easter eggs are serious business for some. You know, it has to be done right.

Others just let their good time show on their facess. We all had a great time. Mom, Dad, Mammy, Pappy - even Uncle Chris joined in. We made some very unique looking chicken fruit.

Evan has been having fun with his new Zebra. I bounces and plays music. He is the first person I have seen that can ride, sing and dance all at the same time. He didn't get that rhythm from his grandpa.

Sunday, grandpa got to give Evan a bath, dress him up in his new suit and tie and take him to church. Everyone thought he was so handsome. He kept the tie on the whole time. What a cute little man he is.

I hope this works this time. I did the whole blog once then it disappeared with a message that said that this site had timed out. Never had that happen before. I wonder if it had anything to do with little fingers that jumped from behind the screen to "help" me.