And So It Begins

Well, we're back again!












One of the first volunteer groups came from Sherman, TX. very soon after we arrived at camp.  The men remodeled one of our pavillons, poured a concrete slab, and put in a fire pit near the pavillion.  They also trimed trees while the ladies painted.  One of the large pine trees along the prayer path was cut down and the top half of the stump was carved into a cross.  We thought that was really cool. 

And the kids started coming.  They came in vans, cars and buses.  You never know who will pay you a visit at your RV site, nor how they will be dressed!!  Megan (camp nurse intern) and Emily (camp photographer and kitchen worker)  wowed us with their latest outfits!  We're thinking they're actually trying to scare the bears with all those bright colors!

And of course we have different forms of wildlife that hang around the motor home on a daily basis.

Many of you are wondering if we're close to any of the wild fires now burning across Colorado.  We are literally "in the middle" of them - but all of them at least 100 miles away - the Woodland Park area to the southwest; Fort Collins to the north and Pueblo to the south.  Everything here is very dry and the bark beetles have taken their toll.  We need rain so badly, but along with rain often comes lightning - the primary cause of these fires.  Please pray with us that God will put his protective hand on this place and that many will be able to come here and have fun, fellowship and experience a closeness to Him.

Second stop Buena Vista, CO and the Goat Farm

As many times as we have been over Wolf Creek Pass, we have not been aware that it is also the Continental Divide!  In the picture at the right you can see a line extending out from the sign which shows the location of the Continental Divide.  After leaving hot Arizona it was nice to see snow!

Our second night was spent at the Jumpin' Good Goat Farm in Buena Vista, CO. Nancy had a good time petting the baby goats and a little calf that evidently thinks he's a goat!









We had a great time going around the farm and visiting the farm store where they sold goat milk and numerous kinds of goat cheese.  No time was lost as the goats headed for the milking barn!

First stop Cortez, Colorado

At the left is a saguaro cactus.  So, what's the big deal you say?  It is the northern-most saguaro in  Arizona and you will see it as you travel north on I-17.  (That is, if you know where to look!)  Try looking to the left just before milepost 250.  Try to spot it next time you're going that way!   On the right is the welcome to Colorado sign.  When you enter Colorado from the four corners area, it's not particularly colorful but it's always good to get to Colorado.

We had to do a little geocaching once we got to Cortez.  One of the caches was near an Indian Cultural Center where they were having Indian dances.  The dancer was good, but we don't think he will make it to "Dancing With the Stars,"

Celebrations & Family Fun

Before leaving for Colorado, the family celebrated June b'days, Father's Day, and Russ' b'day which will be in August.  The pool was the coolest place to be; Kyle and Bella experiencing a father/daughter moment, and a little later in the day Baca and Bella enjoyed nap time!

Family Fun Days

Easter is such a fine time to wear your special duds!

Happy 1st Birthday, Bella!












Bella is sooooo big!                      Look what I found!

Happy Mother's Day to Amy, Chris, Nancy and Mimi (Bill's mom).

Family get-togethers make for lots of fun.  (L) Jenni, Amy, Rod, Nancy & Chris.  (R) Granddaughters Stephanie, Alyssa, Serena, Tiffany, and great granddaughter Bella.  Kyle was the only grandchild missing.

                          May birthdays

We celebrated Serena, Bill and Mimi's , as well as Russ' August birthday and Father's Day (we will still be at camp in August).

 Rod:  "Look what I got Mom for Mother's Day!"  Amy:  "Yeh, you always have to do something special to get bonus points with Mom!"  Rod:  "It's working so far!"

More Geocaching

We recently took a geocaching trip to Payson, AZ with our friends Joe and Frances McLeroy, Ed and Libby Smith and first timers Don and Diana Browning.

The Brownings successfully searched for their first cache.  At the right, Don is looking for a cache while inching precariously close to the edge of a cliff.

  One of the caches required a rope to get up and down to the area of the cache.  It's a good thing Libby is versatile - "repelling" up and down that hill was no problem for her!  At the right is the group except Eddie Smith who was taking the picture.  Not only did we have a great time but the temperature was about 25 degrees cooler than in Phoenix!

Grand Falls

In May we went with our friends Joe & Frances McLeroy to little known Grand Falls northeast of Flagstaff, AZ.  The falls run as a result of the meltoff from the White Mountains in the eastern part of the state.  Unfortunately, it was not running the day we were there.  What makes it unique is, that when flowing, it looks like chocolate milk!  As the water comes across the red clay on its way to the falls it turns into a chocolate milk color.  Although the falls is not as wide as Niagra Falls, it is higher.


Of course there were a couple of geocaches near the falls.  One was a "virtual" cache where you simply go to the coordinates and have someone take your picture with your GPS in hand.  It was a beautiful place and one where we will have to return in hopes of seeing it running.