Goodbye Death Valley

A week ago today we joined that group of people who for one reason or another were trapped in Death Valley. There have been quite a few who wandered in but did not find it as easy to leave as they thought! We had had our farewell party, given by our co-host Larry, the night before but that night the winds came up. They rocked the trailer all night long and by the next morning were still quite strong. So we sat tight, not wanting to get blown off the highway as some RV's have done, in the Death Valley winds. You feel kind of foolish seeing again people you have already said good bye to but everyone agreed that we were being prudent to wait. The next day, the gusts at the campground were still around 30 or 40 mph but we ventured out anyway feeling that they had abated some. We were amazed to find that the further we drove from Furnace Creek Campground, the less wind we had and all in all we had a great drive home.

Today we are watching it snow! It's beautiful but Harry is not enthusiastic about going our and getting his paws wet, and I am not enthusiastic about going out into the cold trailer and keep unpacking and cleaning three months of living out of it! Jim is preparing for his work sessions next month and the snow doesn't hamper that.

Jim's mom is improving after having by pass surgery last week. She is a trooper! We plan to have her up here with us after she gets her strength back.

God is good and we know he is taking care of us!

An Excellent Day!

Yesterday was one of those days that remind us why we put up with crabby campers. It was our day off! We hiked around the campground for about 2 miles to get the dog tired so he wouldn’t get into mischief while we left him. We walked down to the airport and back with him and let him sniff all they coyote signs and we watched a small airplane land.
Next, after packing some snacks and water we drove down to the entrance of Artists Drive and met Charlie, the ranger and joined about 18 other people for a hike. We parked at the mouth of a canyon and hiked down almost to the valley floor and then hiked up another canyon back to the road. The colors in the rocks are so pretty in that area! With us on the hike was a couple from Chekoslovakia, a couple from China, and a couple speaking Spanish. So as we hiked we heard four different languages. On the way back we had to climb up two dry rock falls and Jim helped Charlie to get everyone up safely. We had a gentleman with artificial hips on the hike. None of us knew how tricky some the rock falls would be. But we all made it safely and now will be able to brag about our adventure! But, as always, it inspires Jim and I go be around older people (as though we are young!) who despite physical aches and pains keep going and exploring. We want to be like them when we grow up! So we figure we logged about four miles yesterday. That’s a pretty good day. And we topped it off with a nice campfire in the evening!
C.

Spring in Death Valley

Yes, it feels like spring today in Death Valley! 84 in the sun and mid 60’s in the shade. It feels good not to have a coat on.
On Sunday we drove to Pahrump again for church at Calvary Chapel. This time we arrived on time and were more able to enjoy the service.
It’s been really interesting to learn why people come to DV. Not the visitor but the workers, especially the volunteers. We are learning that it’s like peeling an onion. The first response, often, is because it’s such a beautiful place, but then you really start hearing their story. Some are at odds with their children or other family members. Some have sick loved ones in the nearby cities. Some live in such cold states, like Colorado or Montana. Jim and I don’t feel like we are running away from anything except the rain. We really do like the park itself. But we miss our friends and family. It will be good to be back home soon and reconnect with friends and those cute grandkids. Also, a trip to Salem is in the near future to see son Jacob’s new home. Yet the friends we have made here will be missed. We are leaving next year open as far as our work here is concerned. Dios sabe el futuro. God know the future and we will trust that He will make our direction evident to us at the right time.
We will travel to Arizona for a few days next week for a missionary kid reunion in McNeal. Pachamanca time! Pereuvian food!
Carolyn