What a trip! We started out Saturday morning in a lil red rental car and headed south & west. Our first night we set up camp in TN.
Woke up to a beautiful morning. Hit the road again & made our way west to Arkansas. There we made our way through the back country to an out in the middle of "nowhere" campground.
We set up camp, made supper on the fire, & met a true moutain man who was the camp host. Some of us also barely saw an amardillo in the dusk. We fell asleep with the bear spray in our tent & a chorus of night sounds.
The next morning was beautiful as we cooked pancakes over the fire. We ate them plain (due to not having syrup). They were fried in coconut oil & actually were rather tasty.
As we headed out we saw a doe & a wee lil fawn. We also saw the storm clouds that were coming, thankfully we were headed towards the sunshine! (We also narrowly missed hitting a deer) On through Arkansas we went, into Oklahoma for a little ways, then onto Texas.😊 It was so neat seeing the countryside and life in other parts of the U.S.
the running roadrunner.
In Texas we got see ranches, cows & more cows, windmills, haybales for miles. I think our top 3 words on the trip were Wow. Cows. & No service. We stopped in Paris & Muenster (TX, that is ☺) That night we set up camp at a State Park in TX where we saw a roadrunner, beautiful scenery, stunning starry skies (4 shooting stars) & howling coyotes. (👈 that was a lil nerve wracking when they sounded close to our tent)
After not a lot of sleep we got up and watched the sunrise while tearing down camp. On the road again we made our way to Albuquerque, NM where we explored the Old Town. We then spent the night with people Jess knew & made new friends. After having a little more relaxed morning & a delicious breakfast made by our hostess we set off for Sedona.
On our way we decided spur of the moment to stop at a crater made by a meteorite. We also saw antelope there. That was a fun random stop. We could see snow capped mountains in the distance.
Once in Sedona we set up camp & then went up to see the sunset. Did a lil walking around.
The next morning we woke up early to go hiking before it got too warm. We went on several different trails. Spent the rest of the day driving/exploring & hanging out at the campsite. It was quite warm so Renae & I went for ice cream. We retired early knowing we had a full day ahead.
We once again tore down our tents & made our way to the Grand Canyon. It was breathtakingly beautiful!! There we saw elk right before we got on the trail. We had fun hiking & meeting different people. After we hiked back to our car we drove to several more lookout spots, and went souvenir shopping of course.☺
Then off to Utah we went, watching a gorgeous sunset on the way. In Utah we stayed where we were almost surrounded by big rocks, which made for a gorgeous sunrise.
After realizing that our phones hadn't changed time we hurried to pack up & be on our way. Off to Arches & Canyonlands we went. 👌 It was beautiful despite the strong wind.
To Colorado the beautiful we went. Where there were gorgeous mountains & rivers. After seeing red soil, big rocks, sand & canyons for days it was good to see greenery again! There we stayed once again with people Jess knew & had a grand time. While there we did some hiking, drove through beautiful mountain scenery & explored Grand Lake. We did get turned away at Rocky National park which was a little disappointing.
The last morning there we woke up quite early (4:30) to make our way to Pikes Peak! On our way we saw moose, elk, bison, a fox, pronghorns, so definitely worth waking up early.
Up Pikes Peak we went. What a beautiful chilly drive. Near the top we parked where we were shuttled up the rest of the way. It was gorgeous.
After that it was off to Colorado Springs, Garden of the gods, & Canyon City.🙌 In Canyon City we set up tent in my friend's parents backyard.
In the morning it was off to hiking at the Royal Gorge. Then back to Texas we went. We found our Air bnb & then decided to go to Coyote Bluff. Where we got a taste of warm, southern hospitality. (& really good burgers)
We did some sight seeing in the morning, then it was off to the Ozarks where we spent the night. In the morning we drove back gravel roads to go hiking to a waterfall. Continuing on we drove through Deer, (where there was a Deer Church of Christ, Deer Stand Cafe) Yellville, & Flippin'.😁
The evening found us in western TN where we once again pitched our tents.
That next day was spent driving & exploring Gatlinburg. We drove a little more, yet still camped in TN.
That brings us to the last day folks where we encountered rain (more than a sprinkling) for the first time on our trip.
So thankful for the incredible blessing of this time of making memories with Renae & Jess. Seeing more of the 🌎 God created & His handiwork was awesome!
Yes, I'm aware we're living in troubled times, so I'll leave you with words from the Voice of Truth.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Yes, I'm aware we're living in troubled times, so I'll leave you with words from the Voice of Truth.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
til next time, a traveling teacher :)
