We did five in five!

 

Kamryn found another four legged friend...and invited herself over.

This one is a bit different.  We know that some people are actually using our blog for educational purposes and pictures.  So, I have linked the National Parks or interesting items to the official links.  We will try and see how this goes. 

As you can see, things ended as camp hosts as well as they began.  Each person that we "checked in", were asked if they had pets.  Not just so we could pass on other rules or information, but for Kamryn's knowledge.  This meant that she had another job to do; to love on someone else's pets.  She was good at it too.  Each time someone came in, she would ask, "Can I go and see if they have "aminals"?  We would gather up our supplies and head over to introduce them to some part of our family.  Zachary was also always on the lookout for other kids.  Caleb was just happy to deliver firewood and talk with anyone.  More times that not, this proved to be another meeting and an opportunity to hear other people's life story, however short or long.  Many times, it also begged the question something like, "You are really the camp hosts"? "Did you win the lottery"?  Do you age well and these are your grandchildren"?  This left ample opportunity to tell a story of how God has given a journey to experience and share His love through many different adventures. 

Leo wasn't feeling well and we sat outside with him.  We went in for a minute and found Kamryn under the truck laying with him. 

Zachary is fixing Caleb's bike.  Big helper!

Zachary found a way to work out indoors!

Kamryn took some time by herself and when we found her, she figured out that she could swing herself in Zachary's hammock.

Our going away with the other camp hosts. 

Very nice!

Our "replacements" (as camp hosts).  Great folks that we had a chance to spend some time with. 

Saying "see ya later" to Mr. Zach the morning we drove out. 

Awesome team!

While we were at Cagle Recreation Area, north of Houston, we experienced so many new things and met so many wonderful people.  I know each time we write this we talk about the amazing meetings that God gives us but it's true.  There is no end to the blessings that we have received through these relationships; some short and some longer.  Not only did we continue to have people pop in and out of our lives for a day or two, but there was also the opportunity to spend weeks with some people and get to know them better.  I can't explain how amazing the experience was as camp hosts and what it did for our family.  It blows our mind that we heard continually how our family was such a motivation for others and how inspiring our family was for others.  Also, how much we spawned ideas of volunteering, serving, Christ-centered families, giving, blessings, the importance of family, the "retiring" age, and so much more.  Each time, this gave an opportunity to share Love with folks and point it back to Him who allowed us to do this. 

We were also greatly blessed with some marvelous relationships with our fellow camp hosts.  We said "see ya" to a handful of great people and hope to see them again somewhere along this journey.  We already have plans to see our teammates, (the folks we shared our loop with) in Wyoming and open plans to see others.  We can't wait to share stories again with these eat people.  One of the most amazing things that we found out is that each of the four camp hosts (us and the other three) all started full timing within 1 month of each other.  We came from all over the country and converged to work together 40 miles north of Houston, Texas for this short time.  With so many full-timers being very retired, we had these four couples (one in their 30's, one in their 40's, one in their 50's and one in their 60's) and they all came together to work together and become so close.  We are very thankful and can't wait to see them again. 

After leaving Cagle, we headed out but not without a small agenda.  We had to stop and wash a set of sheets before we headed into the mountains for a few days for some dry camping.  This led to an unforgettable lunch in a laundromat somewhere in Texas with a gourmet lunch that involved Little Ceasers pizza.  After we left there, we headed across Texas for a long drive.  Did I say long?

Had to make an unexpected stop at a laundromat...and had lunch while we were there.

This is our typical time in the truck when we are having a "moving day".

We drove across Texas and when we were more than half way from east to west, we still had a long ways to go.  Not only did our radio display "none found" when searching for stations, but we saw a mileage sign that showed 358 miles to El Paso.  Again, we were more than half way across Texas already.  It was beautiful country though.  We didn't know that there were mountains in Texas and marveled in the beauty and enormity as we drove.  We took a small detour at Lyndon B Johnson National Park and learned so much.  We knew that he moved into the Presidency when JFK was assassinated but didn't know that he put into place so much of the history that shaped America.  Everything from the creation of the Public Broadcasting Station, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and NPR to regulations saving the environment.  From a huge launch to the National Park system (in which we are greatly enjoying!) to enacting many civil rights bills which banned racial discrimination in society.  Lyndon B Johnson National Park was a true educational experience about our country. 



Earning a badge at Lyndon B. Johnson National Park.

We left LBJ National Park and headed to Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Guadalupe Mountains.  This is where we were going to stop for a few days and see what we could see.  We learned about the foliage, the wildlife, and the local people.  We also learned about the Butterfield Overland Stage Field Line.  Such an interesting story!  A contract was written to allow this stagecoach to make a run from St Louis, MO to San Francisco, CA to deliver mail and people along the route in 25 days. They were greatly doubted but completed this feat!  What is so amazing that some of the trail that was used then by a stagecoach and horses now only allow foul wheel drive vehicles!  Small stations were set up along the way for drop offs but although the contract was written for a number of years, the route only lasted a short time.  Remnants were left which we were able to see and this became the forerunner to the Pony Express.  It was an awesome history lesson!

One of the stops for the forerunner of the Pony Express.

Out on a hike in the Guadalupe Mountains.



Earned another badge!  Two in two days!

  

A good ol' game of Go Fish.  A favorite around here. (This is obviously not the cold morning game I told you about.) 

The boys on a hike in the Guadalupe Mountains.

One of the mornings in the mountains, we headed out to Carlsbad National Caverns; this was one of the reasons for staying in the mountains.  We showed up and started on our badges.  We knew it before we got there but the elevators, which went 450 feet down through the  middle of the mountain, were inoperable.  This meant that we got to hike down (and up) grades that ranged from 0% to 20%.  So back and forth and back and forth we went, down into the caverns.  We didn't know how any of us would do but knew that as a team, we'd make it.  About four miles later we went down, through, and out again.  The kids did great (the adults did also) and after taking off and putting on a few layers of clothes throughout, we had a great time and saw some beautiful Creation.  On the way out of the Park, we saw a huge hole in the side of a mountain, the boys and I took a hike to it and worked up to going inside...until...Zachary saw a mountain goat right above it and he didn't feel like leaving.  So, we left him alone and took off back to the truck. 


We found out that Carlsbad Cavers was another World Heritage site.  I think this is the seventh for us.

Entering the mouth of the cave.

This was cool.  This ladder is an original used by National Geographic in the 30's for exploration.

We found these two lovely ladies after taking an extra loop around the cave.

These were the steps used by visitors until the 50's.  This was about 2+ miles into the cave.

Crazy hills!

Jr Ranger badge three in three days.  

We were going to explore a trail to this cave...until we saw the mountain goat on top of the hole.  We went a little further but left when he didn't want to move. 

There was another reason that this stop was such an interesting experience.  Previously, when we dry camped, our batteries have lasted us up to about 5-7 days.  This time they were less than half by the second morning. Long story short, we had to "ration" our batteries during the day and night to make sure that we didn't fall to the outside temperature of about 24 degrees.  We pulled the slides in (to heat less space and they are insulated differently) and bundled up to go to sleep.  When we woke up the second morning we had succeeded on keeping it warmer that the outside temperature.  It was about 32 degrees inside!  We bundled a bit more, played some "Go Fish", had breakfast and headed out.

This is what our fifth wheel looks like when you try to conserve batteries for heat while dry camping.  1) Pull/Leave slides in 2) Bundle up 3) Freak out when you find out that it is nearly 30 degrees inside and the batteries are almost dead. 

Dry camping and loving it!

We left the mountains and continued to drive through Texas, but only for a few miles.  Then, we took a detour, and stopped at another National Park.  This time we visited Chamizal National Memorial.    This one, which interestingly enough involved LBJ also, was on the border of Mexico.  The land that we stood on was actually in Mexico years ago until the land was given to the United States by Mexico.  We learned about the war that we were involved in with Mexico, why there were such boundary disputes, and other history of the cultures that merged here.  There was also a French tourist group here that loved our Jr Ranger vest and badges and it turned into a photo shoot for Caleb, the wearer that day. 


Earning a badge and seeing the border of Mexico...our second border to a different country on this trip. 

Fourth badge in four days. We are on a roll. 

We left Chamizal National Memorial and headed for White Sands Missile Range.  This proved to be a long and lonely road but left time for some good conversation.  We also had some laughs when we saw a few signs.  One sign displayed wildlife crossings and then a few feet further we saw one for tank crossings.  We continued to watch for both but never saw either one.  We got set up on the Army base and met some neighbors.  We had a dinner to get to that night with some friends from South Mississippi that I used to work with.  We headed to Las Cruces for that dinner and ended up having a great night sharing stories, catching up, and eating a delightful dinner.  The kids hung out with their daughter (she tolerated them well :)  ) and Zachary had a treat...electronic time and time with the adults. We even left with leftovers!

Driving through White Sands Missile Range and we saw this sign.  Then we saw...

...this sign about 50 feet later!  Hilarious!

Our yard for a few days!

Tumbleweeds are always better than toys!

Hanging out for dinner at a friend's house, that we knew from Mississippi, in Las Cruces, NM.

We were going to stay here for two days but have loved it; we are probably going to be here for four days instead.  On day two we headed to White Sands National Monument and learned so much about the creation of this amazing place.  We started our Jr Ranger badges and the kids asked if they could do extra work for an extra "special" badge.  The ranger obliged and we had an extra educational experience for an extra reward.  Then ,we went out to find some big hills to sled down on our borrowed sleds from our friends.  This was nice because it saved us $15 a piece!  We spent hours there, taking pictures, sledding, digging in the gypsum sand and laughing. This sand was neat for so many different reasons.  The way that it is created is fascinating.  It is of the same substance that drywall is made of and isn't as "scratchy" as beach sand.  If it gets in your eyes, it melts.  It is so easy to dig in and is so cool  as you get deeper.  It was a great time for us to get out and enjoy some new laughs. 

Sledding down the gypsum sand at White Sands National Monument.  Thanks to friends that let us borrow sleds for the day (instead of paying $15 a piece!).

Beautiful landscape. 

Lovebirds!

I think I see a Christmas card in the making. 

Jr Ranger badge five in five days!  We thought this was really cool because we chose this sign instead of the new one.  This sign is the one that was the original when they built the building well over 50 years ago. 

Yummy!  When we went to the Polanco's house (our friends in Las Cruces) they sent us home with a big doggy bag.  Here we are devouring it the next day!

This is close to where we are parked on the Missile Range.  Zachary is showing the kids how to work out. 

We made a trip to the museum on the base and learned about the history of missiles and so much more.  There was an example of an old fallout shelter, tons of history on command/control centers through the years, and so much information on this land itself.  There was also JFK history, Batton Death March history, and information on NASA and the Space Race. 

At the museum at White Sands Missile Range.   This was an exhibit that contained items from an old fallout shelter. 

Playing on the control center equipment. 

We thought it was random at first also but is an original.  This was donated to White Sands Missile Range because some of the sounds for the original movie  (would that be #4???) were recorded here. 

Checking out some cool history. 

Just cool!  This was pivotal in the beginning of the Space Race!

We have spent tons of time outside here.  The weather here is amazing, there aren't any bugs, and we have met a few great people; one of those people was Mr. Joe.  The kids saw someone doing something in the fields next to us and went over to investigate.  They introduced themselves and ending up helping him set and pull traps for moles.  Yes, this ended up being a homeschool lesson and it was also a good experience for kids and Mr. Joe  alike.  The kids ran through the fields from trap to trap until they had a mole in one.  Then they would signal and hoot n' holler when the trap about the full trap.  Mr. Joe would make his way over and finish his work with the animals. They ran around and checked the 40'ish traps and pulled them if they had sprung.  They kept Mr. Joe rather busy and pulled him every way possible...at the same time.  There was more to it than that but I will spare the "icky" details. 

The kids helping Mr Joe pull mole traps.  The were excited...especially when the traps were full!

All in a hard days work. 

After sitting and doing the camp host position, it was nice to get moving and travel.  It was nice to see the country again and be in different places day after day.  We will now be heading to Arizona to allow the kids to play baseball for a few months and visit with some friends that winter there from Victoria, British Columbia.  Kelly and Zachary are also flying out to a wedding in St. Louis which will leave some time for daddy to spend with the other kiddos.  We look forward to the sitting still,  but will have to figure out how to maintain a "nomadic" lifestyle while doing so.  We are trying to figure out how to maintain the blog while we are sitting still for so long but will have to see.  I am sure we will be busy enough and meet enough people to have something to share.  We have also considered doing a post on the things that we have purchased for this journey, how we made this transition, and/or tips and tricks on our lifestyle.  These are things that people continue to ask us about and ask us to share.  For now, we are praying about opportunities to serve, the people we will meet, and the time in Arizona to connect with people. 

Until next time...