Piedmont, near Rapid City

Driving into WY we were “impressed” with the terrible roads. However, later we reversed our decision – they have the best and worst roads, we decided! Another interesting thing about their roads – we drove on RED roads and then suddenly switched to BLACK roads (not asphalt – something else)?

In Casper, WY, we attended the planetarium “sun” show. It maxed out at 14 allowed inside, but we got there in time! 

After that we spent the night in a new, barely occupied KOA park.

Friday was on to SD, where we parked next to our son Josh about 10 miles west of Rapid City. Here we were met with a heat wave – over 80 degrees!! Lovely RV park!

On Saturday we were able to feed all 9 of us here, outside at the park. It was a pre-Easter ham dinner! I baked sweet potato pie – using the oven in the R.V. for the first time. It went so well, I’m making cinnamon buns now!

One granddaughter went to church with us – we really wanted to take her there so she would meet some kids and also see if she wants to return.

The church has a bus ministry and that’s the only way she’ll get to church. Our other son and family also went to a different church. We met at their house later for ribs.

The camp here has horse shoes, so Roger’s been out challenging his sons! There’s also a nice play ground – very nice situation. God has been gracious. Almost no internet, which works for me! I don’t need daily contact.

East and Easter Spring Trip 2021

We left Monday morning with a blue sky and warm sun to start us off. However, we discovered before leaving that the R.V. had some issues – the generator wasn’t working and there appeared to be a short in the electrical system. We decided it was cheaper to stay in R.V. parks if necessary to get electricity than to stay in hotels and buy all our food out.

We also were not sure we could get over the passes.  Snoqualmie came first and we made it – road dry and bare. Our first stop was, as always, the Cle Elum Bakery.

There were 6’ snow banks on either side of the pass! Our goal for the day was the 50,000 Silver Dollar "mini mall" in Haugen, MT. and their free overnight RV park!

We made it to Haugen before dark, and that included 2 more mountain passes! And the generator healed itself – maybe our prayers made it work! The electricity is doing what it needs to do, albeit intermittently.

Tuesday we woke up to frozen mud puddles, but we were warm. The sun came out and stayed all day. The roads remained clear. Later in the day we encountered wind, which isn’t fun. It was dark when our day of driving ended in a Big Timber, MT, gas station parking lot.  Fierce, cold winds rocked us to sleep. But all was calm the next morning and we left in full sun. Here's the mountain range we saw while leaving the parking lot.

On Wednesday the winds warmed up and it was a welcoming spring day. In Hardin, MT, we looked for a church to attend prayer meeting and found one - not only did they pray, we sang some hymns by request and the pastor brought a short message. We were humored to see, in one of the church parking lots, a deer quite at home - only leaving when we kept moving his way!

Today is Thursday. We watched "Sunstruck", the sky show in the Casper, Wyoming, planetarium. They have a new digital sky projector.

On the way we finally saw some wildlife – antelope. We’re in a R.V. park tonight that just updated their wifi – good news for us!

Late Summer Short Birthday Trip

On Wednesday, Sep 9, we left on a 4 day trip. Roger had cleaned the carpet and furniture in the R.V., washed the windows inside and out, and fixed a number of things. He was eager to take it on the road again.

Our first stop was to see Bridal Veil Falls and Canyon Falls. As it turned out, they were not within driving distance and we were told the hike to get there was quite strenuous. So, we moved on to our next stop – the railroad museum in Skykomish. We knew the mini model train wasn’t running but thought maybe the museum would be open. It wasn’t. We’ll be back there sometime for a train ride.

Here are a couple photos from their website.

We had a spot reserved in Leavenworth, and that was where we headed next. The town was pretty empty compared to any other time we’ve visited. However, the "cheesemonger" shop was open and we stocked up! The ice cream shop was also open, so we took advantage of that, too!

On Thursday we drove to Cashmere. The Pioneer Village was open and we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through it. We were just about the only ones there!

 Then, we went to the Aplets and Cotlets factory to buy some goodies. We had already toured the factory in past years, so we didn’t ask about that this trip.

Our friends Daniel and Evy in Ephrata was the overnight stop. Evy is the best "keto" cook! We closed the evening with some hymn singing. Such wonderful memories!

Part of our route took us on the old route 10. As we got further east, the smoke from all of Washington’s fires lessened.

Our goal for Friday was Kellogg, ID, to ride the world’s longest gondola, the Silver Mountain Resort. In winter it a ski resort, in the summer it's an amazing bike park.

 

We have been on a number of gondolas and ski lifts in Europe, but this one was exceptional! We highly recommend it!! Not only did we have a ½ hour ride up and over several ridges, but once we got to the top, there was another open ski lift we could ride for free!! Such fun.

It was, however, too smoky to see much of the mountains, so we’ll have to do this again, too!!

The goal for Sunday was to get to a church that didn’t require wearing masks. We found one in Ellensburg and truly enjoyed not only the Sunday morning service, but also Sunday School!! What more could one ask in this day and age??

Got home in time to sign onto Zoom for Heather’s afternoon teaching time. We’ve been interviewing “live” missionaries on Sundays and it’s always inspiring. The 18 children attending had a chance to interact with a young woman who works in Ghana.

Heather's birthday will be celebrated with a walk-by party on the street with neighbors.

 

Grandkids, Tours and Home

We arrived in Rapid City where 2 of our youngest grandkids live. They love the R.V. - 3 yo Wyatt calls it "DaRV"! There is one drawer reserved for games and they remember that. Zoey, at 6, is good at Jenga and likes to play games. We sing songs together and I can tell her short Bible stories.

One day we visited Storybook Land - a fun place for kids. We all rode the train - well, Mom didn't fit!!

Our son Alan and Galina live there; now son Joshua is moving there. So we have 2 kids in the same place again!

The trip home was relaxed - we had no time constraints. In SD we toured Wonderland Cave - a refreshing thing to do in hot weather!

Also drove by Devil's Tower. Montana's a great place to shop - no tax!! We spent the night at Walmart, one of our favorite places.

We stopped at the Cataldo Mission – the oldest building in ID.

The evening before arriving at home we purchased about 70 pounds of tomatoes. So, as soon as we arrived home – about noon – Heather started canning! Good to be home and grateful for the Lord’s presence with us. He’s a great God!! May we soon see Him face to face.

IA to SD - & Laura Ingalls Wilder

We crossed into IA on Thursday and spent the night in the local Walmart parking lot with several other “rigs”. It was our last chance to shop at Aldi’s – a favorite store we don’t have out west.

Friday found us at Laura Ingalls Wilder’s dad’s homestead in DeSmet, SD. The weather was perfect and there were few people there, so we got special attention! We got a covered wagon ride behind 2 horses, both called “Jack”! 

Then we made a jump rope and a corn cob doll! If you haven’t read the Little House on the Prairie book series, I highly recommend it!

Toward evening we pulled in beside a defunct bowling alley – and just in time. Parked close to the building, we were spared much of the sudden, violent windstorm that came up. Before we could close the window, we got a dust covering over everything near the window. The R.V. rocked in the wind. Roger was outside cleaning the windshield. He said the dust hurt and he had to hang on to not get blown off the ladder! It was certainly the worst dust storm we’ve been in. After some lightning and a little rain it all passed.

The next morning we set out with a low, dark cloud covering. The windmills were almost completely covered by the clouds. But eventually the clouds lifted and lightened, and the sun shone again. However, the intense heat has left – we are so relieved! We even covered up at night!

Friends

Friends!

The Epleys have been friends for many decades. They worked in Japan all those years plus – actually, Flossie was an m.k. from there! In June they retired to Ft. Wayne, IN. We were able and glad to stop by and help with some small move-in type jobs. Flossie’s brother Tim took us to his church on Sunday which was a big blessing to us! Russ and Flossie have moved into a new housing area and they are praying for a Japanese neighbor – after all, Japan has been their life!

We spent the night at Leisure Lake, IL – a fancy campground, which you can see from the pictures!

From there we visited a former boss of Roger’s in Harvard, IL. They hadn’t seen each other for almost 25 years! It was good to get updated.

Wednesday evening we were in Galena, IL. A small AOG church in Galena, nestled in the cornfields, met for prayer meeting. Our joining them doubled the attendance. About ½ hour later, 2 more came in. Getting to meet more of our family which God has given us is a glorious foretaste of Heaven! The church has a spot out back for R.V.s and offered it to us. You can see the park-like setting we enjoyed!

A Sunday Sermon

A Sunday Sermon – summary notes from James 5, Providence Baptist Church, Holly Ridge, NC

v.13a A Place of Suffering-

    maybe you are suffering emotionally – family problems, job issues, financial needs; other

    You are to pray.

v.14-15a A Place of Sickness-

    very similar to suffering, but physical. Some sickness is from God for teaching and some is from our sin, which must be forsaken.

    You are to call the elders to be anointed with oil. Why don’t we do that more? Embarrassment, don’t think it’s relevant to today, lack of belief, other?

v. 15b-16 A Place of Sinning-

    You are living in and embracing sin. Turn from it, repent, and seek the Lord. Jesus came to pay for your sin. Admit your sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

v.13b A Place of Satisfaction-

    maybe you are on a 

high note right now with the Lord. Sing praises!

    Maybe you are content in your sin – you don’t want to forsake it and repent. Be warned and turn today or you will be condemned to hell forever. It’s only one breath, one heart beat away.

v. 17-18 Elijah was a man like us – he prayed and God stopped the rain. Then, 3½  years later, he prayed again and it rained. 

v. 19-20 Invitation: Come to Jesus!

By winning souls to Jesus, you save your soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.