Sunday, October 5, 2008
Goodbye Mark & Sierra, Hello Travis & Eva Lynn
Day 28:
I remembered to snap a picture of Mark & Sierra before I left their house this morning, so that should be the last pic you see.
The drive from Denver to Boulder was very nice. I was thinking if Colorado had an ocean, I could probably live here. Found Travis & Eva Lynn's place with no problems. They have a nice apartment, and they (Eva Lynn) have done a good job putting it together. We visited for a while, then went to lunch at a cool little noodle place. After lunch, we drove through the canyon, to a place called Boulder Falls. Can you guess why? Travis said it's a short 100 yard "hike" to the falls. It wasn't Red Rocks, but there were plenty of steps and rocks to walk over. Travis had a great time making fun of me for my frequent stops to breathe. It is a beautiful area, and we got a couple good pics.
After that, we headed back to the house, so Eva Lynn could start preparing dinner. Kel & Carley came over for dinner. It was really nice to see them too. Eva Lynn made the best enchiladas I've ever had. I'm tellin' ya, I'll be coming home a lot heavier then when I left.
Then, when most people would have already been in bed, they watched the new season of Heroes with me. I really like that show, but missed it the last couple weeks. Travis had it Tivo'd, so I got to see the first episode, but then I wimped out, and had to go to bed.
Travis & Eva Lynn are very good hosts (that's just a little note to their parents :)
Be Blessed!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Red Rocks
Day 27:
I woke up this morning and my headache was gone, and I felt more energetic. Mark asked if there was anything I especially wanted to do, and I said I really wanted a Jamba Juice. I told him I had seen one a couple miles from his house, and that I'd like to go there. He said that was fine, but would I rather go to the one 2 blocks away. I chose that one. I'm so jealous he lives only 2 blocks from a Jamba Juice!
After a refreshing drink, we decided to go to Red Rocks. What a great place! I really wish I could have gone to a concert there. There were a lot of people there working out. It was like a huge outdoor gym. We climbed all those steps you see in the picture, and about 100 more. Then, we went to the visitors center and did a bunch more walking. I really enjoyed it, but had to stop often to rest. There's no stinking air here! Anyway, about half way through our little hike, my headache was back full force, and I was feeling really weak again. It was worth it.
After our Red Rocks adventure, Mark had to go to the school to teach a piano class to 9 kids (he had taken the rest of the day off to show me around). He has a great class, and it was fun to be a part of it.
We went and picked up Sierra after her baseball game down in Castle Rock. It's down south toward Colorado Springs. I wanted to take them out to dinner, so we decided on an Italian buffet between Denver & Boulder called Cinzetti's. It was so good. If you ever have the chance to go there...
We all ate way too much, and headed back to Highlands Ranch to suffer.
The whole day had been totally great, but my favorite part was about to happen. I asked Mark and Sierra if they would sing a couple of songs for me. Mark has an amazing voice, but I had never heard Sierra sing before. They sounded so good together, and I convinced them to do a third song. So talented!
Then, they convinced me to sing a song for them, and it was fun. Our little concert turned out to be the highlight of my day. Excellent day!
Jim & Janet
Day 26:
Thankfully, we were running a couple hours late coming into Denver, so I was able to have breakfast on the train. I sat with a really nice couple named Jim & Janet Meyer. We had a good time, and discovered we both had reserved cars at Denver, so we knew we would see each other there. As expected, we ran into each other at baggage claim. We had a 30 minute wait, and while we talked, I found out they attended Hershey Evangelical Free Church. I told them I lead worship at Pelican Bay, and that spurred great conversation. We got our bags and called Hertz, and we had another 30 minutes together to talk. It was a great morning, and I really enjoyed it.
I got my car, and had 8 hours to kill, so I drove around Denver a little. It is such a nice city. I decided to walk through the Denver Art Museum, and ended up spending the whole day there. I still didn't see everything, but I really enjoyed it. It rained on me when I left the museum. Remember I prayed for unseasonably cool weather for this trip? God answered. This whole time there was only one day that I considered kind of unbearable.
I met up with Mark & Sierra at their house in Highlands Ranch, and we had a great time catching up (I haven't seen them in 6 years).
The elevation is a bit of a problem. I feel pretty weak, and have a bad headache, but I know it will get better, and it could be much worse. I've known of people who end up in the hospital, so I'm thankful for just a headache that can be dulled with "drugs".
It's almost over ! :(
Thankfully, we were running a couple hours late coming into Denver, so I was able to have breakfast on the train. I sat with a really nice couple named Jim & Janet Meyer. We had a good time, and discovered we both had reserved cars at Denver, so we knew we would see each other there. As expected, we ran into each other at baggage claim. We had a 30 minute wait, and while we talked, I found out they attended Hershey Evangelical Free Church. I told them I lead worship at Pelican Bay, and that spurred great conversation. We got our bags and called Hertz, and we had another 30 minutes together to talk. It was a great morning, and I really enjoyed it.
I got my car, and had 8 hours to kill, so I drove around Denver a little. It is such a nice city. I decided to walk through the Denver Art Museum, and ended up spending the whole day there. I still didn't see everything, but I really enjoyed it. It rained on me when I left the museum. Remember I prayed for unseasonably cool weather for this trip? God answered. This whole time there was only one day that I considered kind of unbearable.
I met up with Mark & Sierra at their house in Highlands Ranch, and we had a great time catching up (I haven't seen them in 6 years).
The elevation is a bit of a problem. I feel pretty weak, and have a bad headache, but I know it will get better, and it could be much worse. I've known of people who end up in the hospital, so I'm thankful for just a headache that can be dulled with "drugs".
It's almost over ! :(
Friday, October 3, 2008
Chicago
Day 25:
Another train day. I woke up at 3:30 am, so I got to see Cleveland Ohio at night. When I awoke later in the morning, we were in Indiana wasn't very exciting.
I had breakfast with a very interesting couple this morning, Herb & Kathy. They live in Rhode Island. Kathy is a retired teacher who now does organic gardening, and Herb is a semi-retired professor, who has the best voice I've ever heard. I told him he needs to be doing radio or something. He said, "it does come in handy in the classroom". They are also very active in the Obama campaign. They asked me who I was going to vote for, and I said I hadn't made up my mind yet. They spent the next hour trying to win me over. They have all kinds opf interesting stories about Sarah Pahlin.
When we got to Chicago, it was raining. Can you guess what else? That's right. It was really windy. I didn't get to see Chicago either. The train was an hour and a half late. By the time I got my bag, and checked it for the next train, and got to the waiting area, she told me I had to be back in an hour. I hadn't even had lunch yet, so I just stayed in the station. When I got back, they announced that the train was running a few minutes late. They were having mechanical difficulties, so that few minutes stretched to 2 hours. Oh well, I didn't really want to walk around in the wind and rain anyway.
I'm so spoiled living where I do. I always seem to take it for granted.
Finally got on the train headed for Denver. I did get to see a little bit of Iowa before it got dark.
Listened to more of the Shack. An interesting twist in the story. I'm not sure what I think about it yet.
Another train day. I woke up at 3:30 am, so I got to see Cleveland Ohio at night. When I awoke later in the morning, we were in Indiana wasn't very exciting.
I had breakfast with a very interesting couple this morning, Herb & Kathy. They live in Rhode Island. Kathy is a retired teacher who now does organic gardening, and Herb is a semi-retired professor, who has the best voice I've ever heard. I told him he needs to be doing radio or something. He said, "it does come in handy in the classroom". They are also very active in the Obama campaign. They asked me who I was going to vote for, and I said I hadn't made up my mind yet. They spent the next hour trying to win me over. They have all kinds opf interesting stories about Sarah Pahlin.
When we got to Chicago, it was raining. Can you guess what else? That's right. It was really windy. I didn't get to see Chicago either. The train was an hour and a half late. By the time I got my bag, and checked it for the next train, and got to the waiting area, she told me I had to be back in an hour. I hadn't even had lunch yet, so I just stayed in the station. When I got back, they announced that the train was running a few minutes late. They were having mechanical difficulties, so that few minutes stretched to 2 hours. Oh well, I didn't really want to walk around in the wind and rain anyway.
I'm so spoiled living where I do. I always seem to take it for granted.
Finally got on the train headed for Denver. I did get to see a little bit of Iowa before it got dark.
Listened to more of the Shack. An interesting twist in the story. I'm not sure what I think about it yet.
New York New York
Day 24:
Just a note from yesterday. If you ever have the chance to visit Winter Park Florida, do it. It's a really nice little town.
This morning, I woke up in Virginia, and quickly grabbed breakfast because we would soon be in Baltimore Maryland, and I wanted to be able to see it. What a waste of time. Maybe there is a part to the city that I couldn't see from the train, but what I did see was depressing. It's an ugly, delapidated place, that didn't have any redeeming quality.
Next stop was Wilmington Delaware. This city was much better, but I got distracted by something I saw at the station. I'm sure this isn't politically correct, but the cutest little Omish couple got off the train there. I really wish I had seen them on the train, because it would have been fun to talk to them.
As we came into Philadelphia, it too was a beautiful city, until we got to north Philly, which looked just like Baltimore to me.
Our next 2 stops were Trenton & Newark New Jersey. I wish I had something to say about NJ, but I can't think of a thing.
Next stop, New York City. I planned on taking pics of all the buildings as we came into the city, but several miles outside the city, you enter a tunnel and stay in there all the way to the station.
Penn Station is terrible. I didn't like anything about it. My plan was to wander outside and see some sights during my 5 hour layover. I prayed and asked God if that was a good plan (I'm learning to seek his counsel before doing things I wouldn't normally do). I asked him to let me know what I should do. He did. The train ended up being a little late, and I got lost in the station. Every other station I've been to, including the big ones in LA & DC, had great signs that led me exactly where I needed to go. Penn station's signage sucks! All they tell you is where to catch different subways. I decided to ask a couple cops I saw for directions. These were 2 of the rudest guys I've ever met. I finally found baggage claim 30 minutes later, and there were a bunch of people standing around. No baggage yet. After another 30 minutes, they announced that the baggage elevator had broken down, and they would keep us posted. After another 30 minutes, they sent someone to get us and bring us to our luggage (instead of bringing it to us). After getting my bag, I went to the waiting area for first class, and decided to sit down for a couple of minutes to rest.
That's when I met Hal & Jean. They were these super nice people that talked my ear off. After all these incidents, I felt like I had my answer, and it was to stay in the station. Hal & Jean offered to watch my bags, so I could go get some lunch. I found a New York deli right in the station, so that's what I got. I was assured by several people that this was an authentic NY deli, but I don't see what all the hype is. It was like one step above Subway.
I also saw a K Mart in the station that said "Thank you for shopping at your Manhattan K Mart".
Back on the train headed for Chicago. I met a family at dinner that had just taken a Carnival Cruise, so we swapped stories. We both agreed that my cruise was better.
After dinner, I got to visit with my mom, the Rider's, and the Goodman's. It was nice to talk with all of them, and I got to hear a little about Jim & Vicki's trip to Hawaii.
After that, I started listening to the novel The Shack on cd. I'm not too far into it, but it seems like it will be pretty interesting.
Through all the turmoil today, I still have nothing but total peace.
God is good!
Just a note from yesterday. If you ever have the chance to visit Winter Park Florida, do it. It's a really nice little town.
This morning, I woke up in Virginia, and quickly grabbed breakfast because we would soon be in Baltimore Maryland, and I wanted to be able to see it. What a waste of time. Maybe there is a part to the city that I couldn't see from the train, but what I did see was depressing. It's an ugly, delapidated place, that didn't have any redeeming quality.
Next stop was Wilmington Delaware. This city was much better, but I got distracted by something I saw at the station. I'm sure this isn't politically correct, but the cutest little Omish couple got off the train there. I really wish I had seen them on the train, because it would have been fun to talk to them.
As we came into Philadelphia, it too was a beautiful city, until we got to north Philly, which looked just like Baltimore to me.
Our next 2 stops were Trenton & Newark New Jersey. I wish I had something to say about NJ, but I can't think of a thing.
Next stop, New York City. I planned on taking pics of all the buildings as we came into the city, but several miles outside the city, you enter a tunnel and stay in there all the way to the station.
Penn Station is terrible. I didn't like anything about it. My plan was to wander outside and see some sights during my 5 hour layover. I prayed and asked God if that was a good plan (I'm learning to seek his counsel before doing things I wouldn't normally do). I asked him to let me know what I should do. He did. The train ended up being a little late, and I got lost in the station. Every other station I've been to, including the big ones in LA & DC, had great signs that led me exactly where I needed to go. Penn station's signage sucks! All they tell you is where to catch different subways. I decided to ask a couple cops I saw for directions. These were 2 of the rudest guys I've ever met. I finally found baggage claim 30 minutes later, and there were a bunch of people standing around. No baggage yet. After another 30 minutes, they announced that the baggage elevator had broken down, and they would keep us posted. After another 30 minutes, they sent someone to get us and bring us to our luggage (instead of bringing it to us). After getting my bag, I went to the waiting area for first class, and decided to sit down for a couple of minutes to rest.
That's when I met Hal & Jean. They were these super nice people that talked my ear off. After all these incidents, I felt like I had my answer, and it was to stay in the station. Hal & Jean offered to watch my bags, so I could go get some lunch. I found a New York deli right in the station, so that's what I got. I was assured by several people that this was an authentic NY deli, but I don't see what all the hype is. It was like one step above Subway.
I also saw a K Mart in the station that said "Thank you for shopping at your Manhattan K Mart".
Back on the train headed for Chicago. I met a family at dinner that had just taken a Carnival Cruise, so we swapped stories. We both agreed that my cruise was better.
After dinner, I got to visit with my mom, the Rider's, and the Goodman's. It was nice to talk with all of them, and I got to hear a little about Jim & Vicki's trip to Hawaii.
After that, I started listening to the novel The Shack on cd. I'm not too far into it, but it seems like it will be pretty interesting.
Through all the turmoil today, I still have nothing but total peace.
God is good!
On the Train Again
Day 23:
Lazy day today. I slept in late, and took my time getting ready to go. I took a taxi (can't wait till I don't have to do that anymore) to the train station.
The train ride was pretty uneventful. I did get to see new scenery because not only was it daylight this time, I had a window facing the opposite direction.
Had dinner with some nice folks, then listened to some great worship tunes until it was time to sleep.
Have to go for now. More to come.
Blessings
Lazy day today. I slept in late, and took my time getting ready to go. I took a taxi (can't wait till I don't have to do that anymore) to the train station.
The train ride was pretty uneventful. I did get to see new scenery because not only was it daylight this time, I had a window facing the opposite direction.
Had dinner with some nice folks, then listened to some great worship tunes until it was time to sleep.
Have to go for now. More to come.
Blessings
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