Thursday evening, we drove up to the Continental Divide, which was about thirty minutes from our cabin. Although we’ve crossed the divide a number of times at different places throughout our traveling years, we hadn’t been back to this particular spot for about ten years. It was a beautiful night for a sunset, so with camera in hand, Joseph captured the scene, and the rest of us took some individual pictures and enjoyed the sunset. Each moment we had in Colorado was a blessing, and the sunset was a special gift.
Love, Sarah Mary Jesse Anna John Joseph Sarah Dad and Mom
“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.” —Psalms 113:3
We took Wednesday as an easy day. After a later breakfast, we packed up, and drove awhile on a dirt road, which had its good parts and not-so-good parts. We had been told about a trail that would take us to St. Elmo (the old mining town/chipmunk feeding area), but we weren’t finding it, so Dad decided to park, and then we walked on the road for awhile. We came to a trailhead and took it. Not far into the trail, it was decided that we would need to split-up so the little girls could eat lunch and return to the cabin for their afternoon naps. So, we divided, and when a storm began building, the second group on the mountain turned around. The rest of the afternoon was spent kayaking and canoeing on the ponds. Each day ended with a delightful dinner (planned by Mom), and family Bible time.
Love, Sarah Aunt Anna and Abby made us biscuits. Mountain stream
Hiking.We hiked along the dirt road before turning onto a trail.Joseph, camera in hand.John and Bethany were buddies--John packed her a lot of miles.Jesse packed Abby several times for Nathan.Some turned around, and some kept going.Turn-around group.Aunt Mary and AbbyAbby helping Aunt Anna Wednesday evening.Abby playing with her daddy.
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.” –Psalms 148:1
After a delightful, refreshing, family-packed week, we are home! Home for three weeks before we begin our fall conference season. We still have many photos to share with you from the last few days, and we will do so this coming week. Thank you for those who prayed for our safety. We were almost run off the interstate this afternoon by a drunk driver. God is good!
With love for all the rest, Sarah
Hot air balloon this morning.Dad
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” –Psalms 91:11
Tuesday morning, quite of few of us set out to hike Mt. Princeton, one of Colorado’s 14ners (meaning the mountain is over 14,000 feet). Some stayed back with the little girls.
Five thirty we left the cabin and drove to the trailhead. At that point, we dropped the van, and loaded into Christopher’s truck to drive up further. From the research done, we were planning on parking at the radio towers. It took us almost an hour to drive up the single lane, rocky, rough road, but we made it.
We weren’t totally sure what to expect of the terrain, although most of the group, except for the girls and Jesse, had hiked a 14er before.
At 7 a.m. we left Christopher’s truck, and the first forty minutes was quite easy, just walking along a dirt road. Then, we left the road and followed a path through a meadow. We soon hit a rock field, and we spent the remainder of the hike having to place each footstep among the rocks. Most of the time, we could see the summit in view.
We spent hours going across rock fields, but we pressed on. Around 11, we were on our final ascent. It was literally hand-over-hand as we climbed up the rocks. It would still not be considered a “technical” climb at all by those experienced, but for us it was difficult. Starting out. Beautiful sunrise Walking... Jesse Nathan, with the others in the background. Distance is very deceptive on the mountain. The summit is a very long ways off. You would not be able to discern people close to the summit as they would be so far away. Taking a break on the ridge. It was a climb. Dad and I as we approached the summit. In our final ascent, the rest of the group got ahead, and I suddenly became fearful and told Dad I was done. I couldn’t imagine how we would get back down. I thought I would just sit on the rocks and wait for the others. Looking down all I saw was steep rocks, and looking up was still a hand over hand climb. Dad gently talked me through the situation, encouraging me that the rocks were solid and not slippery, and we would do it together. I needed to keep my eyes only on the rocks near me, not looking up or down, but move on, one “step” at a time. I took Dad’s encouragement and pressed on, and I’m glad I did :-). It reminds me of a spiritual analogy. If we set our focus on our past, we can become discouraged. If we look to the future, we can also get concerned. We have to focus on what the Lord has for us right now!
The summit was gorgeous, beautiful, amazing! We spent about a half hour on top, taking pictures and talking. Several others had also made the climb, and so we had company up there, and one man took a group picture for us. It was a wonderful experience. Nathan John Joseph John again The group Christopher and Anna Marie Pushup jumps at the top of the mountain! Talk about oxygen deprivation, but they managed. Maxwell Guys Dad with the guys Nathan Joseph Mary and I A tree on the way down Joseph saw.
On the way down
It took around three and a half hours to hike back to the truck and about another hour down in Christopher’s truck to the van. It was a very long day and everyone was exhausted. Well, actually, the boys had far more energy left than some of us.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalms 19:1
The Maxwell family and ministry blog of Titus2.com.
