A very special thank you to Joseph for doing a photo session for us!
We’re excited to share with you dates for our two upcoming conferences. We want you to come, and we’d love for you to encourage friends to attend as well.
These are free conferences, and one never knows when we’ll be back out east again. Often, families will make it a great-get-away-from-home trip, stay in hotels, and enjoy like-minded fellowship along with good teaching.
Although the conferences are free, it does help us know how many to plan for if you register prior.
We are home and settled in, but I wanted to share about Monday’s hike, our last one before we hit the road. Only Mom, Anna, Jesse, Mary, and I went, and we started out at Denny Creek’s trailhead. It’ll take you to (a) Mount Yale, (b) Brown’s Pass, (c) Hartenstein Lake, (d) probably other places. We went for (c).
It was a gorgeous morning to hike with great company, pleasant temperatures–what more could you ask for?
We’ve had many stream crossings on this trip. The number of sturdy logs shown above make this one easy.
As we got to this point, Jesse recalled a discussion from probably 10 years ago when the five younger named this stream Diesel Dad’s Crossing. We had to get a picture!
When we reached the lake, we sat down to enjoy a snack. Suddenly, Mom called, “Moose!”
Sure enough, a bull moose plodded from the woods and into the lake. Amazing! Of course, I didn’t have my nice camera with me, so all we had were iPhones with which to take pictures. We hiked around the lake to get a better view. He was impressive to watch as he sloshed in the water, drinking and probably eating some kind of water grass. So nice!
The moose is too small to see, but it’s in the picture too.
We were blessed by our time in Colorado. It was extremely refreshing!
Yeah, happy birthday Mom!
Love, Sarah
“Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number.” Job 5:9
When Abigail was about seven months old, she reached a stage where she cried around anyone except her mommy and daddy. Being my first grandchild, I was quite determined to win her acceptance. With Nathan and Melanie’s permission, I began going over to their house with a basket of enticing toys every day for just a few minutes. I would sit down on the living room floor with my basket of toys while Abigail was nearby on a blanket. It didn’t even take a week before she was playing with the toys and happy to have me there with her. That was the beginning of Grandma’s playtime.
Now I take a tub of toys and books over to Christopher and Anna Marie’s for a ½ hour playtime with Joshua (3) and Ruthanne (1) in the morning. We have a scheduled time (Anna Marie called it Family Activity on her schedule) for that each day to keep it consistent. Grandpa goes on Wednesday (I think that is Joshua’s favorite day!), Mary on Thursday, and me on Monday and Tuesday.
Trusting in Jesus, Teri
They love to walk around pulling toys.
Ruthie is definitely into balls! Happy trio!
“Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” Proverbs 17:6
Mary’s birthday felt like it came early because we woke up a little after 3 a.m. We had our individual Bible times, finalized loading our packs, and headed out. Since we were unsure of how Dad’s feet would do, we took John’s truck and the van.
We arrived at the trailhead and began our hike at 5:36 Central. Headlamps were a must.
Walking in the dark is interesting in its own way. When you come back through in the light, you get to see all the things you missed. At one point, we knew we were approaching water, but we couldn’t find the trail. As the guys searched around the big boulders, Dad found the way to a bridge across a deep canyon! You’ll see pictures of that canyon later.
By dawn, we came to a pretty meadow with a bubbling stream, wildflowers, and tall grass. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to be a camper somewhere in the meadow or see a moose drinking from the brook.
After the meadow, we began more of a climb, but thankfully there were switchbacks to break up the steepness.
Around this time, we saw our first hikers way above us on the ridge. We made our way slowly but steadily to the ridge and then took a break to be ready for the final ascent.
The next area consisted of boulders and places with loose dirt on the trail. As we continued, someone noticed a mountain goat ahead. We neared, and the goat didn’t seem to mind us except for Dad’s red coat, which did seem to bother him.
After pictures, we kept going, and the trail became much harder. Finally, about a 1/2-3/4 of a mile from the summit, Dad and I turned around while the rest went on.
The rest continued on.
Even though we stopped short, the views were still pretty. The others summited about 11, which meant it was a 5+ hour hike just to the summit! It was cold and windy, but they still enjoyed 45 minutes on the summit.
The birthday girl! John Anna Jesse Chocolate on the summit: can’t beat that! Anna loves marshmallows.
The descent was tricky, involving loose dirt on the trail which isn’t a comfortable feeling as you slip and slide your way down. We met many people still working on the ascent, so that broke the hike up as you talked to them.
I love this selfie of the girls.
Below the ridge, we saw the mountain goat again. He was happy to use the path as his trail, which made it inconvenient for people desiring to pass him. He did eventually move off, though, if you worked hard enough. It was amazing to be so close to him.
John made his descent quickly due to a work issue, so we were glad for two vehicles, because he had to go back to the cabin. The rest of us made it down by 3 something.
For those thinking about hiking La Plata, all I can say is it’s a difficult one, with lots of loose dirt and scree, and some areas have a steep hillside next to the path.
Jesse The canyon we went over in the dark. Mom and Mary after completing the hike: birthday girls!
Happy birthday to Mary!
Love, Sarah
“And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:3
This morning was pretty as the clouds hung over the mountains.
Today was a beautiful, peaceful day. We’ll be heading home Tuesday, so we’re enjoying these last moments here before jumping back into normal life.
I’ll update you all soon on the 14er adventure. It was quite a day!
Love, Sarah
Cabin time Mary found another cat. We had another cookout.
“Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us- ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” Psalm 40:5
Tuesday was a rest day and on Wednesday we hiked a trail we’ve done before and then went up an intensely steep trail to an unnamed 13er (Jesse suggested the name: Jesswell). We missed Dad, as he stayed back due to a foot problem.
Love, Sarah
Crossing a stream. Taking a break on the ridge.
Taking a break
This is a behind-the-scenes photo. Here’s the real photo. She was pointing to Mt. Yale. Jesse doing a handstand.
That night we had a special dinner out. We tried for some pictures at the Continental Divide, but it was so cold and windy. Also, notice the haze in the background. There must be forest fires, because we’ve had a fair amount of smoke in the area.
“The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.” Psalm 97:6
The Maxwell family and ministry blog of Titus2.com.
