Mount of the Holy Cross

Here is the awesome report of the Mount of the Holy Cross. Enjoy the climb with Anna, Jesse, and Mary!


We left the cabin just before 2 am, bound for Mount of the Holy Cross; it felt early but there was a nice moon when we started. It began raining part way through the drive but by the time we reached the turn for the dirt road, it lightened to a drizzle. That dirt road took us up onto the mountain, and as we climbed, it became clear we had entered a thick cloud.

We arrived at the trailhead around 4:30 am to complete darkness and heavy mist: good thing we brought our lights (just kidding, we always do that). The forecast predicted it to be a beautiful dayclearly, they were just referring to the “day” part of the day.

We started at the wrong trailhead (because us) but followed a social path to the right trail (because GPS). We occupied ourselves with much interesting conversation on the way up, and as the sun rose, we kept expecting (really, “hoping”) the clouds to clear off. The drizzle changed to sleet and then to snow. Even though the sun had risen, the visibility remained minimal. As we climbed above the treeline, the wind grew stronger, and it always felt great when we got to enjoy a switchback where we faced away from the wind.
We had decided to do a variant of the route on the way up. This approach allowed us to do a full circle instead of the standard out and back. The neat thing about the route is that it took us right by the Notch Mountain Shelteran impressive stone hut built in the 1930s for religious groups who made pilgrimages to Notch Mountain in order to see the nearly 1,500’ tall cross couloir on Mount of the Holy Cross (essentially gullies that intersect). Notch Mountain stands opposite the Mount of the Holy Cross and the cross is dazzling when snow lays in the couloir.

Inside the Notch Mountain Shelter

We were a bit chilly by the time (7:45 am) we reached the ridge upon which the shelter was built. We welcomed the reprieve from the wind and snow that it provided. The view, of course, was quite unremarkableonly about 100 yards of ridge which disappeared into clouds racing by. We unsuccessfully attempted to warm up inside the shelter while taking opportunities to look out the large window occasionally.

We hoped the storm would clear and celebrated the signs of sunshine and blue sky that started around 8:30 am. Then the most stunning moment cameone that we were all so awe-struck by we didn’t think to grab any pictures.

The clouds cleared enough that we could see across the bowl to the Mount of the Holy Cross. The cross couloir had a layer of snow in it which dramatically set it off from the dark rock around. A photo wouldn’t have captured half the sight anyway, so perhaps it was ok to just leave in our minds. The vertical gully stretched from near the bottom of the giant face to the top with a slanted shelf appearing like a crossbeam that ran horizontally almost the width of the mountain.

Enjoying our first glimpse of the sun!

The clouds continued to clear until we were at last surrounded by big, open sky. This was more like it. At 9:30, we considered all the conditions and decided we were ready to press on. Let the work begin!

Not limited to the trail which ended at the shelter, we bid it farewell and started the 3-mile trek across the ridge over to the summit. By this time, the snow had melted from the cross couloir, and it was only then that we realized the magnitude of the beautiful gift God gave us in allowing us to see it with snow.

We greatly enjoyed the route across, and the weather stayed nice the rest of the day. It was a bit strenuous due to the terrain and the fact that we only dropped below 13,000’ once the entire ridge. We also crossed two ranked 13ers and an unranked one on the way over so there was good up and down. This traverse offered terrific views of the surrounding region.

Notch Mountain Shelter is the circled in this photo.

Triumphant arrival on the summit
Our summit selfie
Mary and Jesse enjoying the views

By early afternoon we made our final ascent and summited the Mount of the Holy Cross. So far, we had seen no other climbers, and we had the summit to ourselves. The views were spectacular, and we took in every bit of beauty we could during the short time we were on the summit. Looking back across the bowl to our lovely Notch Mountain Shelter was rewarding as it stood as a tiny spec on that giant ridge.

You can barely see the shelter as a bump on the far ridge.

After refueling, we started descending and enjoyed the excellent route and the warm sunshine, while trying not to let the wind knock us over. In the valley, we stopped at a lush mountain stream to refill our water before climbing 1,000’ over Half Moon Pass. This part ended our singularity as we passed a steady stream of other hikers coming in to camp in the lovely valley. Some of them looked well prepared and others didn’t look prepared at allwe hope they all had a good time.

We reached our car late afternoon and celebrated the amazing day and the neat memories we had made together. While it was one of our last 14ers in that range, we decided it was the prettiest. We were so grateful that God cleared the weather off (had it kept snowing we would have turned around) and the amazing opportunity to see the cross couloir with snow it.

Jesse, Anna, and Mary

“Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust,
for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.”
Isaiah 2:10

The Triple Birthday Party

Here it is! The triple birthday party in pictures. This year, we decided to combine the August birthdays (Dad’s, Mom’s, and Mary’s) into one big family get-together.

Do you know how much noise there is at our get-togethers? A lot! But it’s an awesome group with lots of love and happiness all around!

I hope you all have a beautiful Monday. 🙂

Love,
Sarah

Abby, Mary, Elizabeth, and GiGi

This guy with his spaghetti and garlic bread

With so many littles to prepare food for, someone had the awesome idea of cutting up spaghetti noodles with a pizza cutter. Talk about an efficient way to prepare the food.

Tina blowing out the candle for the birthday trio.

Joshua and Grandpa matching

Bible time

Here are those adorable, matching aprons (from Amazon) Mary received from Christopher’s family. (The Amazon link is Titus2’s Amazon affiliate link. See our Privacy Policy.)

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”
Psalm 27:4

Happy First Day of Autumn!

Y’all, I’m so excited! Today is the first day of autumn. Here in Kansas, this season means crisp temperatures, sunsets painted of pinks and oranges, vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow leaves, and more time spent outdoors. As I stepped outside last night, I breathed in deeply. It’s that unmistakable autumn smell of someone burning leaves. I praise the Lord for His amazing gift of seasons. “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons … ” (Daniel 2:19-20).

I’m deep in editing my new book. I am grateful for your prayers as I press toward the end. God has been abundantly gracious to me during this busy season!

With autumn also comes cozy times of baking. Why not spend one-on-one time with a little and bake chocolate chip cookies together?

Love,
Sarah

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie

Yields: 20-22 cookies

3/4 cup butter (room temperature)
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 large egg (room temperature)
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350°. Beat room temperature butter for 1 min. Then add brown sugar and cream with butter until light and fluffy. Then add milk and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Beat in egg. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl and then mix into butter-sugar mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 7-12 minutes until the desired doneness. Cool on cookie sheets for 2 minutes before removing to cooling racks. Enjoy!

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to
divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for
seasons, and for days, and years.”
Genesis 1:14

Grandma’s Bookbag

For those who read our blog regularly, you know that I have scheduled time each week with my different sets of grandchildren.

I have three book bags. One bag with board books that toddlers can’t destroy. That bag I give to the toddlers to occupy them while waiting for their turn to pick books. The next bag contains activity books and other books of preschool interest. The last bag has books with longer storylines or chapter books. Abby (10), Bethany (8), and Christina (6) usually pick the chapter book currently in the book bag for their reading time, and of course, all are welcome to sit and listen along.

We plan to begin sharing blog posts about top favorites from Grandma’s book bags in the coming months.

Here are two of my current favorites:

Train Man by Andrew Zimmerman & David Clemesha

This delightful board book is a favorite of Andrew (4) who loves trains.

Big brother in the book wants to be a train man when he grows up so this book follows him in his imaginary plans. He includes his little brother, letting him wear the train man hat and blow the whistle. We enjoy saying, “All aboard” at the appropriate places in the book.

The Gardner by Sarah Steward

Joseph and Elissa gave this book to me for Mother’s Day, and it is my top favorite. It is a longer story book with extremely imaginative illustrations. Every time we read it, we notice new details in the pictures. It is a story from the depression era of a little girl who has to go live with her uncle in the city for several months and the joy and transformations she brings in her new home.

Trusting in Jesus,
Teri

Note: The Amazon links in this post are Titus2’s Amazon affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy.

“The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found
in the way of righteousness.”
(Proverbs 16:31)

Happy 24th Birthday, Jesse!

Jesse Maxwell

Happy Birthday, Jesse!

We are grateful for Jesse’s life and testimony for Jesus. This guy is steadfast and faithful.

Awesome facts:

  • He is extremely articulate about sharing his faith in Christ.
  • He is crazy strong. 
  • He is artistic.
  • He is an adventurer. 
  • He is musically gifted.
  • He is a problem solver.

 

Happy Birthday! Please leave Jesse a comment below and make his day extra special.

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and
whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
(Matthew 16:25)

Teri’s Favorite Chicken in Chipped Beef

We wanted to share with you a super simple chicken dish our family enjoys.

Teri’s Favorite Chicken in Chipped Beef

2 pkgs. 2 ounces each chipped beef (we like Carl Buddig brand)
6 medium-size chicken breasts
1 – 10 3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
salt and pepper

Line a large, shallow buttered baking dish with the chipped beef and then place the chicken on top. Salt and pepper the chicken. Mix cream of mushroom soup and sour cream (leave the soup condensed: do not add water or milk). Spread with the soup-sour cream mixture and bake uncovered, in a 300-degree oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

In the pictures below, we doubled the recipe.

Begin by laying the beef on the bottom of the pan.

Place chicken on top.

Salt and pepper the chicken.

Mix cream of mushroom soup and sour cream together.

Spread on top of the chicken.

Enjoy!

“In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust;
let me never be ashamed:
deliver me in thy righteousness.”
Psalm 31:1