This just in from Vagas Baby!

No sleep for 36 hours, but I made it here. My hosts are being kind enough to let me blog from their computer.

It took 24 hours to get here, driving through 6 states, but what a blast.

Now it's off to Margaritaville for a Cheeseburger in Paradise and some boat drinks.

Peace out.

Thought for the day -

Try not to miss a chance to help out a friend in need.

Here today, gone to Vegas Baby.

Road trip. To Vegas Baby! Tomorrow.

What's up with that?

To make a long story boring, I am helping someone move to Henderson, Nevada. This person can't drive, so I am driving (With a friend) a rental truck non stop Seattle to Vegas Baby! Wheels up at 0700. We fly back Tuesday morning.

Thought for the day -

Note to self: I'm not 18 anymore.

Take it to the limit.

First off, an update. The garage sale/auction we had at my church this weekend raised $10,000.00 for our mission trip to Costa Rica this summer!!! And this despite over 6 inches of snow Friday night. 6 inches of snow on April 18th! What's up with that?

Anyway, after much delay, I am ready to share about my adventures in the great southwest.

We arrived in Phoenix Friday afternoon and made our way to the hotel in Glendale. It was great to bask in the 80 degree heat after the mid 30's of Seattle. After a little unpacking, we headed over to my mother shipIt was wonderful to be back amongst my people.Old Grampy Jack (my father in-law) had jambalaya, Sweetie Pie had a chicken salad, and I enjoyed the Cheeseburger in Paradise washed down with a fruity drink. A fine start to vacation.

The next morning we headed north. The drive through the desert was cool. The scenery had a stark beauty that took me aback. I would love to return and really explore the area. We arrived at the canyon by mid afternoon and after checking in, we made our way to the rim.

Man, oh man! The Grand Canyon in flat out awesome. It is just big. And then you realize that you are only seeing a small part of it. And then you realize how great God is to have created such a wonder. It is truly humbling. Words cannot describe it and the camera cannot hold it.

The next morning I started out on my trek. My trail went down this ridge line. At the crack of 6:00 am, I was ready to go. Don't I look prepared?

It was a little cold and there was still ice on the trail in the places that do not get much sunlight. I was alone except for a group of students from all over Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. They were really nice and we took pictures for each other at this rest stop. It's a long way down. What was I thinking? Half way down and lookin' good. I'm glad I brought the tripod. A bighorn sheep I met along the way. Finally, the bridge across the Colorado River. At this point, My stride was somewhere between a stagger and crawling. After about three and a half years on the trail I find a very welcome site. They give me my bunk assignment and tell me that the rumors of no water have been greatly exaggerated. I get a shower!!! After a quick phone call to let Sweetie Pie know I lived through the ordeal, it's nap time.

The way up will be covered in my next post.

Thought for the day -

Getting there is half the fun.

Too many irons in the fire and too much on my plate

"I'd be pulling out my hair if I could just get one hand free."

Two concerts (Newsboys and Lost and Found)and MCing the auction at church. That's the next three days for me. I'll do a real post next week.

Thought for the day -

Thank you for your patience.

Another taxing day.

I have recovered from vacation and will post the story and pictures on my next post.

Today I filled out my taxes. I know I had one more day to do it, but I hate to put things off.

As usual, I went through the sphincter tightening, ulcer causing, perspiration inducing time between when you start and when you find out if you get money back or have to pay. That rushing of wind you felt earlier was caused by my ginomous sigh.

I GET MONEY BACK! WOO HOO!

It's not a lot, but hey, I'll take what I can get.

Thought for the day -

It's more fun to get money than to pay money.