We're Still Here

Yes! She did it. Aren't you proud of Joyce? Saturday she got in one of these tram cars (below) and traveled to the top (almost the top) of Mt. San Jacinto. She doesn't particularly like heights or being on the edge of high things -- like the edge of the highway overlooking a steep drop off, or a tram car! But she decided she wanted to see the top so we did it. There had been clouds obscuring the view all week and a big rain storm predicted for Saturday evening but about noon the clouds mostly went away and up we went. You can see some clouds behind Joyce. Down on the valley floor is Palm Springs, or maybe it's Rancho Mirage. There was about 8 inches of snow up there and people going up to play in the snow -- sled, toboggan, snow shoe, and even ski.

Earlier in the day we went to the biggest street fair I've ever seen. The College of the Desert in the town of Palm Desert hosts at least 250 booths selling practically everything -- clothing, hats, belts, food, jewelry, nick-naks, car stuff, cosmetics, games, etc. etc. We were there about 3 hours looking, eating, and buying a few things. Weather was perfect.

Wednesday was the day we drove up to Joshua Tree National Park. It was a little cold, especially in the wind, but otherwise a great day. We drove thru the park, ate a picnic lunch, took pictures, and enjoyed the funny looking trees. We also hiked through a place called Hidden Valley. On Tuesday we visited the Living Desert Gardens and Zoo. It was so large and interesting we spent most of the day there. They have giraffes, camels, different kinds of deer, some African cattle, and a lot of smaller animals.

We did get rain last night and today so we decided to stay here another day. We worshipped at the Christian Center of Desert Hot Springs and then I took Joyce to a brunch at the Miracle Spa and Hotel for being so brave about the tram. Tomorrow it is on to places unknown.

God has made a beautiful world. And he made beautiful people. Some have retained that beauty but, sadly, some have let it be tarnished by other things. Let the beauty shine. This is my world. Love to hear about yours.

Traveling On

Things change and we let the wind blow us along. Originally we were to to leave Jana and Korak's today and go to Desert Hot Springs for a week. As things progressed we decided to leave Thursday. We made a reservation at Desert Pools RV Resort in Desert Hot Springs for 4 nights. At the beginning of last week the weather people were predicting Santa Ana winds for Wednesday afternoon and Thursday. So we changed our plans, left Wednesday morning and headed east on I-10. We beat most of the wind; during the night there were winds high enough to blow trees over in one of the cities we passed through. It was windy where we were but not too bad.

So let me tell you where we were. Flashback: At the RV rally in Redmond last summer I entered a drawing for a new pickup. In October (or there about) I received a phone call that I won -- not a pickup, but 4 nights at an RV resort. Of course, it was one of those sales things; all we had to do was listen to a sales 90-minute presentation. The company is Western Horizons and they have quite a few locations so I chose the one that would help us on our way to Tucson. Well, to make a long story a little bit shorter, our dates got mixed up so I was going to pass on their offer. I had already made reservations at Sam's Family Spa and RV Resort in Desert Hot Springs for the week after we left the kid's in LA. When we decided to leave early, I called Western Horizons and they were delighted to host us (and try to impress us) for 4 nights. Then, because of the wind, we showed up a day early. They accommodated us, made their presentation, and almost made a sale. What they offered was really good but just not for us right now. So we stayed at their expense Wednesday night through Sunday morning, then moved 1/2 mile up the road to Sam's. Easy.

Sunday we attended 8:30 worship at Grace Church about 2 miles down the road, then moved the RV and watched football games. I'm bummed because neither of my teams won. I really didn't expect San Diego to win but really thought Bret Farve could do it. I don't really care about the Packers but I like Bret. So the Super Bowl will only be interesting to see if New England can remain unbeaten.

Since we have been here we have toured the area a little. It is not at all like I imagined. All these communities run together -- sort of -- and generally between Highway 111 and I-10. This includes Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and couple others. Desert Hot Springs is an exception; it is set apart from the others, north of I-10. We have to drive 12-20 miles to get to anything we want to see. I always thought this area would be real swanky. It does have it's spots but it also has lots of plain ole down home places, too. When you look at a map, one of the things that stands out is the number of golf courses. I haven't counted them, but there must be 30 or 40 -- from the private county clubs to the public courses. Green fees run from about $65 and up. And I mean UP! Glad I gave up golfing.

Saturday we drove up to Churaco Summit about 40 miles east of here to see the General George S. Patton Memorial Museum. For anyone interested in history this is a must-see. The reason for this location is that near the beginning of WWII General Patton set up a desert training center there. The history of that whole area is very interesting. But mostly we have been enjoying the hot tubs. Both of these RV parks have hot mineral water feeding these tubs and pools. It's supposed to be very healthy to sit in. I don't know about that, but they sure are nice.

A word about the weather. Temperatures have been rather cool and, I'm told, cooler than usual for this area -- in the 60s during the day, 40s at night. When the wind blows and your swimming suit is all wet, cool isn't the word for it. It is just plain cold! But then, warmer than Grants Pass. This week is supposed to be even cooler and maybe a little rain. We'll see.

So this is our new world for a few days. Just to let you know.

The Elation

Boy, it seems like this week has gone fast. We took a 7-part trip this week with the middle part being the biggest (and the reason for all the others). But, before I go into that I feel I need to make a disclaimer. All of these things I tell about are not to brag. This is simply a way to report what is happening in our lives. We feel so blessed to know the Lord is leading and maybe rewarding. Sometimes we do a lot and sometimes it's not very different from the usual hum-drum. The travel is fun for us -- well for me anyway. Joyce just kind of tolerates some of it. Throughout our lives together we never traveled very much. I went to the Holy Land once years and years ago. We made a couple of trips to the midwest and went to seminary in Kentucky. But other than a few things like that, we stayed pretty much at home. As time went on our grandkids lived in LA so that became the destination of choice. Others were taking vacations in Hawaii or traveling to England or visiting missionaries in Africa. We vacationed on the Oregon coast. So now we have the opportunity to do some traveling and we are enjoying it. So this is simply a report and our thanks to God for his blessings.

So what about this 7-legged trip? Last Monday Jana took us to the Greyhound bus terminal. We caught a bus for San Diego; took a taxi to the cruise ship terminal and boarded the Carnival Elation for a five day cruise. What a blast! Of course, Joyce wasn't so sure. She doesn't like boats and tends to get sea sick but she is a trooper and went along with it. So, what do I think of cruising? Not too bad! Not too bad, at all. On the negative side (I'll tell that first so we can end on the positive) -- if you like to gamble, the casino is always open. If you like to drink, there are multiple bars and at least one is always open. If you like to dance and party, something is going on every evening. And if you like to eat, there is food everywhere all the time. Actually that one is a positive because the food was really good. In our dining room on formal night we had lobster and shrimp. Other nights, steak, salmon, chicken, etc. A buffet was open most of the time, ice cream and pizza all the time. Delicious. Too delicious. We won't talk about the pounds I gained.

Our boat only visited two ports: Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. Of course we had been to Ensenada many times with the church work team but never from this point of view. Cabo was new to us. We did not do any of the special shore trips but we did walk into town and bought some tee shirts. There was lots of time for relaxing, reading, sitting in the sun (if you could find a spot out of the wind) or enjoying the hot tub -- which was really a warm tub. The evening revue shows were really good. We went el cheapo and asked for an inside cabin. What we got was an outside cabin with two port holes for windows -- not the larger window of a regular outside cabin. However it was in the bow so we felt more ship movement. The first night was rough and Joyce got sick. I survived but just barely. After that she did okay. She wore the patch and we bought her the bracelets -- all this helped.

The ship returned to San Diego Saturday. Another taxi ride, bus ride, and Jana ride. Those are the 7 legs of our trip. Would we cruise again? Yes, but not for awhile. Joyce even says she would go again. Next time we would try another cruise line just to see the differences even though we have no complaints with Carnival. Even going el cheapo, it all adds up to costing money. The whole experience -- basic cruise, tips, stuff we bought, bus, taxi, etc totaled about $1,000. I know that isn't too bad compared to some cruises that are longer but it is still big money to us. And we could easily have doubled that if we bought a lot of drinks, gambled, played bingo, or spent a lot in the shops.

And so it goes. Our world floats sometimes. In fact, it feels like we are still floating. The older I get the longer it takes to get my land legs back. So float along with us. This week we head to Desert Hot Springs. Stay tuned.

This is the Elation tied up to the pier in Ensenada. If you are able, can you see the row of little port holes that run to the rear of the ship starting between the words Carnival and Elation. They are in sets of two. Our cabin was the fourth set toward the back, just before the big windows.

The High and Low

The new year is off to a good start. After our fun at the parade on New Year's Day we decided to try to top that with a trip to The Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove to view "The Glory of Christmas." Wow! what a production. We were late getting tickets so we were near the back which turned out to be pretty good seats. The drama is actually a 90-minute musical mostly using familiar carols. But it is presented majestically -- almost larger than life -- with flying angels and live horses, sheep, and camels. The final scene was so beautiful and magnificent. It presented the visit of the magi -- and of course they rode in on camels. Their costumes were absolutely grand with huge turbans. One of the men was standing outside after it was over and he had to be 7 feet tall. But I digress. They used this scene to bring in everyone, including 7 angels flying over our heads on wires with music of praise to the newborn King. Our seats were so good because we could see the angels easily and the animals entered and left from the rear. Simply fabulous. If you ever get the chance, you have to see it.

But the next day was a low because Ginger had to leave. I dropped her off at the airport. This was my task because Jana was a work, Joyce was watching the kids and we didn't have car seats to take them, and Korak wasn't home from work yet. Her plane was supposed to leave at 8:10. You did notice the word "supposed" didn't you? It actually left at about 9:30 because they could not find the flight crew. Yes, you read that right. They were lost. Apparently (according to what they told Ginger) they came in on another plane which was late; then the people who find their way through the unmarked skies couldn't find their way through the well-marked airport. Eventually she got home safe but we hated to see her leave.

Today Jana and I and the kids worshipped at Bel Air Presbyterian Church. This is where we attended the Christmas Eve service and we wanted to go back for a Sunday morning. They have a tremendous pipe organ which really produces church music. This is not a little box organ that sounds like a funeral chapel; this is majestic music. A great worship experience.

You may have heard about the BIG rain in southern California. I guess in places it really did come down. Here at the kid's house in the Westchester part of LA near the airport, it hasn't been nearly as bad. It is raining right now and I understand this the the 3rd of the 3-part whammy the weather is delivering. On thing for sure, they need the rain down here.

Well, stay in touch with friends; stay in tune with the Lord. This is my world. Love to hear from you.

Happy New Year

Yes indeed, it is a happy new year. And we wish you the very best for 2008. We continue to enjoy doing things with the kids -- both big and small. Korak and I have spent time (lots of time because we aren't too bright!) fixing some wiring in his utility room. A simple little fixit project turned into a major rewiring project that spanned parts of three days. But we finished it and the wiring is a lot safer now. I should mention that their house was built in the early 50s and the wiring is old and sometimes brittle.

Last Thursday we went to Knotts Berry Farm for the day. While the sun was out, the weather was nice and warm but after it went down, it got cold. Ginger bundled up for it like a true Oregonian. The next picture is Lilly and I on one of those little train rides. The kids really enjoyed everything so grandpa and grandma enjoyed them as well. Ginger and I did go on one adult ride -- the Ghostrider Roller Coaster. It was fun but a little bumpy (read "rough road") for my old bones. Of course the park was all decked out for Christmas and they had a 30 minute "Disney on Ice." It was Excellent! Snoopy, Charley Brown, and the gang searched for the real meaning of Christmas. And... get this! ...they found it in Jesus being born as the savior. Amazing! On top of that, it was free with our admission.

This morning we got up at some ridiculous hour and went to the Rose Parade. Korak got us really, really good seats in the grandstands right under the ABC broadcasting booth. These came, courtesy of his work. We drove to Union Station, rode the train to Pasadena, then walked about a mile to our seats. For the trip back we used a bus because of the crowds but it was as slow as waiting for the train. I didn't realize so many people would fit in Pasadena. After it was over, we discovered that coffee and donuts were included with our seats. Oh well. I don't need donuts (want, yes; need, definitely not). From this photo you can tell we were just faces in a huge mass of people. This is Jana, Josiah, and Korak. We four were the parade goers. Grandma and Ginger stayed home with Lilly.

It seems time is going by so fast. Just a few months ago we were at Newport, now it is 2008. This last year has been fantastic. None of us know what lies in the new year but we know Who holds the new year so it is okay. Last Sunday we worshipped at Marina again. I officiated at communion at both services. The Pastor joked that it was old timers Sunday because his dad was preaching and I was part of the worship. His dad just retired as the pastor of a Nazarene church in Spokane.

Each week brings changes. Most good, some not so good. But observation will reveal that God is present in all of it and will bring good when we let him. So you see what's in my world. Let me know what is in yours.