Since I didn't get a change to post yesterday, I'll catch everyone up on what we've been doing. Monday morning we left St. George and headed to Zion National Park. After stopping at the Visitor's Center for a much needed break, we drove the scenic route through the park. A couple highlights of the drive were the mile-long tunnel through the mountains, through which we all tried holding our breath, a family tradition. (No one could, of course :) Also we enjoyed seeing the variety in coloring of rocks. Driving through the park most of the rocks had a reddish brown hue, with darker vertical or horizontal stripes running through in unique patterns. Out of the rocks grew small, hardy shrubs and few trees. On our drive, we took a long, windy road up steep mountainsides.
Coming out of the park we continued on through Utah. It was amazing to see the scenery change from huge red mountains to scattered outcroppings of rock on flatter ground, to varied hills. Moving on through Colorado, our surroundings changed ever more. First, we began to see more and more trees in a deep, vibrant green. Gradually darker colored mountains rose up around us. Finally, we saw the Colorado River which ran by us for several hours. Looking up to the tops of the mountains, we could even see snow!! Last night we stopped for dinner in Grand Junction and ate at Olive Garden. It was very nice to enjoy our dinner in a restaurant we were accustomed to from home. After dinner, we drove a bit farther and stayed in Glenwood Suites for the night.
This morning after another complimentary breakfast (hooray!!) we drove on to Colorado Springs. As we drove higher into the mountains, the temperature began to drop from the 80's down to the 60's, the coolest we've had yet on our trip. In addition to the temperature change, we saw forests begin to appear, reminding me a bit of Big Bear back home. In Colorado Springs, we stopped to visit the Visitor's Center at the U. S. Air Force Academy. It was really encouraging to see all the dedication and commitment to honor that the cadets put into their work. After leaving the Air Force Academy, we drove on to the Focus on the Family Headquarters. At their Welcome Center, they have a kid's center modeled after the town of Oddessy. This was probably the most enjoyed stop by the family, especially the 75-foot slide that I went down on with Josh and Sarah. We also saw a recording studio where some kids were recording an episode of Adventures in Oddessy, as well as several other "familar" sights.
For a late lunch/early dinner, we met one of my dad's former partner's Mr. Condas along with his wife and daughter, at Champs. The food was enjoyable, but even more so was the company. Thank you Condas family for joining us! After lunch, we left Colorado Springs and took the scenic route back to the freeway, very beautiful and again very much like Big Bear. As we drove through the eastern half of Colorado, the landscape began to flatten out from high stone cliffs to gently rolling hills and at last to golden plains. Finally, we arrived in Goodland Kansas where we'll stay the night. I have lots more pictures to share from the last few days, I'll have to devote a few posts solely to pictures once we arrive in Michigan. We miss you all lots, but we're definately enjoying our trip through God's great creation.
Under the Mercy
Elizabeth Bush
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