Two great parks with two great friends

 We couldn't miss the chance to see Yellowstone and Grand Tetons through John and Karen's eyes so we made a long one-day haul from Hamilton to just outside the west entrance to Yellowstone.  The next morning we traveled thru Yellowstone and got side-by-side campsites at Colter Bay campground in Grand Tetons NP. 





The following day we drove to one of our very favorite places: Artist's Point - the grand canyon of the Yellowstone.

It was a pefect day to see an amazing cataract.











This is the everyday view you get of the Tetons from almost anywhere in the park. 

I never tire of it.

This scene Ava captured early one morning looking across Jackson Lake.





Finding a clear view of a moose is what everyone wants and most never find.  To our delight we found this proud guy and Ava got many great pictures of him.  He put on a show and we were an admiriing and grateful audience.

Hamilton SJ, concluded

 We always try to get away and see the surrounding area when on a Sojourn.  Being in the Bitteroot Valley offered a special opportunity to see a historic and awesome place.

We are taking a 'local' climb - right up the mountain from downtown Hamilton.








Joining us are the the preacher and his wife and youngest son.  Victor and Natasha came to the work here from Ukraine and have brought a welcomed and fresh wind to this community of believers.  We enjoyed his class and sermon and his willingness to work with us as many days as he was available; Natasha was good with a paintbrush, too and this young man helped paint the pole fence.



The Finished Product.


Everyone was proud of a job well done.

We had had rain almost continuously on the trip in here from Colorado so we were glad to have almost two weeks of 'blue sky' weather to do this outside job.






We finished a day early and that was providential as the weather turned and the last day came in wet.


We pray that the new face lift on this building will be as inviting to the community as it is welcomed by this great church family. 
That's Sojourning,











 

Sojourn in Hamilton, Montana

 Here's the Sojourn team ably led by John and Karen and every one a worker you had to make quit!

We had all worked together (Ken and Jo, John and Karen) except for the 'newbies' Ron and Rhonda (between John and us) and what a super addition they were.  We started one couple short but it worked out OK as the work we had matched our strength and skills just fine.




We parked our four rigs right in their front parking lot - thats where the electric hookups are, at present.  Since we were only there two Sundays and several of the church members were shoulder-to-shoulder with us it was actually easier to be close to the work this way. 






Our work was to cover the old siding with new, caulk and double-coat with good paint.  In addition we re-made their back porch and re-painted their sign. 

The Sojourners conducted one of the Sunday services, as well.  Ava and I find that Sojourning gives all of our travels real purpose as we do the Lord's work.







Here's a cheerful Sojourner carefully painting on the white of a window trim.  The almost-15 gallons of the sky blue wall paint became a familiar color- on our clothes, hands and tools!

SA w/ Becky

 We finally found time to get wet!  We went to the Comal River and rented tubes and had a picnic lunch.  We've done this before with Becky and remembered it was good fun - and it was!  We knew that after we left Texas we would be hard put to get into any of the water we would find in Montana, Wyoming or Washington, their water is COLD and not Texas-friendly.
















Somehow I managed to stay upright in the tube - but my hat is floating away!











These pretty girls look like they are having a quiet moment together - the reality is Ava is too dry and trying desperately to talk Becky out of flipping her tube over!











Here is Becky dressed up to go out with us.

One night Becky and I went out to the Majestic Theatre and heard an SA Symphony performance; I can hardly bear to be in SA without taking in some live music or theater and I've yet to be disappointed.  This night the Majestic and the orchestra and the lady were all perfect.

More SA friends

 One unusual Saturday we were joined by Mark and Tamra and their kids at a really unusual farm outside of Seguin - the Moo Jesus Dairy.  Here the co-owner is taking us around to feed some of the animals.  Later we would try our 'hand' at milking a (very patient) cow!

In retrospect, I would say raw, fresh milk is a "whole 'nother drink" - whoever does the milking.





We had a neat drive and visit with our long-time friends Sam and Sandie at their beautiful home and ranch in the Highland Lakes region north of SA.  They have put in a tremendous amount of work and care and made this a real show place.

Sam and Sandie led us aroung the ranch on ATVs and Ava was sure I was going to flip it into the river - but I didn't.  All's well that ends well, eh?



Here's a couple of pic's from a remarkable couple in an amaing place.  Kim and Kyle have turned their youthful energies into making a Log Cabin house their home - and a neat place to rear their three sons.  Kim is a real 'pioneer woman' - like her forebears - and we had a great time.








Dogs and horses, creeks and trees and brothers to play all day long with - what boy could ask for more?





Maybe a warm, smiling Mom fixing dinner - and Dad on his way home ready to hear the day's adventure.

May in San Antonio, part One

 Here's Becky with her roomate Kirby in front of their lovely garden home in San Antonio.  We had many fun times there while staying a month in an RV park across town.  Kirby is the Children's Minister at MacArthur Park Church of Christ where Becky has worshipped for years. 







Mike and Debbie came to town for a Sibling Reunion that he put together on short notice.  Here, somehow, he found himself elbow-deep doing dishes after a meal at Becky & Kirby's house.  Doesn't  he look happy about it!









The Sibling Reunion 2013: Marc and Shelley (L), Mike and Deb (CTR), Gary and Ava (R) and Janet and Harry (Sitting).  Thanks, Mike, for making this happen. 

Also able to join us were Gene and Elaine and Debbie's brother Lonnie and his wife Lorene.

We had a great time together over a long weekend.




Kirby and Becky had planned to host a Class Party and put it on Becky's birthday weekend so we got to be included!  Here is Becky holding her Mom's signature chocolate cake (before decorations) and whetting the appetites of the girls in the class.  We ate, played games and had a really good time with these young people.  Luckily, there were a few other 'seniors' there, as well.  Becky is well-loved and well-cared for by her church family here.

Wrapping up Harlingen

A trip to the zoo - Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville - was fun for all.  Here's Gram A with Drew and Lauren joining the family.











 We got to stay with the girls while Aaron and Tarin had a 'get-away' trip so we made it special.  First, we took them to a surprise dinner out where they could choose anything and everything to eat (Golden Corral :) then we took them to one of our 'special places' in the Valley: Santa Anna Wildlife Refuge.  We got to ride the Tram and take the tour and see a strange and wonderful place.






Here's Pa Gary with the girls - we just climbed to the top of the Hawk Tower to get a 'birds-eye' view of the woods and the Rio Grande River.










Another day we took a 'birding tour' closer to home - Ramsey Birding Center in Harlingen.  We hiked the small park and saw a great number of our unique local birds.  I think some of the prettiest 'birds' I saw were sitting on this bench.