The Vasque talks

"I don't think this is the right path! Oh well, at least I'm along to give the support she needs on the extra miles she will have to hike to reach the oasis."

But let me back up a bit in this story:
The place? Joshua Tree National Park
The people? Hunter, Nancy, Jacob, Stacia
The time? morning of May 31st
The plan? to hike a four mile plus loop to a desert oasis

After a light breakfast of Cheerios and cinnamon bread the four don sunblock, shorts, sunglasses, and thankfully courtesy of Jacob and the Coast Guard-camelbacks of water. Nancy also ties my laces knowing I am her faithful hiking "companion" proving my worth in previous hikes. The crew drives to Canyon Road, parks, and begins their exhilarating climb. This desert scenery has its own beauty of red cactus, tiny lizards, an iguana or two, and fascinating rock formations. A cloudless, ice-blue sky combine with a blazing sun to produce temps between 90 and 100 yet the lack of moisture and a slight breeze create a rather pleasant day perfect for this trek on one of the parks many trails. After about an hour of walking and talking Stacia and Nancy hear from the men in the lead the ominous question-where's the trail? (If anyone would have asked me I could have told them they took the wrong "fork" in the road at the previous overlook, where they were admiring the view.) The four look at each other and realize the trail is gone but no one wants to retreat so on they forage over some fairly rough terrain. I dig in where necessary and keep Nancy from skidding over loose rock or tumbling into spiky cactus. After climbing up and over a steep hill then traversing down the other side they finally spot the "real" trail. Following it the "going" is much easier and they arrive at the stunning oasis in short order. Rewarded with cool shade its time to rest and enjoy the desert's silence. Vowing to keep a careful eye on the trail the four walk back through the desert terrain savouring the morning's events. Lesson to learn? Don't go hiking without your trusty Vasque hiking boots!
Nancy has the following pictures to share.

Having Fun!

We continue to enjoy our stay in the San Diego area. Can't beat the fantastic weather! We spent a nice day at the Wild Animal Park and on Mother's Day went hiking with Jacob and Stacia along the coast. Retirement is indeed "all it's cracked up to be"!!

Sea World and more...

The slide show says it all!

Our favorite market

Spending time in warm climate certainly has its advantages; one being fresh fruits and vegetables. An immense variety of textures, color, and fragrances greet us each day when we stop at our favorite little roadside market to and from our work project. Some of our favorites are strawberries, sweet cheeries, oranges, melons of all kinds, squash, avocados, fresh pineapple, sweet onions, giant red, orange, green pepper and two that might be unfamiliar to you.

jicama (slightly sweet, crisp and wonderful raw but also delicious steamed)


plantain (NOT a banana but a slight banana taste-boil and mash with butter)


Just this morning as we drove past the market I saw a sign advertising a new shipment of California sweet corn. Do we dare try it? After having experienced the ultimate in sweet corn on our Iowa farm can this even compare? We shall see, since tonight we've decided to buy it and give it a try. I'll share the taste test results soon.

Scuba in Tobago

Paradise!








While in Tobago I had a number of scuba "firsts"!

First time on a night dive-a bit scarey but well worth the stress.
First time going to 100 feet-didn't seem any different than 50 feet.
First time swimming to an underwater wreck-eery as you descend through murky water then suddenly see a huge "ghost" ship under you.

While viewing underwater life and it's beauty I was reminded of the Bible verse in Romans 1:20: "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen; being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." You can't help but believe in a fantastic creator as you marvel at schools of colorful fish swimming in perfect symphony!
Scuba diving has certainly opened up a whole new world for Hunter and I to explore during our retirement. We recommend those of you considering retirement to think about getting scuba certified. It is keeping us young in heart and mind if not in body. Ha!

Three weeks of fun with my grandson!

Epitaph

An epitaph is a summary statement of commemoration for a dead person. Why, you ask, would I want to blog on this morbid subject? Let me explain.
Hunter and I are currently work a MMAP project in Benson, Arizona. One day last week I traveled with a group of ladies to the city of Tombstone. It was a fascinating peek back in history to a time of swinging door saloons, street gunfights, drunken cowboys, and gaudy brothels. Tombstone boomed with 10,000 or more residents during the late 1800s, when the silver mines were dripping with wealth. Humility was a character trait not found in this area as evidenced by the slogan stamped on Tombstone-The Town Too Tough To Die!






Let's return to the topic of epitaphs. During the day we took a stroll through Boothill Grave Yard with its more than 250 graves.





Read the epitaph on the following tombstone marker:


Another marker had the following statement:
Here lies Lester Moore
Four slugs from a .44,
No Les, no More.
(Moore was a Wells Fargo agent and had a dispute with a man over a package. Both died.)

Wyatt Earp, sheriff of Tombstone had the following on his grave marker (not one on Boothill)
"Nothings so sacred as honour and Nothings so loyal as love.

Winston Churchill's epitaph reads: "I am ready to meet my Maker, Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter."

George Washington's last words imprinted for all to see read: "Looking into the portals of eternity teaches that the brotherhood of man is inspired by God's word; Then all prejudice of race vanishes away."

After thinking about this challenge for a day or two I'd like mine to read:
"Used up for Jesus".
Now the question remains-what would you put on your gravestone for future generations to read?