Dear Colorado,

It’s been almost 2 years since I spent any time gazing upon your lovely face. Long enough that I’d actually forgotten how charming you really are. In our case, Absence didn’t make the heart fonder. Absence made the heart forget. I’m sorry. This weekend didn’t take long before I remembered. You are incredible.

Part of what adds to your charm is the diversity- so many unique sights- desert wasteland, snow covered peaks… As we sailed across the Million Dollar Highway- Nate and Kerry pointed out the snow boarder tracks that ran from the top of different peaks down to the tree line, and I wished for the first time in my life that I was a snowboarder. I can not imagine the adrenaline rush of being the alone however many thousand feet above sea level- worshiping our Almighty Creator- sailing down the steep mountainside. But I guess God must want me to be around to worship Him on earth a little longer- because I would probably kill myself in short order. But still. I imagine that you could see practically to the Pacific Coast from those heights. Wow.

Another form of that diversity were the hot springs that popped up here and there. It didn’t hurt the fact that the ones we visited were in “downtown Pagosa Springs” There were 18 pools to choose from ranging in temp from 88*-112*. Each pool was named and  one of the warmest was appropriately called “the Lobster Pot”.  In true spirit of my #30for30 quest, I took the plunge into the snowcapped mountain run off in the river beside the springs, then this ice cube rushed for the nearest hotsprings pool. And- thank you, Jesus- to date, has not contacted pneumonia. 🙂 It really is incredible to soak in such a huge naturally warm body of water in the 40* outside air. Creation is such a marvel.

Our tour guide did a fantastic job of getting us to enjoy the unique flavor of his home state. I have one complaint. As fast as we scratched things off the “to do” list, we added something new on. NEXT TIME: we will do more than watch the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Rail pull out of the station. We will climb Mount Snuffles with her incredible elevation. We will explore that ghost town back behind Silverton… But for now, we will revel in the memories from this time… 🙂

And next time, Dear Little Debi, think twice before you throw that first snowball. I don’t know who won, but if the photos are any proof… 😉

Box Canyon Falls were another hidden jewel along the way. The roar of the falls echoed between the narrow rock walls and made it feel like at any point the water would break loose and flood the narrow canyon and we would be toast. So beautiful!

But the most beautiful part of CO, is the friendly people that enjoy her beauty daily. Once again the farm tour with the Whitfields was incredible. I can’t wrap my mind around the scale on which they do things. I wonder how many miles that milk tank puts on a day, delivering milk to all 1050 hutches. And the most random discovery is that Mr Whitfield and my mom are both in the Heatwole history, 6th cousins to be exact 😋. Truly it is a small world.

Another blessing was in Geigley form 🙂 We had a blast exploring the Paradise of four-wheeling when the Geigleys generously let us take their equipment and explore their back 40. Emily said she wasn’t sure when she’s been that happy. The delicious smoked pork supper merits mention as well! Bless y’all!

And the Kennell’s- the main reason for our visit- Thoroughly enjoyed our time with this lively family. Thank you for graciously  welcoming us and making us feel so completely  at home! If  travel brings you through our town- please stop in!

Deborah brought a pinata back from Nicaragua, and I’m not sure who enjoyed it most, the children or the adults. The guys did a good job at keeping it moving, so each of the children got a chance to swing a time or so, before Nate finished it off. 🙂

Our last day involved travel from Delta to Denver. Scenes along the way included dry barren mountains, and mountains covered with snow and snowboarders. 🙂 At several places, Interstate 70 ran westbound above eastbound because there was so little room between the river and the mountain. Gorgeous!!!!

And to my dear travel companions- thank you, thank you for making this such an amazing experience! For putting up with close travel quarters without toooo much complaining. For not killing each other. For being some of my favorite people in the world. I love you.

And thank you, Colorado for enamoring us once again and reminding us what an Incredible Maker we serve.

Until next time,

Kendra

Bonus Pic:

Somehow Father got the backpack that had the humus and carrots. And wouldn’t you know, they pulled him aside. He tried to say “What on earth is that? I had no idea it was there” (thanks to Mother who’d packed his backpack- but that’s not what you tell the security people) so they took the humus, and patted him down thoroughly. He was livid-lol But I will say, I’ve never seen security people that were that kind- maybe it was the new container of humus he was acquiring 🙂 He also gave Mother a recipe for homemade zucchini humus- if you ever need that… 🙂

Several years ago as I was embarking on a fairly outstanding journey ( read about that here: 10,000 Reasons ), my mom left me with these parting words “Enjoy it for me, I would LOVE to hike the Canyon, but I’ll never get that chance.”

Fast forward about a 1 year- I’m not even sure what brought up it up, but somehow the discussion turned to the Canyon again and  again Mother said “I would LOVE to hike the Canyon, but I’ll never have the chance.” So I said “if you are serious, lets set a date and go hike it.”

Plans kinda evolved and here we are almost a 2 years since that first conversation. Kerry and Emily, my parents and I flew across the US to meet Deborah and her CO friend Nate.

What a time we’ve had, traveling hammer-down 7 of us jammed in a minivan, surviving spring break traffic, 15 degree temps and a snowstorm, and just enjoying being together. We sure miss Julia and Sherman!

The snow was gorgeous and I can’t help but be excited every time I get a chance to travel on historic Route 66.

I thought maybe the snow would enamor us at the Canyon, but it quit several miles before we made it to the rim, but the Canyon didn’t need the snow to be breathtaking, I’d forgotten. Wow.

We hiked the South Kaibab Trail. We took our time and just enjoyed the view and the experience in the clear morning air. As always, I can’t comprehend how huge this place really is. And in typical fashion, we took lots and lots of pics to properly capture the event.

Eventually we made it to Ooh Aah point, which lived up to its name. Wow! Wow! Wow! There was still so much to see, but we made the informed decision to start the trek back up the hill. Slow and steady. We still had many things to cross off the itinerary before the day was  done.

Look closely-you can see people snaking back and forth along the canyon wall on the trail.

Kerry became “Pippi Longstocking the Thing Finder”, and spied a backpack down off the trail a little ways, so Nate the Mountain Goat scrambled down side of the cliff and returned with the treasure. Proper investigation came up with the name and contact info of the backpacks owner, as well as prescription sunglasses and a huge ring of keys- so once we scaled the side, a phone call made the owner’s day- he was ecstatic with the thought of the return of everything. And probably the heroic efforts of our guys, got his son (who had kicked the backpack over the edge) back in his daddy’s will. 🙂

And so quickly it was over, and we had to take a victory pic. What fun! Family is the best gift ever.

The Grand Canyon brings out a lot of similar emotions as the ocean does. It’s so completely mammoth and mysterious, it’s hard to wrap your mind around. Yet it’s an amazing challenge to try to understand and discover. And to just stand on the edge with hands upraised and worship the God who not only provides for the little squirrel basking in the sun way off in some distant crevasse, but cares about me to the point the hairs of my head are numbered. Wow. With that kind of a Guidance Manager-why would I worry?

Blessings to you, as He provides for you too,

Kendra

P.S I’m trying to decide if I’m going to let Mother read this quote from John Wesley Powell:

You can not see the Canyon in just one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it, you have to toil from month to month through its labryniths.

Well, we tried. But sounds like the quest has just begun 😉

Bonus Pics:

Random pics from along the way. The scenery is so fascinating. Father looks at the miles of rocks and says “I could take my track hoe and work all my life and not make an acre of this farmable.” And yet so many people thrive. And horses. So many wild horses.

The Venetian was a resort Deb heard about. It came complete with canals and gondolas and a shopping mall all on the 3rd floor. We wandered around and got rather lost before we piled in the van again and left.

AZ highway

Hoover Dam