“Viva Las Vegas” But It’s Time to Head Home

We made it to Las Vegas in time for some fun, along one hundred thousand of our closest friends. Lines, lines, everywhere lines: traffic congestion (but the slowness allowed us to get lots of pictures), lines to park, lines to check in to the hotel room (one hour from the time we got in line until we got room keys), lines to eat (we picked a walk up place so it was a short line), and lines to walk down the sidewalk. Needless to say we decided not to walk far but got lost getting back to our room; MGM Grand is a BIG hotel. Anyway room was nice, atmosphere was electric, fascinating variety of people walking, strutting, and gambling, and I played one slot machine: put the money in, punched the button (did not even get to pull the lever), and it was over. It was less than exhilarating…the anticipation was much greater than the event itself.

        

Maybe it’s finally time to start home…

Beaches, Redwoods, and Tours (Oh, my!)

We left Portland for the coast knowing that the backroads would be slower traveling with more stops. Deb took full advantage of the offer and we stopped frequently to see the rugged coastline of Oregon…and I’m glad we did. It was gorgeous, the pictures cannot do justice to the breath of the views. The next day we moved into the Redwood country of California and, again, it is difficult to describe the enormity of those ancient giants. A lunch on the road (Peanut Butter and Jesus – the Necessities of Life) kept us going as we headed back into civilization and the big city: “San Francisco, here we come…open up those Golden Gates, San Francisco, here we come.” (with apologies to Ray Charles).

 

                                 

Having never been to the City by the Bay before now, i was unsure where to start sight-seeing but my brilliant wife booked a tasting tour of SF that turned out to be the perfect adventure that included all the most popular sights. We saw several views of the Golden Gate bridge, Chinatown with a very entertaining host for a Chinese tea tasting (even bought some to take home), a couple of samples from local Italian cuisine, the legendary Haight-Ashbury district that brought back a few foggy memories (just kidding) and many of the historic parts of town.

   Anybody remember the significance of this bookstore? I was reminded today.

Hard to believe we have been on the road for two weeks! I have never been gone so long and had such a variety of experiences, seen so many friends and family, and still not quite ready to go home. Everywhere we have traveled we have noticed the casinos; tomorrow we head for the gambling capital: Las Vegas.  

I think to myself “what a World”

Saying goodbye in Montana was a little sad but spirits began lifting as we chose the “country road” to Oregon. We had a slow drive through the hills of Idaho since we had 2 days to get to Portland to see Deb’s brother, Tom; and what a delightful, spirit-lifting venture was the drive with the meandering Snake River alongside us the whole way; it often appeared more like creek but there were spots straight out of the evocative film “A River Runs Through It”. Refreshing!

   

We spent the night in Washington’s Tri-City area, Austin’s rival for fastest growing spot in the nation. We headed for Portland in the morning with a little larger river for company: the Columbia River provided breath taking views, occasional waterfalls, and measured our progress to what would become two joyous reunions: first, an expected one with brother, Tom, then a serendipitous moment with a friend from the past. Tune in tomorrow to see who it was, or should I say to CP…

           

OK, I will tell you now; I can’t wait. Nanny booked us a room at a little B&B in Portland. We decided to check in before dinner. As Ellen, our delightful hostess, was showing us to our room with friendly getting-to-know-you conversation – I’m a Baptist minister of the moderate sort, how long have you owned the place, what else have you done? etc., Ellen said that she was once in Covenant Players. Our mouths dropped open simultaneously.
“That’s where we met! When were you involved?” we asked.
“1975-76” she responded. (that was the time we were there…) Deb was speechless and a smile came to her face at almost the same time Ellen realized that they were both in the same musical unit; Deb and Ellen had traveled together for over four months! WOW!! Later that evening the three of us stayed up late, catching up on lives that had not crossed in 37 years.

It was an unexpected gift, a divinely-offered coincidence, and a reminder that God may have a sense of humor, after all. In the tapestry of our lives we cannot imagine the various colors and textures that can be used by the divine weaver that will cause us to laugh, cry, find ourselves struck with a sense of awe, and hopefully/ultimately embrace the life that we are given. This has become a time for me to pause and find that sense of wonder again.

Joy to the World Comes to Montana

We came to Montana to see old friends and they wanted us to come this particular weekend to join them at a concert. Driving nearly two thousand miles to hear a bunch of choirs is not my ideal vacation, but I was outvoted two to one; too bad we couldn’t have a concert by Huey Lewis who lives nearby; now that would have been some News worth hearing.

Anyway after a relaxing Saturday with a visit to our friend’s flea market and a year-round Christmas store (imagine Deb at a Christmas store…) we headed off to the big city, Missoula, for a concert featuring choirs from around the world. It was a little longer than I would have like but I only fell asleep once. However the grand finale was a combined choir of all participants: Taiwan, Estonia, Korea, Australia, to name just a few of the nations present : plus about a dozen from around the U.S., joining to sing Beethoven’s Ode To Joy. THAT was one of the most moving experiences I have heard. They began singing in German then moved to English and when the music crescendos about halfway through the piece even the most stoic listener had a lump in their throat and a tear that was fighting to be released. Maybe it was worth the drive after all.

Sunday morning brought a visit to their little church and Deb was kidnapped to sing in the ladies’ ensemble with her friends, Anita and Martha. Swimming in the afternoon, can you believe it was almost 100 degrees in Montana?, and a thanksgiving feast in the evening. Grandma Walton, which is how Deb always referred to her mother’s old friend, expressed her gratitude for our visit many times and summed up the time together by saying “we were and will always be family and this is what family does for each other.”  Yep, that sums it up pretty good and Beethoven’s words keep ringing hope in my memory: “Joyful, joyful…”

Driving Miss Daisies (or Going-to-the-Sun)

Words often fail to fully describe an experience or a view. On the other side, for those present sometimes only a single word can bring to mind the joy of the experience or the spectacularness (i made that word up) of the view. The last couple of days are full of both. The fun moments of travel playing games with memories of “sheep” as a clue but was actually the answer, “is this somewhere?”, windmills, silos, and even cows made those long drives seem a little shorter. I did most all of the driving so my “Miss Daisies” could enjoy the views. Today we finally made it to Glacier Park and the exquisite road from east to west entrances. Words cannot describe the majesty and scope of the views: snow so close you could touch it, mountains so tall and rugged you could not believe they were real, and vistas that stretched on for miles, but the pictures below may give a clue. Perhaps most of all, it was worth the driving challenges to allow the ladies to take it all in undisturbed.
Then we arrived at our ultimate destination: the little town of Florence where we renewed old friendships and I met some of the women that played such a significant role in the lives of Deb and her mom. A perfect ending to an almost perfect day.

Rushmore (and then to Montana)

We have been to Mt Rushmore previously although all of our memories of the times were a bit foggy. After a fond farewell to brother and fam we headed toward the national memorial. It is still an impressive view especially when you realize the struggles and sacrifice that are a part of this National Treasure (part 2 – random movie reference). Gutzon Borglum was a man with a vision that was bigger than he cold accomplish alone; a vision that could be seen for generations to come; one that is a reminder of what this nation should be about: “The purpose of the memorial is to communicate the founding, expansion, preservation, and unification of the United States with colossal statues of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.”
As I reflect upon this monument, I wonder about my own vision; has it been lost in the mundane of daily living? I do many good things but do I have a vision that is bigger than my capabilities, that will out live my time on this earth, and that is a reminder of what (in my life) the church and faith should be about?
We arrived at our destination after a brief stop at a gorgeous water recreation area with time for a good meal. The unnamed chain restaurant provided good food but the highlight was conversation with the waiter and a word of encouragement for his future.
We are called to be light in the world;  Grant us the vision, O Lord, to shine brighter than our own single light.

 

On the Road to Insanity

Longest travel day until we start home: Iowa to Minnesota and across South Dakota with travel mascot, Sammy. Only pause along the way was for the Corn Palace and to let Deb take pictures of Windmill Farms (as if she missed the numerous times we drove to Lubbock with all those farms).
Then we arrived in Box Elder, SD (so small it is not on some maps but it is home of Ellsworth Air Base) to the self proclaimed insanity that is the home of Deb’s brother, Jeff, his wife, Patti, 3 dogs, 3 daughters who live in town and drop by with their kids at random times.
A fun night with family, food, baseball, and Nell Diamond.

Doot, doot, doot Looking out my backdoor

One of my favorite activities when visiting Nanny in Iowa is “wine time” on the back porch. The weather is always mild, in the 80’s, and the conversation is casual and hilarious, especially the longer we sit. A Great, and necessary, part of vacation. Tomorrow we take the next leg of our journey.

What is this stuff: rain? Dear.

We awoke in Ok City to rain, at least if memory serves me correctly, that is what is called. It followed us all morning but departed in time to see the rolling plains of Kansas and beyond. There was a sense of familiarity as we crossed the border into Iowa. Though it has been 25 years since we lived here I sometimes think of Lowell, Mike and Brenda, and various youth that were all a part of early ministry. Now I am amazingly blessed to serve with a creative and generous congregation in Austin. “Life has been very good to us, Mrs. Bennett, very good indeed.”
When I consider the work of thy hands, the fields and streams, who am I, only a man, that You care for and bless me so… (Keenan paraphrase)

And they’re off…

Earth date: July 13, 2013. Our mission to seek out new life has begun… All my bags are packed and we’re ready to go…and I have miles to go before I sleep… That’s enough pop cultural references for now.
On the road, in Oklahoma; WOW! The Windstar Casino sign is big! Too bad I don’t gamble, no, that would surely be a waste of my resources and energy. Life is too precious to gamble.