We continued on our Land That We Love Tour into South Dakota today, Thursday September 23rd. It was a long day and I’ll leave you with just one postcard. Later I will document more fully all we have seen. No time for the computer on Thursday.
We loved getting to this spot which was a ‘bucket list’ must see in person destination. Mission accomplished.
I have many photos from Mount Rushmore so be forewarned that I’ll be sharing them soon.
Friday we head to a new time zone.
We have moved further east on our ‘Land That We Love Tour‘. We took a back road out of Helena to get back to the I-90 interstate east to Wyoming.
This little church was in Montana.
Fall colors were pretty off the interstate as we approached our Wyoming destination.
We arrived in Sheridan for the night and right away Dear was in trouble.
Better put your hands up, Dear!
On our travels on Wednesday we listened to some more sermons in 1 Peter and some good music and also enjoyed periods of silence except for the tires on the pavement. We are pondering the attributes of God and these verses.
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Our day one destination for ‘Land That We Love Tour’ was Helena, Montana. Helena is the state capital of the state of Montana. We stopped at the Capitol building and were able to walk about inside and out.
On a gentle slope surrounded by 10 acres of spacious lawns and other state buildings, Montana’s Capitol looks north over the beautiful Prickly Pear Valley. The building is constructed of sandstone and granite. A statue depicting Liberty sits atop the copper dome. A walk through the Capitol will allow you to view many beautiful paintings, including Charles M. Russell’s magnificent historical depiction of “Lewis and Clark Meeting Indians at Ross’ Hole” on September 5, 1805. The main section of the Capitol was completed in 1902. The two wings were completed in 1912.
Dedicated on July 4 1905, the Thomas Meagher Statue stands tall at the front of the Montana State Capitol Building, the largest and most distinctive sculpture on the grounds of the capitol campus.
More on Thomas Meagher’s interesting life can be read here.
The state Capitol building was opened for use on the Fourth of July, 1902. The story of the Capitol building really begins at the top, with the “Goddess of Liberty,” as she has been known for 100 years. It’s the statue that stands on the copper dome outside.
After our visit to the Capitol we had a meal in town and then found The Cathedral of St. Helena. I’ll share more from the inside of the beautiful Capitol building and St. Helena Cathedral later.
We traveled through Washington, Idaho and into Montana on Tuesday September 21st.
During much of our 5+ hour drive Tuesday we listened to sermons on 1 Peter by John MacArthur (Grace to You). We didn’t get past verse 2 after 3 sermons. That is what you call expository teaching. Tomorrow Wednesday we’ll be listening to these verses exposited.
1 Peter 1:1-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Today is Wednesday September 22nd and the first official day of Autumn/Fall. We will be traveling further on today.
Happy Fall Y’all.
Our bags are packed. Our vehicle is loaded. Our house keepers are watching over our home. We are eastbound from the State of Washington. We’ll travel south in Washington, east to Idaho and make our first overnight stop in Helena, Montana. Hoping to add postcards along our journey. Time will tell how much time I have to blog and visit other bloggers. We’re naming our trip, “Land That We Love Tour”.
It’s time to answer some questions again. Thank you to Joyce From This Side of the Pond!
1. Realist, idealist, optimist, pessimist…which one are you? Elaborate.
I would say I’m a combination of a realist and optimist. Because I have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation, I know the reality of my sinful condition and the depravity of the world we live in. Being born again I have peace with God, the Sovereign Creator, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ provided the atonement for my sins. I know that God will bring me safely home to heaven with Him and that all things will work together for His good and my sanctification.
2. What’s something currently on your wish list?
Freedom to move about the country in a carefree way.
3. Three things on this week’s shopping list?
Tissue, eggs, conditioner.
4. According to Trip Advisor here’s a list of the top ten things to do in the US this summer-
Of the ten attractions listed which do you find most appealing?
Charleston’s Old South Historic Horse and Carriage Tour.
Have you already experienced anything on this list?
Yes. I’ve done the Architecture River Cruise, D.C. at Dusk guided night tour. I was born in East Los Angeles and raised in southern California and have been to several beaches and iconic sights of LA and Beverly Hills. We moved just north of Seattle in 1988 and have enjoyed taking many car loads of visitors to see the Seattle sights. We never went on the Underground tour, though. Oops!
5. Besides home and work where do you spend the most time?
Both Dear and I are retired so we do not leave home for a workplace. I would say time wise we regularly spend most of our time away from home at our kids’ homes or at church.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
If you have Rhubarb you might want to try this recipe posted on my blog yesterday.
I’m working on getting my photos from Easter day uploaded and will share them tomorrow. Last week our niece and her husband flew up from California and spent a couple days with our ‘Coast Kids’. Laura shared these wonderful photos from Tulip Town in Mount Vernon.
Our niece Debbee with her hubby Lenny.
Cousins…Laura, Debbee, Katie
Laura and Josh
Katie (Andrew is traveling for work)
Laura does a remarkable job taking photos with her phone.
Our son Dan flew to the ‘coast’ for a quick overnight trip to surprise his best friend for his 40trh birthday and arrived just in time to see his cousin Debbee and Lenny before they left to the airport on Friday afternoon. Now it was time to surprise Jamie D., Dan’s best friend since 2nd grade.
Surprise was a success and the celebrations were the best! Both our sons and Jamie have been the best of friends through the years and Jamie’s family is considered our family. Happy 40th birthday Jamie. Hi Beth :).
It’s a fun thing that Dan found his beautiful bride in Colville many years since meeting his best friend in 2nd grade and her name is Jamie, too. Jamie stayed home with Addy and Jaymison while Dan had his quick overnight trip.
Happy Easter Monday everyone. We’re recuperating from a wonderful day of celebrating our Risen Savior!
Thank you to Jo From This Side of the Pond for the Wednesday Hodgepodge Questions!
1. “Hope springs eternal”…discuss.
I’m taking the quote out of the realm it came from and putting God’s eternal twist on it.
From a mother’s perspective I always hope for our children to progress in their walk with the Lord, to be content, to stay faithful in their marriages and to look forward to their eternity with God.
From a grandmother’s perspective I ask the Lord continually to have mercy on and save our grandchildren and my hope is for their salvation.
This is my same prayer for any friends or family who are not born again.
For me personally, my hope is in eternity with my Lord and Savior.
2. Last time you needed to ‘spring into action’ or ‘spring to someone’s defense’…explain.
These days my springing into action generally happens around our grandchildren quickly diverting them from danger.
3. Tulips or daffodils? baby birds or baby bunnies? The cherry tree or the dogwood tree? Jelly beans or peeps? March madness or spring training? Peas or carrots?
Tulips, Baby birds, Dogwood Tree (see photo at the top of this post), Jelly Beans, Spring Cleaning no madness or training, Carrots.
4. I read an article here on the South’s best cities on the rise. They are-Baton Rouge Louisiana, Fayetteville Arkansas, Greenville South Carolina, Huntsville Alabama, Lexington Kentucky, Norfolk Virginia, Tulsa Oklahoma, Waco Texas, Wilmington North Carolina, and Winston-Salem North Carolina. Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person?
Katie and I drove to Airlie Gardens in Wilmington North Carolina when our Son-in-law was stationed at Camp LeJeune.
Which one on the list would you most like to see?
Waco Texas because of the Fixer Upper phenomena. Would be fun to visit Magnolia.
Have you spent much time in the southern states (USA)?
We’ve spent more time in the Southwest vs. Southeast being born and raised in Southern California. We’ve spent time in Arizona and New Mexico. We’ve visited family in Dallas, Texas. We’ve been to San Antonio (for a conference).We’ve spent time in North Carolina when our Andrew and Katie lived there during his Marine days. Katie and I traveled to Beaufort, S.C. for Andrew’s Marine Corps graduation. Dear and I spent a few days in Florida for a medical conference he attended. We’ve been to Atlanta, Georgia for another conference. On a road trip from Seattle to Jacksonville, North Carolina, Katie and I spent nights in Tennessee, Asheville N.C., Raleigh Durham.
Any spring road trips on your calendar?
Only a short one across the mountains to our kids home after Easter.
We are making plans for a longer road trip to North Carolina for a wedding in October. On the way we do plan a stop in Lexington, Kentucky after we visit The Ark. Our route home from North Carolina will take us through Dallas to visit my brother’s family. Looks like we could hit a few of those cities on the way to Dallas from North Carolina if we wanted to.
5. Tell us how your outdoor space needs sprucing up this spring?
We still have a lot of grassy bushes that need some work, pulling out the old to get ready for the new growth. Now our front acreage has a million small pine cones that the trees have shed. Those are a bear to clear.
Which do you enjoy more (or hate the least-ha!) yard work or house work?
I enjoy riding my lawn mower to cut the grass. Not a big fan of pulling weeds and less of a fan these days since it makes my back sore. The housework that I’m the least happy to do these days is to clean our shower. I’d love to have the unit replaced. There is calcium deposits that are impossible to remove that look like dirt. We are on well water here. So all that to say there are parts of outdoor work that I like and parts of indoor work that I like. Other parts are not pleasant both indoors and outdoors.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
We are catching our breath after a celebration filled weekend with our kids from the ‘Coast’ here. A belated birthday dinner for me on Friday and then our granddaughter’s 4th birthday on Saturday. We were all in church together on Sunday morning. We had all our meals together from Friday dinner to Monday lunch except for Sunday morning. The ‘coast’ kids flew home on Monday evening.
For my birthday getaway we chose to stay at The Roosevelt Inn which is a Bed and Breakfast in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Welcome to The Roosevelt Inn, a stunning Coeur d’Alene inn. This grand brick building was the first permanent schoolhouse established in 1905. Now, experience historic elegance at The Roosevelt Inn a romantic and relaxing bed and breakfast located in the heart of beautiful downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
We chose The Principal’s Suite for this stay. When we checked in they delivered a welcome small portion of a very tasty bread pudding along with a fresh rose and water.
This elegant executive suite offers the best of both worlds; beautiful stylish accommodations with a separate sitting room.
We enjoyed our breakfast. Once upon a time they would have a large breakfast buffet along with choices for you to choose from the kitchen. Now because of you know what everything comes from the kitchen with no buffet service.
After we made our reservations we found out that the owners have sold the Inn and new ownership takes over in April. I don’t know what the new owners are like and how they will continue or modify the Inn so I’ll hold back on our recommendations. We did enjoy our stay.
We took a drive on Sunday afternoon after church since it was a day with some sunshine and no rain or snow. I tried to upload my photos from the drive but our satellite service wasn’t cooperating.
We went north through Kettle Falls across the Mighty Columbia river on highway 395 and continued north on the west side of the Columbia all the way to the Canadian Border. The Border is still closed to run of the mill travelers so once we saw the crossing we turned around and came back home. It was a very nice scenic drive and I will share more of the photos when our internet cooperates. The sign above was at a gas station/store/post office in Laurier, Washington. Isn’t the sign clever, eh?
If we could cross the border and keep traveling north we would reach Christina Lake and the Gladstone Provincial Park in British Columbia. If we make a left after the border crossing we would get to Grand Forks.
We were alone on the road all the way to the border. On our way home as we moseyed along one vehicle passed us on the road. If the border was open I’m sure we would have encountered many more vehicles.
Here we are in the last week of February. Last February 28th I was flying to Orange County for our sister’s Leap Year Birthday Party. That was just before things changed for all of us in regards to travel and many other things.
Today will be the warmest day this week and it is supposed to possibly reach 50 degrees! We are excited. Maybe I’ll be able to do some more pruning that I should have done last Fall! Hope you all have a good week ahead.
For our family archives I’m adding the rest of the photos I have from our time in Arizona from January 13th to the 19th of 2021. Jaymison’s first ride down the slide with his daddy.
Daddy made sure JJ stayed above the water!
Addy became quite a pro on coming down the slide all by herself!
I shared about the epic birthday party for our two sons on Saturday the 16th but our daughter-in-law Jamie had a birthday, too, on Friday the 15th. For her day we watched the grands while Dan and Jamie enjoyed brunch out all by themselves and also enjoyed shopping at Target after brunch without their kids in tow. On Friday night we went out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and that photo of Dan, Jamie, Jaymison and Addyson was taken by Laura while we waited for our table.
Our grands are blessed beyond measure with aunts and uncles that love them and are attentive to them.
Instead of grass in Arizona people have rock or faux grass in their yards.
While the ladies had a shopping outing without the grands the guys took them to a couple parks.
Uncle Andrew and JJ.
Daddy and JJ.
Most everyone contributed some time in putting our Arizona Jigsaw puzzle together.
On Monday night the 18th of January we had another meal out at Amigos Restaurant. Dear tried a new to all of us dish called Molcajete Cielo Mary Tierra, mouth watering steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, chorizo, grilled green onions, grilled nopales, jalapenos, in a molcajete stone. Served with sides of rice, beans, tortillas, guacamole and pica de gallo. I should have shared this dish with Dear.
Such special times with our grands and all our kids.
Our trip to Arizona was the first airplane trip we’ve taken since the Covid restrictions on wearing masks were mandated on airplanes. I found out early in our flight that this cute mask that came From ‘Russia with Love’ was quite painful on my ears and I had to use my MacGyver skills to attach the mask to my glasses instead of my ears. On one of our shopping trips to Old Navy in Arizona we all bought 4paks of masks and they were so much more comfortable and adjustable. Hooray. I might try and replace the ear pieces on this mask to make it more comfortable.
On Tuesday the 19th we said our goodbyes to our temporary home in the sun.
Until the next time we treasure these memories.
We are back here in Colville for well over a week now and we had a few inches of snow overnight from Wednesday until Thursday. Thursday was a very nonproductive day at our country bungalow. We made good progress on putting together our latest jigsaw puzzle while enjoying the snow views out our windows.
This is a 1000 piece puzzle and the pieces are oversized so it is larger than most 1000 piece puzzles. We only have about 100 pieces left on this puzzle and it will be done on Friday for sure.
Hope January ends well for all of you with a lovely weekend! I’ve put up a few Valentine Day Decorations already. Do you have Valentine Day decor that you put up?
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 