Colorado Trip - Part 3

We left Glenwood Springs on the morning of our Anniversary and headed for Vail. They were having an arts show in the Lionshead Village of Vail, and Connie enjoyed shopping and sightseeing in the charming village.

We decided to take the gondola ski lift up to the mid-mountain.

I had skied Vail years ago with our son Chad, and it was fun to see the view in the summer.

The view is fantastic and the weather was perfect.

What a great place to celebrate 45 wonderful years!

On the way down we could see I-70 stretching to the east.

That evening we had a wonderful anniversary dinner in Dillon, CO, right by the Dillon Reservoir.

On our final full day in Colorado I wanted to visit Eldorado Springs near Boulder. On a 1971 trip to this area we stayed in a campground near the old resort hotel. I was amazed that even though the resort is history, the swimming pool is still operational.

It was especially amazing to see the same old slide in service. Here is a picture of me going down that same slide in 1971.

We will remember this trip and the beauty of God's creation for years to come.

Colorado Trip - Part 2

After our short time in Colorado Springs we headed up into the mountains to the beautiful retirement home of our longtime friends Bruce and Marsha Jackson. Here are the Jacksons on their front deck. They are many miles from anywhere -- at about 9,000 feet. We enjoyed immensely a night in their charming log home. What a gorgeous spot!

Shortly after our arrival, Marsha challenged us with, "Want to go 4 wheelin?"

Wow, did we have a great time. We spent close to two hours and traveled over 20 miles on the rugged trails of the National Forrest that is close to their property. Here we are climbing a steep grade.

Before we ended our fun Connie took her turn at the controls.

From the Jackson's place we headed north and west over Independence Pass.

I wanted to go over this pass to commemorate our aborted attempt to navigate this highway in 1977. At that time we did not gain the summit because our Mercury station wagon stalled half-way up the mountain -- right in the traffic lane. The problem was compounded because we were pulling an 18' travel trailer.

God, in His graciousness, rescued me and sent along a highway work crew to tow us to this turn-off. In 2010 it dawned on me that this was the only place on that 30 mile stretch of mountain highway where I could turn around a vehicle pulling a trailer. I am so thankful for the way the Lord protected our young family from my foolishness.

For two days we stayed in historic Glenwood Springs. The Hot Springs pool has been a famous spot for over 120 years. I took youth camping trips to this area in the late 1960s and the Hot Springs pool was a must stop for the teenagers.

In January of 1969 we stayed a night in the old hotel and swam in the pool. The temp was 104 in the pool even while the snow was falling.

On the 1977 family trip we camped in this campground 35 miles south of Glenwood Springs.

After taking teenagers to this area for several years, I wanted to camp with our family at this tranquil spot on the Crystal River near the isolated town of Marble, CO.

Marble is near the site of the famous Yule Marble Quarry. It was in this very area where I led four camping trips from 1967-1970.

We did not hike up to the Quarry this year, but were able to see these huge marble chunks that wait to be transported to various parts of the world. From this quarry came the marble for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other monuments in Washington, D.C.

A few miles from Marble is the quaint village of Redstone. Connie took over behind the counter in the General Store -- for a few seconds. From there we headed for Vail...and our 45th Anniversary Celebration.

Colorado Trip - Part 1

Connie and I had a wonderful trip to Colorado from June 16 to 28. It began with a three day Homeschool Convention at the Denver Merchandise Mart, and then extended to a week of vacation following.

Here is our display with Connie working -- dealing with customers.

After the convention we spent several days in the Denver area, including time with friends and staying at the beautiful home of Dave and Cindy Becklund. Dave and Cindy invited a number of our longtime friends to a time of fellowship at their garden patio. What a beautiful spot! We appreciated and enjoyed their outstanding hospitality.
One of our dear friends, Roy Vasquez, came all the way from Phoenix to visit Dave and Cindy and to be there for our gathering. And did we love Roy's hat!!
Another friend who we were able to see was Butch Rodman and his wife Kay. Butch and I go back to the 50's and the southside of Chicago. It was good to see them, and other friends; Harold & Bonnie Marcilliott, George & Barb Williams, Darrel & Pam Estrabrooks, Larry Thomas, and Betty Nelson Wasmundt. We stayed up late...and it was worth it!

After leaving the Denver area we took in the chuck-wagon dinner and old-time Western Music Show at the Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs.

It was a beautiful night and the food was good.

We loved the Flying W Wranglers -- especially their rendition of "Colorado".

Dealing with Springtime in Carolina

It is getting to be that time of year when I leave the house most mornings singing, "Nothing could be finer than to be be in Carolina in the morning." But not quite yet this year! First we have to do our annual "pine straw" treatment to our lawn. Yesterday was that day.

We start with 18 bales of pine straw that we purchase at our neighborhood Lowe's store.

Then we spread it around by hand to cover the bald spots, and to compliment the pine needles that are already on the ground. This project takes care of our lawn for the year. No grass -- and no mowing.

But this time of year also brings the sickly yellow/green pollen dust that settles on everything. Because we have so many trees on our lot we get a greater share of pollen dust everywhere. This is our deck last week before the rain came to wash it clean. It is almost like a light dusting of snow.

Our vehicles looked horrible!

Then comes the "worms" (seed pods from the trees) to cover everything! All of this usually lasts a month. Hopefully not this year.

Finally, the finished product. At least until the Fall when the leaves begin to fall.

Trip to Greenville, South Carolina

Connie and I took a trip this last week to display our Positive Action products at the annual Bob Jones University Bible Conference. This was the special idea of a sharp young man by the name of Jayson Byrd, who works at the BJU Campus Store. Jayson invited about a half dozen publishers to bring books that could be featured during the conference.

Here we are in the store with some of our products on display. It was an enjoyable experience talking with many conference attendees and students.

After spending several hours at our booth on the first day, we were heading to our truck to leave campus for dinner. We were talking to some friends on the sidewalk when we heard our name being called and spotted Erin Rodman Jones, wife of the BJU president, running across the street calling our name. We have known Erin since she was a young girl, and have been friends with her parents since before she was born. It was a blessing to visit with her and catch up on her family. Connie had the presence of mind to get me to take a picture.
Another purpose for our trip was to meet Dave Ratje, manager of the Printing Division of BJU Press. The Press is now printing some of our Positive Action books and I wanted to take the opportunity to personally meet Dave. Here is Connie, with Dave on her left, meeting Bob the "glue" specialist. Bob will be the person responsible to make sure that our books are glued tightly. You can see that Connie was having a good time with these helpful gentlemen.
We were also able to visit the offices of our friend and marketing consultant, David George. David is president of Genesis Marketing Group, and he helps us at Positive Action with our marketing ideas and programs. David is a Bob Jones graduate, with many years of marketing and sales experience. He has become a valuable asset to our ministry at Positive Action For Christ.

Hangin Out in Who Dat Nation!

We are in New Orleans Saints country. Right now we are in Gulfport, MS, but several days ago we were in the Big Easy itself. On our way to a convention last week in Galveston, TX, we stopped in New Orleans for a few hours to see the rebuilding progress after Hurricane Katrina. Some progress has been made, but the evidence of the devastating storm is still visible. But it was obvious that the Gulf Coast Region was really excited about the upcoming Super Bowl game.

After finishing our convention we headed back toward Gulfport and Biloxi, MS. On Saturday we stopped in a mall in Baton Rogue, LA, and were adorned with Mardi Gras beads as we entered a department store. Here I am decked out in my beads on the day before the big game.

Today -- the day after the game -- we were out doing some shopping in Gulfport, and Connie spied a "free car wash" sign that was intriguing. A local carwash had promised that they would give free car washes on the Monday after the Super Bowl "when" the Saints won the game. Well, we got a free wash!

Here is one of the friendly attendants sporting his "Who Dat" shirt as he guides our truck to its needed cleaning. Our truck still had the remnants of a North Carolina snowstorm and road salt on its exterior from eight days previous.
After our wash was completed we had to take a picture of Connie standing by the "Pitstop Carwash" sign on Highway 49, just north of I-10 in Gulfport, MS. If you are ever in that area we recommend this friendly business. But, of course, you will have to pay -- unless the Saints win a Super Bowl again.

2009 Christmas Trip

We left Rocky Mount on Dec. 18th and had to swing down to Augusta, GA and then over to Atlanta on our way to Chattanooga. This Southern swing was necessary to avoid the big snowstorm that had swept across the country. We were glad to avoid the snowy and icy roads, but we did have plenty of snow later in the 3,400 mile trip. Praise the Lord for 4-wheel trip!

Our first stop was a three-day early Christmas with Kristy and Brian in their cozy place outside of Chattanooga. Kristy had done a marvelous job decorating their home, and Brian helped to make us comfortable for the visit. We didn't mind leaving them on the 22nd, because we knew they were planning to join us the next weekend in the Twin Cities.

From Tennessee we headed north to outrun the next snow storm coming from the West. In Madison we were able to have a delightful Christmas with Chad, Jen and Kirk. We stayed at the Grandstay Suites and found that place to be very comfortable. Here is our crowd on Christmas evening after we returned from an interesting dinner at a unique Japanese restaurant.

On Christmas Day we had the privilege to join Jennifer's family for a wonderful dinner. The time was fun and the ham dinner, with all the trimmings, was incredible.

Then on the 26th we set out, along with the Madison gang, to head for Minnesota. The snow flurries were minimal, after two days of almost continuos snow in Madison, and we reached the St. Paul area just in time to meet Kristy and Brian's plane coming from Atlanta.

That evening we enjoyed a truly "magical night" hosted by Greg and Becky at their home among the pines near Stillwater, Minnesota. Everyone in the Cutlan Clan was able to attend except Brad Brask. We surely missed Brad, but everyone savored the special opportunity that we had to be together. We enjoyed the time -- and the food! We don't get to be together much, and we have to seize the moment.

The Brask Family

The Cutlan Family

Here is Connie with her sister Judy and niece, Dana, enjoying the comfort of one of the rooms in the lovely house. Greg and Becky made every possible preparation and it was a memorable time.
Kristy and Brian were able to stay until Monday and we went to the Mall of America before taking them to the airport. After leaving the Twin Cities, we were able to a spend night with Cheryl and Dwight Turbett in their new home in Hillsdale, Wisconsin. Here is the beautiful view that Dwight has in his parsonage study. We loved their place and enjoyed a wonderful dinner that Cheryl prepared for us. And our truck started in the morning...that was a blessing in the cold weather.
From Wisconsin we traveled southward and once again spent our days outrunning a new snowstorm that was following the cold snap enveloping the the whole country. We were able to reach North Carolina by Saturday night so that we could meet Gail and Paul at Sara and Dave's house in Garner. We had a delightful evening with them and then visited their church on Sunday morning. Our visit was capped by a dinner at "Sweet Tomatoes" in Raleigh with the Fosmark and Mincy families, and Doug and Diane Bookman.