In Amazement

Today Joel and I are celebrating our 47th wedding Anniversary.  In amazement we are giving thanks for so many years together.  We met at Bible college and were married soon after graduation.  We both had a desire to serve as missionaries in Africa, but God had other plans.  Eight years in the military and then 35 years of church ministry have now brought us to a place where we stand in amazement at the edge of a new season of our lives.

Our children are grown with families of their own.  Their lives are full and independent as they live out their days where God has planted them.  Joel has two weeks of work left here in north Iowa where we have lived for 19 years.  Most people our age are seeking retirement, and we probably would be if we had not been forced to live in 90 year old bodies while battling Lyme Disease.  We thought we would end our days sick and old before our time....but then God.

Then God brought healing and more of Holy Spirit into our lives, and we have been set free to seek Him in new ways.  Then God shook our world upside down, opening "something more" before us and we are still amazed.  Moving to Gold Canyon is part of the "then God" .....being open to a new ministry is another "then God"  A desire for a Spirit flowing church is an empowering "then God".

We have been told we have a restless spirit that can't settle in one place.  We have been told we are brave......we have been told we are crazy.  Some envy us this new adventure....others would never take the risk.  We feel we are being obedient to God's calling, just as we were the past 35 years.  Why else would we move 2,000 miles away from everything and most everyone we know to a massive city in the desert if it was not because we heard God whisper in our ear and touch our hearts for such a place.

Today I cannot help but wonder what the next few anniversaries will bring....where will we be....what we will be doing.....We began 2015 with God telling us this was going to be a "pivotal year" for us.  So far it has been!  We often ask, "What is the plan, God?"  Who knows how long we will call the desert home, who knows what life will throw our way.  We just know that we are on the edge of a new season in our lives and we are looking forward to it.  In amazement.

Come Holy Spirit Come

Purging Brings Freedom!

What are all our closets and cupboards filled to overflowing with?  How many fancy bowls, Tupperware containers, old bedding, or blue T-shirts do we need?  Why do we hang on to things?  Sentimental value?  A rainy day?  Just in case.......or security?

We've been sorting and purging here. Well, mostly I am sorting and purging, since Joel finds this process a bit challenging. He's working on it!  It is amazing what you can let go of when you know you are moving 2,000 miles away into a house with no basement.  We don't have a house yet, but homes in that part of the country do not have basements.  Storage is limited.

Abraham and Sarah packed up when they were around our age, heading out into the desert at God's direction.  Sound familiar?  The old...the desert...the "go" from God.  I wonder if they spent time sorting and purging before strapping on their sandals and heading out.  Did they struggle with the process?

I went through the linen closet yesterday.  Why was I hanging on to old sun-faded green drapes?  Those flannel top sheets for a twin bed?  We haven't had a twin bed for at least 15 years.  And then there are the threadbare towels that we might be able to use for rags.  Except we already have two big tins full of more rags than we will ever need!  So, I took a deep breath, put on some praise music, and went to work.  Before long I had a big pile for the goodwill, a very small pile for the linen closet and extra space on the shelves to put everything in order. 

I have already tackled my closet and Joel is working on his.  I've gone through the large cupboards in the dining room, sorting, purging, and boxing as I go along.  I like this sorting and purging business.  It feels good to get rid of stuff that has just been taking up valuable space.  It is somehow freeing.

Speaking of freeing, I have shared here before that Joel and I use the Sozo Ministry techniques to help bring about inner healing.  It is a Christian, Holy Spirit guided ministry that quickly releases issues for people. When I began having flashbacks of repressed childhood memories, God guided me to this ministry, and I experienced the release of past abuse and trauma so quickly I was all in.  There is no way I want to hang on to soul wounds that take up space and keep me from living a great life, so this week when an "issue" rose to the surface I scheduled a Sozo session with my favorite cowboy preacher. 

Sozo is not much different than the sorting and purging I have been doing here in our closets and cupboards.  God wants us to live a whole and healthy life and often "stuff" from our past get in the way.  Not only in our relationships with others, but also our relationship with God. When we are able to sort through and purge those experiences in life that cause us to walk with an emotional limp, it is soooo freeing.  God is a good God and He wants good for us.  Sorting and purging is part of that goodness because through the process freedom comes.

"It is for freedom that Christ set us free,

so stand firm then,

and never again be burdened

by a yoke of slavery or bondage."

Galatians 5:1 

I'm linking up today with Bonnie over at Faith Barista.  

Gardens, Graves,Grief, and Glory!

 The morning we left Woodland Park CO we headed back down the mountain to Colorado Springs.  On the way we stopped to view the Garden of the Gods.  Years ago one man owned this whole area, and when he died his children gave this beautiful, vast place to the state of CO on the condition that they never charge anyone to visit.  I knew our son Kevin had gone there and I wanted to go somewhere he had visited.  Joel was right with me on this, and we both were so glad we took the time to go through.  It was amazing.  Another stunning example of the Creator's best artistic works of art.  No matter how they were created, God is the Creator! 

We were able to stop and walk through more than one area, along with many other people who were out in the beautiful weather, hiking and walking, taking photos and enjoying the views.

Behind Joel is the "Tower of Babel"

Balance Rock

Walking the trail at

Garden of the Gods

Walking area at Garden of the Gods

The view of Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods

 from the Visitor's Center

After spending a few hours at the Garden of the Gods we headed into Colorado Springs to find the cemetery where our son Kevin is buried.  Kevin died over 10 years ago when a virus attacked his heart.  He suffered briefly from congestive heart failure before dying at the age of 25.  I was too ill to travel to CO for the funeral , but Joel and our oldest son Matt went along with my nephew and his wife who lived in the area at the time.  Circumstances kept Joel from going to the graveside that December, and then my illness got worse, Joel was put on disability with Lyme, and traveling was not an option.  This was our first time to visit the grave, and we had plans to also order a gravestone.
Kevin and his wife were divorcing at the time of his death, so there was no stone.  Our hearts were heavy with this, and we now had the opportunity to remedy it and do right by our son.

The cemetery was so large.  There were 22 miles of paved roads inside it.  They have a staffed office and we were able to call ahead and then talk to someone who was there when we arrived.  We did find out that legally we were able to place a stone.  Thank you God.  We were given a marked chart to find the area, and once we got there we walked through the 500+ graves in that section until we found where Kevin was buried.  I cannot describe it, but one friend said, it was "holy ground" we were experiencing that day.  It was a beautiful way to describe that day and the next, when we met our grandson.  God is so good.  We stood at our son's grave, , we were able to order a stone, and we were able to find closure and peace of mind.  We left Colorado Springs struggling with deep sadness, but also with a sense of relief and closure.  Thank you God.

We drove to Castle Rock, a nice bedroom community between Denver and Colorado Springs, for the night.  It was a beautiful hotel and a great place to regroup before heading north to visit our grandson. 

We were so excited to meet our grandson Eli.  Joel had actually spent a little time with him at Kevin's funeral, but Eli was only 2 at the time. We had sent him cards and letters periodically, but his mom had remarried and Eli did not know that Kevin was his birth father until a couple of years ago.  When his parents shared this information with him, we felt we could then be a bigger part of his life.  His parents graciously invited us to come by and spend time with him and we were eager to do so.  It worked out that Eli and his sister B. both had basketball games that Saturday morning so we arrived at their home around 10am with the plan to go to the games.  When we saw Eli outside, and watched him walk towards the van, we were stunned.  He reminded us so much of Kevin at that age and even his mannerisms and actions were familiar.  It took my breath away. 

 

Elijah Christian, age 12

 

Papa, Grandma Na, and Eli

Throughout the day I would find myself just staring at him and quietly giving thanks to God for working all things out for good.  His Grandma Tracy was there too and we were able to thank her for staying in communication with us about Eli over the years.  We went to the games, and then out for lunch at a super fun restaurant called Cinzzetti's.  What an a amazing place.  Huge.  Inside were several stations, like one for desserts, one for seafood, one for pastas, pizza, etc.  Each was staffed by chefs, etc. and you went around finding what you wanted, eating as much as you wanted.  We went back to the house for awhile where we gave Eli a book of photos of his birth dad that I had put together.  We headed back to the hotel after spending the day together with him and his family.  It. was. wonderful.  A very special day with some very special people.  Only God!

Eli with his family

At Cinzzetti's Italian Restaurant

Those two days were very emotional, but we would not have missed any of it.  God answered our prayers in so many ways.....up at Charis Bible College, at the cemetery, and with the time we had with Eli and his family.  God keeps His promises.....He work all things out for good.......

Our last two days on the road were pretty uneventful except for the heavy fog through parts of Nebraska.  We were not ready to come home, but we were ready to sleep in our own beds.  Our hearts are filled with wonderful memories of our trip to the SW.  Nine hotel beds slept in, nine states visited.  Twelve great days with my sister and her hubby, gathering with friends, worshiping at Charas, grieving at our son's grave, getting to know our grandson.  Three weeks and 2 days filled with an adventure orchestrated by a loving God.   Giving God praise for so many beautiful days ending with such amazing sunsets.   To God be the glory!

Our last sunset on the road...

Kearney, Nebraska

Santa Fe and Woodland Park

We drove to Santa Fe after leaving Sedona, staying at a Comfort Suites.  I mention the name because our first room was dark, smelled bad, and the closet door was broken, so we went back to the front desk, and they gave us a different room...upgraded with no extra cost, which was nice.  They were pleasant about it, and the hotel was mostly empty so there were extra rooms available!

The next morning we headed to downtown Santa Fe to see San Miguel Mission, which is known as the oldest church in America.  It was built in 1610 and was impressive to see.  Well worth the $1 to go in.  We are so blessed to be able to worship freely in our country.  As I stood in this old church with such a deep history, I could not help but imagine people filling the seats to worship God.

Sanctuary of San Miguel Misson

Altar in church

After leaving Santa Fe we headed into northern New Mexico through some pretty intense weather.  Winds between 40-60 mph and fog, mist, and freezing rain.  Not. fun.  Getting into Colorado was a relief.  We had the worst time finding a decent place or any place to get lunch so we pulled over at a rest area and dug out some yogurt and fruit to eat.  We then drove through the southern side of Colorado Springs and up to Woodland Park CO to stay for 2 nights.  The elevation there is close to 8500 ft. and we both felt it as we unloaded the car and climbed up and down the stairs to our room.  It took Joel one evening to adjust, but by morning I was feeling a bit dizzy, nauseated, short of breath, etc.  Still we were dressed and out the door by 7:20am.  We were there to visit Charis Bible College, hopefully see Andrew Wommack (founder), and attend the healing school worship that afternoon.  Nothing was going to get in my way! 

 

We were able to hear Andrew speak the first two hours of classes, and then listen to two other teachers we were familiar with.  We ate lunch with a young woman from Montana, so we had something in common with her, and she turned out to be part of the worship band.  We attended the service, and afterwards we went up for prayer.  I did not experience anymore healing of the symptoms that make themselves known, but all the altitude sickness symptoms left immediately and I had no trouble after that.  It was a very interesting and exciting time for us to be at the school.  Andrew is not often there, but he was, and Joel was able to share his healing story with him.  You see, it was Andrew Wommack that we were listening to on the internet that amazing night three years ago when Joel was instantly healed.  I watch the Healing School livestream almost every Thursday, so it was great to be there for worship and prayer.  Thank you God!

Charis Bible College

worship center

 

View of Pikes Peak from Charis Bible College

 We had been seriously considering going back to a Bible College (we attended The Lutheran Bible Institute where we met) and Charis in CO was where we were looking at.  But we believe that God closed that door for us to go there.  His plans are always best, but sometimes it still takes effort to walk away from a closed door and not question His plan.

We spent our last night in Woodland Park shopping at an organic store and a grocery store to stock up for the trip home.  Nice little town nestled in the mountains.....a little short of oxygen, but nice little town!  We would head down the mountain the next morning, as we had another adventure of a different kind waiting ahead. 

Sedona Sights

When we had said our tearful good-byes to my sister Jan and BIL, Lanny, we headed north to Sedona AZ.  About an hour into the trip, we were at a stand still due to an accident miles ahead.  It seems like an everyday occurrence with the way people around us shut off their cars, got out of their vehicles to smoke or visit, and even climbed the hills nearby to see what they could see.  Eventually Joel joined the crowd and visited with a man who had moved to Phoenix from Chicago.  His wife worked near Sedona and they had a long distance marriage 5 days a week.  Not ideal, they made it work.  After about a half hour of backed up traffic, with cars parked on the Interstate bumper to bumper for miles, someone ahead yelled that traffic was beginning to move and soon we were off.  Even our drive up to Sedona was an adventure! 

Trucks and cars at a standstill

on AZ interstate

Joel (in the hat of course) talking with a traveler

As we left the Interstate for Sedona, we could see all the beautiful red rock mountains, boulders, and foothills that made this place famous.  We stopped at an information center and looked at their displays and when we were leaving, a man behind the counter asked if we wanted a map of the area.  He asked us where we were from, and when we said Iowa, he told us he was originally from Minnesota.  When we asked him where, he said Fergus Falls.  I said, "That's where Joel is from"!  Turns out he had graduated with Joel's brother Doug and knew him.  He still returns to the class reunions, and visited with Doug while there.  It really is a small world.

Driving to Sedona

Road view

 

We had heard that there is supposed to be a special "energy" found in Sedona and we saw enough advertisements for psychics and crystals that led us to believe others thought so.  We focused on the beauty in the views around us.  We had been told we just had to see the church in the rock, which is a Catholic chapel built right into the rock.  It was a sight to behold.  I attempted to climb up the steep, steep road to the chapel, but only got about a third of the way before the altitude and the incline had my body complaining loudly.  So we got into a handy courtesy cart and rode up the rest of the way!.  It was a looooong way down, especially after we climbed all the steps to the top.  What a view!  As I said before, the heights made both of us a bit dizzy. 

Red Rocks of Sedona

 

Chapel in the Rock

 

Outside of the chapel

 

The chapel was awesome with the sun coming in the windows..  You could sit on benches and rest, pray, or light candles in there.  A lovely place filled with God's presence.  We also drove out to the airport road and joined others who were watching the sun set, as it cast different shadows on the rocks changing the colors, shapes, etc.

Sedona Red Rocks

A McMansion built in the rocks of Sedona

There were many tourist places to shop and we did stop at Tiaquepaque, an upscale arts and crafts village that also had within it's streets a mission church, but mostly we were really not interested in shopping so we moved on to spend our time looking at the landscapes.  A wonderful work of art by our Creator.

Mission in Sedona at Tiaquepaque

I do all the hotel bookings, so I decided to surprise Joel with a small villa like place to stay called Las Posadas.  It was an adobe style place, with a kitchen, living, and bedroom area.  Nice two-sided fireplace and the smallest TV's I have ever seen.  Maybe 15 inches.  We could open the floor to ceiling windows and take in the fresh night air which was nice.  And we ate a Mexican breakfast fixed and served by a lovely woman the next morning.  It was yet another adventure :-),

Las Posadas

 The next morning we left for Santa Fe.  It was recommended that we take the back highway to Flagstaff so we did.  Amazing.......scary at times.......so glad we did it!  There were a couple of times where I said out loud, "Thank you Jesus that this is not our day to die".  After it came out of my mouth twice, Joel told me to STOP saying it.  It seemed he was stressed enough trying to drive the windy road.....So, I did....and praised God instead for the beauty He was letting us experience! 

A view from the top where we stopped and walked around

 

Some where down there is the road we

just traveled!

Side of the road as we drove up the mountain

 

The speed limit was 35-40 mph with mostly no passing zones.  It was exhilarating for me to be the passenger in the car.....a bit more hairy for Joel, the driver!  So, this pretty much ended our visit to Arizona.  Truthfully it was hard to leave AZ behind, but we still had more adventures ahead!

Laughing, Hugging, And Praying Together: Only God!!

Linny and me

 

Sharing a hug and a laugh

 

When we made plans to go to Phoenix, I contacted my friend Linny about getting together and hugging in person for the first time.  I began following Linny's blog, A Place Called Simplicity a few years ago, and that led to emails and then conversations on the phone. We soon realized we have a lot in common, as Linny says in her blog post  HERE:

One day there was a need and we spoke on the phone for a long while.

She and I shared similar pasts and were in similar situations.

 

Adoptive moms.

Large families.

Pastor's wives

Among other things.

We have talked and texted now for a few years.  I also have the privilege of facilitating her prayer group, The Knee Team, which has been a blessing for me.  I never thought much about meeting in person, since I was very ill when we began our friendship, and was not leaving home except to see the doctors.  But God had other plans.  Joel and I were both healed and life has been quite an adventure of thanksgiving ever since!  Joel and I were both so thankful we were able to get together with the Saunders! 

Linny and Dwight

 

Joel and I with the younger kids

What a delight they were!

So, a visit to Linny's world was on our list and God opened the doors.  We were able to fellowship with them, enjoying a meal together, and ending our time in prayer.  As I said before, it was surreal to sit with the family and break bread.  I found myself very reflective, emotional, and so grateful that God guided us over the years for us to be friends.  Only God!

Ruby

I am showcasing Ruby here because Linny just finished writing her

book about Ruby's amazing journey.

I will let everyone know when it comes out.

I can hardly wait to read it!

Isn't God amazing?  He loves us so much and is in every detail of our lives.  Who would have thought that Linny's life in Colorado and my life in Iowa would bring us together in Arizona!  I just love how God orchestrates our lives, bringing joy and blessings into our days. weaving the tapestry of our journeys into a beautiful work of art!  To God be the glory!!

Twelve Days of Delight

Jan and me

 

We arrived at Jan and Lanny's on Wednesday afternoon, January 21st and loaded up again to head north on February 2nd.  We packed a lot into the time we spent with them.  They were such gracious hosts, opening their home to us for 12 days and nights. We enjoyed good meals at home and in restaurants,. worshiped in the two churches they like to attend, and did some shopping.  First and foremost a new hat and boots for Joel....second a bit of shopping for myself. 

Lutheran church we attended

 

Joel and Lanny goofing off

on boot shopping day

 

Joel biked almost every day and we walked several days.  Joel rode close to 90 miles while we were there and we enjoyed a few brisk walks around the area, including one down to the coffee shop 1.5 miles away.  On the way there a coyote crossed in front of us.....Joel saw several while biking.  Quail and many kinds of birds too. 

A  photo op with a Saguaro cactus

on one of our walks

 

We did some sight-seeing, too.  We went up to Tortilla Flats in the mountains and ate lunch at a place looking out over Canyon Lake.  The roads had us taking deep breaths while our phone cameras captured the amazing views.   We went to a huge swap meet and a small art festival.  We played cards, talked endlessly and laughed often.  Great fun!

 

While in Arizona we visited our friends Linda and Jim.  I have known them since I was a child, and they are Godparents to our oldest daughter, Bethany.  They hosted a mini-school reunion where I connected with a few people from high school.  We also went back to see Linda and Jim on another day, visiting again to catch up with each other.  Such fun to see them.  What a blessing they are!

Linda and me

 

Reunion ladies....

Karen, Mary, Linda, Vickie and Barb

 

We were able to spend an evening with Linny, Dwight and the family, too but I will share about that next time.  We celebrated with Jan for her birthday, and spent a few hours with their good friends going to church and out to eat. 

Much to our surprise, Joel really liked where we were in Phoenix.  Lots of nature, rugged landscapes, and mountain views.  The weather was great with a morning chill, warm sun in the afternoons and cool off at night.  Reminded us of summers in eastern Montana.  We have many good memories of our time with Jan and Lanny, and we are so grateful for their love and hospitality!

Destination Driving

We did not do any touristy stuff on the way to Arizona.  Just gas, potty break, and hotel stops along with way as our goal was to get there.  Destination driving! 

 We left snow and cold temperatures behind the day we headed for Arizona and did not need our winter coats again until we came full circle back to Iowa 23 days later!  Heading south into Missouri we passed by a town called Bethany that bragged about it's famous restaurant, "Toot Toot"!  (giggle). Bethany is the name of our oldest daughter so we had to text her about our find! 

We arrived in Wichita in the dark, but when we left the next morning what we noticed in the city was how BIG the churches were!  As we headed south through Oklahoma and into Texas, we stopped for lunch at a small, old McDonalds where I visited briefly with a woman who was about my age.  Her husband sat like a stone across from her.  They had a conversation-less meal before he got up and left with her following behind.  Sad.  I must say I could not help but give thanks for Joel.....one more time.....Anyway, this woman's accent fascinated me....quite a twang and somewhat hard to grasp for this northerner.  I turned to Joel after they left and said, "We are not in Iowa anymore!"  Later when we were in southern Texas we expected to hear the same accent, but did not.  Interesting.  (I always wonder what people think of our accent when we travel!)

Driving along the interstate, what I remember about Oklahoma mostly was that it was rugged and flat with a lot of brush...The bright blue sky was vast and the land seemed endless with no ranches visible, only a few oil wells.  We took more of a back road down through southwestern Texas, but when we were only twenty miles into the state we saw cactus!  We drove past cotton fields, and many, many small towns that looked desolate.  Once in awhile we saw beautiful ranch homes scattered few and far between on the landscape we viewed.   Our BIL Lanny, says we missed the most beautiful part of Texas (a place he has called home) and saw more of the not so nice part of that vast state.  We stayed in Sweetwater TX for the night.  Later we discovered it was famous for being the rattlesnake capital of the country.  Okey dokey....

Cactus in southern Texas

Texas oil well

 

Tuesday was our longest day on the road.  As we left Sweetwater we saw the largest wind turbine farm in America off to our right.  It seemed like we drove for hours through SW Texas, with oil wells dotting the landscape everywhere.  Eventually we crossed southern New Mexico, and spent the night in Wilcox AZ. New Mexico has it's own beauty, and being there again took us back to 1970 when we lived in Albuquerque for nine months.

Southern NM or AZ.......

 

On Wednesday morning we drove to Tucson, found a Whole Foods Market where we ate lunch and shopped before heading farther north to visit Marie and Lyn in their RV park.  I shared before that Marie and I have talked on the phone and emailed for years when we both battled Lyme, but this was our first "in person" visit.   They live most of the year in the bush of Ontario Canada, far from Iowa.  We went for a long walk, looking around the area where they lived, and enjoying a nice visit at their place before heading to Phoenix. We even were able to hear Lyn play banjo for us.   How wonderful to see them!

Lyn, Marie, Renee and Joel

Our destination drive brought us to my sister Jan and brother-in-law Lanny's Gold Canyon home late that afternoon.  We were so excited to be there!

 

Lanny, Jan, Renee and Joel

So Many Beds To Lay Our Heads!

It is good to be back in our own beds here in our corner of the world.  I slept deep and long for the first time last night since we left on January 18th for our latest adventure!  I did wake up twice, thinking, "What hotel am I in?"  Then responding to my question.."Oh, yeah I am home in my own bed." 

We spent 9 nights in hotels in Texas, AZ, CO, and NE.  We spent one night in a Kansas townhome, (thank you Jan and Lanny) and 12 in the beautiful AZ home of my sister Jan and BIL Lanny in Gold Canyon AZ.  They were amazing hosts ~~gracious, generous, loving, and fun!

 

Our first night we stayed in Jan and Lanny's Kansas townhome, getting a good rest in a beautiful place.  The next morning we found out the weather across northern Texas and New Mexico was going to be bad...like winter storm warning with 16 inches of snow bad, so we canceled hotel reservations in Amarillo and Gallup and headed south.  Way south through Texas.  We rested our heads in Sweetwater Texas the second night.  Later we were told by Jan that Sweetwater was the rattlesnake capital of the country.  Okey dokey, then.  Our third night we stayed in Wilcox AZ before heading to Tucson to shop at aWhole Foods Marketplace and then drive farther north to visit Lyn and Marie, meeting them in person for the first time.  Marie and I have written, emailed, and talked on the phone for years when we both battled Lyme.  After spending a few hours with them we headed to Phoenix and over to Gold Canyon to my sister Jan and BIL Lanny's.  We laid our heads down on their comfy beds for 12 nights.....that is a long time to have family come for a visit ~and they are both still speaking to us!  We thank you both!

Staircase to our room at

Los Pasados in Sedona

Love the Adobe

From there we headed to Sedona to enjoy a night in a place called Las Posados where we enjoyed a suite with fireplace and kitchen. We were also served a yummy Mexican dish for breakfast, with a taco shell, pinto beans, fried eggs, hot peppers, etc.  (I avoided the peppers). 

The next night we stayed in a hotel in Santa Fe before heading to Colorado.  We drove up to Woodland Park to spend two nights.  Woodland Park has an elevation of 8500 feet above sea level. Yikes!  It is called "the city above the clouds".  More on that later.........

We stayed in Castle Rock CO Friday night, and in north Denver Saturday night before heading to Kearney Nebraska on our way home.  The hotel in Denver had been owned by a company who developed it with a castle theme.  It was kind of neat with it's towers, etc.  In Kearney we stayed in the best hotel on the whole trip.  New, beautiful, clean, and friendly....it was a Holiday Inn Express, in case anyone heads that way.  Last night we rested in our own bed and it felt good to snuggle in under my Woolie.  Nine hours later I woke to face the day!

Denver hotel with castle towers

So many hotels, so many beds, so many miles.  A couple of hotels we would not return to, but most were very nice.  Such a great adventure, and no bed bugs to be found along the way.  Yep.  We check every hotel bed before saying yes to the room.  A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! 

We drove over 4100 miles, stayed in 11 different locations, and traveled through Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa once again.  What an adventure! I look forward to sharing more with you.