Category Archives: Pictures of the Adventure

Photos of our travels and stops along the way

First Things First

February 13, 2025 steph Leave a comment

Now that Gary had his work platform done, he moved on to his next big project-building the deck! We already had nice landing at the side door, but it wasn’t very functional to be used as outside space. We have a nice live oak tree for shade (and falling acorns and leaves too), and felt that the space to the back of the house called for a good sized deck.

But we also had a 150# (full) propane tank (weighing approx. 800#) right behind the landing.

There was no way a deck was going to built around that and while there was a little chatter about some of the guys in the neighborhood (?? remember, we’re some of the younger folks on the block!) moving it, smarter heads prevailed and we called the local propane company. They showed up with their fancy boom truck and got right too it!

It was so fun to watch, even some of the neighbors stopped by to watch the move!

Once that was accomplished, the real fun (well, in Gary’s book at least) could begin!

Signing off from the construction zone,

Pictures of the Adventure, The Adventure

Wednesday in the Word – Psalm 33

February 12, 2025 steph Leave a comment

Mondays are for Memories, Pictures of the Adventure, The Adventure

Mondays are for Memories – Revisiting the Bucket List

February 10, 2025 steph Leave a comment

Yesterday when I was searching for a header photo for the Sabbath Rest post, I came across this photo (above) from our visit to Death Valley National Park in late March of 2010. Seemed like a good chance to take a stroll down memory lane!

Revisiting the Bucket List – 3/31/2010

Death Valley National Park
It wasn’t even on my “bucket list” of things I needed to do while on the West Coast. So when Gary said we were going there before we headed to Arizona, I wondered what there was to do there. I mean, with a name like Death Valley – sure didn’t seem like a very interesting place to me. Well, four jam packed days (and 700+ pictures) later, let me tell you, there is LOTS to see and do in Death Valley.
Did you know

The highest temperature recorded in the USA was in Death Valley (134 degrees)
The same year the highest temperature was recorded (1913), the lowest temperature (for Death Valley) was also recorded – 15 degrees above zero.
Death Valley National Park is the largest National Park in the lower 48 – 3 million acres of wilderness.
The lowest elevation in the Western Hemisphere (282 ft. below sea level) is found at Badwater in Death Valley.
The highest point in the lower 48 (Mt. Whitney at 14,491 ft) is just 100 miles from that lowest point.

Enough of statistics! I was expecting to see desert and desert-y things. What I wasn’t expecting were mountains of unbelievable colors, volcanic craters, a castle, moving rocks, and lakes of salt. I’ve pared down my pictures and tried to be at least a little organized, so here we go – the highlights of Death Valley National Park, Conrad-style!

Titus Canyon
Now there are two ways to see Titus Canyon. One is to drive to the canyon head (about 1/2 mile) and then hike up the extraordinary canyon. OR, you can drive all the way out of the park and approach it from the other side, driving along a “high clearance, 4×4 vehicle recommended” road for about 25 miles. Can you guess which one we chose?

The road was one way (which I LOVED) and never really got too “technical”, but we did encounter something that we had rarely come across before –

TRAFFIC!
And while we tried to stay back (mostly so we wouldn’t be choking on their dust),

We did finally end up in a traffic JAM!

Looking back while we waited for folks to start moving again….

We eventually got around the crowd (they all stopped at various POI’s along the way), and made our way into the canyon –

and after an amazing drive through the canyon,

we made it out the other side! It was a great drive – and if you’d like to see a couple more pictures of the drive and canyon, Here you go! –
Since the drive took a little longer than we expected (you know, the traffic!), we decided to take in some of the areas that were close to our campsite.
Like the Harmony Borax Works –

And the Salt Creek Interpretive Trail –

The Salt Creek is home to the Devil’s Hole pupfish – an endangered species found only (so I’m told) here in the Death Valley region.

Our final stop for the day was Mosaic Canyon – Amazing!

A couple more Mosaic Canyon pictures are HERE

And that was Day One. I think I’ll split this up into a couple of posts, so you don’t get into picture overload (like that would ever happen on one of MY posts!) 🙂
Take a break – I’m going to make us some dinner!

I hope you enjoyed this little walk down memory lane – I know I did!

Pictures of the Adventure, SOWER Projects 2018, The Adventure

Wednesday in the Word

February 5, 2025 steph Leave a comment

Life at Bass Lake Lot 205, Pictures of the Adventure, SOWER Projects 2018, SOWER Projects 2019, The Adventure

But what is Dad going to do? Part I

January 21, 2025 steph 5 Comments

Any time that we would talk about life “after SOWERs”, our kids would ask – “But what is Dad going to do?” Let’s face it – SOWERs is a perfect fit for Gary. He gets to work on a variety of projects, and even if that month’s assignment isn’t his most favorite type of project, he never complains – “You can do anything for three weeks!” he’d say. And it was a perfect fit for me too! I got to meet new people, see different areas of the country, watch God working in so many different ways, and as an added bonus – I had a very small house to keep clean! We always had at least a week off each month, a free place to park, and work that was (mostly) geared to our aging bones! Win-Win-Win.
But we knew it wasn’t forever. And the kids were concerned. I think they knew I’d be able to fill my days with computer work, sewing, and reading (and napping?), but Dad’s happy place is building, fixing, and helping (and maybe a bit of napping too?). Well, I’m happy to report that our Little Lindale House has been a pretty perfect fit for both of us! On the one hand, it’s in great shape! It’s keeping me busy just trying to figure out where things are going to go inside (I think I’ve finally got the peanut butter in its forever home), and Gary is busy with some improvements on the outside!
His first project was the shed!
This was pretty much how we found my side –

and despite finding termites and all of the fun stuff that went along with that –

I’m happy to report my “Studio” is mostly outfitted and ready to go!

I haven’t moved all my sewing from Lizzie to its new spot yet – but I’m sure I’ll be tackling those UFO’s (UnFinished Objects) soon! No excuses now!
When Gary needed a break from the sewing room project, he’d work on his side – The Workshop! It also was pretty full when we moved in –

but pictures taken today show that he’s been busy channeling his organizational alter-ego!

(Now that I’m looking at His side – I’m kinda embarrassed about the general disarray on my side! All in good time, I suppose!)
Of course, that just scratches the surface of the “What’s Dad going to do?” answer. But this is long enough, so I’ll save that for Part II!
Stay warm my friends – it’s crazy cold here in Texas, so I know many of you are in a deep freeze! Thanks for stopping by!