EMT to the Rescue

It had been 2 years since Glenn and I were casually walking the trail between Bear Lake and Bierstadt Lake back on the early crisp Autumn Day.  That was when I fell and broke my ankle.  I knew instantly that I couldn't put any weight on it.  I scooted off to the side of the trail and we called 911.  Miraculously, there was a cell phone signal and the phone connected to the dispatcher who then transferred us to the National Park Service.

  To read more about my journey - click here.

Since we were in Estes Park again, I wanted to personally thank these guys.  Glenn and I took Thursday afternoon to drive into the Park again and present the photo to the head Ranger.  Only 1 guy was still working there.  However, he was not there as he was out on yet another "rescue mission". 

 Bill {one the left}

Since Bill was out, I left a bag of coffee and a thank you note for him.  I had my picture taken with the current park ranger.

Again, I'm thankful for the the hours it took for the guys to find us, and "cart me off the mountain".
Bill emailed me a nice note:

Judy,

Thanks for your visit and the gift of coffee. I’m sorry to have missed you and Glenn…, wouldn’t ya know…, I was out on yet another mission when you stopped by.

Of the 4 of us in the photo, I am the only one still working at RMNP. 

Glad to see you up and about again. Great photos of your “hardware” posted on your blog. 18 years ago I had a similar experience, but they were able to remove the two screws holding my bones together after 10 weeks in a cast. Still…, the road to walking without crutches, cane, limp or pain is long and, at times.., uncertain.

stay safe,

Bill Alexander

U.S. Park Ranger #2555

Ten Steps for a Bike Ride Over the Continental Divide

10 Steps to a perfect Bike Ride

Step 1.  Drive up to 12,000 feet pass. 

 Step 2.  Cross over the Continental Divide.

Step 3.  Take in the beautiful Scenery.

Step 4.  Watch Glenn unload my bicycle.

Step 5.  Take a picture

{me at 2 miles above Sea Level}

Step 6. Take another picture

Step 7.  Watch out for animals

Step 8.  Stop and enjoy the scenery

{letting the brakes cool down}

Step 9.  Stop and appreciate the beauty

Step 10.  Again, enjoying God's creation

On our travels back to Texas, Glenn dropped me off at the top of the mountain, and I rode about 10 miles downhill towards Grand Lake.  Beautiful!  Sure glad we had our bikes with us while we were in Colorado.

Snapshots of Convocation

It was great to spend the week with former SAM missionaries, Dean and Linda Self and their family, Jordan and Hannah; both are now Camino Global missionaries.  Dean and Linda serve in Hispanic USA while Jordan and Hannah serve with us in Guatemala.

We had our 3 bicycles with us, plus the "child trailer" to pull behind the bicycle.  Glenn gave numerous rides for the little mks.

 Tarwater family {minus 1 kid and the Daddy}.  This family is heading to Guatemala after language study.

The scenery was spectacular.  The weather was perfect with cool nights and warm days.  During each day, we had meetings for the morning sessions and the afternoons and evenings were completely FREE.  Glenn and I took advantage of this time by going on bike rides and visiting with co-workers.  We drove into Estes Park one afternoon; took naps and enjoyed a slower pace of life.  I got caught up on my Bible reading and some cross stitch.

Although I'm still "posting" of Colorado, we are back in Central America.

Letterboxing in Colorado

  

While in Colorado several weeks back with my parents, I tried a local Letter box site near the town of Georgetown.  We had taken the train ride, had a nice picnic lunch and then, before heading back thru the Eisenhower tunnel, I clicked on my hand held device and followed the directions through the old Georgetown Cemetery.

The clues were very clear and descriptive. We walked over old grave sites dating back to the 1800's.  Uniquely situated off of I 70, the cemetery was overgrown and in disrepair.

Glenn signed the letter box log book and we placed the hidden box back under the rocks.  


Letter boxing is a fun activity and a creative way to learn history.  It is like a scavenger hunt.

Click here to read more about it.
letterboxing

  Or check out my blog from 2010 when we went letter boxing with John and Carley
click here


Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining artistic ability with "treasure-hunts" in parks, forests, and cities around the world. Participants seek out hidden letterboxes by cracking codes and following clues. The prize: an image from a miniature piece of art known as a rubber stamp—usually a unique, hand-carved creation.
Letterboxers stamp their discoveries in a personal journal, then use their own rubber stamp, called a signature stamp, by stamping it into the logbook found with the letterbox, perhaps writing a note about the weather or their adventures in finding the letterbox.

 

Convocation {Part 5 Doug Livingston...Final Entry}

Doug Livingston, a Central America Mission, aka CAM International and now Camino Global, Missionary Kid (TCK), is now the NEW president of Camino Global!

We have known the Livingston family for many years.  Growing up in Honduras, then becoming a pastor of a local church there, and most recently spending 10+ years as a missionary in Albania, Doug is well prepared, gifted and qualified for his new job of leading the Camino missionary family.

Thank you Doug and Gloria for your service.  Our prayers are with you.
~J
Note:  Although I'm still blogging about your time in the US, we are back in
 Central America already.

Convocation {Part 4 Moody Alumni}

I held a Moody Bible Institute Alumni gathering while attending the Camino Global Convocation.

 There were 43 (plus 4 missing from the photo) that either attended Moody, graduated or were adjunct professors at MBI.  Camino Global has a rich history of  folks getting their mission and theological education at MBI and then serving with Camino Global.  God bless the School that DL Moody founded.

Earlier in the day, I ran into Karen Schmidt who attended 2 years at Moody with me.  She was here at the YMCA Camp for a different event.

Convocation {Part 3 Web Site}

During this week-long Convocation, we had special events.  On Wednesday, Camino Global launched their new web site.  

Check it out.

Camino Global.org

Also I learned how to Tweet.  Or lets say, I'm trying to learn how to tweet.

Convocation {Part 2 Bike Ride}

 What do you get when you drive 3 bicycles up to over 12,000 feet above sea level on a gravel road (Fall River Road) and ride back down on the other side toward Estes Park on a paved, Trail Ridge Road?  

Answer:  great time, in spite of my rear tire having a blow out 

We took a leisurely drive UP the gravel Fall River Road stopping several times to take in the breath taking scenery around us.  There were sheer cliffs of the Rocky Mountains on our right with the clear, babbling brook on the left.  Spectacular!

The Altitude on "Betsy" said

12,114.  We were above the tree line.  Glenn told me that when I went down the mountain, I would need to be mindful that I should brake with my right and then with my left, being careful not to overheat the rims and tires.  Well, I did that.  There were very few times I didn't break at all. But I was afraid that I would get going too fast and might lose my balance and go speeding off over the edge.  I didn't want to do that.  But I didn't want to blow a tire either.

Guess what?  I had a blowout.  Fortunately I wasn't going very fast.  We had an extra bike, so Glenn just switched  them out.

It was a pretty cool ride.  I rode about 10 miles, until I switched out and Gary the Board member, plus Glenn finished the ride on the two remaining bikes.

Convocation 2012 {Part 1}

All last week Glenn and I participated in a "once every 10 year event" of Camino Global (formerly CAM International). This event is called Convocation.  It was held at the YMCA in beautiful Estes Park with the Rocky Mountain National Park to the West.

The weather was fantastic each day.  We had bright blue skies, cool nights and warm days.  Each morning was filled with teaching from the Word by Dr. Lawrence and music by Dick and Mel.  We had "break out sessions" on different topics later in the mornings.  There was plenty of time for relaxation and refreshment in the afternoons and evenings.

Several times Glenn and I took our bikes through the winding roads and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.  One afternoon, I just took a much needed, long, afternoon nap.  

Monday night, we played my favorite game called BEYOND BALDERDASH with board member Gary, veteran missionaries and dear friends, the Selfs, and rookie missionaries the Herringtons.
I won. 

Georgetown Train

While visiting in Frisco, we went to Georgetown and took a train ride with G'mommy and G'daddy and Aunt B.

We even had a picnic after the train ride.  Fun day.

Bubba Gump

We had dinner at Bubba Gump Restaurant.

 Rick, Bev, Brian plus G'mommy and G'daddy

Forrest Gump is one of the Stewart Family favorite movies.

We knew most of the answers to the Trivia Questions.

Frisco, Colorado

Frisco, Colorado

elevation

9,075

Sunsets are spectacular!

Sure glad I don't travel like this.

 It's always fun to reconnect with old friends.  Y'all are truly a blessing!

Wooden Bears are everywhere.