Yellowstone Day 5

Our last full day in Yellowstone we started from the Canyon campground and traveled to Grant village--a short ride along Yellowstone Lake and past all manner of strange geological and volcanic type stuff. Here is a brief slideshow of the day:

Yellowstone Day 4

When we got to the Canyon campground, and found four feet of snow on the ground, and our picnic table and fire pit under snow, we weren't sure what we were in for. But the next morning we drove the few miles to the canyon (see an earlier video as well). We spent a wonderful day hiking a little on the north rim, then going to the south rim, where Uncle Ton's trail takes you 300+ steps into the canyon itself. We also hiked the South Rim trail, a 20-minute hike (it was not far from there, on another trail called Wapiti Lake Trail, that a man was killed by a bear last week). Again, spectacular views, mountains, etc. And it must have been a little lower than the campground, because there was no snow on the ground.

Mountain Pass

Here is a shot from the mountain pass I mentioned earlier. The time we were there anything above 7000 ft or so still had snow--two of the campgrounds we stayed in (Fishing Bridge and Canyon) were both around 7700 ft, and had about four feet of snow on the ground. Madison and Grant Village (both around 6700 ft) had snow only in isolated piles. At this pass someone had left a little momento, as you can see.

Along the way to the mountain pass we sent past a pretty spectacular waterfall. I can't remember it's name, alas. all of the waterfalls were very, very full. They had 700 inches of snow there this winter, about 150% of the average, and it was all beginning to melt. All of the cascades, creeks, streams, etc. were very high. It did make for great waterfalls.

Yellowstone Day 3

Picking up where I left off before, on our third day in Yellowstone we left the beautiful campground at Madison, for Mammoth Hot Springs, which is the park headquarters.

There are two main attractions at Yellowstone: one is the strange geological formations that result from Yellowstone's character as a giant volcano. Then there are the mountains. You can see both in the picture.

Mammoth Hot springs is just that: a giant hot spring, only some of which is active at any time. A large mountainside where springs emerge and dry up here and there, never quite the same place twice.

And then there are the mountains. I'm sorry the pictures do such poor justice to the mountains that are off in the distance, but as we stood on top of the "geological formations" (for lack of a better word), I was transported back to Switzerland, where we used to visit when I was a child/teenager. Click on the picture below, then zoom in for a better sense of how marvelous it was to see this part of God's creation!

From Mammoth Hot Springs we traveled over a pass (9500 ft. or so if I remember correctly; Mammoth Hot Springs is at around 65oo ft.) through Tower Junction to our next campground at Canyon village.

Grizzly Mama

We are back at home again--arrived yesterday evening. I plan to continue to post about the trip, in somewhat sequential order, but here is my first foray into YouTube. This is our best "wildlife" moment--on the way from Yellowstone to the Grand Tetons we came across a large number of vehicles stopped around 7 am to watch this...

Nearing the end

Well, we are now just three long travel days from home. Tonight we are in Waco, Nebraska, just off of exit 360 on I-80, staying at the Double Nickel Campground. It was hot today, but Bertha held up in the heat (much better than we did!), and we were grateful for the pool when we got here.

It has been hard to find time to update this blog on the road; videos and photos take a long time to upload at campground WiFi, if you even have it. So I'll post more about the highlights of the trip when we get back. One video highlight was a grizzly with three cubs. But I don't dare try to upload that here. So stay tuned...

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Jumping ahead a bit, I wanted to try some video on the blog, to see how it works. This is from the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (not the one in Arizona, sorry--we'll have to wait to get there for the next trip!).

Yellowstone Squirrel

While we were camping at Madison, Stephen and Elizabeth got very close to some "wildlife"...


... with the following results:

Yellowstone, Days 1 and 2

We arrived at Yellowstone from Cody Friday, June 16. We settled in at Fishing Bridge RV park (note to future travelers: skip this for another campground. Hookups aren't worth the lack of aesthetics--it's like a large parking lot).
The next day we went for a hike and saw our first "wild-life": a colony of yellow-bellied marmots, a fancy name for a ground-hog-like Yellowstone creature (again, click on the picture for a larger view):


But later we saw some "real" wild-life: an elk hiding in the burned-out forest not far from the road:

The next day we crossed over the Continental Divide (twice!) on our way to Old Faithful...

At old Faithful is a huge parking-lot--with all manner of interesting conveyance, including this trio (with Michigan license plates):

Old Faithful is a pile of steaming white stuff, surrounded by a boardwalk, on which people gather every 90 minutes or so to see it go off. The first time it went off while we were there it was a little disappointing.

After that we went to see other Old Faithful attraction: the Old Faithful Inn. It is quite a piece of building, all made out of local lumber--well worth a look around.

On our way out of the inn Old Faithful went off again--this time much better:

Then we got our first taste of what Yellowstone is most famous for: geologically strange hot water gurgling up in various ways from underground, such as this pool here.

On the way from Old Faithful to the Madison campground (1000-plus feet lower, and no snow--the best campground we stayed at) we saw our first herd of bison (for some reason they don't call them buffalo--never did figure that one out).

But we did not know that we had not really seen anything yet, as far as Yellowstone goes. We were in for much more.

Mt Rushmore

As we did not have internet or cell service in Yellowstone, I'll go back to catch up on the rest of the trip. Here are some shote from Mt. Rushmore, where we stopped on our way from the Badlands to the Black Hills on Monday, June 13:

Mt. Rushmore had, to me, initially the feel of somewhere you "have to go," but when we got there I was glad we stopped. It is quite a sight--very different, and much better, in person than in pictures. Unfortunately, pictures is all I can give you...

Here's Teddy and Abe. Notice that Teddy has glasses (click on an image for a larger view in your browser).

There are lookouts on the way that give you a specific view of each of the four subjects, as here:

The process of carving these images involved a lot of dynamite, and men hanging from ropes with drills and jackhammers. Thus there is a giant rubble field underneath the carvings:

Moreover, the originals that the men worked off of included the jackets of each president. that part was never completed, but you can see that Washington has the beginnings of a suit coat. No one else does. It was a giant project!

Here's another view of Washington:

One of the most interesting things was a short film, narrated by Tom Brokaw, on the making of Mt. Rushmore. It might be available online.

Back On Line

We have now been to Yellowstone--where we had neither Internet nor cell service. Can't say I missed it. Now I (Wendell) am back in PA, where we had today the memorial service for my father. I flew here from Jackson, WY, yesterday (Friday).
We spent six wonderful days in Yellowstone, from which I have over a thousand pictures (between Stephen and my cameras). I'll post some as we go along.
Highlights: On the way from Yellowston to Jackson, we saw a grizzly bear with three cubs along the road, and captured it on camera and video. Great fun. Then, when we left our campsite on Friday morning (at the Gros Ventre campground in Teton National Park) to leave for the airport, we came upon a moose couple grazing as they walked through the campground. I promise pictures to follow!
We are so glad we did not turn back in SD. I'll send more as we go along.

Cody, WY

Cody is a little town (5000 or so souls) that is the last stop on the way to Yellowstone, 50 miles away. It has a Super Walmart, a plethora of hotels, and all the fast food you could ever want. (It doesn't, unfortunately, have a truck stop, so that to get Bertha's sending unit repaired I have to wait until tomorrow afternoon--since I wasn't able to do it myself).

We had a most delightful 380-mile journey here today from Hill City, SD. We opted not to go back through Rapid City to I-90, but to take US 16--and are glad we did. We would through the Black Hills through Custer and onto the plains of eastern Wyoming. Iowa and Minnesota, at the time, seemed sparse--you traveled on plains with here and there a bunch of trees that indicated a farm. South Dakota was even more sparse--at times you could only see a handful of farms across all the prairie grass. But Wyoming is another matter altogether. You look across whole valleys, and there is nothing--no indication of human habitation except the road and the fences along it.

And then we got to the mountains. We went over a 9,000-foot-high pass (and Bertha did not blow her top--thanks to advice from Jim Miller!). Spectacular--and snow-covered. On the way down we passed through a canyon--with large walls of rock on each side.

Tomorrow, Lord-willing, we carry on to Yellowstone. It is raining here in Cody; the highs in Yellowstone this week are in the 40's, with the lows in the low 30's. We will see...

Decisions, Decisions

It has been a topsy-turvy several days. Since my father passed away last Saturday, the big question has been: how do I/we get to his memorial service next Saturday? Do we do an about face, and return home, or do we press on to Yellowstone, and I fly home for the service?

We have just spent three days in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Rest and relaxation at the Rafter J ranch, rather more upscale than we usually go to, but good for stepping back and weighing options. Emotionally, I am very drawn toward just heading east. On the other hand, we are so close to Yellowstone, and may not have a chance to see it again. Processing this, no matter what we chose, Christ is our Lord and our righteousness, heaven our home--those rock-solid truths undergird us.

In the end, this morning I found the courage to press on to Yellowstone. I say "I" because Priscilla all along had more fortitude than I did. So I will fly back on June 24 from Jackson, WY, stay with family for the weekend, then fly back Monday morning. When I return to WY, we will stay one more day, then begin the 6-day-long trip home. All, of course, Lord-willing, and entrusting ourselves to his care.

Meanwhile, the Black Hills are marvelous. This morning we biked a few miles on the Mickelson Trail, a 109-mile trail through the Black Hills that passes right by the entrance to the Rafter J ranch. Lovely ride, warm sunshine all the way, cool, brisk mountain air. Then spent the afternoon at the pool. I read mostly, appreciating Eugene Peterson's memoirs titled The Pastor. If it weren't for Yellowstone's beckoning, I for one could spend a week in the Black Hills, and call it an excellent trip.

If you are reading this, please do keep us in prayer--not only for safety and for Bertha to hold up, but also for family building, sabbatical rest, growth in grace, and faith-building.

Most spectacular rainbow

I had some time to put the last pictures up because we had a thunderstorm pass through. We are presently at Hill City, SD, in the Black Hills. (We had a storm with very high winds in the Badlands last night as well). Then, after the storm, there was by far the most spectacular rainbow I have ever seen. I took some pictures--I'll get them up soon--but fear they will not do justice. Full double rainbow; sunlight inside the inner rainbow, dark clouds outside of the rainbow; absolutely spectacular.

(By the way, if you click on the picture, it gives you a larger view, that almost does justice to the grandeur.)

Some Badlands Pictures

The Badlands: So called because when travelers (in the days before automobiles, roads, etc.) came upon them on their way west (or east), the above is what they would encounter. And this for miles and miles. you had to look for a pass, or go 60 miles around it.

They are really quite beautiful, however. The heavens declare the glory of God....

Badlands Day

It's a lazy Sunday afternoon in the Badlands. We arrived here from Edgerton, MN on Friday afternoon, and settled into the Badlands Ranch and Resort--which presently does not live up to its name, as it is not yet functioning for the summer. At first the woman in the office told me they did not have sites; but then she found one. The place is empty except for two families who are here working to get it cleaned up. They just changed hands, and the new owners haven't figured it out yet. Long story. But we are here.

Yesterday we went hiked and drove around the Badlands (I will try to get some pictures up here soon--am a bit behind with that, I know). Then, at lunchtime, my brother called to say that my father had passed away in the morning. So while the Badlands are fascinating and beautiful, it has added a twist of sorrow to our undertaking. He has been ailing for some time, and the week before we left he fell down the stairs, sustaining some brain damage. By the weekend he had improved, and my family encouraged us to go on our trip.

But on Wednesday he took a turn for the worse; and yesterday God called him home. By God's grace in Christ Jesus he is now beginning to experience a renewed life, the foretaste of the resurrection--the presence of his Savior. We mourn, and feel the loss, and it hurts very deeply; but we also know the hope of the gospel, for ourselves and for Dad.

Since then we have been processing what to do. We stayed here an extra day to do so--and to take a Sabbath rest today. I feel drawn to be home (and we will come home for his memorial service, which will likely be in two weeks). But having come this far, we also hesitate to turn back.

So tomorrow we plan to move on to the Black Hills of South Dakota. If Bertha can't handle the hills (she overheats--and the temperature gauge just stopped working, which we will have to get fixed tomorrow on the way), we may be forced to turn back--it is all mountains from here on out. But if she holds out, we will see Mount Rushmore, and bike the Mickelson Trail, Lord-willing. After that we will see.

We feel more than ever that we are in his hands--and that he will do all things well. In his providence our trip will be curtailed--and while that, too, is painful, we trust it will be well. This morning we listened to a sermon on Isaiah 42:1-9, which includes these words: "The bruised reed he [God's Servant, Jesus Christ] will not break, and the faintly burning wick he will not quench." The gospel is for the bruised and barely burning--and for that we are grateful.

So if you are reading this, do pray for us. And for others who are hanging on in life in much more dire straits that we are.

Edgerton, MN

So we arrived Wednesday afternoon at Sleepy Hollow Campground in Oxford, IA. Like Grandpa's Farm the previous night, we hit the jackpot. Wonderful, friendly family-run place, owned by the Gingerich family; a Mennonite family. The "plain folk" moved that far west, but not much farther, they said. (My initial phone conversation there gave rise to some thoughts on calling I will try to write on my regular blog.)
We arrived in 90 degree heat, went swimming, grilled burgers over the fire pit, then went for soft-serve ice-cream--then went to bed. At about 4 am--major thunderstorms. Then--a very, very cool day today, as we headed out to Edgerton, MN, population 1030.
Dennis and Rose Kroll live in Edgerton. We served together in China 20 years ago, from 1990-1995. Am having a wonderful visit here.
Iowa and Minnesota (all that we traveled today) is very flat. There are no trees except the groves that mark a farm; every farm has trees planted to its north and west, as wind and possibly snow breaks, I take it. You go down the highway (I-380 N to US 20 W to I-90 W) and never see a town, really. Farms, and lots of giant windmills along the way.
Edgerton is a town of about 1000 inhabitants, where there are five churches: 2 CRC's (that's Christian Reformed Church for those who don't know--Dutch Reformed), an RCA, a PCUSA, and a Protestant Reformed. Recently an Evangelical Free Church plant has come into being. There are two Christian schools, one K-8 and one high school, with 120 students in the high school. All that to say, it is a thoroughly "Christianized" and even "Reformized" small town. Dennis gave us the tour: "up town" are two grocery stores (one also has a drug store), a hardware store, and--very importantly--a real live bakery. Yes, a bakery such as we haven't even located back in Berks County. It is a very different culture here--and conversation with Dennis bears this out. So glad we stopped in to see them--even though Rose left town this morning on a business-related trip. So glad to reconnect with an old friend, who was part of a community we had in China such as I have not found anywhere else ever since. More about that perhaps on my regular blog at a later time.
I also hope to get some pictures up here soon. I know you will be much more interested in them than you are in words...

Meet Bertha

This is Bertha. At twenty-one years old, for her species she is well past her prime. She definitely needs a facelift (wash and wax), but even so the shine she no doubt exhibited as a much younger girl is long past. But she is, for us, our means of conveyance as well as our place to live. And the jury after two days with her is that she is much better as a "home" than as a "motor."

Bertha (named after Bertha Krupp--google her to learn all about her; the canon called "Big Bertha" is also named after her) has proven quite temperamental. Push her, and she gets hot--definitely hot. Yesterday we were on the road for about five hours when she blew her lid--well, blew a lower radiator hose. We sat, we were towed, we ended up on the side of a road across from the Lone Pine RV center, just outside of Washington, PA (south of Pittsburgh). there we spent the night with Bertha--free camping, if you will.

Dave, the Lone Pine guy, doesn't have a web site, but he got us up and on the road pretty quickly. A man who does not just have a job, but a calling, at doing what he does (he said some people think he is crazy--he has been at the same spot for 26 years.) Kudos to Dave!

Anyway, we are now very careful to watch Bertha's temperature as we go down the road. Which means, when it gets hot, she has little to no cooling capacity. From now on we are doing most of our driving in the morning!

So now we are where we wanted to be last evening--at Grandpa's Farm RV park in Richmond, IN. It is a great little place--after a dip in the pool and a hot shower, the stress of the last 36 hours was washed away.

Tomorrow, if Bertha lets us, we will go to Moline, IL, and the following day to visit some old China friends of Wendell's in Edgerton, MN.

Stoltzfus Western Trip 2011

Round about last fall, as the elders at Covenant Church had granted me a sabbatical this summer, and as several families I know have done this over the last few years, we began to think about taking a western trip. And now it is upon us--we leave on Monday morning, Lord-willing. Check back here for pictures and commentary--I hope--on the trip.

Let me first thank the elder and congregation of Covenant Church for giving us this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, for which we are exceedingly grateful. You all are an expression to us of God's providential care for his people, and I am blessed to serve you all (however inadequately).

I plan here on this blog only to highlight things about the road trip--reflections of theological/pastoral nature I will continue to post on my regular blog. Thanks for looking!