Yes I died my hair and grew a goatee. I asked Bonnie to let her hair grow out and not to die it. She cut her hair and died it, so I changed my hair color and grew out my wiskers.

Trip to Chester, CA

We went this weekend to Chester for grandma's birthday. She likes to go to a Mexican restaurant there, and with their pastor Al Moody who was archery hunting. We had tamales, Chile rejanos, enchiladas, fajitas and chips with salsa. We then went back to his camp where we walked around the camp and enjoyed the spring and small ponds the spring fed. We were able to catch some does near the road that we traveled on and enjoyed the scenery.

Working with the Cattle on the George's farm

We have been working with the cattle on Grandma's farm. Spraying them for flies, giving them shots of penicillin for Pink Eye and making sure they had ear tags for identification purposes. Harry has been initiated really well with cattle manure fresh from the cow itself as he helped push the cows through the squeeze shoots. He had to dodge kicks, flicking tails and moving hooves. The cows didn't like the process at all and were at times uncooperative. Grandpa has had enough herding cattle and wants to get rid of many of them, grandma on the other hand wants to keep each and every one of her friends. Harry even has worn a cowboy hat.

The return home

We began the trip home taking a different route through the northern US on 80. It was very stormy, with pouring rain, thunder and lightening lighting up the skies. We truly enjoyed the trip stopping to eat and an occasional night in a motel. It took us four days to return home because we stopped in Wells, NV to visit Samantha. Harry got to meet Lewis, Jedediah, and Dakota for the first time. We spent most of the day in a park there visiting. Then we went to Cowboy church on a ranch back in the boondocks. It was wonderful as several people shared a couple of songs each, then an evangelist gave a message and ministered to the cowboys who traveled such a distance to attend, as well as the two of us. It was wonderful as the Holy Spirit moves as any two or more people gather in the name of the Lord and touches and changes lives. There is nothing like His presence. We really had a great time getting to know all of the families brought together through our marriage covenant. We have truly expanded as the numbers of our children and grandchildren doubled in such a short time by our chance meeting on the Internet.

Illinois

We spent a few more days with the Moberlys and three more of our grandchildren, playing tickle our little bunnies, reading, playing computer games, walking in the park, visiting museums and spending a day in Chicago. We watched the kids play with the sparklers in the park while the bigger kids/daddies shot off fireworks. We were able to watch many other families shoot off their fireworks lighting the sky with color as the celebration exploded throughout the neighborhood.

We also visited the Lowden State Park and the Black Hawk Indian statue there. I guess once it was possible to walk down into it. Now though it was not as exciting although it was a memorial to the people who pioneered the area.

We also went to the Mastodon Park which had a small museum with dinosaur bones, and a small zoo. We went on the tram or train ride which took us through the park and gave us the tourist guide information and history on its development and community impact. We then walked around the park enjoying the wolves, peacocks, reptiles etc. that were in the petting zoo. It was so much fun to see it all with the little grandchildren who helped us enjoy it the most.

We went on walks in the park, picking mulberries and eating them. Looking at the wildlife which lived in the park which was much like our Ellis Lake here in Marysville.
We went to the Rain Forest Cafe ( The Rain Forest Cafe is in the Whitfield mall Schaumburg, Illinois ).
We had so much fun in Chicago at the Nave Pier and Forest Gump seafood cafe also. I was experiencing the culture and climate for the first time but Harry was home in his turf.

Harry took me to meet his family, so wonderful and really fun. I found them to be just as crazy as my own family and just as fun to be with. I can't wait to return and visit everyone again. We packed up his most valuable possessions and got ready trailer and all to return home.

Lancaster PA

Harry and I had a very scenic excursion when we went to the Amish/ Mennonite tabernacle experience in Pennsylvania. It was a full sized reinactment of the wilderness tabernacle. There was the outer court, the inner court and the Holyof Holies in the exact measurements. They really did a nice job of replicating the biblical acounts.

The lady who took us on the tour was really ignited by the Holy Spirit as He put His words in her mouth and told the wonderful story of the law, the tabernacle, and their impact on Gods people. Where would we be without the washing of the Word, or the forgiveness of the Blood spilt on the cross for each and every one of us. We have never been given such great a gift as those given to us in the wilderness as we learn to walk without the bondage of slavery to sin, and the gift of salvation given to us on the cross. We have a greater promise, and a greater call than ever before to be more like Christ as we learn to walk in the liberty of God's love for us.

Washington DC, Lancaster PA

We spent a day driving to Washington, DC. Harry wanted to show me the war memorials, Jefferson Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. We stopped at the Washington Memorial two days before the fourth of July. They were preparing for the big celebration, roping areas off, and designating parking areas.
The WWII memorial gave honor to all who fought and each of the battles were named. We saw the 50 states surrounding the fountain. At one end was the Pacific Ocean, at the other was the Atlantic memorialized for many years in cement. Stars remembered those who gave their lives for our freedom.
We then went to the Korean War memorial. So many statues of the men who fought in the war as a battalion of men walking up a hill to face a battle. They wore the uniforms, and carried the necessary equipment. The faces of those who fought, some of whom died were permanently etched into a marble wall. How can we as a nation forget, or why would we want to. Keeping the memory of the cost of our freedom and the freedom of others.
We left there and went to see Lincolns monument. The steps were resting places for weary tourists as groups came and went. We walked up into the monument to read the inscriptions which were a credit to Lincoln and the God that our nation worships.
We went to the Vietnam War monument and walked the length of it. So many lives lost, so many loved ones morning still and leaving momentous which extends the time in which their final sacrifice continues to be remembered and honored.
We then visited the Jefferson Monument. We found just as many weary tourists resting on the steps, taking pictures and reading the inscriptions encircling his statue.