adieu.

Blog post #242. The number of my final post on this blog.

My first post was filled portraits that I took. That was almost exactly two years ago, on July 26th, 2011.

In the year that followed, many different things appeared on my blog; from portraits, to quotes, to crafts, to food, to music, to good reads.

There was also the time that I got stuck on “real-life” pictures. 🙂

Then in August of 2012 my blog moved to Bradford with me. I’m so glad I had somewhere to document those 9 months and to share them with my friends and family!

The most recent road my blog has traveled is Out West, on our 5-week family trip. Those posts were hard to get done due to weak internet connections at some places we stayed. 🙂 It was lots of fun to share our experiences with our friends at home, though!

I’ve decided to discontinue posting on my blog simply because my life feels pretty full right now, and I want to make time for other things.

That said, I’ve really enjoyed maintaining my blog over the past 2 years. Thank-you to everyone who commented and liked my posts. 🙂 It was always fun to hear feedback.

Goodbye!

-Jalisa

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

home again, home again.

After driving for many hours the past few days, we arrived home last evening around 7:30.

The signs leading home were a welcome sight!

Getting off the turnpike at Denver.

Coming in our driveway!

There was a lovely “Welcome Home” sign to greet us!

Grandma kept Daisy while we were gone, and it was fun to see her again. 🙂

Our journey!

God blessed us with safety, health, good weather, and we had a great time together.

Thanks again to everyone for your many thoughts, prayers and gifts along the way. Your thoughtfulness made our journey extra special!

We’re all so happy to be home…thanks for traveling with us! 🙂

colorado with the reihls

Wednesday morning we left our campground and headed for Dave and Twila Reihl’s house in Canon City, Colorado. On the way we drove through yet another National Park. 🙂

Not long before we arrived at the Riehl’s house we stopped at this river and waded around for awhile…it felt so good and refreshing after driving for hours!

We arrived at their home in time for supper. It was so good to see them again!

The motor home’s spot for the week. 🙂

Saturday morning they took us to a really interesting little restaurant up in the hills, called The General Store. It’s run by just one couple and they have only one helper! There were lots of interesting decorations in the little building.

One evening we went up to Skyline Drive, which overlooks the city.

Daddy helped Mr. Riehl with some different projects.

Saturday evening they made us a wonderful chicken barbeque dinner!

Caleb and the little boy that the Riehls babysit.

Haley and Allison had so much fun together!

Friday afternoon we visited Bishop’s Castle, which is all hand-built by one man.

After Bishop’s castle we visited Westcliffe, Colorado, where we spent the evening with Mom’s friend Becky Mullet and her family. (We had such a good time we forgot to take pictures). 🙂

Sunday evening we took the “Sub” up Skyline drive. 🙂

Thank-you very much for everything, Riehl family! It was so good spending time with you all again and we had a wonderful time in your home.

Monday morning after leaving Canon City we drove through Garden of the Gods.

 

Our last stop of the day was Focus on the Family. We got ice cream and drinks at Whit’s End soda shop. 🙂

We won’t be doing much more sight-seeing after this…we’re headed home!! We have about 1,200 miles to go, and we’re hoping to arrive back by late Wednesday.

Mesa Verde

He slept in really late that morning…the hot, busy days make us all tired. 🙂

On Tuesday we visited Mesa Verde; the site of old cliff dwellings where Native Americans used to live. It was very fascinating hearing how they lived and built their homes.

Our informative tour guide.

There were several rather rustic ladders to be climbed and tight tunnels to be squeezed through. 🙂

This is what they called “the ladder test”. It was three stories high.

This area of the dwelling was where the families spent much of their time. It contains a fire place and was warm in the winter and stayed nice and cool in the summer.

We literally climbed up the side of the mountain. Since we’re not as skilled at scaling mountains as the cliff-dwellers were, there were lots of chains and poles to hang on to. 🙂

The last of the Native Americans left their homes around 700 years ago.

Another National Forest that we drove through. 🙂

 

We stopped along the road to admire a waterfall and let our brakes cool. It was an extremely twisty, steep road.

We are now with Dave & Twila Riehl and their family in Canon City, Colorado, and we’re having a wonderful time! More pictures soon!

the 4 corners

Today we were in such a hurry to get things done that we decided to visit four states at once. No, not really. But we did stand in four states at once.

 

Here we stand in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.

Colorado here we come!

Today was another rather slow day. After our stop at Four Corners, we drove to our next campground; Mesa Verde RV Resort. (Mesa Verde means “green table”.)

Daddy’s efficient (and safe) way of talking while driving. 🙂

Upon arrival at the campground, we all set about our various tasks. Mine was tidying up the motor-home.

Mom headed off to the laundromat with two full baskets.

Tori volunteered to re-organize a few kitchen cupboards that have been needing some TLC.

Daddy and the boys grilled our sausage patties for supper.

After the cupboard makeover, Tori cooked rice to eat with our sausage.

Caleb and Haley headed for the playground (as usual).

Tomorrow we’re going to Mesa Verde to see the remains of the homes of Native American cliff-dwellers.

We’ll be back with pictures tomorrow night!

the very grand Grand Canyon

Last night we could see the full moon from our motor-home window!

This morning we drove about 45 minutes to the Grand Canyon. We spent several hours there going to lookouts and taking pictures. The South Rim of the canyon was where we hiked. Around 1:30 we returned to our campground, where we spent time relaxing. This evening we had our “church” for the day, with Daddy Fox officiating. 🙂

We saw this sign on one of the motor-homes in the parking lot at the Grand Canyon. 🙂

There it is in all it’s splendor!! Pictures just can’t do it justice.

The squirrels were quite friendly; Ben and Caleb fed this chubby little guy chips and animal crackers. 🙂

Tomorrow we’re going to Four Corners and starting our journey to Colorado!