As we say good bye to the Mountains, buttes and other high land formations the kids have had one persistent question, "Has Uncle Ron or Aunt Dawn climbed here?"  The kids are fascinated by the high land forms and are begging for some climbing lessons/experiences.  I dare say there isn't an outdoor experience that they won't try.

Sunday night we arrived in Colorado Springs; as I read the Air Force Academy letter I realized that I would not be able to visit the Academy with Rodger & the kids.  I had lost my wallet and photo ID is required.  So I stayed at the hotel and did mounds of laundry while the Rodger & the kids went to the Air Force Academy.  They really enjoyed their visit- at least that’s what they told me even though I haven’t gotten any exact details on what they did.  All I’ve heard is that they saw the Academy Admissions policy- which they specifically mention home schoolers, they watched the cadets marching and meet one cadet, then hit the visitors center store.

While I was doing laundry I meet a very nice woman who was moving to Colorado Springs from Texas.  We ended up talking about God, her move, out trip, and stuff in general.  It was nice to meet someone that was so friendly and open about God and faith.  Pray for Ann Marie and finding a place to live.

After Rodger & the kids picked me up we went o the Focus on the Family headquarters.  We were meet at the door by Betty.  She warmly welcomed us to the headquarters and was very friendly!  She offered us a free “Adventures in Odyssey” CD but we couldn’t find one we didn’t already have.  Finally she offered us the Official Guide to Adventures in Odyssey.  The kids gladly accepted.  Then we meet a receptionist named Alice and she  had written an episode for the program.  The kids were very impressed and Preston asked for her autograph. 

We took off for the Adventures area of the headquarters.  The kids & Rodger enjoyed the 3-story spiral slide- Rodger once and the kids about 10 times!  Of course they also enjoyed the secret passage to Whit’s End, complete with an Underground Railroad display.  (Listen to the episode about the Underground Railroad to understand about this passage)  The kids played at the little theater and ate ice cream at Whit’s End ice cream shop.  Sumner had the Wodfamchocsod- World famous chocolate soda.  We ended our visit to Adventures in Odyssey by visiting KYDS radio.  We recorded a mini-episode of an Odyssey story.  The kids practiced a few times and then they were “on.”  Sumner recorded the voice of Jamie, Grace was “Casey” and Preston was the Foley artist.  We were given our free CD and told we could copy it as much as we wanted.  Very cool!!!  Of course we couldn’t leave Focus on the Family without doing some shopping at the bookstore.  The hard part was in deciding which Adventures to get.  They also have a new (or at least to us) series called Drive through History.  Sumner really enjoys these DVDs.  I got one as a surprise for him- it even has a book for studying more.

We left Colorado Springs but didn’t get far without stopping for some more roasted chili peppers,  That was our third stop for roasted peppers; if I remember correctly Rodger has purchased 1 1/4 bushels.  Yes, that is bushels and yes, they are firey hot!

Anyway made it about half way through Kansas before stopping for the night.  Tuesday morning we drove the last 2 hours to Fort Osage, MO where we saw a reproduction of the 1809 fort that Merriweather Lewis & William Clark had built after they returned form their cross country trip.  This fort was the longest running “factory” (the term used for the place used for trading between traders and Indians).  We then drove east towards ST. Louis.  Got to stop early enough to have a swim before supper and bed.

My apologies to Dorothy, but I know we're not in Colorado, Utah or New Mexico any more.  Along with lower elevations came allergies.  I think I started sneezing the minute we opened the car door in Kansas (and haven't stopped yet).

Wednesday we got up late (9:15) and after breakfast drove the last 2 hours to ST. Louis and the Arch.  That was an impressive sight- you could see it for miles.  Unbeknownst to me, the Arch is a part of a National Monument/park dedicated to Thomas Jefferson.  We saw an excellent movie (45 min) about the Lewis and Clark expedition.  After the movie we took the tram up into the arch.  That was a unique experience; 4 min in a little car that barely holds 5 people, one little window to look out at the cement superstructure, and a jaunty ride that bumps at every transition.  BUT when we got out and looked at the city or river below it was well worth the trip (even though I wanted to walk the steps!)

The museum was small but wonderful.  They had a very unique design and display.  The boys loved the cowboy area and Grace the Indian area.  I loved the Sod House display but one of the best parts was the many quotes that were in each area.  The kids got their final Junior Ranger badge (I think this was their 6^th one for the trip!).  And as usual I left feeling that there was still so much more to see & learn- the courthouse where the Dred Scott case began is in ST. Louis.

Now we are en route to Nashville, TN to drop Rodger off at the airport tomorrow morning.  The kids & I will then drive to Chattanooga to help my mom for a few days before heading home next Wednesday.

As we finish this trip some final thoughts:

1. We’re already discussing when & where our next trip should be.  Thoughts include, but are not limited to, Hawaii, Scotland, California, Costa Rica. HMMMM...

2. Favorite spots/activities…  Sumner- Adventures in Odyssey, Yellowstone- watching Old Faithful, seeing the Black Bear, all the Bison. Preston-  looking out at the top of MT. Washburn.    Grace- getting a tub after a week without one (we did get 1 shower), riding the horses.  Rodger- watching Grace & Dayna hiking into the fire tower of MT Washburn, relaxing at the Roosevelt lodge after the MT Washburn hike.  Dayna- watching the kids learn and loving it, doing so many activities that I once was afraid of, the photo safari at Yellowstone,

3. Worst Experience- Preston- losing Purr, Sumner- missing out the Snake River and losing Purr, Grace- losing Purr, being in the HOT sun of the Badlands & Arches, the wind at the top of MT. Washburn.  Rodger- driving the roads around Yellowstone- very treacherous, searching for campsites or taking down the tent at Yellowstone.  Dayna- losing my wallet.  ANYTHING ELSE STAYS WHERE IT HAPPENED.

Preston is looking forward to getting home and getting a new cat- a kitten may help him to feel that love and comfort that only a little ball of fur can offer, but no cat can ever take Purr’s place in our hearts.  Sumner is looking forward to seeing Timi again and being back inn his own bedroom, Grace is looking forward to any and every part of being home (she was ready to be home after just 1 week of the trip).  Rodger may not be looking forward to taking his NRC exam but I’m sure he can’t wait to be back at the work he loves and is so good at.  Dayna is looking forward to redecorating the living room, moving the home school room and getting settled into a routine- whatever we as a family decide to do this school year, and seeing her church family at PMOC. 

Lastly I thank God for the safety He has provided on our trip for the mercy he has extended during all of our activities and when we lost our things, and for this amazing country he has made and the freedom to travel it.

 Stay tuned for more pictures- I have more to post but they take a long time to upload!