In our final blog post last May, we promised to resume this fall while traveling through Montana and Idaho. We had visions of sharing glorious images from Idaho and Glacier National Park, chronicling days of fabulous hiking. Alas. God had other plans.
As many of you know, Skip has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. We are blessed to the have Mayo Clinic just 90 minutes away. Additional diagnostic testing will occur this week and treatment decisions will be made later this month.
While we hope to visit Montana and Idaho next year, we decided to make the most of our present circumstances. We opted to pack up our rig and head out for the last days of summer. We chose to explore two state parks in Minnesota. First stop… the Charles Lindbergh state park near Little Falls. While camping for two nights, we especially enjoyed biking along the Soo Line Trail and along the Great River Road that borders the Mississippi.
Next stop…the Kathio state park on the banks of Mille Lacs for two nights. Kathio is famous for nineteen archeological sites that revealed evidence of native American villages believed to date between 3000 BC and 1750 AD from both the Dakota and Ojibwe tribes. Extensive trails criss cross this impressive state park. We conquered a challenging three mile hike complete with swarming mosquitos. Surprisingly, we walked past a gorgeous, scarlet-leafed tree…on September 1st! Lastly, we climbed 100 feet up the fire tower to enjoy spectacular views.
Last stop… the Rum River RV campground for the Labor Day weekend. While there, we delighted in an unexpected invitation to visit SOWER friends camping just an hour west of our campsite. We spent an afternoon at Lake Beauty, complete with a pontoon boat ride, card games, and a yummy dinner. We left filled with joy and gratitude.
Now back home, we are waiting. God is inviting us to trust more deeply in Him. This is not the journey we’d expected this fall but it is the journey laid before us. We are striving to walk in His will and delight in His ways, to the glory of His name. We are so blessed by the support and prayers of our friends and family.
We hope to head to Florida for the winter months, beginning in January. We have three SOWER projects lined up and we can’t wait to get started, followed by weeks of recreational travel meandering through the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee, and then home. Hope you’ll come along for the ride!
As someone said to me during Stan’s journey: What an opportunity to live what you say you believe!
God speed, full recovery, and back on the road…..
Love Sue
Thank you, Sue. We are living in trust and in hope!
During a little down time you and Skip might be interested in reading the mystery series by William Kent Krueger. Set in the boundary waters of northern Minnesota his writing is full of the knowledge and lore of the Indian tribes to inhabit that beautiful country, especially the Oijibwe.
I also found a lovely little book I highly recommend. Anne Lamont’s :Help. Thanks. Wow. (The 3 most important prayers).
Know that my prayers are added for safe journeys in God’s hands.
Thanks, Sandra. I read one of Krueger’s books earlier this year… Ordinary Grace. I loved reading a story written in the geography of Minnesota. Thank you for your prayers.
What a lovely update – thank you, Anne and Skip. BEST to you both. As Anne knows, one of my favorite Biblical quotes is “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” from Hebrews 13:5, also in Deuteronomy 31 and Joshua 1:9. What would we do without our faith!
Always a favorite verse, Eloise! We are leaning into God’s faithfulness!
Our best to you both. May you get all the needed help and do well.
We just got to Skowhegan, Maine, and we’ll be sending prayers.
Barbara (and Tom)
Thank you, Barbara (and Tom)!
All my best to you and Skip.
-Susan
Thanks, Susan. Hope you are well.
We are praying for the best possible outcome for Skip and for peace of mind for both of you!
Thank you, Lynn! We are grateful!
Loved seeing and hearing about your latest adventures. Praying for you both
Thanks, Lou! Prayers appreciated!