VISIT WITH HINEBBAUGH'S-ON TO DURANGO

FRIDAY, JULY 31 ALL AROUND THE STATES
Before I begin today's adventure let me share with you why we are taking this 5800 mile trip. First we wanted to see some sites that we have not seen in over 50 years. We wanted to see them while we were in relatively good health. To experience first hand the beauty.....of mile upon miles ....acres upon acres.....of this great land of ours. The second reason, which is equally significant, perhaps even more important, to renew some old friendships and recognize some old relationships.

The Herrons' and their family were stationed with us at Chicago Central ARC. Murry was appointed to Chicago Central so that he could attend seminary in preparation to enter the Chaplaincy program of the US Army.

Frank & Fern Hinebaugh , whom we visited in Buena Vista were pastors(Officers) at the Chicago Midwest Corps where Wilma & I attended. I have had the good fortune to have many supportive friends. But their are three men whom I considered very significant in my life. Frank & Fern Hinebaugh modeled for us (as young adults recently married) what a good marriage was like. What good officers should be like in caring for their people. In considering there congregation as equals. And always encouraging and recognizing the importance of soldiers.

`Tomorrow a I will tell you about the first significant man in my life that help shape my thinking.
We left them and headed for Durango, Co. Traveling through these mountains reminded
again of how fortunate we are to live in such a great country. We drove up and through
Wilkerson Pass. This was the pass over which covered wagons went through to the west. It is one of the highest peaks in North America. As you stood and looked over the road you had just traveled and the vast valley on the other side of this pass, I could not begin to imagine the struggle those early settlers must have gone through ; but also the thrill they had to have experienced once they crossed over and saw this vast beautiful valley spread out before them. Now I know what the Israelites must have felt like after traveling for forty years and now have crossed over Jordon into the land God promised them. By The way I was able to get a picture of one of those early travelers.See picture on the left.


There she is again...She keeps following me.




Well here we are in Durango......Durango.......Durango......Town where Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday and....used to Gamble. Town where there were more Bordellos on Main Street than houses on second street.
More tomorrow about our journey IN DURANGO......ON SAT. AUG 1

HERRONS

THURSDAY, JULY 30

This is where we stayed. These are the good friends with whom we stayed. Murry & Julie Herron have been building this log Cabin house for 7 years.......HE MANUALLY DID 90 % OF THE WORK.

Julie is from Kokomo, In.. Same place from which Wilma comes.
Murry is from Warsaw, In.. H e spent 4 years as a Marine In Vietnam. Julie and Murry became officers in The Salvation Army. He requested an opportunity to represent The Salvation Army as a Chaplain in The U.S. Army. He served as a Chaplain in the US Army for 20 years.

We woke up early with the expectation to visit Pike's Peak......but a heavy mist hid the peak. It rained....and rained.....and rained....all day....One could not see the Peak...because of the mist...and rain.

So we toured his house........toured the city.......ate at Grandmas Rest........bought a charger for my cell (forgot to bring it)

Had dinner with Harry & Barbara Brocksieck who had just retired 2 yrs ago. and moved to Woodland Park. Harry & His wife are Salvation Army Officers. They served as principals of our School for Officers Training in Chicago; they also served as commanders of our work in Russia.

We leave in the morning to visit some other good friends in Buena Vista Good Night

This Murry and His Great Dane

PIKES PEAK HERE WE COME

WEDNESDAY JULY 29
The sun is shining! Great! Should be a good day on the road. Come on Wilma...get up. Okay, I'll bring you coffee.. Hmm....the Comfort Inn serves.....breafast.....waffles.......boild eggs.....fruit....cereal...Breakfast over and we are on our way......It's 8:50....Wilma did not sleep well....I drove...Wilma slept for the first 150 miles .....MISTAKE.....MISTAKE MISTAKE....I DROVE PAST OUR TURN OFF TO PIKES PEAK.....

Wilma is my trip ticket reader.....navigator....She was asleep. We were well on our way to Cheyenne Wy...My fault too! I told her that we would take 80 all the way to Pike's Peak.Discovered mistake 4 miles before the last turn off to Denver...WHEW........

Stopped at this Pony Express station on the way to Pike's Peak area.







The country side along the entire 550 miles and 11 hour....was restful. Made one think of how fortunate we are as a people to live in such a country. Saw Lot's of construction......new...... repairs...made me think of some good illustration for sermons.

Stopped outside Denver to have dinner with Carmen(niece once removed) and her friend..

Left the about 7:00pm....rain rain rain all the way to Woodland Park,Co where we were going to stay...

Finally arrived at the home of Murry & Julie Herron in Woodland Park.,CO. Tired----Tired t i r e d Will tell you more tomorrow

TUESDAY, JULY 28,2009
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!...........Where are you Wilma? We are late.......Time to Launch this ......
You drive.........We are already 40 minutes passed our 8:00 Launch time..

Suitcases in? ck. Cooler in? ck Food in? ck Computer in. ck Maps in? ck. Guide Books in? ck Camera in? CK WHAT TIME IS IT?
8:40.......LET''S GO!!!!!!!..

Stopped in Amish country in Iowa; dug into our vittles to have lunch. Peanut butter sandwich.....melon....milk.....
and chips....Wore my straw hat to fit in.

10 hours later and 500 miles closer to Pikes Peak.......we stopped at Lincoln Ne..
at the Confort Inn. It is 9:30 pm and Wilma is snoring away....

In the morning we will hitch up our wagon and be on our way early......

Happy trails to you......

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2009


It is now 8:00 pm. twelve hours to launch time. My nerves are starting to fire up....Okay! Decision time is here.

What shall I wear? We are going to Durango! DURANGO......DURANGO....DURANGO!!! I feel like one of the "Magnificant Seven". Should I wear my cowboy jeans.? Cowboy jacket? Cowboy Hat.? What shoes should I wear? Florshiem......or $12.00 Wal-Mart Specials.

Then on to Mesa Verdes. What will that be Like....Climbing up a mountain side.....driving up.....or taking a bus.....Should I be wary of Indians?

Whew! Did I say anything about PIKE's Peak.....I wonder what the oxygen level is up there?

Packing.....pants....short....money.... .shirts.....shoes....maps.....money......guide books.....money.... ..Food......Snacks....
money........

It is now 8:30 pm......hurry....make up your mind.......wear your jeans for 3-4 days...before changing them...oops!