June 10 -- The North Rim of the Grand Canyon

I'm certain there are no photos that can capture the granduer of the canyon. "Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed." Moses 1:10

I don't know this fellow, nor do I really care to. But I do thank him for helping establish scale in the photo.

The group at Bright Angel's Lookout.

Seeming to like the American style of photos, Mr. Mokashi poses for the shot. Cambry love's that their sweatshirts even match.

Riley and Parker pose while hiking into Bright Angels lookout.

Angels window from a ways off. You can see there is a lookout on the top.
The view from Angels Window Point. I felt a little swooney here.

The group at Angels Window point.


From Point Imperial.

Hayden's peak from Point Imperial. Everyone needs to experience the Grand Canyon. We are so small and insignificant, and yet God is mindful of each of us in every particular. This boggles the mind.

June 9 -- Road Trip Zion National Park

The weather was unsteady for us this day with cool showers off and on all day.



The checkerboard Mesa as we entered Zion's east side.


At weeping rock we stopped for a snack. Aleah's shoes got all sandy and Mokashi cleaned them off in the stream.
They said the water seeping out of the cliffs was 8,000 years old.We hiked along the Virgin River to the head of the Narrows. Most of the group shed their shoes and walked out into the water. Some day I am going to take this hike!

Parker had a river adventure and Dave documented the action.

"Wish I hadn't put my socks in that pocket to keep them dry."

1000 words.

Recovery with a smile.

Yes, he's alright, though a little shaken for the ordeal.

The view from the river at the head of the Narrows trail. We walked out of the area to board the buses and just as it had all day, the rain came down once we were in the bus.

Hyp-Oh my goodness!-thyroidism

I last posted several months ago, and I have not completed documenting the Mokashi's visit. There is a good reason, though: I simply was using all my energy just to do the little things like take care of five children, make meals, do laundry, pay bills and the like. I went to the doctor to have some blood work done in July. Dave and I were worried because I broke two toes in six weeks. Turns out I was just more tired than usual (and therefore more clumsy) because I didn't have enough active thyroid.

Hypothyroidism umbrellas all the symptoms I've had for years, but I tested normal when my brother was trying to help me back in 2004. From what I've read, the symptoms can appear several years before the tests confirm the condition. My doctor thinks I will not need to be on thyroid for more than a year. Hope he's right. (But today I'm kind of afraid to not have it again, my mind works better, my bowel works better, my muscles and joints don't hurt, my hands and feet don't feel like velcro.... I like thyroid!)

So now we return to the road trip...