Stepping Out with Paul and Nancy

Just a quick update before we head west. This year we are going to Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and who know where else. It looks like we'll be in our favorite area, Grand Junction, CO, for about 3 or more weeks. That means a lot of hiking and exploring. We are hoping to hike our first slot canyon. We are going to hike in Monument canyon. Going to be great. My knee is feeling great after having surgery to remove a lot of the meniscus and repairing some microfractures. We have two new cameras to help with our recordings: An iPhone 13 and a GoPro Hero 8 Black. But before we go we have lot of work to do around our house. We want to have all this work finished before we leave. The last thing we want is to come home to a lot of work. So it's work now and rest on our trip. Equipment: iPhone 13 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Akaso EK7000 Camera GoPro Hero 8 Black Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 108,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Record entirely on location April 7, 2022.

Somedays you take it easy and just want a lazy, do nothing type of day. Unfortunately, that's not me and Nancy. We like to stay busy, especially when we travel. We figure we only have a small window of opportunity so we try and make the most of each minute. On this day we decided to take an evening stroll at Cold Shivers Point Overlook in Colorado National Monument. From Grand Junction take the east entrance and follow the road to the first parking lot past the tunnel. It's a small, intimate parking area that has a paved, handicap-accessible walkway that leads to the overlook. The overlook area is fenced-in for your protection, but the views are spectacular. It's 300 feet straight down to the canyon floor and, if you look straight down over the railing, it can give you "cold shivers" or intense vertigo. To the left is the back end of the canyon and to the right the canyon opens up to view the town of Grand Junction and The Bookcliffs in the distance. If your footing is unsure, or you have children, the fenced-in area is for you. But I like the "road less travelled" so Nancy and I walked along the edge of the rim. There was a slight breeze and the evening temperature was perfect for a stroll. We did not intend to take lots of pictures or videos...this was a time to slowdown and relax. I wish I would have brought some chairs to set-up and watch the sun go down, but I didn't. Maybe next time. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Akaso EK7000 Camera GoPro Hero 8 Black Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Snowy Peaks pt 1 by Chris Haugen Alyssa by The Mini Vandals We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 104,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Record entirely on location at Colorado National Monument CO July 15, 2021.

It was a chilly and rainy day in late October when we drove to Cumberland Falls. We were staying in a cabin in Corbin so it was just about a 30 minute drive to the falls. We have been to the fall numerous times, but this time was different: We needed a weekend getaway. The rain actually made the falls that much more spectacular. We have been here when the river level was low, but it was high on this day and the water raged over the edged. The river runs next to the parking area. You can actually see the top of the falls from there. It's probably 1/10th of a mile to the falls overlooks. There is a small snack bar and a souvenir shop along the path. Restroom facilities are close-by and the different trails are clearly marked. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Akaso EK7000 Camera GoPro Hero 8 Black Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Moving On by Wayne Jones Last Train to Mars by Dan Lebowitz We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 104,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Record on entirely on location at Cumberland Falls KY October 30, 2021.

We were driving from Grand Junction, CO to Holbrook, AZ and decided to take a detour through Petrified Forest National Park. We knew we didn't have long to visit the park so this was more of a "scouting" trip. The next day we were driving on to Phoenix so we wanted to see if we want to spend more time at the park on a future trip. We had already been disappointed this trip when we visited Devil's Tower in Wyoming (too crowded) and Hubble Trading Post in Arizona (overpriced everything). We are frugal travelers and are very careful with our money, and our time. Since I have an America the Beautiful pass there's no charge to get into National Parks and Monuments. So, just like we did at The Badlands last year, we decided to give Petrified Forest a "look over." It was very warm the day we arrived with rain showers all around us. In some shots on the video, if you look carefully at the distant horizon, you can see streaks of heavy rain falling to the earth. We were very blessed to have missed the rain to the north. Petrified Forest National Park is, to me, a much larger version of The Badlands in South Dakota. The landscape was beautiful with all the colors and textures. There are hiking trails, some easy and some very rugged. The visitor center was filled with information about the geology and history of the park. There is some camping at the southern entrance. The north entrance features The Painted Desert while the Petrified Forest is south of where the park road crosses interstate 40. There's a stop along the road where you can find a section of old Route 66 and a 1932 Studebaker slowly decaying in the desert heat. The color and size of the petrified logs are amazing. It's hard to imagine that what you are looking at was once wood. Now that wood has become crystal, filled with all the colors of the rainbow. When you visit make sure you drink plenty of fluids as you are in a desert. There are no facilities between the two entrances so make sure you have food and water. The nearest gas is Holbrook AZ some 21 miles away. We will come back to Petrified Forest National Park and spend some time exploring, maybe even in 2022. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Akaso EK7000 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Moving On by Wayne Jones Last Train to Mars by Dan Lebowitz We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 103,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location July 17, 2021 at Petrified Forest National Park AZ

It was a beautiful, but hazy, day in July when we drove to Lands End Observatory on Grand Mesa. It literally is located at the edge of the mesa and overlooks the entire valley below. It's quite a site as you climb from the valley (4,583 feet) to the mesa at an elevation of 11,332 feet. Wildflowers are always blooming along the 12 mile road off Scenic Byway 65 that leads to the observatory. The road has 6 miles of gravel, followed by 6 miles of paved surface through beautiful groves of trees and fields of flowers. While the views are beyond belief, what makes the trip for us are the squirrels. We always make sure we take sunflower seeds to feed them as they will eat right out of your hand. There is a short trail along the rim that takes you to some awesome overlooks. I did notice that some people have left rocks along the edge with the names of loved ones who have passed. Primitive restrooms are available. Bring your own drinking water and food. At such a high elevation the sun can be very unforgiving and you can easily get dehydrated and/or sunburned. Also, make sure you have plenty of gas as there are no gas stations on the mesa. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Akaso EK7000 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Nitpicky Picnic by The Whole Other Swoop by The Mini Vandals Longer Distance by TrackTribe We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 102,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location July 15, 2021 at Lands End Observatory, Grand Mesa, CO

Just 3 miles south of the town of Fort Laramie, WY is old Fort Laramie. The actual fort no longer exists, but many of the original buildings do. It was a beautiful, but busy, day when we stopped for a short visit. We had to meet someone for lunch, and then dinner at a Pastor's farm. There weren't many people there so it made the stop all the more enjoyable. Here you can find out what frontier life was like in the mid 1800s. The original fort only measured 100 x 50 feet with a 15 foot high palisade hewn from cottonwood logs. The buildings had thick walls for protection from the harsh prairie elements, as well as protection during battle. Indian treaties were signed, and broken here. For those traversing the Oregon Trail it was a place to restock, repair, rest, do your laundry in the nearby Laramie river, and take a bath. During the height of the Oregon Trail as many as 50,000 emigrants would pass through Fort Laramie. The fort had everything a weary traveler would need: A commissary, bakery, livery, hospital, ammunition, etc. There are no restaurants and no camping at the fort. That can be found at nearby towns. There is a pretty picnic area so bring a basket and make a day of it. There's so much to see that you can't take it all in unless you spend plenty of time at the fort. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Spanish Moss by Chris Haugen Fractal of Light by Chris Haugen Alyssa by The Mini Vandals We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 102,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location June 28, 2021 at Fort Laramie National Historic Site, WY.

Located at 2819 Highway 50, Grand Junction, CO 81503, this KOA has everything you would want from a campground. From the first time we visited we felt right at home. They knew we were going to be there over a week so they provided us with the cabin with the most shade. The campground is spotless, as are the restrooms. Want to know what to do? Ask the office. There's plenty of maps and brochures. The staff is also extremely knowledgeable of the area. I was looking for a place that sold Olathe corn and John knew exactly where to find some and gave me directions on how to get there. There's a dog park and a trail that leads to a river walk. You're less than 10 minutes from downtown which has shops, restaurants, and a Thursday market day. There's also a wonderful river park with a "lazy river" that feeds off the river. Fifteen minutes away is Colorado National Monument with it's beautiful red rocks, canyons, and many trails. Just over an hour away is Grand Mesa with it's 300 lakes, tall trees, and scenic overlook. From the campground you are just over 2 hours away from Arches National Park, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point State Park. There is so much to explore throughout the area. Next door to the campground is the Mesa County Fairgrounds. There's nothing like being at the campground when the county fair is in full swing. There's free access to the fair from the campground. Nancy and I always enjoy going and seeing all the animals and exhibits at the fair. We plan on going again this year. Hopefully, this year, we'll have a camper. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Akaso EK7000 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Moving On by Wayne Jones We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 103,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it.

On a beautiful day at the end of June 2021 Nancy and I drove west of Torrington, WY to visit Guernsey, WY. After a little lunch we decided to check out a couple of historical sites. Always wanting to learn something new, we were intrigued by 2 nearby historical sites along the Oregon Trail: The Guernsey Ruts and Register Cliff. It was eye opening when we saw how small the wagons were that took thousands of emigrants over 2,000 miles on a journey to a land where a promise of a better life lay. Many took wagons, some pulled or pushed handcarts, some rode horses, some walked. Each one leaving everything behind, embarking on a 6 month journey to start anew. Here, outside Guernsey, they would stop and carve their names. While their wagons carved ruts in soft limestone, knives, chisels, and whatever they could find were used by emigrants to leave their own mark. Sometimes the names were carved on a cliff face, like at Register Cliff. Sometimes the names were carved on a headstone in one of many cemeteries along the way. Each name telling a different story. But their story had to be told. Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site , also called the Guernsey Ruts, is located where the geography of the area forced the Oregon Trail to change course. At this point, the Trail was blocked from continuing along the North Platte River by a steep ridge of sandstone rock. It had to go up and over the ridge in order to continue heading west. The ridge's soft sandstone was no match for thousands of iron-shod wheels and hooves and quickly eroded. By the time Oregon Trail travel ended, ruts five feet deep had been chewed into the rock. Following a day's journey from Fort Laramie, emigrants spent the night at Register Cliff, which rises one hundred feet above the North Platte River valley. The soft, chalky limestone rock made it easy for emigrants to inscribe their names into the cliff before continuing on their journey. The earliest signatures date to the late 1820s when trappers and fur traders passed through the area. Most of the names visible today were carved during the 1840s and 1850s, when the Oregon Trail was at its height. Part 3 of this video series will be a short visit to Fort Laramie. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Green Green Garden by Chris Haugen We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 102,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location June 28, 2021 outside Guernsey, WY.

This past year, 2021, was a weird year. Seemed like so much went on, both good and bad. In April I had to have my left eye removed and didn't get my prosthetic eye until August. In October I had to have my gall bladder removed. I fell in November, and am now looking toward another surgery to repair a torn meniscus. We had fraud committed on our bank account. Our clothes dryer died on us. See what I mean? But, through all that, God was, and still is, in control. He has provided for us every step of the way. He has protected us from unseen danger. He has given us wonderful friends we get to see every summer that we travel west. I am blessed with the honor of ministering for Him in song and word, leading Christians to a deeper walk and sinners to the foot of the cross. God is good. No matter what the enemy may throw at us we will always proclaim that God is good. David wrote in Psalm 37:25 "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, not his seed begging bread." I can't wait to see what God is going to do in 2022. I've adopted the slogan "Let's see what God can do in 2022." I believe God WILL provide the camper we need. I believe God WILL open more doors of ministry for us. I believe. Equipment: iPhone 10 GoPro Hero 8 Black Akaso EK7000 Camera A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 101,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it.

While in Torrington, WY we decided to explore a little and found out that the Oregon Trail went right through the area. So we followed the North Platte River and US 26 and travelled east to our first destination; Scotts Bluff. Scotts Bluff is a beautiful location. The road to the entrance takes you between two sections of the bluff. What's amazing is how large it is. From a distance it seems small, but the closer you get the larger the bluff becomes. The bluff is composed of sandstone and siltstone and, as I mention in the video, is (grain by grain) slowly being dismantled by the forces of wind and water. The bluff is inhabited by rattlesnakes, mule deer, and black-tailed prairie dogs, in addition to rabbits, mice, badgers, and coyotes. The prairie grasses surrounding the bluff were perfect for early settlers, know as "soddies," to build sod homes as the grass sod has a dense root system. Cars are permitted to take the 1.6 mile road to the summit. Trailers and RVs are, however, prohibited. There is also a Summit Shuttle that takes people to and from the top of the bluff. There are lots of trails and overlooks, a museum and visitor center, and a very friendly staff. Chimney Rock, on the other hand, was disappointing. Beside charging a fee to see the museum (and to use the restrooms), there were fences surrounding the parking area and museum. We were so far from the monument that a zoom lens was needed to get a good picture. There were also signs posted everywhere to beware of rattlesnakes. A lady we met in the parking lot said she visited last year and there was no charge. We were fortunate to learn of the dirt road that takes you closer to the monument and to a cemetery of those who died while on the trail. The cemetery brought everything into perspective as we saw people who died trying to get to, but never realizing, their dreams. Some graves were for small children. How sad it must have been to lose a child pursuing a dream of a better life. In part 2 we will visit Register Rock, the Guernsey Ruts, and a quick look at Fort Laramie. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Zachariah Hickman Terrier Waltz by Nat Keefe with The Bow Ties We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 101,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location June 29, 2021 at Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff NE.

We drove from Fowler, CO to Badlands National Park, SD not realizing that Nancy wasn't feeling well. She slept most of the way and didn't drink a whole lot of fluids during the drive. The next morning she woke up not feeling well, but wanted to go ahead with the hikes. Once we arrived at our first hike her health went downhill quickly. It wasn't long before she was feeling dizzy and had to head back to our SUV. Once there she drank a lot of fluids, got cooled off, and rested some. Soon she was feeling better and had learned a valuable lesson: Drink whether you feel thirsty or not. Dehydration can set in very quickly. Many times, once you realize your are dehydrated, it's already too late and unless treated immediately can be very dangerous. Always start a hike overhydrated. I drink around 16 ounces of fluid on my way to my hiking destination, especially in hot, arid climates. Then I drink during my hike. I carry an insulated water bottle and have a 1.5 liter hydration backpack. I remember one hike I took a few years back in Canyonlands with Nancy and our daughter Jenna. It was about 100 degrees and was a 3 mile out-and-back hike in open country with little to no shade. By the time we reached the halfway mark Jenna wasn't feeling well. On the way back Jenna was having trouble focusing and I had to help her walk back to our car. There was was a potable water pump there and I had Jenna sit under the water spout, let the water pour over her, and drink lots of fluids. The running water cooled her body down and she was soon feeling better. I remember she slept on the way back to our cabin. Part of the problem with this hike was we did not take insulated water bottles so our water got hot. We also didn't take enough fluids. Since then we have acquired the proper equipment: hydration backpacks, insulated bottles, cooling towels, and hats. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Lost & Found by Dan Lebowitz Twilight Train by Dan Lebowitz We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 99,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location June 24, 2021 at Badlands National Park SD.

This video has no narration. After all, who can add narration to what God says. Here is creation praising its Creator the best way it knows: By showing its beauty. The color in the flowers, the green grass, the lakes, mountains, trees, all pay homage to the One who created them. Though we marvel at the beauty and majesty of what is shown in the video we are giving honor to whom honor is due: The Creator of the universe. We praise the God who spoke and it was so. Who created beauty from nothing. He is worthy. There is beauty all around us if we chose to look for it. It seems that nowadays, however, our view is blocked by all the ugliness that is in the world. But, the beauty is there because God put it there. We just need to look for it. Sometimes it takes effort to see it. Sometimes we need to get away from our everyday routine to see it. But it's there. Just look for it. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Angeline the Baker by Nat Keefe with the Bow Ties Cliffsides by Dan Lebowitz We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 99,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded in various locations June and July, 2021.

Saguaro National Park is divided into two sections: The Saguaro East Rincon Mountain District and The Saguaro West Tucson Mountain District which is the section this video is about. Both sections are separated by a one hour drive across Tucson. The west section, ranging in elevation from 2,180 feet to 4,687 feet, is more desert. The east section has the highest mountain peak at 8,666 feet and can receive more than 100 inches of snow a year. On the day we went there was no chance of snow as the daytime temperature reached an excess of 100 degrees. We arrived early to try to avoid much of the heat. Even on short hikes it is highly recommended that you carry plenty of water, wear a hat and sunglasses, and use plenty of sunscreen. In addition, we also wore cooling towels. Do not wander off trails as there are wild animals in the area such as Gila Monsters, Javelinas, Rattlesnakes, and Black Bears. What amazed us the most were the size of the different cacti. Where we live, the only cactus we see are in people’s homes in flower pots or in a conservatory. But in their natural environment they thrive, even in the high heat and dry conditions. Plus, there are so many different varieties, including the dreaded Teddy Bear Cholla. Though it looks soft and cuddly, make sure you avoid them. Once a piece attaches itself to you they are extremely difficult and painful to remove. Saguaro are protected and there are severe fines for damaging one. Permits are required to move one, and then it’s a very expensive process. Many people just build their homes around the cactus instead of trying to move them. The two trials we hiked in this video were short because of the heat. We also hiked a short loop trail near the visitor center that goes through a wash. There are many trails throughout both sections of the park. Whichever you choose, make sure you are well prepared and equipped. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Pole and Backpack are Ozark Trail from Walmart Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Dude, Where's My Horse by Nat Keefe with The Bow Ties Communicator by Reed Mathis We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 95,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location July 19, 2021 at Saguaro National Park AZ.

This video was a fun one to produce. We saw a lot on our western tour. But sometimes we don't always open our eyes to everything that goes on around us. We look for the familiar, or the beautiful, or the expected. We chose, many times, to overlook the oddities we encounter everyday. Sometimes those things make us uncomfortable. Sometimes they surprise us or we end up just scratching out head. Many times they make us laugh. That's what I wanted this video to do: Make us laugh, chuckle, maybe chortle, or just smile. We live in a world that, at times, seems to have forgotten how to laugh at itself. God gave us the wonderful gift of humor (just look in the mirror when you wake-up in the morning). But between COVID, elections, riots, etc., we've lost our sense of humor. Wonderful old TV shows like "All in the Family," "The Jefferson's," even "The Andy Griffith Show" would not be accepted in today's world. They would be "cancelled" by a "woke" society. But if we would just slow down, listen instead of yell, pause instead of leaping to conclusions, and enjoy what is around us, the world would be a much better place. So look for the humor around you. It's probably right in front of you. Take the time to look, and enjoy, what God has done. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Music: Ready for Freddy by TrackTribe We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 97,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp/Casita or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded in various locations June and July 2021.

The Canyon Rim trail is a one mile round trip canyon rim hike on top of Kayenta sandstone through Utah Juniper, Pinyon Pines and sage (known as a Pygmy Forest). The hike can be extended beyond Book Cliff View by hiking another quarter mile to Window Rock. No matter what distance you hike, this is an easy trek with excellent views. The views across Monument Canyon are excellent from this lofty perch atop Wedding Canyon (Where park founder John Otto was married in 1911 at the foot of Independence Monument). We started the hike at the visitor center on the Fruita side of Colorado National Monument. The trail is accessed behind the visitor center. At the visitor center are restrooms, fresh water, and a covered picnic area, along with the usual overpriced souvenirs. The trail is uneven, but mostly flat. There is uneven footing and loose rock and sand on top of slick rock along the trail. There is no protection at the canyon rim and it's a long way down if one falls. Looking across the canyon one can see Otto's Trail and, in the distance, Independence Monument. At the end of the trail you can seen the Colorado River Valley with the town of Fruita. Further on are The Book Cliffs. Be ready for all types of weather as conditions can change quickly (as seen in this video). Though it's a short trail take plenty of water to drink as the slick rock reflects heat and can get very hot. This is one of our favorite hikes in Colorado National Monument. It's short, easy to navigate, and offers outstanding views. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Pole and Backpack are Ozark Trail from Walmart Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Back to Portland by TrackTribe Sugar Pines by Wes Hutchinson To Weather a Storm by Dan Lebowitz We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 92,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location July 1, 2021 at Colorado National Monument.

We took a couple of hikes while at the Badlands. This is the hike to The Notch. The Notch is one of three trails you can access from the same parking area, the other two being The Window and The Door. Nancy did not take this hike with me as she was not feeling well. Even though this hike is rated moderate I would not recommend it for small children (as there are many steep drop-offs and narrow ledges) or for anyone who cannot climb a ladder. Equipment: iPhone 10 Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Music: To Weather a Storm by Dan Lebowitz Drifting at 432 Hz by Unicorn Heads Wandering Soul by Asher Fulero We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 80,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded June 24, 2021.

We arrived at Badland National Park early so we could hike as many short trails as possible before temperature reach near or above 100 degrees. The Door was the first of 3 short hikes we took at this parking area 2 miles east of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, the others being The Window (a very short "walk" on a boardwalk to an overlook) and The Notch (which I hiked alone as the heat was getting to Nancy). The main issue I had with The Door trail was the monochromatic scenery. With only one eye it made everything seem even more 2 dimensional. The landscape was very uneven and, as the sun rose higher in the sky, the rock reflected the heat. A handicap accessible boardwalk takes you to “the door”, a natural break in the Badlands wall. From there the trail descends into Badlands desert - a rugged terrain of ancient fossil beds. It is a fairly difficult hike marked with short yellow markers. It is recommended that you carry at least 1 liter of water per person for this 1 mile round trip hike. Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and good hiking boots are highly recommended as there are rattlesnakes in the area. It is easy to lose your bearings and become disoriented so follow the markers and stay on the trail. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Pole and Backpack are Ozark Trail from Walmart Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Longer Distance by TrackTribe Back to Portland by TrackTribe We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 92,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location June 24, 2021 at Badlands National Park SD.

On June 25, 2021 we visited Ayres Natural Bridge State Park. The park is located at 208 Natural Bridge Rd, Douglas, WY 82633, just about 15 minutes from the town of Douglas. Driving back the 2 lane road one would never guess what lay ahead. That is, until you head down into the canyon. While the park is a beautiful place for a family gathering it's the bridge that attracts people there. But there also gnome and pixie dioramas scattered throughout the park. Beautifully painted picnic tables and tree stumps also dot the landscape. The bridge is located just about a mile south of the old Oregon Trail and was visited by many emigrants on their way westward. Legend has it that a young Indian brave was struck by lightening while on top of bridge during a storm. Believing that the area was filled with bad spirits the others from the tribe would not go near the bridge. During times of unrest between white emigrants and the local Indians the emigrants would hide under the bridge knowing their attackers would not come near. Camers: iPhone 10, Akaso EK7000, and a 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Music: Green Green Garden by Chris Haugen In the Temple Garden by Aaron Kenny Allegro by Emmit Fenn Take Your Time by Dan Lebowitz Shot entirely on location at Ayres Natural Bridge State Park, June 25, 2021.

County Road B242 winds 17 miles through Valley of the Gods, skirting many of the sandstone formations with fanciful names such as Pyramid Peak, Rooster Butte, and the Seven Sailors. The road surface is graded gavel and clay, which is typically suitable for most passenger vehicles. I would not recommend vehicles with low clearance or that have low hanging ground effects. The road can be difficult or even impassable when wet. The drive through the loop usually takes about 2 hours. There's no cellphone signal, no water, no restrooms,...nothing. Bluff, Utah is the nearest town and is 15 miles east of the entrance off US 163. There are primitive camping sites along the road, but you must take in (and hopefully take out) what you will need. The valley is considered a "dark area" and offers a spectacular view of the nighttime sky. At the end of the loop take a right and drive up the Moki Dugway, a winding graded gravel road that has an 11% grade, is 3 miles long, and rises 1,200 feet above the valley floor. Turn left and go to Goosenecks State Park and from 1,000 feet up see the meandering canyon carved by the San Juan River. We went very early in the morning during a heat wave. On the drive back our car thermometer registered 106 degrees. It was already 97 degrees when we started our drive. Nancy had hurt her back the previous day and every bump on the road caused her pain. There are good sections to the road, smooth for gravel, but there are also some very rough areas and blind drops. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Akaso 4K Ultra HD Action Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Pole and Backpack are Ozark Trail from Walmart Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Sonora by Quincas Moreira Western Spaghetti by Chris Haugen We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 90,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location July 10, 2021 at Valley of the Gods Utah.

We are halfway through our western adventure and this is just an update. I also talk about an encounter in a Mexican restaurant and how God had all this already planned. It's amazing how we think we are in control when, in reality, God has it all under control. We just need to follow HIS path and we won't go astray. There still lot of videos yet to come. We've just scratched the surface. Equipment: iPhone 10 Bcway Phone Tripod, All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Vehicle: 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE Front-wheel drive with over 80,000 miles

One of our favorite places to visit is Grand Junction, CO. There you can enjoy the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, see the Book Cliffs in the distance, and visit a true treasure: Colorado National Monument. There are many hiking and biking trails. Some are short and easy. Some are long and go into the back country. The views from The Monument are incredible, especially along the trails that skirt the edge of the rim overlooking the Colorado River valley. We chose Alcove Nature trail because the daytime temperatures had been so hot. That's why we went early in the day. We also chose it because it was short and offered some shade. Nancy had spent a lot of time in the sun the day before and was pretty sunburned on her shoulders. People will often overlook the short trails thinking there's nothing to see. But the two short hikes we took that July 7th (the other being Otto's Trail) offered incredible scenery and spectacular views. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Pole and Backpack are Ozark Trail from Walmart Music: Take Your Time by Dan Lebowitz Dance of the Fireflies by Nathan Moore We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 90,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location July 7, 2021 at Colorado National Monument.

It was a nice morning when I hiked Devils Kitchen trail. Not too hot, low humidity, and a little cloudy. I was the only person on the trail and didn't encounter anyone until I was on my way back from "the Kitchen." The trail is rated moderate. There is a steep drop from the parking area down to the seasonal creek bed and is fairly flat for a while. Once you get to the base of the rock formation it is a rugged climb from there. There are some steps carved into the rock and look for cairns to assist in the ascent. When you leave, the descent can be a little difficult. Many times it is difficult to see the trail because it is very steep and the cairns and steps are hard to spot. The "Kitchen" is actually a wonderful place to eat a snack, have a drink, or just rest and enjoy the solitude. Remember, what you take in you take out. Leave the area cleaner than you found it. Across from the parking area is a nice picnic area with sheltered tables and a restroom. Please do not carve into the formation. Take all the pictures you want, but pick-up your trash and leave everything as is. Our natural wonders should be left "natural". They don't need names, dates, initials, etc., and our garbage left in/on them. Thanks. Equipment: iPhone 10 A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Pole and Backpack are Ozark Trail from Walmart Music: Morning Mandolin by Chris Haugen In the Temple Garden by Aaron Kenny How Great Thou Art by Carl Boberg Mysteries by Dan Lebowitz We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 90,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location July 16, 2021 at Colorado National Monument.

It was very hot the day we visited Goblin Valley. Nancy hiked a little bit, then went back to the picnic pavilion to cool off and get a drink. I was pretty tired when I got back from my hike and enjoyed a nice drink and being doused with water to cool off. This video issue I encounter as I was climbing that "green rock" could not be explained. The video suddenly became "jumpy" and seemed a little out of sync. The park is located 50 miles southwest of Green River, Utah off State Highway 24. Make sure you have plenty of gas, water, and food when you head out as there's nothing within 40 miles of the park. I would highly advise going very early in the day as high temperatures, and exposure to the sun, can make visiting the park dangerous. Also, watch out for "locals" that live in the park: Jackrabbits, scorpions, kangaroo rats, pronghorn, kit foxes, rattlesnakes, and coyotes. Most of these, however, are nocturnal. Goblin Valley has one of the darkest night skies on earth. Virtually free of any light pollution from populated areas, the park is a certified Dark Sky Park and offers unparalleled views of the milky Way.. There are many trails to hike, including moonlit hikes and telescope tours. There are 24 camping sites (no electric) at the campground and 2 yurts. Equipment: iPhone 10 GoPro Hero 8 Black Akaso EK7000 Camera A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley Music: Sonora by Quincas Moreira Take Your Time by Dan Lebowitz We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 89,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location July 2, 2021 at Goblin Valley State Park Utah.

This is a compilation of videos we took as we drove through the Badlands on June 23-24, 2021. It hit 105 degrees on the 23rd, and only in the upper 80s on the 24th. The majority of the video was shot along the Badlands Scenic Loop Road. There will be other videos to follow of the hikes we took around the park. Music: Shrutie Pie by Zachariah Hickman Argonne by Zachariah Hickman Future King of Heaven by Zachariah Hickman Equipment: iPhone 10 GoPro Hero 8 Black Akaso EK7000 Camera A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 101,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Recorded on location in Badlands National Park, South Dakota June 23-24, 2021

Paint Mines Interpretive Park is located at 29950 Paint Mine Road, Calhan, CO 80808. It is free to the public and is open 6 AM to 7 PM daily. When we were there on June 18, 2021 the temperature was approaching 100 degrees with a strong wind blowing. I advise to go early or late in the day for the best lighting for photography. We spent about 2 to 2 1/2 hours there and still didn't see everything. Take plenty of water as it is very dry and there isn't any water available. There is a pit toilet in the parking lot. Music: To Weather a Storm by Dan Lebowitz Allegro by Emmitt Finn Twilight Train by Dan Lebowitz Equipment: iPhone 10 GoPro Hero 8 Black Akaso EK7000 Camera A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail Hiking hat is a Tilley We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 101,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it. Shot entirely on location, June 19, 2021. Thanks to Chaney, the Park Interpreter. We are sorry the video we shot of you didn't make the cut, but the wind was so strong it was hard to hear what you were saying.