Arizona: Streams in the desert

Arizona is filled with contrasts! Driving into Arizona from Southern California you enter a true desert landscape...low shrubs and cactus, rocks, with mountains in the distance. Did I mention lots of rocks! We stayed one night in Quartzsite on our way to the center of the state to visit our kids and grand-kids. 

An oasis in the desert, the Verde Valley contains areas filled with Palo Verde trees, Cottonwood Trees and other types of plants and trees nestled between hills and mountains, following the ribbon of water that is the Verde Watershed. What a delightful contrast to the desert around it!

This beautiful spring was along the Parsons Trail near Clarkdale, AZ. Steve and I hiked about 4 miles total of a much longer out and back trail. The landscape and vegetation was constantly changing. The beginning of the trail was a steep drop in with an elevation change of 810 ft to bring us from the parking lot down to the elevation of the river.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,  the fruit of the womb is a reward.  -Psalm 127:3

Our young grandchildren bring such joy to our hearts when we come to visit them in Arizona. They are so easy to enjoy, full of life and curiosity, open with their emotions, finding joy in simple things, constantly exploring and learning.

Watching your own children being parents is an opportunity to see the values that you worked hard to instill in them being passed on to a future generation, your heritage being played out before your eyes.

Simple things bring back memories of things you did with your children. We had a simple outing of returning library books with Abbie and Hannah and Ava. Well, can any outing be simple with a 3 year old and a one year old and all the effort of getting them into their car seats, trying to ignore the fussing and crying because they don’t want to be still in the car? 

Oh, but Hannah’s excitement to run into the library when we got out of the car! What a great library in Verde Valley! A very inviting children’s area was well laid out for children to learn to enjoy the world of books!  Books displayed on low shelves inviting children to pick them up and explore the adventure of stories. And, an outdoor, grassy and shaded play area gave relief for some running and laughing out loud. 

 

Trips to the library, a pool and parks were a highlight of the week when we were raising Brent, so I loved to see that Abbie and Brent are instilling in their girls a love for books and libraries and parks and exploration. I am so thankful that we can include time with family in Arizona during our first week of our travels!

 

Trip Planning

 

 "A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps."    Proverbs 16:9

From almost the Pacific coast in the west to the continental divide to the east, and from Phoenix in the south to Glacier National Park in the North, our planned route will cover a lot of miles through the western states. We are looking forward to hiking along, lakes, mountains and rivers. Our plans are based on lots of research and recommendations from others who have gone before us to these areas. We have made reservations at campgrounds and made arrangements to stay with friends. We have compiled "what to bring" lists, done repairs and upgrades in the trailer, and have lots of packing and organizing still to do as our planned departure is a little more than a week away!

We can do our best to make plans and preparations regarding routes, places to stay and what to bring. Throughout this process we have committed our way to the LORD and asked that He would direct our every step along the way, both in planning and in traveling. As you follow our journey through our blog in the weeks ahead, please join with us in praying for our guidance, protection and health, that comes from the LORD!

 

"⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

 ⁸ It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones."          

                     - Proverbs 3:5-8

 

Photo: San Simeon State Park, 

October 2020