Adventures in the South, #1

 Arizona, The Copper State 

This is always a great rest stop, and this particular restaurant had a retro vibe!

 

We started our three month road trip across the southern United States with a much anticipated visit with our son Brent, daughter-in-love Abbie, and our grand girls Hannah and Ava. On the way to see them we made an overnight stop in Quartszite, AZ. A stunning sunset gave way to strong wind gusts, pouring rain and thunder and lightning. Quite the storm!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Family Time

 

Fortunately the next day was clear and calm

and we headed on to Camp Verde. We chose to stay at Verde Ranch RV Resort, which provided lots to do while we hung out with the family. 

 

Steve and I both enjoyed playing pool and shuffleboard with Brent, and swimming with the girls. The RV Park also schedules activities and the girls and I enjoyed making Tie Dyed shirts. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pool was closed due to lightning intermittently, but there was still lots to do, a playground, corn hole, checkers and blocks. Two of Abbie’s sisters stopped by to see us. One of them has a son who is Ava’s age so he came along and enjoyed the pool time. The kids had lots to do and space to run around. It felt like having a big home and pool to share together while we reconnected with the adults.

We also enjoyed going to church together as a family at Parkside Church. Lots of young families there, and the service started with three people getting baptized. Each one shared their testimony of how they chose to follow Christ. Two of them were teenagers who were very articulate in sharing their stories. The worship of as great and then Pastor shared a great message from the Gospel of John. 

Sunday evening, while we used the laundry room we met a sweet couple who are living in the RV park with three kids and two dogs! The husband is working in the area and this was the most affordable option for them. As they had not yet found a church we were able to refer them to Parkside Church! I hope they give it a try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 San Xavier del Bac Mission

Leaving Camp Verde on Monday we
headed for a long drive to Benson, Arizona. We passed through a few thunderstorms, even had some hail!

We took a short detour to visit  in southern Tucson. 

Although we arrived during their “open” hours, they had just closed due to lightning. We were unable to see the inside, but enjoyed finding the best angles to photograph the building. The rainstorm had left lots of puddles which gave some great reflections for our photos!

“The mission that survives today was built between 1783 and 1797, which makes it the oldest European structure in Arizona. Labor was provided by the O'odham. An outstanding example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States, the Mission San Xavier del Bac hosts some 200,000 visitors each year.”

We arrived at our campground in Benson just ahead of another thunderstorm. We awakened to another sunny morning ready for another drive day on Tuesday as we headed to New Mexico for more Adventures on the Road.

Please continue to pray for safety as we drive, health and strength, and opportunities to encourage the people we meet!

 

Thanks,

Steve and Lori