wind and the way

We keep gaining an extra hour of sleep and it's wonderful! So as I'm typing it's 8:05 pm (Mountain time) here in New Mexico while it would be 10:05 back home. This is only our 4^th day of travelling together so we continue to figure things out. It's interesting having 6 people in the same small space for long periods of time. Some of us like quiet, while others like to talk :) Some would like constant stimulation (music, audio books, screen time, Mad Libs -thanks Susan-, games, pretend play) while others like quiet......So we actually have mandatory quiet times, for our sanity. Interestingly enough, we don't seem to need any mandatory talk times *sigh * All in all, the kids are doing awesome. It's amazing how a 5-10 minute pull over does everyone good. It's also amazing how a couple of these throughout the day can quickly add up! We seem to be very good at this. :) Joseph is an excellent driver: reliable, optimistic, safe and charming. We seem to make a pretty good team – especially with the help of Magellen (a GPS we're borrowing from a good friend, thanks Aaron). And everyday we are grateful for our Heavenly Father who continues to go before us and bless us with safety and this amazing opportunity! God is good.

-Katrina-

On an art history note: "Cadillac Ranch" is a Pop art sculpture that references an end of an era, hence the half buried cars that probably drove on rout 66 at some point.  From Oklahoma city on, we have been seeing glimpses of the old road come and go between empty wind torn houses and old businesses.

Ever since this sculpture was first made, people have been allowed to add their names, or personal messages. Perhaps this is done to identify with what went before them....heading west. Our names will be covered up by the next group of people passing through to the next destination.  Much like cars driving on a new interstate, it will never be the same.

Today was my very favourite day. From scenery to horses, to mountains, it was excellent. We started the day off only to hear a strange noise pulling over at a Gander Mountain,( A camping store) Josh looked at what was wrong and found that the muffler was loose because of the wind. Mom took us in to the store while Dad looked at the problem. When we left the store,in the parking lot, we saw two horses. Now come on. This is Texas! Almost everybody here is wearing a cowboy hat! But you HAVE to be a little surprised. So dad and I went over to look. As we were talking and petting the horses, the rider came out. We explained what we were doing and then dad asked the rider were he was headed. The horses were saddled up with lots of saddle bags,canteens, and a shotgun, so we figured he was headed somewhere. But when he answered we were just as surprised as when we first saw the horses. His answer was a simple “California”. California? All dad could say was “wow”. And me? I couldn't say anything. He informed us he that he's also ridden to Canada and went through Mexico. Now let me make this clear. His camping is riding all day, setting up tents, making fires ect. ect. Now this is a real cowboy! We chatted a bit more then said goodbye and and started to fix the muffler. When it was fixed we headed to Cadillac Ranch. At Cadillac Ranch, we saw the cars spray painted some stuff on them then kept driving.We saw quite a lot of things including a old grain elevator and a feed lot. A real feed lot. I mean about 100 cows in a small pen. But the real adventure was when we crossed the border of Texas into New Mexico. It was Beautiful. Big mountains with scrub brushes all over them, cactuses, rock ledges with strips of different colours of rock, huge cliffs, I can hardly describe it. It is so breath taking. God must have had fun making them,because I sure enjoyed seeing them. So far this has being an amazing day, and I can't wait for more!

-Abigail-

Joshua and I with our first "real" cowboy named Mike!

After we fixed our van, we caught up with him a few miles up the 40. I guess he did not get to California before us...yet.

we all thought that this was God's cadillac ranch of his lichen and  colour adding up over time....