Yesterday was my third time to climb Guadalupe Peak — my second time with Chris. He was six the first time, so this was a very different experience.
It was a father/son trip with a couple buddies. Richard and Brenden and Kyle and Colin went with us to the tallest point in Texas (8749 feet). We spent the night in Pecos — you haven’t lived until you’ve spent a night in Pecos, TX! (blizzards all the way around at the DQ and a couple cheap rooms at the Motel 6) — and drove to the trailhead yesterday morning. Beautiful weather — couldn’t have been better. Perfectly blue, with a high in the low 70s. Wildflowers everywhere, benefitting from the extra rain this spring.
A big storm rolled in just as we were getting off, as you can see in the last picture:
Here are a few of the pictures:
I am Soooo pleased there are guy things for y’all to do.
That leaves us with some very enjoyable gal things to do in your absence.
Chris! When did you get so tall? You’re growing into a very handsome guy, ya’ know!
Does Chris’ shirt say “Bringin’ the Lumber?”
Does Key City LL use wooden bats?!?
Sounds like perfect father/son time! I miss all the camping trips with my kids. Those were good days!
what a neat blend of intergenerational bonding going on here!
Mike,
Could not look at these pictures and not give thanks that Chris has had such a great healing that he could actually make this trek with you! God is good.
How fun is that?! We girls spent the weekend hiking too, but the scenery was much different. My calves are still aching as our cabin was located on what felt like a 70 degree angle.
Your post reminded me of a weekend John & I went to Odessa with friends for a “42″ tourney. We stayed in a Motel 6 somewhere along the highway out there. It was us and a colony of huge W. Texas bugs - an experience I’ll never forget!
Thanks, Lynn, for making that connection. I, too, am so thankful for the healing from the wreck (January 2005).
One of the highlights was communion together at the peak!
Glad you guys could make the trip. I am your fan in Kermit, TX. (Not far from Pecos/Guadalupe)
Mike,
It is wonderful to see the glory and healing power of God in Chris’s life, I know this climb is a testimony to His healing power in our lives today. God is to be praised! I know as a father it had to have been a moving experience for you as well. Thank you for sharing this experience with us all and what God still does in the lives of Christians today. God bless you brother!
Grateful for you and Chris to be able to share with friends. I think all people from Neosho just love to climb. That is what Steve does for fun here in Georgia too. I know I make him walk slower than he would like, but we love to share the time in the mountains.
There are mountains in Texas? I’m only 5 miles from the tallest point on Florida’s East Coast which is known to locals as “High Point.” It’s a whopping 87 feet high.
I knew that you might be able to find some encouraging words for the Brown family, don’t know if you’ve heard or not, but I’m sure you’ll know what to do…
Check http://www.gcrcc.org for more information.
Thank you.
Blessings on you and yours. And it is so great to see your son doing so well.
Hi Mike
Great to see you and Chris and the others doing so well. Our PA here remembers Matt at the age Chris is now and when I showed her the pictures she couldnt believe how Chris had grown and how much he looked like Matt at the same age. She remembers all of you from her church days at Searcy. Do you remember Louisa Duke? Her Dad is Richard Duke. Anyway she is glad to see you all if only by pictures. Especially grateful to see Chris able to do all he does without any resdiual deficets. Did you sing” We shall assemble on the mountains?” Whenever we climb any mountains here in Zambia that is what always comes to mind. Blessings on you and the family. Remember we still want Matt to come over here for one of the medical missions. Great experiences.
Laura
The Guadalupe Peak Trail is a great hike. Seth and I did it over Spring Break (as well as the Hell’s Canyon Trail - a nice easy one). Hikers who peaked ahead of us reported that it was snowing on top when they got there, but it was gone when we arrived. We did, however, get slammed by cold rain and sleet on the way down — ahh, the things adventure and memories are made of.
Sorry, it was Devil’s Hall, not Hell’s Canyon. Devil’s Hall; Hell’s Canyon - could there be much of a difference?
What great pictures! Although I have to say it still takes some getting used to seeing how tall and old Chris looks next to the other two boys. In my mind, he should still be the age and size of Brendan and Colin!
But I am glad to see what an incredible young man he is growing up to be. Glad you got to have some good father/son time together!