Colorado Summer Journal

Had a wonderful time going to see my daughter, Melissa and son-in-law, Conner June 18-27 in Colorado.

I was so excited about getting a break from work that I couldn’t sleep the night before departure. I decided to go ahead and get a Peloton ride in at 2:30 AM and ended up doing a X-Fit workout in Craig, CO on the day of arrival.

I also made video journals of the trip and the playlist is on YouTube

Colorado Video Playlist 2024 


We flew into Denver and rented a car for the drive to Craig. Most of the route in Hwy 40 that we eventually went as far west as you can in Colorado for the trip. It is a glorious drive, winding through vast landscapes and a steep ride over Rabbit Ears Pass just before Steamboat.


At times during the week the highway was stained with the blood of billions of Mormon Crickets migrating and meeting an end on the asphalt of Hwy 40. The convergence creates a unique smell, popping noises, and a very slick surface- talk about a sign of the apocalypse!

Our first stop in the rental car was Silverthrorne and we were freezing from the wind. I quickly put on a sweatshirt and we knew we had escaped the record heat in Birmingham.

Conner, Melissa, Roan, and Millie were awesome hosts!

The Tuesday evening cross fit exercise was tough in the elevation, but I am so glad that Lisa and I did it.

WEDNESDAY (June 19)

We woke up Wednesday to a chilly, beautiful Craig, CO morning and we decided to see how far we could jog uphill (Melissa’s street is a straight climb) without stopping. We both fell out after only going .25 miles! My heart was in my throat and we walked the rest of the way for about a 2 mile morning experience.

We then drove into Steamboat for a 25 mile bike ride through Steamboat bike trails and hiked a little bit at the Steamboat resort. In the video you can see us stopping at the botanical garden which was in full bloom and beautiful.

THURSDAY

Lisa and I did the Panorama Park Hike as an early warmup for a travel day to Crested Butte, CO. We took all the adults and 2 dogs in the Jeep Cherokee Laredo and loved the drive. We stopped in Glenwood Springs for a Japanese dinner and I was super impressed by the towns we went through to get to Crested Butte. (Meeker, Rifle, and Carbondale).


Once it got dark, we went over Kebler Pass (fairly rough gravel road) in the rain and it was a crazy experience! It was my introduction to gravel road driving, but thankfully the Lord knew the car we needed for the trip! And that practice helped me throughout the week.


FRIDAY

Woke up to a MAJESTIC morning view of Crested Butte. Our air BNB was perfect and no picture or video can truly capture my view for the 3 day trip.

It was perfect as the days went from cloudy to clear blue skies and sunshine.

Brush Creek was our first hike and it was evident why the call Crested Butte the wild flower capitol of Colorado. The trail was a moderate walk about a mountain stream and the Lord took care of me by putting in my spirit a desire to get some hiking shoes- I would not have survived the week without them!

After the hike, we went into town and were so happy with the vibe. In Crested Butte we sampled a Secret Stash pizza (amazing), Ryce, Teocali, and all were incredible.

SATURDAY

The toughest hike of the entire trip was trying to summit Gothic Mountain. After a long gravel road drive, we started on the hike already in surviving snow (June 21 y’all!) on this 3 and ½ hour hike we climbed 2,168 feet in elevation. We got to a ½ mile from the tip top but was prevented from going further because of the steepness of the trail and snow. We did get up to 11,600 feet and I was DEAD after that!

SUNDAY

For the last day in Crested we went on the Snodgrass Mountain hike It was lower in elevation but the 6.5 miles (2 ½ hours) was tougher than predicted because of the day before. A BEAUTIFUL hike indeed and the dogs loved it as well. We went back to Craig with a full heart and tired legs!

MONDAY

Hard to believe that Conner and I drug ourselves awake at 5 AM on Monday to go fishing at the Craig Steam plant. It never disappoints! The video shows how beautiful the small mouth are there and we caught some big crappie as well.

After fishing, Lisa and I went back to Steamboat for a day at the Old Towne Hot Springs. A day pass there gets you a locker, weight room, and huge steam pools where we did a recovery upper body workout and stretching in the warm springs.

TUESDAY

Lisa and I drove to Vail and I was so impressed with the organization and beauty of that interconnected ski village just off I-70. We hiked the town, got German food at Pepe’s and walked over 10 miles- I especially enjoyed Ford Park and the Ski Museum.

WEDNESDAY

Lisa and I went west to Dinosaur National Monument and hiked the Harper’s Corner Trail and then took the Jeep down the steepest gravel road of the week into the bottom of the Canyon and Echo Park campground. Dinosaur is a jewel without many visitors… it has the beauty of Zion National Park without the crowd!

We also got to do a 2nd Cross fit exercise on the last day as well.

THURSDAY

A sad drive back to Denver and I am posting this blog in the Denver Airport.


God was so good to us on this trip and we are trusting Him to land us safely in B’ham and hope to be in bed by midnight.


“Don’t be sad it is ending… be happy it happened” - Dr. Seuss

Insider Quotes:

"Don't touch me Conner, I'm having a panic attack"

"I'm following your footprints, but because I'm fat I'm sinking lower!"

After I fell in the snow - feet in the air.. "How did you do that?"

"We took way longer going up because of the GoPro"

"The GoPro is not what is slowing us down!"

"Can you go any faster? There is a hail storm coming!"

"If lightning struck me in the ass, I couldn't go any faster!"

"No way we could have brought Millie and Roan to Gothic"

"We are out."

"Do you remember where the backpack is?"

30 minutes later "Hootie Hoo!"

"Where are y'all?"

"Lost"

"Found the backpack!"

"Gothic Mountain- uphill both ways in the snow with the in-laws"

"Aaaargggh"

"Stop being so dramatic!"

POST TRIP UPDATE

One thing I didn't mention is that right after we got to Crested Butte, I had an episode in my left eye (flashing and then floaters that looked like a lint ball). I called my optometrist and he advised me to monitor the situation closely and see him ASAP when I returned.

Sure enough, the morning after I returned, It was evident that I had 2 small retinal tears and the floaters was actually a small amount of blood.

He sent me immediately to the eye Dr downtown and I had laser surgery immediately to 'suture' the tears. It was an uncomfortable experience, But I was so thankful that the Lord protected me until I was able to get help.

In the picture below, the two green dots are the retinal tears.

I'm grateful to the Dr's and the technology to diagnose and treat what could have been a serious situation.

I put on a bionic contact lense and got hit by what seemed like 20 green laser blasts.

No one really knows what causes these things, the aqueous fluid in the eye can become 'sticky' and pull some of the retina with it.

I was in high altitude and under some duress driving over the pass in the rain at night... but no one really knows.

Psalm 30:2

[2] O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,

and you have healed me. (ESV)

Message to Me from Ecclesiastes

 

Dear Jay,

This is what you looked like in 1980, when God knocked on the door of your heart and the message of forgiveness, love, and hope flooded your heart. It wasn't an end... it was a beginning with many failures and foolishness ahead.

I wish I could go back and steer you away from many mistakes during that time.... pride, laziness, selfishness, envy, jealousy and a multitude of sins can tear a boy apart.

You made good grades and mostly had a good name.... but these aren't as important as we are led to believe.

 Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.

But there is always a danger.... the effort to build and keep a good name is pretty self focused, dependent on the applause and recognition of others. It can be a false facade, and unfortunately can be a sinister idol. Sadly, there are times I have neglected the right thing because my reputation was in danger. Scripture calls this fearing man more than God.

But no need to dwell on the past. Learn from it and lay it at the foot of the cross of forgiveness.

What has been is what will be,

and what has been done is what will be done,

and there is nothing new under the sun. 

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 

This August, I will turn 60 years old. It hasn't been easy at all! But after a few months of sheer panic, the Scriptures and God's love and people have gotten me in a good frame of mind.

There is no remembrance of former things,

nor will there be any remembrance

of later things yet to be

among those who come after.

I was born, I now live, and will die -  ultimately everything passes away.

For in much wisdom is much vexation,

and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. 

Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity.

As time continues to march, it puts me in a strange place. I don't have time to try and fool myself or tell myself things as a sort of trick- all I have to rely on is the grace and mercy of God.

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 

I have to acknowledge that God has blessed me beyond anything I deserve- I have lived a very rich and beautiful life and my gratitude to Jesus is not impressive.... The best thing I can do is live. And living for things that don't love back is a waste. Living for myself is unsatisfying... living to love God and others is joyous.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 

What an amazing world! My family is a treasure!

So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him? 

My job has been a fun one- yes, it is cursed work- plenty of thorns!

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 

This verse brings in Lisa. I don't have words to describe her beauty and strength! My best friend and my partner on this journey.

A good name is better than precious ointment,

and the day of death than the day of birth.

This verse can actually be dangerous. There have been times in my life where I don't follow Christ the way I should because I want to protect my reputation. SO yes, a good reputation is good, but it should never be an idol.

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. 

This is the simple plan of life and has strengthened my now in my approaching senior years.

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. 

On that day of judgement, the accuser will want to take me down and I know my many sins. But the message of grace through Jesus Christ will be my only hope.... and that is a glorious thought.

(Scripture in this post from Ecclesiastes ESV)

God's Mountains and His Simple Truths

Throughout the remainder of June, I'm immersing myself in reflections from a book I've been reading.

David Bodanis's exploration of The History of E=MC² delves into the profound impact of Albert Einstein's equation on our understanding of the universe. Bodanis begins by referencing the term "annus mirabilis," originally used to describe the remarkable events of 1666: London's survival of the great fire, recovery from the plague, and the British fleet's victory over the Dutch. This term, immortalized by John Dryden's poem, later symbolized the extraordinary discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton in the same year, marking 1666 as pivotal in scientific history.

Similarly, 1905 stands as Einstein's "annus mirabilis," during which he published four groundbreaking papers revolutionizing physics. Among these was his work on special relativity, introducing the iconic equation E=MC². This equation, revealing the equivalence of mass and energy, reshaped fundamental principles governing the universe.

Bodanis's book not only explores the equation's scientific implications but also delves into its historical context and the individuals whose contributions paved the way for this revolutionary insight. As I explore the elements leading to Einstein's breakthrough, I'm struck by the uncanny convergence of scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and historical events. This alignment does suggest to me great evidence of divine sovereignty, orchestrating natural phenomena and human endeavor toward profound revelations.

Reading books on the history of science not only strengthens my faith but also inspires a sense of worship. I'm currently in Colorado, surrounded by God's mountains and truths of the universe, I'm humbled in adoration!

I've always maintained that the best evidence for God lies not only in the fine-tuning of the universe but also in its inherent "discoverability." God invites us to explore and uncover His truths, despite His transcendent nature. It's intriguing to consider how the universe's structure facilitates its discoverability and comprehension by humans. This concept is often discussed in philosophical and theological contexts, hinting at a deeper design or intentionality in the cosmos.

As I progress through Bodanis's book, I continue to uncover insights. For instance, Michael Faraday's pioneering work on the Law of Conservation of Energy provides a compelling example. Bodanis writes:

"The word 'energy' is surprisingly modern, emerging in its current sense only in the mid-1800s. Prior to this, diverse natural powers like static electricity or gusts of wind were seen as unrelated. Michael Faraday, unaffected by linear thinking, drew inspiration from his Sandemanian religious group's belief in the circular interconnectedness of humanity. This perspective guided his study of electricity and magnetism, leading to his groundbreaking discoveries in 1821."

Faraday's conceptual use of circles to visualize magnetic fields illustrates interconnectedness, echoing philosophical and theological themes of cyclical patterns in human and spiritual history.

I first used these thoughts to teach Revelation last semester, I am finding more and more encouragement that the symbols in revelation are indeed birth pains (terms also used by John and Peter) to keep believers ready... the growing intensity is evidence of Christ's eventual return.

This parallels Faraday's use of circles to understand the dynamic nature of magnetic fields, reflecting interconnected cycles in both physical and spiritual realms.

Michael Faraday, celebrated as the father of electromagnetism and nanoscience, seamlessly integrated deep religious faith with his scientific endeavors. His discoveries, including electromagnetic induction and field theory.

I look forward to sharing more insights from this captivating read as I continue my journey through Bodanis's work.