Saturday, July 31, 2010

From the land of arches and canyons - Day 3

Friday morning at about 10:30am we left Richfield , UT and continued on I-70 East after having breakfast at Arby's. I-70 through Utah is amazing so far. It is the most beautiful stretch of Interstate we have been on so far. The view points off the highway were just stunning and no photographer can capture the immensity and beauty of the canyons and rocks as the I-70 passes by San Rafael Swell. I-70 through Utah and Colorado is considered an engineering marvel and among them is the San Rafeal Swell passage in Utah.

We stopped at a Subway in Green River, UT for lunch and took US 191 South towards Moab, UT. We got to Moab area around 4PM. We spent the rest of the evening at Arches National Park. I was marveled at the natural high-risers, the many nature's arches, and the elegance of  earth. We stopped at Park Avenue view point, balance rock, and the windows view point. We hiked one mile to the admire the beauty and the grandiosity of the nature's windows up close. We ended the day at the Delicate Arch view point and took some late evening shots. We headed back to Moab after sunset and checked in to a Days-Inn (Also owned by Indians...how funny...two consecutive days and that too in the least expected towns and cities).

San Rafael Swell on I-70 East

Highlights of Day 3
  • San Rafael Swell on I-70
  • Arches National Park -Park Avenue, Windows, and Balance rock
  • Hike of the day - 1 mile round trip hike to view the "windows" closer

Friday, July 30, 2010

Stepping into Mountain Time on Day 2

We left Ely, NV around 11:30am after breakfast and we continued on US 50 and headed to Baker. We stopped at Great Basin National Park, perhaps one of the least visited park in the US park systems. Great Basin is the only cold desert among the four deserts. The park area itself is huge but paved roads are few with numerous hiking opportunities. We took a 12 miles scenic drive to the Wheeler Peak look out spot. We were at an elevation of 10,000 + feet at one point and that is perhaps the highest so far in our travels.

We headed to Utah after visiting the park. We took pictures at the Nevada- Utah state-line. It was a sad moment as we said good bye to Nevada one last time. Nevada has no stunning architecture, no spectacular must-see attractions, and no picturesque beauty like Yosemite, CA. I had tears in my eyes when I looked back one last time to glimpse at the endless desert, the brown mountains, and the miles of sagebrush.  Who would have thought that we would fall in love with such a place on earth.
Saying good-bye to Nevada, our home for the past 2 years

Welcome to Utah, Life Elevated.

We stepped into Mountain Time Zone a few miles past the border. We continued on US 50 until we joined I -15, our first Interstate in 600 miles. I-15 to I-70 to Denver is our route for a few days. We stopped at Richfield, UT to spent the night. We are staying at a Super 8 Motel owned by an Indian. Exactly, a small town in Utah has Indians. Are you serious?.

We are heading towards Moab, UT today. I ask for God's provisions, guidance, and forgiveness.

Highlights of  Day 2
  • Wheeler Peak Drive at Great Basin National Park
  • Highest elevation so far at 10, 000 + feet at Wheeler Peak trail. 
  • Good bye to Nevada and welcome to Utah
  • Entering Mountain Time Zone

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Day 1 of our USA road trip

July 28, 2010, Wednesday, marked a very crucial day in our life. We said good bye to Reno. Two years sure doesn't feel like a long time but it was long enough that it was hard to say our final good byes to our friends and friends who became our family. We will miss Reno very much.

We left Reno officially around 1 PM yesterday. We took US 50 to Carson City and then to Fallon, Austin, Eureka, and finally Ely, NV. We stayed at a Motel 6 at Ely, NV. I am writing this blog from our hotel room. US 50 also known as the Lincoln Highway has a stretch from Fallon to Ely, NV which is called the loneliest highway in the United States. It did feel lonely at some spots but it was a great drive. We have a long way ahead of us and we cling on to God's promises.


Fiery Sunset

          Highlights from Day 1
  • Survived the loneliest highway in the US
  • Rainbow in the desert on US 50
  • Fiery sunset near Ely, NV

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Service Today

Walking in and out of Grace Church, Reno, NV on Sundays came to an end today as we attended our last service in Reno, NV. Our hearts were filled with sadness and great amount of thanksgiving as we said good bye to Grace Church today. Grace Church, Reno served as a comfort and a spiritual stepping stone since we arrived in Reno two years ago.

Words cannot express our joy to have found a church like Grace. Each service was a new experience.

"Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see" the song writer wrote years ago which we sing to this day and regardless of where you are in life, a song that kindles our hearts and our souls each time we sing it aloud. Our lives in Reno is a perfect testament of how God provides.