Seattle

DUCK

2011-10-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

Reed

2011-10-16T20:55:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin patch

2011-10-16T19:13:00.001-07:00

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Cleaning

2011-09-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

Turtle

2011-08-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

VID00306.MP4

2011-05-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

Reed is 1

2011-05-13T15:41:00.000-07:00

Reed dance

2011-05-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

VID00299.MP4

2011-05-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

2011-04-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

1st step

2011-04-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

bbbbbb

2011-04-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

Lots o Lots of pics to catch up. A couple really good ones !!

2011-04-03T21:42:00.001-07:00

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Reed and Zo christmas

2011-04-03T20:55:00.000-07:00

Dramatic?

2011-04-03T20:50:00.000-07:00

Dinos-Roar

2010-11-06T14:47:00.000-07:00

bath time

2010-11-04T18:00:00.001-07:00

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Fall10

2010-10-30T13:44:00.001-07:00

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Da Da

2010-10-27T07:49:00.001-07:00

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Reeds first try at making same noise as mom

2010-09-24T10:18:00.001-07:00

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Now we cant get him to stop making this the noise.

VID00094.MP4

2010-09-12T15:44:00.001-07:00

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VID00093.MP4

2010-09-06T16:09:00.001-07:00

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Reed jumping

2010-08-29T19:08:00.001-07:00

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Reed 3M

2010-08-29T19:06:00.001-07:00

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Helen

2010-08-02T13:11:00.003-07:00

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Week With Grammy and Opa and Aunt C

2010-08-02T13:11:00.001-07:00

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1st time in his bouncer

2010-07-24T15:27:00.001-07:00

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VID00061.MP4

2010-07-24T15:25:00.001-07:00

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Swaddled .MP4

2010-07-24T15:24:00.001-07:00

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LEAH BIG 3-0

2010-07-12T19:44:00.001-07:00

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Month 2

2010-07-10T11:48:00.001-07:00

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Fathers Day Hike

2010-06-20T11:56:00.001-07:00

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Reed 1 month

2010-06-19T13:52:00.001-07:00

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Reed Week 3 & 4 with Nonni and Papa

2010-06-06T19:05:00.001-07:00

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go to this link

2010-06-06T19:03:00.001-07:00

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2010-06-06T19:01:00.001-07:00

Reed Week 1

2010-06-05T14:48:00.001-07:00

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REED MAY13

2010-05-13T22:10:00.001-07:00

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Prego

2010-05-13T22:08:00.001-07:00

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The BluffBaby Moon

2010-04-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

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Its Chocolate!!!.MP4

2010-01-16T23:27:00.001-08:00

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Our entire Road Trip from long ago

2010-01-16T23:24:00.001-08:00

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Tulips

2010-01-16T23:23:00.001-08:00

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Scenery

2010-01-16T23:14:00.001-08:00

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San Jaun-Rainer

2010-01-16T23:05:00.001-08:00

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FIsh

2010-01-16T22:59:00.001-08:00

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Thanksgiving

2010-01-15T23:35:00.000-08:00

two more

2009-06-22T22:23:00.000-07:00

Graduation Pics

2009-06-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

Sunday Afternoon Snack

2009-05-31T14:39:00.001-07:00

I was craving something sweet and baked this afternoon. I had all of the ingredients to make chocolate chips cookies but strongly considered walking up to the grocery store to get the break and bake kind (I know, I know...pathetic) because chocolate chip cookies have never turned out the way I want them to...until today! I remembered a batch of cookies a good friend of mine, Deidra, had made for a party. I called her, got the recipe, and started baking...these cookies are delicious. Chewy (even after they had cooled), the right amount of melted chocolate chip 'stretch' (you know what I'm talking about), and perfect for a lazy Sunday.

Here's the recipe:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 Tablespoons white sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso (or coffee) powder
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet.

2. In a medium bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and instant coffee powder. Stir into cream mixture. Then, stir in chocolate chips.

3. Drop dough by heaping spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. (Make sure you leave enough space in between them).

4. Bake for 8-10 min (or 12 min for crispier cookies). Remove and cool.

Enjoy!

I think what makes these so yummy is the brown sugar to white sugar ratio (brown sugar makes the chewyness perfection) and the espresso/coffee powder really brings out the chocolate.

The Best Birthday. Ever.

2009-05-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

So May 17th, my birthday, was an amazing day. It all started like this...We went out to breakfast at an organic, sustainable, cafe called Portage Bay. They have a THE best breakfast. Its the kind of place where people stand around outside waiting as long as it takes, with the smell of cinnamon rolls making you that much more hungry. After a long breakfast of eggs over easy with chicken sausage (Leah) and Banana Fosters French Toast (me) with an all you can eat fruit bar, we went back to our place to meet our friends and head to the Red Sox v. Mariners game. At home waiting for me was a brand new LONG BOARD. Its like a skateboard with better wheels and trucks for long relaxed rides on beach boardwalks or anywhere long and flat. This, I did not expect. What a great suprise. Tim, Ash, Jordan, Caitlin, Seth, Anne, Leah and myself enjoyed an unusually warm (74 degree) and sunny birthday baseball game and cupcakes. Mariners hit a walk off double to win it in the 9th. We finished with a patio dinner on Lake Union and a long board ride with Seth and Anne. At the end of the day my heart was so full. First, I want to say that it was an amazing, perfectly planned day by my sweet wife with friends, food, and playing. Gosh it was amazing. I praise God for it all because its all His and He loves giving it to us.

Warm and Sunny Saturday

2009-05-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

This weekend was Rick's birthday weekend...and the sun decided to celebrate with us. This is really exciting! Thanks, SUN! Rick wants to tell you about his birthday later, so I'll take Saturday...I don't know if there has ever been a more perfect day. We woke up to the sun, Rick actually ran with me!!!!, we made smoothies, got on our bikes, stopped at the market for a picnic lunch and headed to the "beach." It wasn't really a beach seeing that the water you see is Lake Washington, but it was good enough. We enjoyed the sun, each other, a frisbee and reading a book we've been reading together for the last year, A Severe Mercy by Sheldon VanAuken...we're nearing the end and it is delightful, the whole day was!

Tulips!

2009-05-05T13:05:00.001-07:00

One of the perks of living in the great Northwest is amazing flowers, and the state of Washington is one of the major tulip growers in the US...who knew? The fields are in a small town called LaConner and that is where we decided to celebrate Ashley's birthday. There were 9 of us that packed into 2 cars and got out of the city for an afternoon...among many gray days in May, the bright colors were more than welcomed!

Hey Family

2008-12-20T19:58:00.000-08:00

As we are here in Seattle with about a week of snow interrupting our normal days we have had more time to think. I have been thinking a lot about our family. From this we really just want to say that we really love you guys. Whether or not we get to see you we really miss you and cant wait to be together again.
I have also been inspired by the message of hope of this season. This has come from a number of places. Some from the church and the usual building up of the advent season. Also through a musician, Rosie Thomas, who displayed her hope to the point of tears through her words and music at a recent Christmas concert we went to. Maybe because of these messages or because of where we live the hope that Christ coming to the world is becoming more relevant. Not because he came but because he is still entering our lives. He is still hope for darkness, trouble, discouragement. I hope you take the time to find the hope of Christ for you.

Portland Marathon

2008-10-09T16:01:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Leah ran her third marathon. She was 73rd in her age group!!!!! It's so amazing to watch her race. she goes by you so fast. You kind of feel like you are a part of something incredible.

She was Supported by "Team Rodenbeck " ( Members from left to right Tim, Rick, Robin, Aidan, Meghan,Finn, Ash) Team Rodenbeck is wearing their official race uniform and sign. If you would like to secure a Team Rodenbeck uniform you will have to try out. Try out are held in the eary mornings, to replicate race conditions. Uniforms are only created by Robin and Meghan LLC.

The Race ended cold and wet. Not the best conditions. We cleaned up ate lunch in Portland and hung out at Powells Bookstore which takes up a whole city block amazing.

Naches

2008-10-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

The naches is a river on the dry side of mnt Rainer. as you drive over the pass on the back side you go through a forest of giant trees that quickly turns into praire with small shrubs and trees only growing in canyons next to water. this is a great place to hunt bird ecspecially when you have a pointing griffon like Shred. .the fish in the natches are mostly cuttrhot and very fun to catch. the last picture is the best catch of the day.

My Parents

2008-08-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

My parents came to visit last week. It was so great to have them see Seattle. We did a lot of seattle stuff; went out to eat, aquarium, locks( where you can see the salmon). One day we took a clipper ship up to Victoria BC. It is a cool town. The highlight was seeing my mom at Bushart gardens. If you like flowers like martha rodenbeck likes flowers then if is great place. Parents thanks for coming.

surfing

2008-08-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

we got to go surfing with our friends seth and anne. they call themselves the shred dogs. here a shots of us in our wet suits. leah did awesome and by awesome i mean she was even getting up on the board her first time . If was fun.
I joined the shred dogs by "catching curl" and spending the night in a board bag. so next time your in Westport and your getting hasseled by the local the surf gangs. just call on the Shred dogs.

San Jauns

2008-08-10T14:08:00.000-07:00

For Zach and Jamie

Our Anniversary

2008-07-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

So we went camping for our 2 year anv. We picked a place we didnt know much about. It was in the alpine lake wilderness. We drove up on Saturday to the end of this long gravel road. At the end of it you are up in the mountians driving by glacier carved lakes and alpine meadows of wild flowers. It makes me understand why some people chose to "endure" the winters here. We hiked up on top of the ridge quickly with plans of making it to a lake 4 miles in. At the second mile we passed a like that as the sun was going down we just couldnt pass it up. We made dinner next to another campers fire to keep the misquotes off and went to bed. One of the best parts of the weekend was a book we took with us called severe mercy. About a couple who celebrates their love and the beauty of the world around them. That as far as we have gotten but it was very encouraging for us. the next day we got up and had 12 miles to finish out the loop we had started. We went under cathedral pass. a large rock that juts up into the sky i guess like a cathedral. through alpine meadows beside small lakes and along a ridge. Part of the trail was the pacific crest trail which runs from canada to mexico. At one point we hit a stream which was high from glacier melt. we stopped to eat thinking it was pretty but soon were cold and it started to rain. As we got up to go we noticed that the bridge was washed out and there was no where to skip across on rocks. We had to wade across that glacier water. man was that was cold. WE realized later that we had our chacos on our packs after we had waded across me bare foot and leah in our shoes. the rest of the day it spit rain off and on. we got to deception pass and descended from the PCT and out past two lakes. On the way out we decided to camp by the road and one of the lakes so we set up the tent at dinner and enjoyed the afternoon sun and some peach cobbler out of a bag. MMM

Granite Mountain

2008-07-13T19:55:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from a hike on a beautiful day

Shi Shi Beach and the Point of Arches

2008-04-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

This last weekend. We hit up the most northwestern point in the United States. Man it was a treat. After a ferry ride and 4 hrs of driving fri after work we arrived at hobuck beach and set up camp that night. I really did not know what to expect the next morning. But as i have heard the olympic penn does not disappoint. hear are a couple of shots of some stuff we saw.

Tim Ash Leah running

I think this is appropriately named elephant

Into the mystic where we ate lunch

Huge Tree stump lodged in arch

Playing around

2008-04-29T09:33:00.001-07:00

What is a good blog post without some sweet jumping pics

More Pics

2008-04-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Looking down into the tide pools was just as amazing as things would come to life and start to scurry around. beautiful colors of starfish and anenamie.

What we are learning

2008-04-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

You cant really get a good idea of what we are learning through these shot although the do give us a glimpse into the eternity that God has set in our hearts.

We have been studying Ecc at our church. I love this book and it realness about life. sorry if it sounds like a sermon. thats because it my notes from one.

Praise God For the desire for Eternity and Justice in our hearts. This brought about through days these moments as well as the days that we have cried and hurt here in seattle. trust me it rains a lot too.

What i am learning in Ecclesiasties

We were talkng about Ecc 3: 1-9 These verses are about there is a time for everything. Its great because it is such areal way to look at life with all its tragedy and glory.

stuff happens

In vrs 1-8 if you read it it is not folowing a formula. It list our good and bad things that can happen in no particular order. We dont know know what is going to happen. if we plug vitamans into our day we can still die or get sick. Its all gods timing one day sitting around eating french toast the next im at my grandfathers funeral. We want control. We want to say God your not in it and get mad when it doesn't make sense. The truth is we can't choose the mouning and we cant even choose the dancing.

Injustice and Death are inescapable

All die vrs 17 talks about how we are higher than the beast and even with that we are still lower that the angels. With all our ability we still torture our own people. It makes me think of lost. What happens to people when they get ripped out of society and start again. It is like the show is an experiment of how people treat each other.

Were torn up about

eternity is in our hearts

when we watch fox news or lost see this broken world and get mad at God. It speaks to our longing for Justice. This good and Bad point us to a better world. Injustice leads us to a longing for justice . Beauty leaves us longing for Eternity. we were made for health and laughter because God created us for good. Walk around greenlake and see people laughing running, freindships, dogs ,Go the symphony, Point of arches. These moments of beauty are made to create in us a longing. Eternitu is in our hearts. Desire is not bad. If we kill the desire we kill the things that lead us to Christ

We can't understand the gap

But we live low and dont' always understand the gap. Ugliness breaks into our lives doubt springs up. Even john the bapstist who said "this is the one" even at the end of his life doubted. Uzza in the ot who reached out to steady the ark was killed instantly during the celebration of the returning ark. While david was aloud to live after using his power to force himself on a woman who he gets pregnant then kill his husband

danger is we discouraged good becaue we dont have the answers

Another danger is we pretend were OK. refuse our desire think that we are just safe in our world where God is good where in the end we die.

Wisdom says how do you live in this

Enjoy life

It is a gift from God open your eyes to the good everywhere. Love your wife, powder days, sunsets. cherish these good moment. you are not holier than God and have to suffer all the time.

Fear God

Live with God as a companion, dont walk away and build your own world.

We all have our own itenary. Leave houston at 2:08 arrrive ATL 5:39 on paper it looks so good, Get education, the i get married ,then i have this adventure, then ill have kids,

BUt we dont plan for the 100 yr storms that seem to be hitting every 10 yrs

Dont go alone Self sufficiency is an idol . WE think that we can make ourselves safe in this western world with money and pad our eviroment.

WHAT we really need is companionship with Christ and Companionship with Others.

MT. SI Rely

2008-04-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

So we joined a team of 5 people at a mnt near seattle a couple weekends ago. The goal was to run 57 mile as team competing against other teams. We had a blast Leah ran the first leg for our team 7.9 miles at 7 min pace. I ran the 5 leg, 6.1 miles and got to hand off to leah to run the 6th leg 4.4miles. finally i ran the last leg 3.4 miles at 8 min pace. It was awesome i never really thought that i would enjoy running that much. most of it was thought the woods and over steams through towns. Our team would drive to the next point so the next runner would be ready. Total team time for

 We're Going Streaking !!! (we didn't pick the name)                   8:32:10

We didn't take alot of pics. Not real easy to get pictures so all you see is us standing around.

these are cool

2008-04-06T12:44:00.001-07:00

just some cool snow shots.

Friend, Seth, on a back bowl or Crystal Mt.

End of cool day with our Friends Ash and Tim.

A bumpy ride ( sorry best i could) through the woods and a meadow with and sun setting on the far peak.

Spring

2008-04-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

Spring has settled on Seattle and the bay window of our kitchen. The flowers, as you can see, are magnificent. (The pink ones are cool because they are the size of your open hand.) The difference in a northern spring is that at any time you can go back to winter. The white mountains still hold their reminder of this. The best thing is that the days are longer and there is promise of many more rich green warmer days ahead. Leah and I are starting to feel more at home (to whatever degree this is measured by.) Our apartment with its baseboard heating is a little warmer. I open the store in the mornings and study in the afternoons (finally pictures of Noah's). Just started a new quarter and trying to step up my studying. Leah wakes up early and runs then goes to Crista nursing center(pictures to come). It has been a good job. We are traveling quite a bit back south for different occasions. My Grandfather Rodenbeck's funeral in March. Leah is in atl right now for Bethany and Chad's wedding. We are participating in a race next weekend where each team member will run two legs of a relay around a mountain near Seattle(http://www.ontherunevents.com/mtsirelay/). Our friends Wayland and Courtney got us involved. One of the best things that is happening, something that we talked about before moving here, is we are starting to learn new things together. We learning about our need for friends, community, and the Church and how we should invest in that for our remaining time here.

"There She Is"

2008-02-18T17:03:00.000-08:00

So we have actually had some really nice weather this last week. Not a heat wave, but at least it has been sunny. Here is a shot of Seattle/Rainer. Rainer at 14410 is 54 miles away. This is picture is from about a mile from our APT and at sea level. It topographical prominence is 13,210 feet, that is greater than that of K2.* Also it has more glaciers than any other mnt in the lower 48 states. Leah and I refer to Rainer as "Her" or "There she is. " Well enjoy.

*Mount Rainier. (2008, February 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:18, February 19, 2008, from

Air Tent

2008-02-09T22:00:00.000-08:00

Sea Town

2008-02-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

Seattle is starting to feel like home. Now my second quarter of class is more challenging. Leah started here new job at Crista ministries which has been going well. I do bagels. Bethany church continues to be a home and teach us more about walking with Jesus. Snowboarding on the weekends has been great because of lots of snow. Sometime too much so we cant get to our place. Check out http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/ to see where we usually go. Our neighbors who we hang out with the most are moving. We are sad about that, but we have really enjoyed hanging out with Ash and her new friend Tim. So the winter can be really cloudy and cold like everybody says. But days like today where we run, go to markets, and throw a Frisbee make the city very enjoyable. Overall Seattle continue to be a good place to really grow together and live and learn. You can pray for us as we are seeking at how we can get more involved at Bethany.

two months down

2007-11-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

So a lot to update on here. A couple of weeks ago we went with bethany community church on a wilderness retreat to Mt Baker. we had a blast snowshoeing and met lots of new people. Since then we have really been enjoying attending that church. The people are very nice and real. The pastor is the same way and very challenging. The next weekend after that we headed over to Mt Rainer. It was a beautiful day and we had a great hike. Then we headed back east for Zach and Jamie's Wedding which was a blast and very much worth it. It so nice to see close friends and be somewhere familiar. Zach great wedding. Well done. We have ben back for two weeks and we are in the grind of class and work. Leah is still working as a property manager and assistant. I still do bagels. We hang out with our neighbors alot. Can't wait to come home for christmas

One month down...

2007-09-30T21:40:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a while, but we're back! We've officially been in Seattle for a month and it's now starting to get a little rainy. Its really starting to feel like home, though. And the leaves are already changing which is really beautiful. I (Leah) am starting my 4th week on the job and beginning to feel like I know what I'm doing. Rick just had his first 2 classes. He's really excited about what they're teaching and the time that he has to be able to really study and learn. We think we've found a home church...yay! It's called Bethany Community Church and it's about 10 minutes from us. We're going on a wilderness retreat with them next weekend, so we're hoping to meet some friends! Speaking of friends we've really enjoyed getting to know our neighbors, Steven and Kari and their 11 month old boy, Cohen. Rick and I got to go on a date this past week which was really fun...it was a special celebration of getting our first pay checks! Our apt. is looking better and we're slowly adding to it. These pics are of my (Leah) office, our view fromthe apt, Seattle Pacific University and the Sunday market near our apt, and a really big tree that we found on one of our runs!

discovery park

2007-09-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

Rick and I just got back from a park not too far from us. it is beautiful! you can kind of see Mt. Rainier, the Olympics and of course the water! Enjoy!

our apartment and first week here!

2007-09-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

This has been a long time coming...but here is where we live! these pics are before our furniture got here. we bought a couch and got one for free...besides that we had what we drove across the country with, 'after' pics are coming! we're still loving it here! Rick starts class on the 24th and Leah got a job! She's working as an admin/office assistant for a guy that owns his own real estate business. its actually the guy that we bought our red leather couch from...which are both (the couch and job) gifts from the Lord!
our new address is:
Rick and Leah Rodenbeck
3019 3rd Avenue West
Apt. 8
Seattle, WA 98119

Thanks

2007-09-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank all our viewers and, comment posters, supporters, Family for everything that you have meant to us during this move. WE MISS YALL ALREADY. Thanks for supporting us and being excited for us. If you would like to view more pictures from our trip see our Web album at http://picasaweb.google.com/rickrodenbeck/RoadenbeckTrip

We will continue blogging on this site about our experiences in Seattle.

Glacier to Seattle

2007-09-01T00:42:00.000-07:00

We spent some time relaxing at lakeside. It was very nice. we went into glacier twice. Glacier is by far the prettiest place we have been yet with dense forest, huge waterfalls and clear blue water. Check it out. We arrived in seattle wed. Its so good to finally make it to our destination and be off the road. We love it so far!!!!

for Rob!!!

2007-08-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

Last night we camped in Salmon, ID where our friend Rob's favorite place in the US is. there is a hot spring about 2 miles up a trail off of 93 (a 2 lane road in ID). we spent this morning soaking in the hot spring and it was unbelievable...just like a hot tub! thanks for sharing your findings with us...you're the best! now we're on to glacier national park!

day 4...out of the teton and time to rest

2007-08-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

we woke up on wednesday to sun and not as much wind...it was great. we hiked 8 miles out (all down hill which was nice) and made it to the car just before it started pouring for a grand total of 46 miles in 72 hours...we were ready for a bed...so we ended up at an amazing bed and breakfast in rigby, idaho called the blue heron inn...if any of you guys are driving through rigby, you've GOT to stay here. we stayed an extra night because we just couldn't leave. we got to read, sleep, and fish...amazing!

Psalm 65...

2007-08-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

Vs 6.. Who establishes the mountains by His Strength, Being girded with his might..

Vs 9.. The stream of God is full of water

Vs 5 .... You are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea... 8 They who dwell in the earth stand in awe of your signs. You make the dawn and the sunsets shout for joy. 9 You visit the earth and cause it to overflow, You greatly enrich it.
67 vs 6,7 The earth has yeilded its produce God , our god blesses us , God blesses us tat all ethe ends of the earth may fear Him.

3...

2007-08-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures. day 3. Lake solitude, cutthroat trout, tetons from paintbrush pass, the paintbrush ridge at sunset from our campsite see the Psalm 65 post and a picture of just the tetons.

day 2 in the tetons...

2007-08-22T20:53:00.000-07:00

we woke up, had breakfast, packed our stuff and headed out of lake marion by 9.30. it was a beautfiul morning and we were excited about what we were going to see. over the first hill we could see our first view of the tetons and we couldn't wait to get closer. we went down into a canyon that we weren't supposed to, but we didn't figure that out until 7 miles into it...so we had to climb over "static peak" and finally made it back to the trail. we then headed up hurricane pass which we found out was named because of the wind...wow the wind...then made it to our campsite by 7. a 12 mile day turned in to a 18.5 mile day...needless to say, we slept hard!

1st night in the Tetons...

2007-08-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

we started at granite canyon trailhead at 12.30pm...the beginning was sage brush and trees and after 2 miles we found ourselves climbing through a huge canyon that went for 5 miles. we followed a river almost the whole way and huge flat cliffs on both sides! we got to talk a lot...about our marriage and what we wanted to be...it was awesome! while we were talking we came around a corner and there was a BIG moose...it ran from us up the trail and we followed it until it went off the trail...crazy! after a pretty steep climb and 9 miles later we reached lake marion at 9200ft...our first camp site. it was really windy, but we were happy to be there. we set up our tent and fixed dinner...it was a great first day!

from yellowstone to the tetons...

2007-08-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

this is a quick blog because we're about to go backpacking for 4 days in the tetons...but our last days in yellowstone were good...that park is HUGE!!! pics include mt. washburn, lower falls water fall, and a grizzly...more later!

Yellowstone..

2007-08-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

we woke up ealy, ran and fished (you can guess who did what), ate breakfast and headed to yellowstone! it started out really hazy because of all the smoke from the fires, but it ended well with the wind blowing the smoke away. we saw buffalo, mountain goats, and deer. we hiked a ridge trail by the yellowstone river. then cut back on specimen ridge that overlooks plains of buffalo. next we hiked to the Lost Lake. it was beautiful, followed by much needed showers, dinner, and some chill time. right before bed two big bucks walked through the campsite and we watched them for about 30 min. We had our first big rain storm yesterday and today. we got a little wet but we are in west yellowstone eating good pizza at Wild West and drying out.

mountains of wyoming

2007-08-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

We drove from buffalo to the shoshone moutains outside of yellowstone. We woke up in buffalo to our first flat tire. Thank God we were right across from carls tire shop. In 30 min he had us back on the road. our route took us through the big horn national forest. not the way we planned to go. but very glad we did it. We ate lunch at the top of the pass (see pic). We saw a moose from a distance in a feild, and we went through and amazing canyon with thousand foot cliffs on all sides. We finally ended up near the northeast entrance of yellowstone. we planned to enter on the east side, but, because of fires, that road was closed. it worked out well because we stayed in the coolest camp site. surrounded by huge pine trees and a stream running through it...not to mention al and agatha...our "camp hosts."...they were awesome! we ate dinner, then walked by the stream with a 9000 ft. mountain in the background...beautiful!

badlands, SD

2007-08-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

yesterday we woke up to a sunrise in the back of the truck, then spent the morning running on the loop road around the park, then drove the rest of it..it was unlike anything we've seen. it kind of felt like we were on mars! when we left badlands we stopped in a small town that had a theater and watched the new bourne...it was awesome! now we're on our way to yellowstone!!!

arriving at badlands....

2007-08-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

Woke up in kansas city and started our 700 mile day through missouri Iowa and ended in badlands, south dakota. the highlights of today were: a hair cut in Iowa, a dirt road in south dakota that we pulled over at under a shady tree in the middle of huge corn and soy been field stretching on as far as the eye can see, in chamberlain we passed the the missouri river valley... the sunlight looked like it was making a tent with its beams around us, there were rolling grassy hills that were dotted with trees and sunfllower fields that went on forever...possibly the best valley ever.
Finally to arrive at badlands for the sunset over the jagged hills and a mother deer and it two fawns running throug the knee high straw grass. On the way out we spotted a 10 point buck. then we got to sleep in the back of the truck for the first time...it was amazing and surprisingly comfy!

we're really on our way...kentucky to kansas city

2007-08-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

on sunday we left kentucky and mom and dad rodenbeck...our 5th and final time leaving...we were now officially on our way. we didn't make it far before we saw a sign for mamoth national park (the biggest cave in the US). we stopped but didn't see the cave because the wait was too long, but we did see 2 wild turkeys. our next stop was st. louis and the arch. it was great to get out and play a little and of course the always important jumping picture. (josh and jen...i think our pics are better!) then we headed for kansas city and spent the night there...it was a pretty long day, but fun!

dayton to AJ's wedding

2007-08-10T11:19:00.000-07:00

We got into Dayton around 2am...thanks for your beds and the AMAZING breakfast! then we drove that morning to bowling green, ky to be a part of one great wedding...we love you AJ and Jordan!

celebrating life and leaving atlanta

2007-08-10T05:57:00.000-07:00

june 9 or 10th 12:48 AM

Just had the coolest party at the Gilliams!!! What an amazing group of people. Can't tell you how much yall mean to us. And it was so good to see Baylor Stanton before we headed out west. Sad and exciting all at the same time. So hard to say good by to the mom and dad Reed, too! Chatty 1 hour away. Here we come.