Utah, Mormons and Las Vegas...

Utah was beautiful and filled with many Mormons. The Protestants need to get it in gear in that state. We camped in the middle of no where in Dixie National Forrest. Free of course since we were dry camping. From there we went to Bryce Canyon National Park and did a bit of site seeing and then visited Zion National Park the following day.

During that time our air conditioning on the Expedition went out. This wasn't terrible at the time because the temperatures at 8000 ft of elevation are really pretty nice. Next on our trip however: Death Valley. Not wanting to die, we decided to get our AC fixed ASAP. We are now just headed out of Las Vegas where we got our Expi fixed at a Ford dealership. We actually tried to get it fixed while we were still in Utah but the shop we went to had just opened two weeks prior an their inexperience was brought to light $700 later... It was frustrating, but we are on our way now. We are skipping Death Valley to try to keep on schedule and heading straight to San Francisco from here.

On a side note I (Annie) don't really care for Las Vegas. We walked around downtown a little bit with the kids and it just seemed rather awkward. Who bring their kids with them to Las Vegas? We did. However, anyone who brings kids old enough to read might have some explaining to do. "Why do all those people have shirts on that say 'Girls to you in less than 20 minutes!'" There are good people among them, but Las Vegas seems to be to epitome of self indulgence, self gratification and... I can't think of another word to better describe the city than this : empty.

We have had some unexpected mechanical expenses, but are still enjoying this time that God has set aside for us to spend together as a family. I will post some pictures below of Zion, Bryce and some other places along that route.

Colorado

We have been in Colorado for almost a week and I really haven't done an update except for our mishap that Jon shared just prior to this post.
I am posting some pictures from our time in Colorado Springs. After we left there we went southwest so Mesa Verde National Park. We camped in the National Forrest nearby (dispersed camping) and had some herding cows wander through our site a few times. The kids thought that was really cool. After viewing the really cool cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde we took the kids for ice cream, this was definitely their favorite part as they could have cared less about those old rocks.
We have taken some nice walks and lastly stopped at the four corners on our way to Bryce Canyon. Jonas, Lucy, Jon an I were all in a different state!

An adventure

Last night was a night to remember!

It started off when we pulled into Colorado Springs - what an amazing city!!  We heard that there was a great road with dispersed camping possibilities in Pike's National Forest. The road was Gold Camp Road. We found the road and started up the mountain. This dirt road was switchback after switchback. It was steep and narrow. To the right was the mountain, and to the immediate left was a sheer drop hundreds of feet (with no guard rail). 

After driving the RV up to about 8600ft of elevation and through two mountain tunnels, we found out that the source of info was incorrect. There wasn't even a place wide enough to turn around much less set up camp! We gave up on that road and stumbled across another road that promised opportunities to set up a remote campsite - Old Stage Rd. 

old stage road proved to be very similar to Gold Camp Rd. very steep, very narrow - no possible way we could stay on this road. With nowhere to go but up, we pressed on. And on. And on. 

Until we hit the steepest portion of the road. I have never experienced a road this steep - even without a 5,000 pound trailer dragging me down!!

The smooth power of that Triton V8 was just not enough to get the job done. While trying to climb the steepest part, the truck just stopped moving forward. We were done climbing at that point. There was no way to turn around, so I started to back the rig down the mountain (a nightmare!). It was getting dark and the road was very difficult to see. I had backed the trailer down the mountain about 1/4 mile then misjudged a switchback. I started turning the trailer too soon and got the inside wheels barely off the hard road. I knew that if I backed up even one more foot, the trailer would be stuck there, and I had no power to go forward. I WAS STUCK!!

Some nice guys stopped to help me direct the 5 or 6 cars that drove through my roadblock. After waiting about an hour for the transmission to cool off, we tried to straighten it up. It had enough juice to move me about a foot. I knew I wasn't driving down that mountain. Thank God for AAA!!!

After another hour and a half, the wrecker arrived with a giant diesel semi truck to haul me and my trailer out of that mess. AAA sent a courtesy car to bring us down the mountain, and we followed right behind the wrecker. Things were going smooth on the way down the mountain until the wrecker's brakes caught fire!!!!

We were following this guy and breathing the smoke from his brakes! I thought for sure this was the last time I would see the truck and RV!  Thanks to God for getting us down the mountain!

We were dropped off at the nearest WalMart parking lot where we spent the night in the RV. 

After being cooled off, brought down below 6000 feet and being unhooked from the RV, the Expedition drove perfect!  Again thanks be to God!

I had assumed my transmission was blown and I was anticipating a huge expense in repair bills. I was able to drive it to a repair shop and have them check it out and do a tranny flush. In stead of spending $2500 on a tranny, it only cost me $95 for the tow and $200 for the flush and diagnosis. God was looking over the Crofts. 

Now we are at a pediatric ER  to have Lucy checked out. She has had a fever for the past 3 days. Pray. 

A little tour of our Summer Home!

We just hit the road about five minutes ago! The feeling of not having any place to be at any time for the next month and a half I simply exhilarating! We are headed for Cali then back to Michigan to move all of our stuff to Bourbonnais, IL. We are going to hit as many National Parks and new places as possible in that time.

We will be living in our lovely RV palace that my parents so graciously loaned us for the summer. It is our 24 feet of living space, though not to be confused with 24 square feet.

Kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom. What else do we need?! Jon installed the bunk bed above our bed before we left Michigan. Jonas and Lucy sleep together up there and they love it! Lucy is one and Jonas is three, although Lucy still isn't talking much, her and Jonas are pretty good buddies. The gate over the front swings open and keeps them from falling off while they are asleep.

So off we go! First stop...no one knows!!

Detours for Junk

Along the way we have stopped in at different rummage sales, flea markets, antique shops and anything else we see along the way when we have time. I love checking out old, vintage and artsie stuff! Jon does too... But not the kids, they want to break it all! ;)

BOON DOCKING

Ever heard of it? It basically means to pop a squat someplace and camp for free. Places where you can do this are National Forests and... Walmart! We slept well, now off to Kansas City for two days because Jon has two meetings. After that it's hasta luego to civilization. Out West here we come!! God is good.

Opryland Hotel...

We were able to stay in the Opryland hotel and it was amazing! It is so beautiful! Even though you get lost a lot at first, at least you get to walk in a garden! One night my dad took Jonas on the little riverboat in the hotel and Jonas loved it. We spotte them from our balcony. While my Dad got the kids to bed my mom and I were able to go to a concert at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday night. It was a lot of fun! We saw Kelly Pickler, Bill Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, Lennon and Maisey, Rascal Flatts, Kree Harrison, and Keith Urban. Lucy also got double pink eye so I had to take her to a clinic. So far she is feeling better. God is with us.

Nampa is cool...

I am having an amazing time at Northwest Nazarene University at the ACSD conference with my new co-workers from ONU.  I miss my wife and kids, and I can't wait to see them tomorrow!  I can't wait to start my work at ONU and see how it blends with the work I have been doing this summer.  Pray for safe flights tomorrow for myself and the rest of the res. life staff.

Enjoying Nashville with Grampa and Manga

The zoo, the pool and downtown Nashie