Friday 6/26: Reno, part 2, Lake Tahoe, and Ely

Instead of rushing out the door, we decided to take some time to explore Circus Circus. We decided to put $2 into the slot machines. I had never done it before, so I wanted to try it! We ended up with $4.33. ;) I count that a win! We definitely played on the conservative side and knew our limit very well. It was a fun adventure.

We enjoyed seeing two more circus performances: a comedy about a dog catcher and an acrobat doing aerials. They were in the Midland area, so we also wandered around and looked at the different fair type games...and decided spending more money on those weren't worth it right now!

For lunch we ate at a Mexican restaurant that was AMAZING! My mouth is watering just thinking about the food...

Right after the second performance, we drove to lake Tahoe to look around for a bit. We didn't have nearly as much time as we would have liked. The lake was beautiful and really made me want to go out on a boat. We sat on some rocks, observing the lake and people watching. What an amazing place to take a breath and reflect!

Then we set off for Ely, Nevada which was our stopping place for the night. We crossed on U.S. 50...and that road is not called the loneliest road for nothing!! There was no place (with semi-reasonably priced/safe looking food) to eat from the time we left Reno until we reached Ely. All of the towns we came across were tiny.

One intriguing town we came across was Austin, Nevada. It used to be a mining town that had booms off and on until the 1950s. We did look up the details, but guessed the timeframe based on when all of the housing updates in the town stopped! There was also an old school bus laying in a junkyard that looked like it was from the 1950s. It is still a working turquoise mining town...but basically looks like people are living in a ghost town. It truly got our minds spinning. Most, if not all, of our drive was along the old Pony Express trail. Those were the two highlights of our drive along US-50!

DIPG: Four Letters of Heartbreak

Written on June 23, 2015 (I've worn pink almost daily since her service on July 12th in her honor)

This week I have experienced a series of heart breaks that will forever impact me. I decided that I am going to dedicated a series of posts to the idea of not being silent. I think one long post would be too much so here is the first installment.  

I cannot stay silent...children are dying of cancer. My sweet friend's daughter stepped into Heaven because of a cancer called DIPG. My heart utterly breaks for them. I am devastated by the rapid progression of the disease. Yet I know that sweet Maggie has stepped into eternity with God. Her face lit up when she heard the word Heaven. She is healed now. 

Here is my note to her:

Sweet Maggie, I remember when your mom shared with me that she was pregnant with you. Although I didn't have many times with you, I loved every moment of your wonderful laugh and delight in so many things! I never dreamed you would enter Heaven before me. So here I remain here on earth, waiting for the day when I too can cuddle with Jesus, and grieve the reality that I will not get to see you again on this earth. And I know you left behind parents and siblings who loved you deeply. Don't worry, Magnolia, I will make sure I keep Paisley in my prayers especially (and mom, dad, and Percy too). I look forward to the day when I can join you in our Heavenly home, but until then enjoy your time in the presence of the King and with the other two people I love who entered just before you. <3

Maggie's family has amazing support from family and friends. Yet other family's face similar battles...and have neither family/friend support nor a faith in God. My heart cries out with a simple question: how do I reach them?! The ones who face this alone. 

My one answer to that question right now is an amazing organization called Jessie Rees Foundation or NEGU (Never Ever Give Up). They send JoyJars filled with toys to kids who are fighting cancer. They also are a central place for families who have children with cancer to find support. This is an organization and cause near to my heart. Please take a minute to check out NEGU.org. 

We don't want to face the reality that children are dying of cancer, but they are. So let's be these families' voices.

Thursday 6/25: Golden Gate Bridge and Reno, part 1

Even though we had driven across the Golden Gate Bridge, we wanted to walk across it! So we got up in the morning to drive there first thing. (It was a good thing we did because the parking lot was overflowing when we finished!) The walk took us about 40 minutes each way. It was windy and high up but an incredible experience. I'm so glad we did it!! 

Fun Fact: my great-grandpa helped design the bridge :)

We filmed a video at the start of the adventure and near the end of it as well. Check the out on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/theroadtrip50states

*Alyssa ready to start the walk!

*Me (Nicole) ready for the walk!

Here we are rejoicing on getting the first way across:

If you wondered what it was like to walk across, here's a taste:

(The supports are really really tall!!)

After finishing the walk across the bridge and back we were exhausted and hungry, but felt so accomplished! We thankfully already had plans to meet up with our friends for lunch :) It was my first time going to a tofu house. The food was yummy! 

After lunch, we headed out through traffic to Reno, NV. Most of our drive was through California. Nothing noteworthy happened on the drive, except entering Nevada! This is our 5th state. :)

We stayed at Circus Circus. We found an amazing deal! This was my first time inside of a casino. I greatly enjoyed my time--but don't worry, we didn't gamble or drink too much!!

We did a little drive to see if we could find any lights in the city. There were a few! Although the road to get to the iconic Reno sign was closed :( Here are some of the lights!

The hotel offers free circus acts. We decided to stay up and watch the juggling act. I'm so glad we did! It was really cool!! They fit so many different movements into one 5 minute performance. Here are a few pictures!

Then it was time to sleep! Good night ;)