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 ;)

Unlikely Opportunities

When Alyssa and I set out on this journey that we have called the Road Trip, we wanted to be open to God's guiding whatever that might look like. Never in a million years would I have guessed that planning a funeral would be what we would need to do. But that's where our lives led us. 

When Alyssa's mom first died, we were understandably shocked and grief struck. (Ok, we are in a lot of ways still shocked and grieving, but it was overwhelming at beginning.) In those first hours and days, I also wrestled with anger. Anger that the trip had to re-route. Anger that we had to 'stop' our trip for a time. Anger that we had to return to California. 

As I wrestled this through with God, I came to realize something that entirely changed my view on those two weeks. The trip was not stopping; it simply was taking us to a different place. Our hearts to serve were not being ignored, but rather refined. 

So. We embraced the planning of the funeral as a way we could serve. Not in the way we would have wanted, but in an unexpected and raw way that changed us forever. We were able to help her dad and brother with planning as well as to serve our God by creating a service that glorified Him and honored Anita's memory. In the midst of it all, our hearts began to understand more how to have empathy for those who are suffering heart break. We were being refined to be more Christ-like, even as we figured out a slideshow and flowers for a memorial service.  

During this time we also were served by many people around who showed us by example how needed the body of Christ is:

People at church came up to us and expressed their condolences. Being acknowledged made us feel less alone. 

Our pastor took us aside that first Sunday to make sure he got to hear about what had happened and how we were doing. He poured himself into making sure we had the right connections to help us with planning as well as providing an amazing message of hope during the service. Again, we felt acknowledged and seen. (He is the same pastor who prayed over us during the church commissioning written about in a previous post.)

The worship leaders who I also mentioned in the Church Commissioning post blessed us so much. They not only did an incredible job leading songs for the service, but they also spent time listening to us after a church service. They showed such grace, love, and support that will never be forgotten. 

Another huge way we were blessed was by Alyssa's mom's friends who stepped up to help in various ways including organizing the reception, giving us photos for the slideshow, and buying a basket for the remembrance candles. Without them helping in these ways, the burden would have been much heavier. 

One of our friends drove from another state to show us support. If you have ever doubted how much having your presence somewhere can mean to someone, doubt no longer! It meant so much to have her with us. The night of the funeral would have been so much harder without her. (Bonus: she paid for our meals!)

Our other local friends gave us their presence too. They came to the funeral. And then two of them met us for lunch later that week and another one cooked us a dinner. Those simple offers of time together meant so much during a time of pain and sorrow. 

Of course there were those who continually checked up on us via text. Each of those texts helped us get through and reminded us of God's love and hope in the midst of sorrow. My mom also stepped up with the texts and calls which was a blessing to both of us. A simple text can mean the world to someone. 

Oh! And there was the amazing couple who opened up their home to us for TWO WEEKS with very last minute notice! They did so graciously and with many smiles. They included us in a game night, multiple walks, many talks, and a movie. It was wonderful to have a home base in the midst of chaos. 

Our acupuncturist and chiropractor showed such compassion when we entered there office much sooner than anticipated. They stood and listened to the story and offered what comfort they could. In the midst of grief, they used their compassion and medical skills to help us cope with our grief. 

I'm sure I have missed people! The point is we were abundantly blessed. 

So in the midst of it all, not only did we have unexpected opportunities to serve, but also unexpected opportunities to deepen relationships. 

We also spent precious time with Alyssa's brother and dad. They completely welcomed me in as a part of the family. We grieved together. We laughed together. We remembered together. None of these times would have happened without coming back for the memorial service. It was unexpected time to make memories. 

Our trip didn't stop for two weeks, it simply took a different form with many unexpected opportunities to treasure, grow, feel loved, and serve. 

Tuesday 6/23, Part 2: Muir Woods

Our next destination was San Francisco! Just outside of Monterey, we came across a beautiful fruit stand. So we stopped. ;)

We drove all the way through the city to the northern part and across the Golden Gate Bridge. Neither of us remember ever driving across it before (although we may have!), so it was an exhilarating experience!

We then continued up a very windy road to Muir Woods National Monument. It took us a little while to get organized with the National Parks pass and NP passports for stamps...so we got to walk one stretch of path multiple times! After finally getting everything in place correctly, we only had 30 minutes until we needed to leave. Thus, we chose to do the second shortest loop. It was beautiful with huge redwood trees! The air was fresh too. We even had the chance to take one family's picture so they could all be in it! They took ours too :) There was a stream running through the woods (that in other times of year would be full of salmon!) which added to the peaceful atmosphere of the woods. Here is a taste of the views:

After that we met up with some of Alyssa's friends who live there. They are an amazing couple who opened up their home to us for our 2 nights in San Francisco. On this particular night they treated us to really good Katsu curry rice :) We were exhausted by this point, so we returned to their house to relax for the rest of the evening. 

Wednesday 6/24: San Francisco

We had the unexpected (think this may be the theme word of this trip!) opportunity to serve at a church day camp on Wednesday in San Fracisco. One of the friends we were staying with was involved with this camp and asked if we wanted to go for a few hours the next morning. We said of course! 

The day began with a devotional by the pastor. He was extremely welcoming to us!

*The sanctuary where devotions were held

As the counselors were getting their kids, we prayed for the kids and the day. We weren't quite sure where we fit in, but we decided to wait and see what happened. 

Shortly after that, we began to help prepare lunch. This was the friend's job, so it was great to be able to help her out! We made sandwiches and set out juices and oranges. It was quite enjoyable actually. :) 

After the lunches were done, we headed to downtown San Francisco to take a free walking tour that we found online. They are called San Francisco City Guides. Their website is http://www.sfcityguides.org/current_schedule.html. I am in no way paid to tell you about them, but we had so much fun I wanted to share it with you! We took a tour about the Gold Rush, but they have many others. :) 

It was a bit stressful trying to find street parking in time to walk to the starting location of the tour. Ok, read very stressful. We tried multiple parking lots but they cost too much. So we kept driving around until we found a spot on the street! Unfortunately, we parked at the exact time the tour was starting...and had to walk a ways to the meeting location. Alyssa ended up calling the company to figure out which direction to go if we need to catch up! Thankfully we didn't have to! 

We learned about how the city grew suddenly because of the discovery of gold in the surrounding regions. They called this an 'instant city.' 

The San Francisco Bay used to come further up into the city, but over time they filled the bay with various things, including dumping full loads of cargo from ships into the bay. As the city built up, they began using boats as foundations for stores! This then led to the boats being built on top of! To this day there still remains over a dozen ships under the foundations of San Francisco. Each one that is discovered must be documented and recorded before the building can proceed. 

Another interesting fact is that when the bay was farther into the city, they built long docks into the bay for ships to come     They became so long that people didn't want to walk all the way back to the city before going to another dock, so they connected them with a walkway. This structure later became the grid pattern of the roads of the city. There are two exceptions to this: mission road and precidio road. These were both well-worn paths that existed before the docks did. 

*This picture was found online; I cannot remember where right now, but if desired I will find out to give proper credit. It is also the picture the tour guide showed us!

Mark Twain also spent time in this city. In one of his books there is a frog. I cannot remember which book or the story on the frog, but there is a statue of a frog to pay tribute to Twain. 

San Francisco was the last stop on the Pony Express. They have a plaque as a reminder of this! The riders would ride at a gallop, stopping briefly every 20 miles to change horses. After seeing all the terrain they had to ride, we have a new respect for what they did to carry letters across the country!

China Town is the largest community of Chinese people outside of China. They live in small apartments packed with people. If the density of San Francisco was the same as China Town, the population would be around 9 million people. That's a lot!! We didn't have a chance to spend much time in China Town on this trip :(

We also got to hear about the history of the California flag. It started with white muslin with a strip of a woman's red petticoat stitched on the bottom. They then put republic of California because Texas' flag said republic of Texas. Then they added the lone star from the Texas flag. To finish off the flag, they wanted to add a fierce animal. They thought of the great grizzly bear! And so with all of that combined, the California flag was born. :)

We learned even more history, but if I added it all this post would become much too long! Hope you enjoyed the highlights. 

After the tour we walked over to the Ferry Building (think that's what it's called). There we bought vegan donuts from Pebble's Donuts. We haven't had donuts in probably over a year because of our allergies. Oh my! They were so good! We sat on a bench looking at the harbor to enjoy them. I got Salted Caramel; Alyssa got Vanilla; we shared a cinnamon and sugar. 

As we sat on the bench, we saw a bunch of pigeons. Some of them were all fluffed up because it was cold! Haha. 

After our donuts, we drove a ways to buy dinner from a food truck we had seen on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives a few months ago. They now have a restaurant and a food truck. We decided to go to the food truck! It is called KoJa (Korean/Japanese fusion cuisine) If you are ever in San Francisco, we definitely recommend looking up where this food truck would me. We got teriyaki steak on fried rice...patties? Buns? Cakes? It was delicious!!

On our way to and from the food truck, we got to drive on a double decker bridge! 

We were exhausted by this point in the day, so we went back to our friends' house to relax and watch TV. :)