Okay family and friends. Take a moment and vote for Rhyder. Yes we are partial in our hearts. He is one bright, happy, loving young man. https://babyoftheyear.org/2026/rhyder-219d

Greetings from Charlottetown Prince Edward Island, Canada! We are in port for two days! Lots to see and do. We got a late start but made it to breakfast. I wanted an omelette for breakfast but the long line to order detered me. One person was giving multiple orders so I settled for the usual…

Hello Sydney, NS CA! Wow after a late night we are chillin like villains. 🦹 My legs and back are hurting from the stair master we were on yesterday. The tunnels had a lot of steps and the steep inclines on the hillsides. My knees are bothering me too. I am feeling old today. This…

Monday in the Bay of Fundy. We made it to port in Halifax, NB Canada. We hit something about 3 a.m. and kept going. Heather slept through it but I was wide awake. Not because we killed a whale or hit a speed bump. Just because of old man bladder. We had breakfast at the…

Today is our first real sea day. We woke up and had breakfast delivered to our room. Was really nice. The ship was smoothly moving along and I had to screw it all up. I said “Heather it has been so nice in the back of the ship.” “We have barely felt anything.” Then it…

The memories of our family outings continue to be a source of immense strength for me. I vividly recall us all piling into the car, though I can’t recall the make or model. We embarked on long drives, with our destination always uncertain. Along the way, we passed by trees and possibly some road signs.…

We had to set our clocks up another hour to accommodate our new time zone. We are two hours ahead of central time. We are now in Saint John, New Brunswick. Finally got our pic of our Terminal Friends. Our tour guide is a 70 year old Mary Ellen who is very friendly and flighty…

So early, we woke up at 6 a.m. and I peeked out of curtains thinking I would see us docked but we were still moving. Heather and I waited with anticipation for a breakfast that would never come. It seems we didn’t put our request outside on our door handle last night. Duh! We went…

Today was an incredible day. I’m so grateful for all the amazing people here in Boston. Only half of you honked, yelled, or gave me the finger. Despite the challenges, I managed to navigate through the traffic safely and successfully returned Ole Gray the Sante Fe. It was a decent car, but it definitely needs…

You don’t know Boston until you come to bean town. It is a bustling city with a noticeably younger and diverse population. Boston has over 50 accredited colleges with student attendance of over 250 thousand. This doesn’t include Harvard or Cambridge Universities because they are not in the Boston proper. We messed up by going…

Ta da! The rain poured down relentlessly, so we bundled up in our rain gear and loaded up the car. We drove a mile up the road and stopped at the Cracked Egg, a place we’ve heard great things about. However, we were in for a surprise. Heather ordered a sausage patty, scrambled eggs (the…

Well, it’s the last day of the month, and payday. We’ve been traveling for quite some time now. Heather and I are quite excited about going downtown Boston today. Parking in this city is quite expensive due to high demand and to encourage people to use public transportation. We have to go downtown to pick…

Wow! America the Beautiful! We drove out of Vermont, winding up and down the roads, enjoying some of the most breathtaking views. On Sunday morning, Vermont’s State Troopers were out in force, working like a small army of speed enforcement teams. These Texans have never seen anything like it. Each direction of travel was covered…

Last night, we finally got some good sleep. Our room at the Hampton Inn in Niagara Falls was clean and quiet. It was on the first floor, close to the lobby. The only downside was the breakfast. The dining area was crowded, and the food was mediocre. We grabbed coffee and yogurt and headed back…

We went to bed early again because we had to drive back from the concert. We needed to get gas and battle the fog. The fog in the hills and turns, combined with the native wildlife, made for a nightmare. The deer in this part of New York State are enormous! We managed to make…

Ever stay up all night and forget why? Then it dawned on me…just saying. Ohh the eclipse, it’s a several nights event. We certainly had a busy day ahead. We started early and loaded the car. Our first stop was an emotional and somber experience at the Flight 93 National Memorial. On September 11, 2026,…

Early to rise, I found myself sipping a cup of Joe, the fog enveloping the camp in a mystical embrace. This place is truly special. Heather, having slept in a bit, joined me with her own cup of Joe. Time to get busy! Heather meticulously organized our receipts, and I meticulously plotted our route using…

Breakfast and check-out at our hotel in Georgetown, Delaware, were quick. It felt like I had been driving for hours, navigating through numerous turns and encountering State Troopers at every corner. I glanced at the clock, and it seemed to be moving backward. Along the way, I marveled at the scenic views and historic towns.…

Heather and I are truly fortunate to be Disciples of Christ and on this journey of discovery. Crossing the lower Chesapeake Bay on US Route 13 takes you across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia. This 17.6-mile marvel of engineering costs $16.00 one-way for passenger vehicles, features a mix of low-level trestles and two underwater tunnels, and takes about…

Believe that the call of the sea or ocean has to be heard by the thousands! As I opened my eyes, I could see the sun beginning to rise, and I thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful to witness this beach with the sun rising above the ocean, devoid of people? No way! Even as the…

We had planned to visit Camp Caroline, another camp in North Carolina. However, due to the distance, financial constraints, and delayed responses to our emails, we’ve decided to change our plans and travel to Virginia Beach instead. Virginia Beach is on our route to the Norfolk area before we head to Camp Bethany Beach in…

As we found our spot to meet for the comedy bus tour, I struck up a conversation with the security guard working at this bustling collection of restaurants. His name is Jessie, and he works this job only once a week. He mentioned that it’s just a way to supplement his income. He also shared…

The night was filled with thunder and lightning. Granny was at it throwing more strikes as the rumbling continued for quite some time. I peered out between the curtains of our hotel window to see if our rental car was still there. The rain was coming down in sheets and local flash flooding could be…

Waking up without a cup of joe should be a crime against humanity. Then again a hot shower and a cool morning breeze made things better. This is a great place to be. We did our own self guided tour and learned a lot about how Camp Christmount came into existence. The Denominational Conference Center…

Thank you, Drury Inn of Bowling Green, for providing us with a wonderful stay. The breakfast and appetizers were delicious. After enjoying our early breakfast, we loaded up the car and headed to our first destination, which happened to be a Buc-ee’s! We fueled up the buggy and drove to Beverly. Not really! We drove…

Today began with a delightful cup of coffee, two creamers, and two sweet and lows. This indulgent indulgence was merely a prelude to the scrumptious breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausage gravy served on a warm biscuit. As we savored our meal in quiet contemplation, a woman and her husband made their way out of…

Early to bed and early to rise makes Heather and I tired with drooping eyes! The besties met for breakfast, and I tagged along. These two chatted until it was time to reluctantly part. There were a few tears as expected. After a short 1.5-hour drive, we arrived at Camp #2, nestled on 40 acres…

Started our day in the Tennessee heat. No, not the BBQ sauce, or the Christ-centered athletic organization based in Mount Juliet and Wilson County, Tennessee. Just hot! Humid, sticky sweat, dripping from your eye-balls and change your underwear type hot. We left our room at noon and headed to a Taco Bell. Unlike the typical…

What a wonderful day it was! Heather and I decided to sleep in this time, and we truly enjoyed catching up on some much-needed rest. Heather is struggling with her allergies, and the near 100-degree temperatures and extremely sticky humidity are making it difficult for her. Our first stop was to fill up the car…

This is the story of Nolan, Gabby, and friends. Our house has five bur oak trees. Two in the front yard and three in the back. Each are beautiful, providing plenty of shade, but are so messy with their huge acorns. Every fall season, these trees drop thousands of acorns, which provide an abundance of…

Traveling by car across America with today’s technology isn’t as simple as it seems. First, one has to know how to attach this thingy that we use to make phone calls. Then you have to erase every known user of the rental car before you so it can connect to the vehicle. Once you figure…

What a great day not to be working! That’s what she said. Heather, that is! I say it all day, every day. Glad to be a part-time “Chauffeur” and “Traveler” with my beautiful wife as my compadre in crime. We escaped from Thackerville, Oklahoma, and drove to Durant, Oklahoma, for a buffet lunch. With a…

Breakfast of champions, pancakes for all. Heather had peanut butter with hers, and I had blueberries with sugar-free syrup. We dined at the Terrace Cafe with a great view. After coffee, we wandered back to our room to change into our swimming gear. Nope, no snorkeling gear allowed. We did, however, pack the sunscreen. The…

Last night, Heather and I tossed and turned, up and down, sleep evaded us at every turn. Somehow, we managed to get up and finish our necessary packing before heading to the airport to pick up our rental car. They gave us a Hyundai Santa Fe. We started our trip with 20,434 miles on the…

What an early riser Mr. Rhyder is. Probably the conditioning of having two working parents and a need for clean diapers and clothes before a busy day at daycare. He has been happy, sad, fed, changed, and very, very, mad at Nonie. He doesn’t like the word “No!” Especially when used with his name “No!…

I like to say thanks to my backyard squirrels Gabby and Chuck for leaving me a lone ripe cherry tomato. Heather says there are several green ones, so I feel the squirrels will have to take ownership of any remaining tomatoes. Our time at home seems rushed. Packing for the seasonal changes, formal nights times…

What a great day today knowing we are celebrating Rhyder’s first birthday. His birthday is actually tomorrow. We are using the youth center at FCC Amarillo to hold the masses of people expected to attend. The turnout was fantastic for this event with 32 loving friends and family all celebrating his birthday. First thing was…

Yippee! We got some much-needed rain early this morning. The clouds were rumbling with rolling thunder. Granny was bowling strikes in a perfect game. Heather and I were up and down, passing in the night. I went to get a drink of water, and Heather had been checking on the rain. Back to bed went…

Today is Doctor’s Day! Both Heather and I have dual appointments at Creek Stone Integrated Medical Chiropractic, then at West Texas Family Care Clinic. The staff and doctors at Creek Stone have helped me on my path to recovery. They truly care about improving the lives of everyone they care for. I am also grateful…

There’s no place like home… sometimes Heather and I forget the familiar comforts of our sheets, pillows, and bed. We like traveling and exploring with the few items from home. For me, it’s my squishy pillow and the boys’ favorite toys. Heather travels with the gamut of things, trying to prepare for every situation. Sometimes…

Today is our last day in San Francisco. We miss our pillows, the recliners of our couch, and of course, family. We will miss the noise of emergency vehicles and the constant traffic, but not the great food and views of eclectic architecture. Okay, that’s reversed. Our luggage is going to strain the airlines’ fuel…

It’s Monday in the beautiful Bay City of San Francisco. I’m certain it’s Monday wherever you are, assuming we don’t have any world travelers reading our blog. I appreciate the presence of police cars and officers on every other block. Despite the City of Amarillo’s investment in the latest new SUVs every few years, the…

As technology advances and so does my age, I have wanted to ride in an autonomous car. I didn’t know Heather’s and my first would be in a Jaguar! WAYMO cars in San Francisco, they are everywhere and blend in with a vast array of transportation options. Bikes, electric bikes, peddle cars, peddle rickshaws, electric…

Good morning from San Francisco! What beautiful weather today, and plenty of sunshine. Even though I tried my best to find shade, the medications I’m taking aided in my lobster-esque color. You know it’s true that we are what we eat. Look out, SpongeBob, for I am the Crusty Crab! We started this fine day…

We woke early today being congested from our ever changing environment. The sun was no longer my nemesis and waited longer to make its appearance. The Ruby Princess docked early and the sign outside reminded us we were back in San Francisco. Our last breakfast on the ship was pretty good. I put fresh pears…

Heather and I did not know we took opposite pictures of each other until we posted our photos. The double shot of Carmel Macchiato was truly an eye-opener, especially after skipping breakfast. We had lunch at the buffet and it was hard to find a table, but were able to travel vast distances with plates…

One last day at Sea Again we slept in late. Almost to 9am. Whew. Then it was time to start packing luggage and sorting what we need the rest of day and tomorrow morning. They pick up all of our luggage tonight to have them on the docks first thing in the morning. It is…

Awrrrr, as in pirate, just hanging with my sea mate, Heather. Full day on the Pacific Ocean heading towards San Francisco. We slept in past 6 a.m.and headed to an early breakfast. Was a nice night to catch up on some sleep on the rocking ship. Yep, lots of Dramamine for yours truly. And later…

Today is the last day for us to stop at a port. Today’s port was Prince Rupert in Canada. We were only there for 5 hours so made for a really quick port. It was overcast but not cold and we did tons of walking. not a whole lot to see or do here so…

When we pulled out to sea heading to Prince Rupert Island, I noticed some unusual patterns of movement in the water. Once I zeroed in on the anomaly, I could see what I thought were dolphins. I could see a group of them seemingly playing a good distance from our ship. With the help of…

Our bus driver, Randy, is a true Alaskan native. He holds multiple jobs and is an active member of his community. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers in the region. Notably, one of his ancestors was the second oldest recovered cadaver found and subsequently DNA tested from the melting glaciers. The knowledge of his…

Another exciting excursion day…..except we had to get up super early. 5:30 am with the idea of being downstairs around 6:10 to fight hundreds of people for coffee, did not thrill us but room service did not start until 6:30 and that was to late since we had to be at the theatre to get…

You Know Juneau in July A beautiful day yesterday with a temperature about 60 degrees fahrenheit and a cool rain. Sorry Amarillo peeps expected temperatures above 100. We slept in and were up by 7 a.m. again enjoying our delivery of our cup of joe. Nice view from our extended balcony as we were docking…

The Three Bears and a Golden Ring… A knock at the door came way too fast. The sky barely dimmed and again was making a bright comeback. Breakfast coffee on a tray delivered by a perky steward and away she went. Heather was sound asleep until her driver/husband woke her to our cabin filled with…

Relaxing Days at Sea: Food and Fun and Relaxing Today Friday the 24th we woke up to a misty morning with a definite chill in the air. Coffee arrived right at 7a.m. And helped my struggling eyes still not used to moving back two full hours from our time zone only to realize we would…

Today was our first full day at sea. We have had full day of great programs, great shows, and all kinds of food and laziness. We just enjoyed our down time, had breakfast delivered to our room and were able to causally cruise the ship. We listened to Nick Jan’s talk about a wonderful wolf,…

IT IS CRUISE DAY!!!! We caught an uber this morning down to Pier 27. The Princess pier in San Francisco. Another intense driver but one that did not scare us and was very capable to navigate that crazy San Francisco cruise port traffic. It was insane!! We got to the Princess Ruby and got ready…

Well we got off to the airport, thanks to my parents, Thank you Mom and Dad for taking us. And we got on our plane and headed to San Francisco. Flights were smooth and great. We flew first class this time on American and I don’t know how we will ever go back. The attention…

Today was filled with packing and getting ready for our trip. Pick ups from the dry cleaners, trying to make two weeks fit into our suitcase and make sure we didn’t forget a thing. We are ready, sleep is waiting for us so we can wake up to go to the airport.

We thought attending church at our home church before our sabbatical began, was the way to begin our adventures. It is always a blessing when we get to church and Jerry Steen is singing a solo for the special music. Jerry was one of our singers at our wedding over 20 years ago and has…

Join Mike and me on a fun-filled Saturday night as we played 5 Crowns with my parents. The game was intense, and there was a clear winner, making it a memorable start to our Sabbatical.