Dear Friends and Family,
Merry Christmas from the coast of Northern California! It’s
been a wonderful year for the three of us. Here are some of the
highlights…
January: In the silence of a late afternoon winter day, we
skied into the wilds of Lassen National Forest in Northern
California, Jasper clinging to his daddy’s back. The sky was
brilliant blue and the surrounding mountains covered in a mantle of
snow. Soon, Jasper was giggling with delight!
February: With sunset came a sudden explosion of pink on the surrounding desert landscape near Dumont Dunes. Mike’s job as a BLM ranger continues to take him on many adventures, mostly locally on the beaches and in coastal mountains of Northern California, but also occasionally on details to the deserts of Nevada and Southern California.
March: With a big smile on his face, Jasper splashed
around the pool…a now familiar scene to him as he completed his 1
st
swimming class.
April: The scene was perfect for a celebration:
turquoise-blue river, a surrounding hillside of redwood trees and a
cozy cabin. We were on the edge of the Chetco River in Southern
Oregon for a celebration of Jasper’s first year of life!
May: As the sun dropped into the Pacific Ocean, we climbed
to the rocky summit of Bear Basin Butte, then spent the night in the
nearby lookout cabin.
June: Jagged, snowy mountains shot into the sky in every
direction. A thick layer of fog hung over a small snowfield, but
brilliant blue sky dominated everywhere else. Two marmots scampered
among the rocks on the wild and stunningly scenic Hurricane Ridge in
Olympic NP, Washington.
July: Wildflowers danced in the warm sunshine and cool
breeze at the edge of a stunning sub-alpine lake in the heart of the
Trinity Mountains, our home for the night. It was one of those
glorious summer days that seem to go on forever. Slowly, the sun
dropped past the mountains to the west, the sky turned a deep red and
faded to black as countless stars appeared.
August: After four days of lonely ridges and wild lakes, a
view like no other lay before me. Crater Lake is a jewel rimmed by
rugged mountains…a scene no words can truly describe. Susanna,
Jasper and our friend Rori camped in the area for 8 nights while
acting as our support crew, as my brother and I had an epic Pacific
Crest Trail adventure in the wilderness of Southern Oregon.
September: The mighty Potomac River thundered through a
gorge that makes up Great Falls Park in Virginia. Jasper pointed to
the water in awe. We were at the very start of a wonderful, 3-week
journey to New England to visit family and friends and once again
discover the magic of autumn!
October: Dark clouds swirled about the rocky, rugged peaks
of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. We walked slowly around a
small lake gazing at the brilliant yellow leaves surrounding us.
November: A light rain was falling as we turned the corner
into a steep-walled canyon. Elk tracks dotted the nearby meadow and
massive redwood trees covered the surrounding hills. There was a
late-fall hush in the wilds of Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods
State Park.
December: A deep quiet has descended upon the redwoods of
Northern California. The cold, wet winter has begun. Even inside
our cozy home, I can hear the roar of the ocean, just a mile or so
away. We thank God every day for our wonderful family and the beauty
of His creation all around us.
We hope you have all had an
incredible 2013 and hope to see you in 2014!
Love,
Mike, Susanna and Jasper
