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June 2004
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July 2004
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August 2004
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- July 19, 2004 -
Wow, that was really weird.. I'm sitting all "what day is it?? I can't remember!!" And someone just asked the girl next to me what day it is. I suppose it's the 19th. Well, we're now about 1.5 weeks into our trip, with roughly 3 to go. Sitting here in the Salt Lake City public library, across the street from the LDS Temple, It is readily apparent that this little town is in need of some Jesus. I'm really happy we were able to stop by. Tim and Nancy were most hospitable, and the climbing is simply fantastic. We left Maple canyon later than we had hoped, but only because it was great climbing. we piddled around a little bit, but eventually I got on this Loooong 12a route (11 bolts +anchors) called "zoaster toaster." Lemme tell ya- my zoasts were toasted. By the time we arrived in SLC, there wasn't much time to climb really, so we just kinda hung around a bit and went to "The Rock". I'm wearing the free Tshirt they gave me as I type.

The next morning, we got another late start, but still managed time to go to Little Cottonwood (excellent climbing) and Big Cottonwood (excellent clibing) canyons. I think we did about 4 routes each, but with the late start, and difficulty of the routes (10d slab, 10 thin slabby crack, sandbag 9, and 10d overhang) I'm quite content. Rad and I decided to take this day to let our fingers recoup and we'll be chillin around SLC and maybe do some journaling. We're off to City of Rocks tonight.

The lord has been with us all the way on this trip, and we've pretty much been basking in his glory. Everyone we meet has been very kind (maybe people from Chicago are just plain mean..?) and all the climbers suggest we get out to various other areas that are between where ever we are, and wherever we're going. The most popular recommendation while in CO, heading towards UT, was Moab. Zion got mentioned alot too. Even this guy from "Thrillseekers" climbing gym in Denver who swore like a truck driver was exceptionally kind. Amazing. In Salt Lake city, everyone tells us to go down to American Fork. It seems that We have a whole new schedule developing for next summer (but I haven't told Rad yet. tee hee. )

Worthy of mention- I think we may be skipping Rifle altogether. I haven't told them yet, but we're looking to swing by albuquerque on our way home to visit my mom and buddy of mine.

Again, I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and support. We've crossed paths with many non-christian (or Pre-christian, as one Solid Rocker put it) climbers. Some have been receptive, some quite cynical. But all in all, I feel that we has Christians have had a very positive, non-confrontational interaction with them. Though we aren't exactly baptizing the multitudes right there at the crags, I do feel that our overall mission of discussing Christ's message is being accomplished. We thank you for your continued Prayers for our continued ministry, and ask that you pray that God might continue the work in those who we've come across, as His will dictates.

I shall return.
- July 13, 2004 -
It has been 6 days since my last entry, and the amount of climbing we've done has been: Not That Much! The weather has been great, but since RMNP was not truly a part of our mission trip, we took the time to prepare ourselves for the coming days. On Friday, we climbed at Lumpy Ridge. Then on Saturday, the group did some trail work. Most people followed the trail work with climbing, but Rad and I decided that our mission might better be served by journaling a little bit. We ended up sitting on top of a boulder by a waterfall. The setting was simply conducive to prayer and meditation in God's word, which we ended up doing. Later that day, we took a swim a pool in one of RMNP's rivers, which was quite refreshing. On Sunday, Rad and I were officially commissioned to go on mission climbing in the name of Solid Rock. We spent some time with Calvin, acquiring much documentation to hand out to climbers we encounter. Sunday night, we teamed up with Dallas and Chris and hiked up to Sky Lake to get an alpine start on the Petit Grepon the following morning. The climb went well, and we celebrated at Ed's Cantina. We got back to camp entirely exhausted. We were able to pull the car to a parking lot and run an extension cord to an outlet outside the nearby ranger's station. For the next couple hours, I sat in the car and typed up the RMNP addition to our page. Be sure to check it out!! (click here)

I'm planning to solo something cool in Eldorado Canyon tomorrow, while wearing my brand-spankin' new Solid Rock T-shirt. Hopefully I'll cross paths with some climbers and have a chance to share the message of Christ. When Rad gets back on Thursday, we'll be back into the full swing of the trip and will look to hand out some good food for breakfast and host some night-time bible studies. I should probably cut this short, since I'm well over my 20 minute limit here at the library... Keep in mind that These are just brief updates, and a full report is forthcoming- Look for that in the days just after the trip.
- July 7, 2004 -
And We're Off!!! Today is the big day, and we're very excited to be hitting the road. We're getting out a bit later than we had hoped, but that's alright since we'd planned with a little cushion room in these first couple days. First Stop: Rocky Mountain National Park. If you've noticed the links on the calendar on the front page lead to nothing, that's because we haven't done anything there yet. Rad's parents have been kind enough to loan a laptop to us, so we'll be able to put up some pictures on those pages. In a few days, be sure to check out the RMNP page. Also, I want to mention that we will NOT be stopping in Rifle between RMNP and Salt Lake city. Rad must fly out of Denver to come home for a citizenship interview, so we won't be able to pause in Rifle like we had hoped. Instead, we'll try to swing by there right after Yosemite. It'll help break up our long ride home. Thank you to all of you who are supporting us, from friends dropping by with chocolates and peanuts to those who've said they would be praying for us. We feel very blessed to have found such spiritual support. Colorado, here we come!!
- June 22, 2004 -
Couple thing to note: See that little calendar to the left there? those dates are all links. After we've written a TON of journal entries, it might get hard to look for the last date you read- well it's linked!! Click on the entry you want to read, and blam-o! it'll pop right up for ya. (It only works if we've actually written something for that day...)
oh, and I finally put some words in my bio. check it out, it's marvelous. Why isn't Rad writing anything here yet?? Does he know how? Hrm... I'll get on his case for you.
- June 20, 2004 -
Happy Father's day, Dad!! Yeah, so I couldn't call you today because my phone battery died and I was on the road. But my dad is cool, and I'm hoping that saying so on the internet makes up for not giving him a call. :)
- June 18, 2004 -
Nothing related to this trip to report. My cousin left for Spain today, though. Have a great trip Leslie!
- June 9, 2004 -
Well, unfortunately, it was on this day that I heard from David Oliver that he would not be able to make the trip. Other obligations will be keeping him home. I know his heart is still in it, and he'll be praying for us all along the way. (And lending us his climbing rack! Thanks Dave!!) Anyway, if there are any inconsistancies with the website saying there are two or three people going- there are two. However, you can be just like Dave (who is a still a good guy and worth being like) by supporting us through prayer. If you're praying for us or just keeping track of what we're doing, be sure to drop one of us an email (listed in bio page). We'll do our best to answer mail while on the road, and we'll certainly be writing a Huge trip report when we get home. Laterz.
- June 2, 2004 -
Well, I'll be the first. These journals will hopefull serve as ways for the three of us to keep our friends and family up to speed on how things are going. We'll try to include some pictures where possible, and a few of the many many stories we are sure to encounter. Thank you for your prayer support. This will be one wild trip.