This is how you get up to the Citadelle near Cap-Haitien in northern Haiti!
Changes are approaching! Evan will begin his nursing career at Akron General Medical Center the end of August. Grant has decided to stay in the States to finish his on-line schooling and get a job while staying with Evan. Seeing these changes coming up, we decided to take some family trips to savor the remaining moments together and make some memories!
Before we left for the States in July, a trip into the neighboring Dominican Republic included some adventure as we crossed the border! Things being a little unmarked, we actually drove over the border before we realized it and were supposed to have registered and paid in Haiti first. We were promptly driven back over the border on motorcycles! On this trip we also visited the renowned Haitian fortress, the Citadelle, which while it was truly amazing, was also quite the Haitian tourist trap!
In August we carved out time to travel West (a generous gift from a cousin) and enjoyed hikes and family travels through the Canadian Rockies, and the States of Washington and Oregon. We enjoyed breathtaking views, seeing wildlife and meeting old and new friends in the churches we also visited. The photos will provide some highlights.
Riding horses was just as fun as touring the fortress! ( in the background.)
Since the French never returned, all the ammunition is still sitting unused where it was left.
Finished in 1820, the Citadelle took 15 years to build!
365 cannons are pointed out of hundreds of windows in all directions!
The horses waited for the return trip back down!
Enjoying beautiful places in the Dominican Republic!
On our later trip, we were amazed by the size of the Canadian Rockies!
A “little hike” brought great views of Glacier National Park in Canada.
Savoring the grandeur of God!
Banff National Park was equally thrilling to hike in!
We just couldn’t look enough…
Lake Louise had water the color of the Caribbean ocean!
Grace was more than a little nervous we would find a real bear…so she was glad to hug this one instead!
Visiting the Olympic Village in Calgary, Alberta!
Spending an unforgettable afternoon in Seattle with our friend Joycie who recently moved there from Haiti!
We so enjoyed kayaking trips and campfires in the evening.
Enjoying the beauty of the Olympic Mountains in Washington.
Here we are feeding the “wild” animals! Couldn’t get enough of the deer!
Grace enjoyed the boat ride as we searched for whales!
We were blessed to see pods of Orcas and a gray whale too!
Hiking up near Mt. Rainier and finally reaching snow!
Grace threw that snowball with great aim at Mom’s neck! Ouch!
Hard to take it all in!
Grace loved feeding the chipmunks at the top!
Gigantic shale fields simply amazed us! We were glad to get through without an avalanche though!
We spent a special weekend with the Mike & Lisa Leman family in Portland, Oregon!
The Oregon Coast was so different than the Caribbean!
We took several beach walks, this was Cannon Beach!
We loved the pounding surf and discovering marine life among the rocks and tide pools!
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
This summer we are again staying with Stan and Gloria Hartzler in Orrville, Ohio. We appreciate how they gladly open their home to our family and make us welcome! They are always spoiling us with so many yummy things like root beer floats, fresh sweet corn, peaches, blueberries, cherries, and cheeses and meats of all kinds. Stan & Gloria are also doing a wonderful job serving as advocates to our church for our needs throughout the year!
His Heart for Haiti 
August 19, 2016 at 1:45 pm
We are thrilled to hear your family could enjoy some special time together out west. With the business of life, it is always a blessing to get away and reconnect. I heard you were in Eureka at the conference. I was, too, but our paths never crossed.
With our love and prayers,
August 22, 2016 at 9:50 am
Those are some incredible pictures! So happy your family was able to enjoy quality time together.. Look forward to reading your updates. 🙂 It was wonderful to catch up in the Walmart parking lot..
August 31, 2016 at 9:56 am
That divine appointment with you in the Walmart parking lot is a special memory of our summer!
August 31, 2016 at 11:59 am
As it was for me! Praying for you all!