Tag: river ridge retreat

Utah to Alabama

Thursday, June 11, 2026

We departed Capitol Reef National Park in Utah on Thursday, June 4th, knowing that a lot of our remaining time would be driving.  Of course, we did not get an early start with the cinnamon rolls, hiking and getting BB ready for some back-to-back travel days.  The night of June 4th was a Boondockers Welcome stop in Grand Junction, CO – about 200 miles for the day.  Not great mileage but we stopped to make phone calls and handle some business that took longer than expected along the way.  As usual, our hosts for the night were welcoming and we had a nice visit before turning in.

We were up early on Friday, June 5th driving I-70 easterly across Colorado and into Kansas.  We stopped for the night at Ellis Lakeside Campground, in Ellis, Kansas.  This small campground is a city owned campground that was a whopping $25/night with full hookups and lake front site.  It was a quiet, peaceful place to sleep after a long 568 mile day.  We don’t do those long days very often anymore but it was all interstate and we were trying to get away from some of the heat.

Saturday morning after a visit to the local bakery, we headed to Archie, MO. We stopped at the I-49 RV park to visit some friends, Connie and David.  Connie and David are in our Bible Study group and we see them most weeks online but it sure was more fun to spend time with them in person!  Thanks Connie and David for your gracious hospitality.

Monday morning, June 8th, we left our dear friends and started driving again.  Destination for Monday was Craighead Forest Park, Jonesboro , AR. – 345 miles.  On the way, when it was time for a 2 hour driver change and leg stretch, we saw a sign for Mammoth Spring State Park and pulled in.  Wow, what a find!  It was right off US 63, and sort of served like a welcome center just after we entered Arkansas.  We took advantage of their really nice walking trail and a nice display of the old generating plant on the spring river.  It just so happened that this is the same Spring River that we took the Explorers canoeing many, many years ago – probably 40 years ago.

Back on the road refreshed, we drove on to Jonesboro and another very nice public park on another lake that was only $15/night with hookups.  Another great place to hike and another quiet night.

On Tuesday, June 9th, we made our way back to Alabama and the River Ridge Retreat in Guntersville. This is the park where we had the Huddle back in April.  We have rested a few days here, and tomorrow will move on to Camp Sumatanga, our church on Sunday and then back to our starting point in South Carolina.  After getting BB cleaned out and Fred ready to hit the road to our next mission project, we will give you all the statistics on this trip.

Alabama Huddle

April 30, 2026

On Tuesday, April 14th, we arrived at River Ridge Retreat in Guntersville, AL for the Alabama Switch It Up Huddle.  We arrived a couple of days early so we could just get some rest and catch up on some paperwork.  Of course, the fact that it gave us two extra days to visit with friends who also came early was a big perk. We also got to meet some of the new members of the crew who also came in early, so it was a wonderful two days.  We were parked in a waterfront site and could walk to the pier and watch two osprey nests with babies. Relaxing beside the water – it was great. In fact the entire park, manager and staff were great.  We lived about an hour and a half from this park and had never been there.  We will definitely make a return visit. It’s such a quiet peaceful place.

The huddle actually kicked off with a meet and greet and dinner Thursday night. There were about 95 people, including 18 new crew members. Welcome to all of you but especially the new crew members.  Of course you aren’t new anymore.  Friday morning was our “give back” where we assembled all the items we brought to assemble the dignity kits for Convoy of Hope. The kits will be distributed as part of the first response efforts when needed.  Friday was also boat day when we spent several hours on the lake in pontoon boats.  Other outings during the weekend included hiking to some waterfalls, ziplining, e-bike riding, hiking, visiting Cathedral Caverns, and UTV riding.

Sunday morning we had an amazing worship service with great music and Sheila shared another great message.  I know several of us are still discussing the ark without a rudder.  If you don’t know about that, send me an email and we can discuss it.

Monday morning after coffee and doughnuts, the huddle was over.  We sadly said our “see you laters” and look forward to our next gathering.