Showing posts with label Virginia City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Virginia City. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

On My Way!

Well, tomorrow my family and I should be off on our summer vacation! Virginia City, Disneyland, and possibly The Price is Right (my mom and I got tickets to be in the audience!)... Should be an adventure. *wink* Virginia City is one of the settings in Bleeding Heart, so I hope to take pictures for a guest post for the blog tour, and maybe pick up an item for the tour-wide giveaway. Love that place! And of course I love Disneyland!

I also have an editing project I've got to get done during the trip, and some other projects coming up... Plus, here's hoping I can get some reading done so I can get some more reviews up!

As for Bleeding Heart, even though the blog tour doesn't officially start until the 18th of August, the publicity campaign, if you will, is on its way! Here's where it starts - an interview on Melissa's awesome blog for "Welcome Mat Wednesday" (click the image below):


I'd love for you to stop by and say "hello," and maybe share about a character you'd love to spend a day with!

Speaking of blog tours, the winners from May the K9 Spy's blog tour will be posted today on her Facebook page! And I'm still planning on sharing the conclusion of the Songstone blog tour on Friday!

While things are going to be rather hectic on Friday, I'll also be sharing a guest post on Seekerville titled "Blog Tours, Cover Reveals, and Giveaways - Publicity 101." I'll be in off and on, hopefully (when I'm not out exploring the Wild West), to respond to comments! So, I hope to see you here and there!

How about you? Have you all had some fun adventures so far this summer - even if it's just through the pages of a book?

Friday, August 13, 2010

Touched by an Epitaph

While watching an episode of Bonanza this past evening with my family, I was already in a rather melancholy and thoughtful mood. In this particular episode, Ben Cartwright was his usual self: willing and able to get things done. Except, this time, perhaps he was too careless, too rushed. A good man, who was both a father and grandpa, was killed in an accident that Ben blamed himself for.

Before the accident, the man had seen how absorbed Ben was in his work. And he told Ben that if he didn't stop to really appreciate his life more, he would end up in a grave with an epitaph that would read:

"Here lies a man who let the joy of living wait--he waited too long, and now it's too late."

I let those words remain in my mind for a short time, then I got up and went to the kitchen to write them down. I thought they were very profound, and I thought they did a wonderful job of reminding the viewers of the preciousness of life . . . how it shouldn't be wasted. And then I watched the rest of the episode.

The daughter of the man who died, who had also lost her husband and was left alone with a son, was prompted by Hoss to talk to Ben. He had become listless, filled with guilt and unwilling to work anymore. The woman reminded Ben that the accident was not his fault--that he needed to really live for his sons. And one of Ben's "rivals" even told him that he couldn't change who he was: a man who fought for what he believed in and who worked hard without giving up. So Ben got back on his feet again and gained a new vigor for life.

So was the epitaph the man had made up before untrue, unnecessary? I don't think so. His daughter had referred to him as a "dreamer," while Ben was a "doer." But I think in the end Ben received a new awareness of the joy of life--his life. Whereas before the accident he hadn't really seemed to think about it, after the accident he learned more about himself and the passions that were his own.

I've been to Virginia City, made famous by the actual Bonanza and the T.V. show Bonanza, several times now. At the entrance to the Silver Terrace Cemetery in Virginia City is a sign which says,

"Stop and read as you pass by,
As you are now, once was I,
As I am now, you will be,
Prepare for death and follow me."

While a bit chilling, these words are an important reminder. Life is so short, and the "valley of the shadow of death" is not as far from us as we'd like to think. As believers, we have nothing to worry about, because God will walk with us and bring us safely home. But let us take the reminder to heart. Let us not wait for "the joy of living." Rather, let us seek God's will and discover the passions He has given us. May He guide us so that we might put the passions and talents He has given us to good use.

My dear friends, as we realize yet again how short this life really is, may we be inspired to truly live for God.

Friday, July 30, 2010

My Adventures in Nevada

What a vacation this has been! My family and I have been keeping busy, going on adventure after adventure. I will attempt to chronicle some of these adventures for you. I hope you enjoy the pictures and stories, and may they inspire you to live your own adventure!

Nevada is a very dry state. On our way to Virginia City last Sunday, we saw a fire in the hills to the side of the road. (This could have either been in Eastern California or Nevada.) Actually, I should say that we saw smoke, because I didn't really see any flames. As shown by this helicopter, help was there to put out the fire, and I'm so glad! It's astounding how fast disaster can strike--we just never know what's going to happen from day to day. But God knows, and there is great comfort in that fact! We shouldn't let what's unknown to us keep us from living our lives to the full for the Lord.

Our first full day of our trip, we headed out to Fallon Naval Air Station, where we looked through the outdoor "museum" of military aircraft. It was incredible to see all of those planes, ranging from the United States' aircraft to Russian aircraft. And hearing my dad's stories and the facts that he knew about those planes was really neat. My dad's whole life has been quite the adventure!

After Fallon, we went to Grimes Point, where we walked for a little while along a trail of rocks with Native American petroglyphs. While the sights on the ground were intriguing, it was the sights in the air that really grabbed our attention. There was quite a storm heading towards us from both directions, it seemed! We saw lightning, heard thunder in the distance, and felt the rush of the wind. It sure added to the mysterious effect of the place, though!

And of course I had to share a picture of one of our favorite signs! Every time we went by this place, we had to say loudly, "Chocolate!" We stopped at this candy shop twice, which is located between Carson City and Virginia City. From sponge candy to taffy--this place had a great selection! Yummy!

Our second full day here, we got a tour of an archaeological dig up on Mount Davidson, above the town of Virginia City. The picture on the left shows some of the places where they had been digging, layer by layer, hoping to uncover artifacts from some of the Cornish miners who had lived up there during Virginia City's heyday. Everybody there was very patient and friendly! They wanted the public to be aware of what they were doing up there, in order to educate others. Isn't that a splendid idea?

Wednesday evening we went to a show, which you can read more about by clicking HERE. The show was called "Shake, Rattle & Roll," and what an exciting time that was! The picture on the right is of all of us (my mom, dad, sister, and me) sitting in anticipation for the show. My sister is holding a stuffed animal we had won at Circus Circus. Now that was an exciting time, too! My mom and I really got in a competitive mood for a while. We emerged victorious with several stuffed animals for my sister, including the one she really wanted. I call that successful! ;)

And I simply had to include a picture of the Red Hat Ladies I spoke of in the post linked to above. They were so cute, all dressed up and getting into the show! Everybody loves the "Oldies" music, right? (They're all sitting up near the front, so hopefully you can see their red and purple outfits in this picture!)

Thursday found us at Lake Tahoe, which is a really busy and crowded place! But the lake is beautiful, and so big! What a grand example of God's lovely creation. The water is very clear and very blue; it looks almost exotic in some places. We enjoyed just taking in the scenery, but we also enjoyed a little fun . . .

by playing miniature golf! There were three different courses at the place we went to, so of course we did the "Grizzly" course--the hardest one. ;) I confess that I didn't do so well, but at least it was entertaining! That's me to the left, getting ready to swing at the ball (and hope it would actually go in the hole eventually!). All of the courses were so cute, and the place was kept up nicely. Lots of fun for sure!

Today (Friday) we went on a train trip from Carson City to Virginia City (and then back again). Again, God's creation was a blessing to see as it went past the train window! And the history of these places--it's just amazing! This picture is one my daddy took of me as the train was rolling down the tracks. My dad was sitting behind me, and I confess it was getting a bit annoying to see a camera suddenly sneak into my view through the window, but oh, well. My dad got his picture!

While we were waiting in Virginia City, we saw the Wild West show (corny but cute) and we rode the TNT Stagelines for the third year in a row! We have so much fun with the stagecoach driver and his wife--they're very friendly and quite a hoot! ;) And what a ride! It's a thrill to sit in that stage and see the desert hills pass around you as you're being jostled and bounced like crazy! If you ever get a chance to ride the stagecoach, don't pass it up. Click HERE if you would like more information about the TNT Stagelines.

Now, we're still here for one more full day, much to my delight. But before I finish up this post, there's one more thing I have to share with you. The place we are staying is the Edith Palmer's Country Inn. The couple who owns it now is Pat and Leisa Findley. Leisa and her son have been feeding us breakfast everyday, and oh my goodness! These breakfasts have been fabulous!!! Take a look at the following pictures to see what I mean:




And Leisa (pictured with us above) has been so nice in answering our questions and taking the time to share some of the Inn's history with us. She's so sweet, and just sitting and talking with her on the beautiful patio area near the building we're staying in has been more than wonderful. I highly recommend this place!

Overall, our adventures have been fantastic! And reading A Hopeful Heart this week was great timing. (If you'd like to read my review of this great book, click HERE.) It's wonderful to have the reminder that God has a plan for our lives and that He is working for our best throughout time and history. I love the saying that history is "His story" because it is so true! God is in control, and He has written His story for each of our lives. Learning about the past helps us remember how God has worked to bring about the present, and it gives us comfort to know He will work these present times into a hopeful and known future.

Thanks for joining me on my adventures!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Home of the Great Bonanza

Hello from Virginia City, Nevada! I'm on another family vacation in one of my favorite places to visit. We're staying at a Bed & Breakfast, and I have a lovely view of the town and the surrounding hillsides. I love the atmosphere here, the people, the sights to see . . . everything! It's so good to be here again!

You may recognize the name of this place from the TV show Bonanza (or you might also recognize the name if you love the history of the Old West like me!). This ghost town and tourist trap is chock full of history, and I'm more than happy to immerse myself in it once again!

I'm not exactly sure what this week's posts will consist of, since I don't technically have a theme for this week and I don't want to kick-off the new weekly-themed posts just yet, but if all goes according to my plan (and hopes) then here's some of what will be coming your way soon:
  • Post with my entry for the WOW! Women on Writing Flash Fiction contest (The winners were supposed to be contacted the second or third week of July, and since I haven't been contacted I don't think I made it. But I still would like to share my entry with you!)
  • Surprise Interview (I can't say much more than that or else it wouldn't be a surprise. But it will be fun--trust me!)
  • Updates on the goings-on here in Nevada (We're also planning on seeing a show in Reno, so I'll have to let you know about that, too!)

After this week, we should be able to get back into a groove once again. We don't want to be like on The Emperor's New Groove:

--"You threw off my groove!"
--"I'm sorry, but you've thrown off the Emperor's groove."
--"Sssoooorrrryy!" (The one who threw off the groove shouts as he is thrown out the window.)

Yes, we do not want anyone being thrown out the window. So we'll have to find that groove! To help us with that, I've made my decision on which weekly-themed posts to implement. I probably could wait a little longer, but think of the groove that must be restored! ;) Just kidding! It's probably more due to the fact that I'm over-eager and a tad impatient. So, here is the schedule for those weeks that are not special-themed weeks:
  • Sundays by the Sea
  • Mondays for the Military
  • True Love Tuesdays
  • Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and/or Saturday: These days will be reserved for book and movie reviews, college news, etc.
This sort of schedule will be implemented more frequently during the school year, but don't worry! I'm still hoping to have plenty of special-themed weeks, too, particularly around various holidays. And there might also be some fun, random weeks that will surprise you, too! Grooves are good, but ruts are not.

If you would like to see a description of the three choices in bold above, click HERE or check out the sidebar. And if you would like to visit the Virginia City, Nevada website to find out more about this great place, click HERE. (The photo above can be found at this link. I should warn you, though, that old-timey piano music plays as soon as you go to the website!)