DAY 3.5 : HIKING, SABBATH AND ANSWERED PRAYERS

Kale'a, Gian and Maile's favorite activity is to cause lots of ruckus while on the road. They love throwing their toys on the ground and play monster trucks; climbing onto the loft and peer outside the windows; and reading their picture books to each other. It was always our dream for our children to be close and praise God it's come true.

Maile reads the Bible while singing "He's Able"

THE LOFT AKA THE KEIKI'S PLAYGROUND

We arrived at Arches National Park around sunset and Brandon quickly drove us to Double Arches where we proceeded to hike into the canyon to stand underneath it. The children had fun yelling and listening for their echos bounce against the rocks. Atelei and I quickly cooked our supper of saimin and peanut butter/jelly sandwiches while Brandon and dad set up the chairs and mom watched the keikis play in the parking lot. While eating dinner a park ranger came by to remind us that we're not allowed to set up camp. After a quick bath, the children said a prayer and went to bed and I began the long evening leg of our trip into Colorado.

JUST ONE OF OVER 200 NATURAL ARCHES

SUNSET

THE DOUBLE ARCHES AT SUNDOWN

HIKING TO THE ARCHES

ANSWERED PRAYERS

While the rest of the family slumbers in their beds, Atelei and dad keep me company as I drive up the I-70 after leaving Arches. At around 0300 dad, reminiscing about his days logging hours on the road, wants to take over and drive the last leg. I am tired so I agree. We stop at a rest stop in Vail, Colorado and dad takes over. Atelei sits shot gun while I nestle on the sofa, a blanket keeping me warm. He maneuvers the RV onto the on ramp and we glide onto the highway. Because we are at the top of the mountain the highway begins descending and I soon notice that we are going fast. I read the speedometer: dad is driving the 31' RV down the mountain highway at 75 mph. And he is hugging both lanes.

"Slow down, dad!" I yell, my voice waking up mom.

"Dear, slow down!"

"I can't see the white line," dad says, trying to adjust his eyes while breaking to no avail. "I can't read the speedometer."

We are still hogging both lanes.

"Dad, slow down!" This time Atelei and I are yelling.

Dad attempts to slow. "I can't see the road clearly."

"Pull over, dad," I say. "I'll drive."

"I'll get off on the next exit."

Meanwhile, we are still plummeting down the mountain at 70 mph.

"Just pull over, dad." I'm beginning to panic.

Dad pulls over to the side of the highway and puts the RV in park. He looks at us and shrugs. "Sorry girls, I guess I just don't have it in me anymore."

I smile. "You did good, dad."

"Yeah, you tried." Atelei chimes.

Dad heads to the sofa and sits down. "My mind thinks I can do it but I can't. I guess I'm not the same since the surgery."He smiles.

Atelei and I smile back, thankful that our angels kept the road clear from semis and other vehicles while dad was behind the wheel.