From our hearts to yours.....
We send our love to all as 2020 draws to a close!
This year has brought unprecedented challenges and blessings. We are grateful for both and we feel a deep sense of appreciation for the sweet and sustaining knowledge that God is good! Despite all that has happened during 2020, we pause to confirm that God knows and loves each of His children. He seeks to bless us as we come unto Him - individually and collectively. It is our hope that you will feel of His love and share that love with those around you.
Elder Lewis and I are approaching the final days of our missionary assignment. Our official release date is January 19, 2021. We will be returning to the states shortly after that. Our first stop will be in Utah to witness the temple marriage of our son, Ethan. Following the wedding, we will be going to northern Wyoming, where we were born and raised, to visit our mothers and see if we'd like to settle there. If Wyoming is not our final destination, we will consider other locations. It's a BIG world out there with endless possibilities.
To prepare for our departure, we are training missionaries to assume our office responsibilities. We also took a few days to visit Galapagos Islands. It was a wonderful adventure and we enjoyed our experience.
Waiting in Quito to board our flight to Guayaquil, then on to Galapagos.
Arrived on Baltra Island. Intense biosecurity in Galapagos.
K9 Security sniffing for drugs at the baggage claim in Galapagos.
Once we arrived in Galapagos and retrieved our luggage, we were met by our tour guide - Nacho. No kidding, that's his name and it's easy to remember when you're hungry. We ferried from Baltra Island to Santa Cruz Island where we met Cedro, our driver. With Nacho as our personal guide we spent the afternoon exploring a tortoise farm, lava tunnels, and the Charles Darwin Research station.
Ferry from Baltra Island, where the airport is, to Santa Cruz Island.
A view from the ferry.
First stop was El Chato, the Giant Tortoise Reserve on Santa Cruz Island.
Lots and lots of tortoises!
Hiking lava tunnels at El Chato Reserve.
Trying out a tortoise shell.
What's at the Charles Darwin Research Station? Lots of vegetation, turtles, lizards, iguanas, and birds.
The vegetation on Santa Cruz Island varies from desert to rain forest and is beautiful.
Our island accommodations were very nice. Boutique hotel - La Isla.
The side-wall of the walking trail to the Tortuga Bay Beach was constructed out
of volcanic rock and cement.
This cactus was very old. Young cactus' have a green spiny base. As the cactus ages, the
spines fall off leaving a beautiful flakey and distressed wood-like trunk.
I think this is the cleanest beach I have ever seen. The sand was extremely fine and the waves brought little
or no debris. When we arrived, no one there except for.......a few iguanas and a pelican
After lunch we met another tour guide - Eddy, who took us to the Canal de Los Tintoreras and the Playa de los Perros.
Can you see the sea lion lounging on the rock?
Islanders call these birds - Blue-footed Boobies. Their striking blue webbed feet look artificial.
I kept thinking Crocs for Ducks!
The contrast of red-orange crabs against the gray volcanic rock were amazing.
Again, the color contrast of the aqua blue Canal water against the stone and
vegetation background was breathtaking. You could not enter this water.
It was interesting to see how iguanas adapt to their environment. Camouflage at its best.
Salt flats on the way to Canal de Los Tintoreras and the Playa de los Perros.
Swimming was allowed in this Canal. I dipped my feet in, but decided it was too cold;
not to mention the sharks we'd seen in nearby waters.
Honestly, the color schemes on Galapagos are a designer's dream!
Ending our day with dinner and an evening walk along the harbor.
We were originally scheduled to travel to Isabela Island on Thursday, but our tour was cancelled on short notice because of policy changes. To help generate business, an overnight stay was required on Isabela Island, and ferries were only running once a day. We had already paid for our room on Santa Cruz, so our options were limited. However, that didn't stop us from finding others things to do. We walked through the town and found The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint chapel, took a ferry around Santa Cruz to Finch Bay, enjoyed some beach time, had dinner, soaked in the hotel's hot-tub, and closed the day with a double-scoop waffle cone. Actually, 3 double scoop ice cream cones..... 1.5/person.
Checking out the top floor of the hotel. Yes, the Wifi works up there too.
The Church of Jesus Christ chapel in Santa Cruz.
Making a new friend? Actually, I woke this snoozing sea lion up from his nap. I think he was waving me away.
Sorry sir, I missed the "Do Not Disturb" sign.
Swimming at Finch Bay as the tide rises.
A beautiful view of the harbor on our way back from Finch Bay.
Lobster for dinner. It wasn't as good as it looks....disappointing!
Enjoying the view of the bay and relaxing in the hot tub.
With few tourists on the Islands, night life was quiet. Perfect for two senior missionaries!
We had an amazing week and we appreciated the opportunity to see more of this beautiful world.
God is good! We give thanks this Christmas season for the priceless gift of His son, Jesus Christ.
He is the Gift!
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
Love and blessings to all!
Elder & Sister Lewis
Your description of your Galapogas Islands trip reminded us of our visit there after picking Kyle up from his mission in Argentina! Rex and Kyle swam in a bay, and had the thrill of sea lions accompanying them. Kyle was fine until one sucked on his toe!! Yikes! Glad you had this great adventure. We hope your return goes well!
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