1st Semester of School is Ending

Hi All,

Welcome from beautiful Arizona. The people here in Cottonwood, especially the Cottonwood Mission have been very helpful. Yavapai College and my instructors have also went out of their ways to help me get back into the educational system. I plan on taking summer courses 40 miles South of here in Prescott. It is the same college but a different campus. The Prescott Campus has more options and cooler summer weather. It is at about 5400 feet of elevation, compared to 3300 or so here.
I've been camping in the same spot for almost 4 months. Three days ago however, a large rattle snake showed up, he rattled and let me know that he was upset. He just sat and didn't move, so I decided to move the tent a little closer to the river. Now I can wash my pots and pans and do laundry a little easier. I really didn't like the rattle snake so close to my neck. He was hanging over me about 12 feet away. God was good and the snake let me go with a warning.
The temperatures are starting to go up. Last week we were in the low 80's during the day time. It felt hot to me. It gets in the 100's regularly around here, it usually only gets in the 90's in Prescott. I found a cool spot in the shade near the river yesterday, many families were enjoying the river and were fishing and swimming. I'll probably do my remaining reading and homework in this spot. Three weeks left in school. Thank you for visiting, and God bless you all, daniel

Spring Post

I'm still attending school. God continues to meet my needs. I'm having some health issues, I was unable to complete a 50 mile ride last week. I had to be taken to a med center because of dizziness. They took my blood pressure, and it was extremely low. I think it was a bad reaction toward my high blood pressure medicine. Next time I take a long ride I'm not going to take the medicine. I hope all is well with everyone, God bless, Dan

Still in School

I'm adapting fine to college life. Its been colder and damper than I've expected, but God continues to meet my needs through kind hearted people. The Cottonwood mission prepares a daily lunch which has proven very useful and much appreciated. Despite rid s a day I continue to get out of shape. Therese not a lot of work around here, I hope that with the increased tourism in the summer, some thing will open up. Thanks for stopping by, and God bless, Daniel

Back From Prescott

Hi All,
I had to take an emergency trip to Prescott to retrieve my mail. There seemed to be some miscommunication between myself and a friend. I'm happy I was able to secure my mail and make it back to Cottonwood. I took a dirt road 20 miles up 3500 foot in elevation. I really had a hard time on the journey. I did make it the 50 or so miles, and the shelter had a bed for me. On the return trip I went over the scenic 89a Mingus mountain road. Again very challenging. There was a lot of snow up at 7000 foot. My friend Kris that offered to help me with books, wow, what an encouragement. I've been having troubles getting my text books, but I think I have it worked out. By the way, I'm attending Yavapai College, whose main campus is in Prescott. May God bless all of you, yours in Christ, Daniel

School after 27 years?

Hi everybody. Its amazing how the same scenery looks different every day. As I take the daily 5 mile bicycle ride to the library the sun light hits things different, or a little more snow melts, God is quite an artist. Some times I get into a habit of just blogging good things, or just negative things, I felt I needed to share the experience of my daily ride. School has brought new challenges that I haven't had to face in some time. I'm out of practice in some aspects of basic life skills. Not having a car, credit cards, or even a local mailing address has caused minor stresses. God is good, all things are working out. My knee has been acting up a little. I may have to take a 55 mile bicycle ride to receive my mail soon. I'm grateful to have an address to have my mail sent, but I need to retrieve it monthly. Its a long hard ride going up a lot of elevation. Then I may not have a place to spend the night. The temperatures in Prescott often get in the low 20's, which posses problems. It will all work out. School's going good, the community has been great, and I look foreword to waking up every morning, life is good. Have a wonderful day, yours in Christ, Dan

Plans change, mother nature has say

Things didn't go as planned in Prescott. I am attending Yavapai College. I'm anxiously enjoying this huge change in my life Memorizing is proving to be harder than I remember it.
While camping along the Verde river I was told I had to get out or learn to swim inside my tent. The recent snow and rain lead to my decision to go in to a motel for a few nights. This was a lot more expensive than I had hoped. I'm back in the tent. Every thing got soaked. The cooler than normal temps are causing a lot of Ice inside and outside the tent every night. In the morning it melts and soaks every thing again. I'm trying to get a tarp to help with this problem. The lower than normal snow leavels have painted such a beautiful picture, thanks for checking the site, and God bless, Daniel

Waiting for school

My friends, Rick and Diane have been nice enough to let me stay with them the last 10 days or so. When I got to Prescott I had some type of flu and I needed a place to get strong again. Me being at their house has caused some stress in the past so I so appreciate all they are doing. It looks like I may be sharing an apartment with a friend of Rick. This is if things go as planned. I will have enough money for one month, then If I don't find work, I'll have to camp in the woods again. The woods around here is beautiful, so we'll see what happens. School starts Jan 20, please pray that I can find work to help with my bills, and that my return to school after 25 years will go smoothly. Have a great day, Daniel