Bandera Volcano and the Ice Cave

New Mexico's Land of Fire and Ice

June 2006

Along the Continental Divide in New Mexico, you can hike to a volcano crater followed by a descent into a nearby ice cave in a collapsed lava tube where the temperature never rises above 31 F.

The hike to view the crater:

The trail to the Ice Cave leads through old-growth Juniper, Fir and Ponderosa Pines:

The Ice Cave:

Leaving the Ice Cave (not exactly accessible):

Christmas 2005

Christmas 2005

The picture below might be shocking, but it's nothing compared to how Kellisa looked when she was wheeled back to her hospital room on December 16, 2005, following her shunt replacement surgery. Even though it was her 18th surgery (as of 12.25.05), I was not prepared to see her shaved and heavily bandaged head. This would be Kellisa's 3rd surgery in as many months. Kellisa had two shunt repair surgeries, one on October 6th and one on November 15th. When the repairs did not work, a complete shunt replacement was necessary.

 Like usual, even though Kellisa was only nine days removed from a major surgery, she was back to her usual self as she enjoyed Christmas:

All dressed up for a traditional Christmas dinner:

You can see hints of a scar on her neck (left side) in several of the above pictures. However, we don't have a clear picture of the scar. The neurosurgeon had to open Kellisa's neck to help the shunt's drainage tube down to her stomach. 

North Window Arch

North Window Arch

Arches National Park, Utah

June 2006

End of the trail for the jog stroller:

The rest is on foot or in your dad's arms:

Kellisa in the arch: 

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures.

Lisa sitting in the arch:

Peace River

Peace River, FL

March 2012

Kellisa joined the church youth group for a weekend of fellowship, camping and canoeing at Peace River:

Unfortunately, it was too hot and sunny to take Kellisa out in a canoe all day because it increases the risk of seizures. Instead, we went for a swim and rented a golf cart to explore the dirt roads in the area: 

The youth learning that Kellisa isn't as different as she might appear as they learn about some of Kellisa's adventures:

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Lighthouse Trail

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Texas

April 2008

Our goal: The Lighthouse, is barely visible (upper center) from a roadside overlook:

Trailhead:

Views along the trail:

On Kellisa's Spring Break, we visited Palo Duro Canyon with our Primo Matt, the day after visiting Black Mesa in Oklahoma. 

Titus Canyon

Titus Canyon

Death Valley National Park

November 2010

The beginning of a 27 mile adventure:

Looking ahead as the road switchbacks up and through the Grapevine Mountains:

Close-up of the upcoming switchbacks:

Looking back from the middle of the switchbacks:

We pulled off to the side for a quick snack in the backseat:

The entrance to Titus Canyon:

The road through Titus Canyon is barely wide enough for one vehicle is some places:

Titus Canyon was a great drive and we found out that Egypt shared our love for off-road adventures. Shortly after this trip, I was doing some research online and found that a trail marathon uses this road every December. I can see myself attempting this trail marathon in the future with Kellisa.