It's time for what some would call a vacation!

[gustava]

Stevus lets them bring their individual pillows with them. Isn't that idolatry?

[Patsy]

A completely unrelated quote from the corners page:

All e-mail addresses on our list are kept strictly confidential, and you may unsubscribe at any time for any reason.

Steve will allow people to opt out from receiving emails from him. He feels this is a very generous offer.

[ThatSnark]

Different this year: hipster beards and contrasting buttons. It's like they are faux-tiptoeing into the world, but not really.

[HoneyBunny]

I live in Colorado and have climbed several (though not all) of our 53 14-ers. Some thoughts:

Getting up at 3:45am when you still have to have time in "The Word" is smart. On some mountains, you have to get up that early even if you're a non-believer. Or earlier (Mt. Evans). Head lamps are a must (particularly if you're using trekking poles, which you should and I see some of the Maxwells did). The reason is that thunderstorms can move in shockingly quickly around noon at that altitude, with lightning so severe that the rocks hum. I came off of Mt. Sherman once on my fanny, sliding down the mountain, because if I had taken the time to walk the switchbacks, I would have been killed.

You don't need helmets to do a non-technical climb. I mean, you COULD wear them, the same as you could wear them to drive a car, and they would no doubt help to prevent head injuries in the event of an accident. But they're definitely not normally worn.

You also shouldn't wear skirts to do a climb. :angry-banghead: Really. This is craziness, especially on the uphill. Come to think of it, even on the downhill, where they probably can't see their feet because of the skirts. Stupid, stupid, stupid. But I'm sure God is pleased, and placed another tick in the Maxwell's Heaven column. :roll: However, skirts could come in handy for bathroom breaks. There are no trees above about 11000 ft.

Sneakers, even trail runner-type sneakers, really aren't adequate to climb a 14-er. Something over the ankle, at least a lightweight hiking boot, is recommended. And they didn't appear to be carrying backpacks nearly big enough to hold all the supplies you really should carry for a 14-er.

I call bullshit on Teri's back pain. Sure, back pain can come and go, but because it can come and go, and because of how jarring the downhill portion is on lower backs and knees, I'm not convinced she has the problem she says she does. In fact, that's the reason why, in my early 50s, I stopped climbing. My back pain is not the sort that I would normal even mention (as Teri frequently has), and I still worried about my ability to make it down the mountain.

Still, kudos to the Maxwells for doing this at all. I live about 6000 ft, and still sucked air at the top. They must be very, very fit. Stupid. But fit.

[argypargy]

I live in Colorado and have climbed several (though not all) of our 53 14-ers. Some thoughts:

Getting up at 3:45am when you still have to have time in "The Word" is smart. On some mountains, you have to get up that early even if you're a non-believer. Or earlier (Mt. Evans). Head lamps are a must (particularly if you're using trekking poles, which you should and I see some of the Maxwells did). The reason is that thunderstorms can move in shockingly quickly around noon at that altitude, with lightning so severe that the rocks hum. I came off of Mt. Sherman once on my fanny, sliding down the mountain, because if I had taken the time to walk the switchbacks, I would have been killed.

You don't need helmets to do a non-technical climb. I mean, you COULD wear them, the same as you could wear them to drive a car, and they would no doubt help to prevent head injuries in the event of an accident. But they're definitely not normally worn.

You also shouldn't wear skirts to do a climb. :angry-banghead: Really. This is craziness, especially on the uphill. Come to think of it, even on the downhill, where they probably can't see their feet because of the skirts. Stupid, stupid, stupid. But I'm sure God is pleased, and placed another tick in the Maxwell's Heaven column. :roll: However, skirts could come in handy for bathroom breaks. There are no trees above about 11000 ft.

Sneakers, even trail runner-type sneakers, really aren't adequate to climb a 14-er. Something over the ankle, at least a lightweight hiking boot, is recommended. And they didn't appear to be carrying backpacks nearly big enough to hold all the supplies you really should carry for a 14-er.

I call bullshit on Teri's back pain. Sure, back pain can come and go, but because it can come and go, and because of how jarring the downhill portion is on lower backs and knees, I'm not convinced she has the problem she says she does. In fact, that's the reason why, in my early 50s, I stopped climbing. My back pain is not the sort that I would normal even mention (as Teri frequently has), and I still worried about my ability to make it down the mountain.

Still, kudos to the Maxwells for doing this at all. I live about 6000 ft, and still sucked air at the top. They must be very, very fit. Stupid. But fit.

This. The only time I've seen helmets worn are on very technical 14ers, like the Maroon Bells. I.e. climbs that require ropes and more advanced mountaineering skills. The most technical 14er I've done is Longs Peak and it wasn't too bad. I really don't think you could do it in a skirt, though.

[NotALoserLikeYou]

Can you imagine if one of the Maxwells google themselves and see these pictures?? No wonder they think we are wicked.

[Justme]

Question, are there rattlesnakes where they climb? Or other dangerous wildlife?

[argypargy]

Question, are there rattlesnakes where they climb? Or other dangerous wildlife?

No rattlers. They only hang out between 4000-6000 or so feet. As for other dangerous wildlife, the only thing I can really think of would be mountain lions. Mountain lions would rather not interact with humans, though.

[LucySnowe]

Head lamps are a must (particularly if you're using trekking poles, which you should and I see some of the Maxwells did). The reason is that thunderstorms can move in shockingly quickly around noon at that altitude, with lightning so severe that the rocks hum.

Thanks for all of this, but I'm confused about the connection between head lamps and trekking poles and thunderstorms; could you please clarify for the Midwestern girl who thinks the bunny slope is a major hike? :)

[LurkerOverThePond]

Still, kudos to the Maxwells for doing this at all. I live about 6000 ft, and still sucked air at the top. They must be very, very fit. Stupid. But fit.

At least the guys look like they have quite a nice figure under all those layering non-defrauding t-shirts. Would like to see them in body hugging tight athletic shirts, though, to be sure of that 8-)

The Maxhells seem to make some money. At least in my part of the world those Camelbaks aren't cheap, especially with the hydration system. I've also seen them wearing Keen sandals - those are pretty expensive, too. I just bought my first ever pair of Keens after a year or two of waiting them to come to sale. They never did, so I had to pay the whole price (100 euros) and boy did that hurt. (After about two weeks of wearing them daily I don't regret buing them. My Keen Venice sandals are one of the most comfortable shoes I've ever had.)

[HoneyBunny]

Thanks for all of this, but I'm confused about the connection between head lamps and trekking poles and thunderstorms; could you please clarify for the Midwestern girl who thinks the bunny slope is a major hike? :)

In order to be off the top of the mountain by 11am (which is what is suggested due to more thunderstorms building after noon) you frequently have to start to hike in the dark. Maxwells said some of them used flashlights but that doesn't allow two free hands for the trekking poles.

Spoken by someone who was raised in an area where the only hills were highway overpasses but who's lived in Colorado for 25 years.

[ThatSnark]

I wish to quibble with the title of the 14er post: Sarah calls it the "Perfect 14er." Is it not true that perfection rests only with Jesus, and that things of this earth are fallen and imperfect? This entire vacation is turning everything upside down for me. I'm defrauded by the beards, confused by the buttons, and disillusioned by the earthly perfection.

[Eternalbluepearl]

LOL @thatsnark! Exactly!!!!

I hope The Lord will lay it upon someone's heart to buy them a Mexican dinner while on what some would call a vacation.

[Joan of Snarc]

Steve has completely ruined those "kids" lives, if he was to die tomorrow, they would have absolutely nothing. After 31 years of being like that, without Steve, what is Sarah going to do? Shes got no independance at all and would not even know how to function in the real world. Its like expecting a 12 year old to live on their own. Surely every parent wants their child to grow up to be capable of living as an adult-having a home of their own, working, looking after themselves and their future families, being able to socialise with others.... There are parents of children with special needs who are hoping that their child will be able to be an independant adult, yet Steve has screwed up his perfectly healthy kids so much that they are really going to struggle to manage with life if something happens which means he isnt going to be able to take care of them.

No, none of that is important. What's important is that he has his children's hearts.

He has their hearts in the palm of his hand and he's slowly squeezing, squeezing, squeezing the life out of those hearts. By the time he's gone, nothing but a dessicated piece of gristle will be left. And that's the way he wants it. He doesn't want them to have independent, full lives after he's gone. He will want them in perpetual mourning and prayer for Daddy. They will barely function and continue to worship him after he's gone. Because he has their hearts, forever and ever amen.

:violin:

[WonderingInWA]

We must have pissed Stevie off -- no blog updates now for three whole days! What could those Maxwells be doing? I sure hope they aren't having fun. Fun is an idol.

[LucySnowe]

In order to be off the top of the mountain by 11am (which is what is suggested due to more thunderstorms building after noon) you frequently have to start to hike in the dark. Maxwells said some of them used flashlights but that doesn't allow two free hands for the trekking poles.

Spoken by someone who was raised in an area where the only hills were highway overpasses but who's lived in Colorado for 25 years.

Thanks!

FJ is educational about more than fundie weirdness. :clap:

[ILoveJellybeans]

We must have pissed Stevie off -- no blog updates now for three whole days! What could those Maxwells be doing? I sure hope they aren't having fun. Fun is an idol.

Same old rountine as always...you could probably predict exactly what each family member is doing right now just fromtheir old blog posts about their daily life.

[Marian the Librarian]

We must have pissed Stevie off -- no blog updates now for three whole days! What could those Maxwells be doing? I sure hope they aren't having fun. Fun is an idol.

Bible time.

Making green smoothies.

Praying.

Blending beans for burritos.

Thinking about death.

Matching their clothes.

Having sweet relationships.

Washing the bus.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Hane]

No, none of that is important. What's important is that he has his children's hearts.

He has their hearts in the palm of his hand and he's slowly squeezing, squeezing, squeezing the life out of those hearts. By the time he's gone, nothing but a dessicated piece of gristle will be left. And that's the way he wants it. He doesn't want them to have independent, full lives after he's gone. He will want them in perpetual mourning and prayer for Daddy. They will barely function and continue to worship him after he's gone. Because he has their hearts, forever and ever amen.

:violin:

Here's the hell of it: Steve lives an almost obsessively healthy lifestyle--no drinking, no smoking, regular exercise, extremely nutritious diet high in fiber and plant foods and low in animal foods. He could easily live to be 100 (putting all emotional risks aside), outliving Teri, whose body may well have taken a toll after eight pregnancies and births. And that would leave Poor Sarah as a septuagenarian spinster, with SQUAT for assets.

By the time he passed away, my father wasn't able to leave us girls anything tangible or financial (what he had left was used for his care), but he was a kind, loving, and generous man who gave us good educations and was proud of our careers and other accomplishments, and who was happier to see me single (and self-supporting) than married to a douchewad.

Steve, THAT'S the way you do fatherhood.

[Coconut Flan]

I'm expecting an enchilada post any day now.

[Mary C Doates]

We must have pissed Stevie off -- no blog updates now for three whole days! What could those Maxwells be doing? I sure hope they aren't having fun. Fun is an idol.

They are still atoning for the contrasting buttons and that rather defrauding photo of Jesse posing on the mountain.

Since this is Sunday, they have probably waylaid some unsuspecting "elderly"who were walking through a park, and are now forcing them to listen to 1001 verses of "Trust ind Obeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyy". Later...burritos! Hot time at Chez Maxwell!

[Justme]

Sarah just posted that Jesse is becoming very good at pointing out mountains.... :?

[formergothardite]

Sarah just posted that Jesse is becoming very good at pointing out mountains.... :?

These people. :| There are no words for how crazy they are.

[WonderingInWA]

Sarah just posted that Jesse is becoming very good at pointing out mountains.... :?

Reminds me of an old Steve Martin bit on SNL. Okay, I'm totally dating myself here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV7Qz640OeM

[Letgo]

Sarah just posted that Jesse is becoming very good at pointing out mountains.... :?

Oh, I am sure he is able to this because HE was homeschooled. I, on the other hand, having attended public schools for my education, would be unable to identify a large land mass as a mountain. Darn!