Day Log 07.30.05 Saturday

This morning we were up at 6 AM just for our own survival. We hit the road at 7:45 headed to Kirtland, Ohio to see the church sites and try to catch up with Otto and Amy Derr from Logan. By 10 we were at the visitors center only to find out that the Derr’s had the day off. We called their phone number and drove up to their little home as directed by the other missionaries where we left a note. Maybe we will see them before they leave to go back home. We toured the sites and headed back on the road at 2:30. As we look at the map it seems impossible for us to get all the way home tonight so we will take it in three hours blocks and see where we are. I would expect we will stay somewhere here in New York tonight and drive on in tomorrow.

We left Kirtland and got back on I-90 headed to Erie, Pennsylvania, there we picked up I-86/Rt-17 that crosses into New York state. Since we have been in NY the farmland has changed into what the folks out here call mountains, yet you see no rocks, just over grown hills. Deer country for sure with a few dead ones on the side of the road. We just passed Cuba where the locals must not have paid the road tax. We almost lost the car in a pothole on the highway. Now a mile or two it is new blacktop and smooth sailing. It is also a fact of life that the further east we travel the speed limit goes down. Here in upper NY we are limited to 65, where just yesterday we dropped from 75 to 70. Same kinds of roads, just different ups and downs, weather, and abilities to drive faster, or at least that is what the political line is. These folks passing us would feel right at home on the flat open roads of the mid-west and west. I still remember coming down the mountain near Denver at 80.

We have already come to miss the dry air, even if it is hot. We think it is better to be fried, baked, or roasted than broiled. The humidity caught up to us yesterday and the air-conditioning just has to say on to keep us from being hot and wet. Mom thinks I got too used to the dry air too quick and will have a tough few days when we get home.

We had a plan to stop early in Elmira, NY and then make a short trip of it on Sunday. As all men know it is best to have a second plan that will work. We missed the exit that had places to stay by one, didn’t turn back and for the next six and half hours the trip was very tight. In not stopping to eat and sleep when we should have we just kept coming. As the day ended at 1:30 AM Sunday morning we had been driving 13 hours, not counting the four and half hours in Kirtland. We traveled 737 miles today and it was not the right way to end a good trip. We had eaten lunch in Kirtland at noon and ate again in Newberg, CT at 11:30 PM. My advice to others is don’t do it that way!

It is Sunday morning at 10:30 AM and mom is still sleeping and I am hoping will forgive me for not knowing when to stop, or picking the wrong place to turn off. I have been going over the travel book we kept track of things in and the total miles traveled on this trip were 8291. We spent $500 on gas not including an oil change. Mom has the figures for times we didn’t crash in someone else home. The good news is that she got the check from the NC nursing home, and I received one third of my vacation pay the state has been holding for the past two years. So other than a rock chip in the windshield, we seem to have made it across country and back with out a mishap. Mom’s prayers are heard again, and I have to ask for forgiveness again. Some times I am a slow learner.

Thanks to all of you for helping make this a great trip and listening to or watching the computer picture stories we had to tell.

Day Log 07.29.05 Friday

This day seemed to be the one that we had feared the whole trip. We again got up early, was on the road for about 12 hours and only covered 495 miles. We stayed just outside of Toledo, Ohio Friday night at what has to be the worst Motel 6 in the country. This topped a day where we sat in traffic from 1 PM to 3:30 PM trying to get OUT of Illinois into Indiana near Chicago. We had decided to stop at Kirtland, Ohio so we needed to take I-80 up to the point it became a toll road. ( You all know what I think of paying tolls.) The toll road was being worked on which really made a mess of the area, mom’s pleasant personality, our time schedule, gas consumption, but luckily not the front end of the car. So for 25 miles around this so called pay to save area we moved along watching four lanes move down to one and no one wanting to make room for the next guy. After that and not having a pit stop for that long we aimed for the next pull off with thousands of other people. The traffic moved from stop to 70 and back to stop again in about five miles as cars piled up on the freeway. We were able to move around this in only about 45 minutes with out stained pants, but mom was getting pretty needy for a drink. The rest of the day was spent looking at the map, knowing we were not going to make it to Cleveland, Ohio and still speak to each other in the morning. We pulled off in Toledo, checked in and found a place to eat. Came back to the room and crashed. The problem being that this place had the outside doors to the halls on crash bars and door closers strong enough to stop a bull and heavy enough to close the door in a 100 mile an hour wind. Even mom had a hard time sleeping through people coming and going all times of the day and night. I just had problems with the toilet that leaked, head board that fell off, and non-smoking room that had a mattress from the pool hall next door. The good thing was the shower worked and the hot water was hot. Not a place I would give four stars.

We again did see some pretty countryside with lots of green trees, it is amazing how in a matter of miles this USA can change so much. We got back into the east where you can’t see off the road way any more, where as a day ago we could see 50 miles in all directions. People that have not traveled agross the states from one coast to the other have no idea that beauty comes in so many shapes, colors, and sizes. Where in the east rivers are wide and deep, and in the west they are swift and clear. This trip we were able to travel west across one set of states and back to the east in another and see different points of interest every where.

Day Log 07.28.05 Thursday

Left Ft. Morgan, CO at about 7:30 AM and headed out on I-76 toward I-80 in Nebraska then on across to Grinnel, Iowa which took about 12 hours and 635 miles. The saying that the USA travels on what the farmers grow has meaning as you cross the country and see fields and fields of corn, soy beans, alfalfa, cows, and who knows what other items are in those fields. We did pass a few new fruit orchards along the way in valleys that seems to have the right climate. The morning saw me driving and because we seemed to be up so early mom took about a 50 minute nap first thing. A habit that has followed for the next two mornings as well. Yes I am catching up on the log again and it is Saturday afternoon as we drive through up state New York just passing Jamestown headed toward Binghamton another 200 miles away, but that is another days notes. Thursdays travels went well and no major events caused problems other than the day seemed long and the distance short as we looked on the map to see so much country still ahead of us.

Day Log 07.27.05 Wednesday

We were up at 6 and out the door at 7:30 after packing the last of the things I had planned for a one lamp I had not planned for. Seems mom woke up this morning hearing Grandma Maxfield telling her to take that lamp so we found a safe space for it, grabbed a quick bite, said our good by’s and headed down the road. Only after 12 1/2 hours and 725 miles later did we stop for the night in Fort Morgan, CO. We did need to stop for gas, food and my water breaks a time or two but decided it would be better to start Thursday on the east side of Denver, so and hour on the east of Denver we headed. One thing to understand is we had breakfast at 11 and couldn’t seem to agree on a supper spot while traveling through the mountains west of Denver. I will let all of you figure out what the mood was like for the last three hours of the trip.

J was right we were in Grand Junction, UT, in six hours. We left St. George headed up I-15 to Cedar City picked up Rt-14 over to Rt-89 and followed it up to I-70 East. The country side in that part of the trip was different with about every 10 miles traveled, We wee in the high mountains, high meadows where mom spotted deer before I did, down into the lower farm land and along the Servier River as it cut its way north. I was not paying attention to the speed through the canyon just before connecting to I-70 and pasted a local sheriff doing more than allowed just as mom said slow down. We watched him go by, hit his cherry’s, break and flip a U turn, I had found a spot off the road by that time and he was back to me in less then a minute. I think because he didn’t have to chase us, we had all the paper work on dash, had the door open but still in the car made it easier on us. His question as he came to the door was. “Did you bring lots of money for this trip?”. We walked for a few minutes and he said:” I am not in the mood to write a ticked this morning, slow down, watch for the constructions up the road two miles, and have a good trip.” Needless to say I set the cruise control and we stayed right on track for the rest of the day. We stopped in Richfield, UT, for breakfast and then traveled I-70 into Denver up, through, and down the mountains that have so many ski resorts, golf courses, condo’s, and homes that the wild life have to book a space to pee three months in advance. It is beautiful country, but just too many people for us to think about living there. As we dropped down from 10789 fee into the Mile High City the traffic had a speed limit of 65 and traffic going 80 or more in all three lanes, trucks with no brakes would make a mess of things but we were lucky and got out without seeing problems. I just lost a lot of hair wondering why we had to go so fast. Little car had some problems with the climb up the west side but going down the east side we made up for lost time. It is notable that getting onto I-76 for the trip up to I-80 took us right into the high plains. I wonder why so much of the land is unused for anything, only to realize that water is needed.

We did find a little place to stay at about 8:15 and the restaurant attached closed at nine so we ate then unpacked. It is 10:30 and time to sleep. I will try to get the last three days on line tomorrow either in the morning or evening. I do think we will be stopping sooner, so we can make the whole trip.

Day Log 07.26.05 Tuesday

Because J and Christina needed to go back to work we tried to stay out of the way. Christina had an 8:15 AM meeting so was out the door by 8:05, J needed to get into the office and try to calm a few clients that were looking for projects, as well as think about what stuff he had to move out before Wednesday evening. He is relocating his office space to home for time being or until another space with better environment comes available.

After they left for work we started washing cloths for trip, went to the Bank where Christina had asked a Notary to help with the NC papers, to post office to over night the envelope, to the different hardware stores in town looking for a dryer vent cover, then back to the house for lunch. We then headed over to Beaver Dam to take pictures of Kevin & Cora’s house so they would know at what stake the construction was at before driving down this coming weekend. Kevin was to then outline the placement of electrical outlets and switches. I will email the pictures when J gets home from work. Seems that while they were on the river trip St. George had a electrical storm that bumped his wireless off line, so for now when he is home he sets up his computer as the transmitter and I then can use my compute anywhere in their home.

We got back home after J and Christina had been home for lunch and knew they were coming home about 6:30 so did a few odds and ends to get ready for trip home, Mom watched all the afternoon talk shows, I started to get the salad fix-in’s ready, Striped the dead chicken from the bone for J’s and Mary’s salad, and started the salmon cooking for Christina and me. By 6:35 had dinner on the table and we all sat down and stuffed ourselves again. After cleaning up mess I had made, mom suggested we put some of the things in the car, Christina and J found a couple of boxes of Grandma Maxfield’s things that were sorted and places found for them to head back to Connecticut. J then helped install the Xmas present mom had given me to help me know which direction I am traveling, how hot it is in the car, and how close to Hell I get when traveling downhill. Simple process if one knows or understands the instructions. After packing what we could it was time to get to bed as we were hoping to leave at 7 AM.

Day Log 07.25.05 Monday

Nobody got up in a rush. I was up, J got up and the ladies stayed in bed a little longer. Mary’s phone woke her and Christina up when Br. Darre called to ask a question about out mail before he had to leave town. We all sat around the breakfast table talking until Mary and J went to the post office to pick up the NC papers, then to Harmon’s for a few things to eat. Christina did a few loads of wash and I did a little catch up on the emails. After lunch J and I talked about a couple of computer and camera situations I had thought about on this trip across. Now if I can remember the tips later. Mary and Christina went to Costco for bulk items to them and us. We Then had an early supper at Golden Corral. Well stuffed and sleepy we returned home, caught a little of the news and called it good for the day. I think the trip toward home is starting to weigh on my mind and or I am just starting to slow down from the pace we have kept since June 27th.

Day Log 07.24.05 Sunday

We started the day with a visit to Jerry and Jack and by 10:15 were on the road to Provo to see Aunt Teddy. The traffic was light and we arrived at 11:30 and caught her cleaning. We were able to talk her into going to lunch. It was a pleasant visit and we got back to her house to find Ray and Debby waiting for us. Ray was able to sit for about an hour before heading back to a church meeting in a Student Ward. We left Provo at 4 and without a lot of traffic made it to J’s house in St. George at 8 PM. After talking for longer than we should have we all got in bed at about mid night.

Day Log 07.23.05 Saturday

This morning we were up at about 6:30 getting cleaned up and packed so at 8 AM we could start back to Ogden to be at Cora’s by 10 for the trip up Ogden Canyon to see the cabin. All went well with the packing, good-by’s to Aunt Ruby and Uncle Gordon and exit from the Logan valley and down to Brigham City. We decided to look for a place to grab breakfast along the old/high road and only saw one local café open and with the 15 cars out front of a 20 by 20 building Max was afraid it couldn’t handle any more and kept driving. Big mistake as that was the one place open and local enough that Mary wanted to be there. So the rest of the drive into Cora’s was cool and silent. Although a number of national chain places were pasted we didn’t stop, so just at the Maverick mini-mart two blocks from Kevin and Cora’s I pulled in to get a tall cold soda for Mary to try and make peace, while in there I picked up a breakfast burrito from the hot table, said hello to Kevin who was in to get ice and headed to the car with the white flag waving. This seemed to work as the trip up the canyon was peaceful and full of chatting.

This trip to the cabin was arranged so we could see the handy work of Kevin and his brothers that we had heard about for so many years. They started in 1994 to build a log cabin (house) with all of the major work being completed in two years. As Kevin shared the history of the land purchase, use as a hunting camp, and then the building it was clear to see the emotional investment he had in the place. As we turned left off of the Ogden canyon road and started the climb up into the foot hills and then higher into the mountains first along an good road and then onto the oiled dirt road, the feeling of being away from town crept in. After going through two locked gates, reading the signs of what is allowed and not allowed, passing the last gate with a man checking the site you are headed for and what key number you are using to enter it became clear that the home owners association were making sure the 300 some odd homes in this community were being looked after. With the way the homes are placed among the trees it was hard to see some of them. Kevin took up all the way to the top where you could see for miles and across a number of ranges. The sky was clear, air cool, a slight breeze and the winter snow’s had brought out a crop of highland flowers that the locals had not seen in many years. As we passed may people on four wheelers, or trucks it was apparent that the land had many uses. Much to my surprise on the trip back to the cabin we came across a three moose in the stream bed, we had already spotted from the cabin another across the valley on the hillside so before lunch the count was up to four and by the time we left and hit the Ogden Canyon road three more moose, and two deer had crossed our path.

The cabin as I noted is a house with all the comforts one would want to have. The other homes in the area come in many sizes, some with TV Dishes hanging from their roofs but with most set up to be a place of peace away from the world below. I can see why Kevin and Cora like to drive up and spend time with no one else around.

We arrived back at Cora’s near dark after taking the Trappers Loop across from Ogden canyon to Weber canyon. This was the first time I had been on the new road and it does make a difference going between the two canyons. Things have changed over the last 25 years and many more houses are not in place.

Day Log 07.22.05 Friday

It was 7:30 when we woke up and after showers are getting ready to go down stairs to see if we can help in getting ready for brunch. Clouds are thick in Logan this morning but heat is still high.

All arrived at around 10 AM for a meal of sausage & eggs baked together, sweet rolls fresh from the oven, cantaloupe, water melon, cherries, juice and lots of talking about the past. Before long all were full of food and memories of those that were not able to attend today. We adjourned to the living room and went on talking into the early afternoon. Some sat in the chair of their choice and rested their eyes for a few minutes and then rejoined the conversation when it included them.

About 2:30 Aunt Ruby called a near by hair dresser and by 3 PM Mary was walking through the back yard into the salon for a trim. We were running the washer also about the same time so by 5 PM Mary was ready to run off to the book store for another couple of pounds of books, I want along to slow the increase of weight and decrease of income. We ran over to Wal-mart and found two more bags of granola mix for the trip home so now I have to remember that the next book store or mall stop equal time has to be given to the eight pounds of (4 bags) of granola that I added to the trip home.

Aunt Ruby, Uncle Gordon, and us went to a small Mexican restaurant for dinner, then rode around the very large town that used to Logan. Upon getting back we watched the “Tribute to Life” for President Hinckley on channel 5. This was very well done. Mary on the other hand had run off to see Aunt Dorothy, Aunt Shirley, Uncle Preston, Uncle Henry and any of the Derre kids she could find. I just got a call that she is now with Aunt Shirley shelling Peas and will be home later. The rain that has been in the area just started an the smells of outside have changed. I am hoping that the air will cool off as well.

We have talked to Aunt Teddy and will meet with her at noon on Sunday. J knows we hope to get to his place in St. George sometime around 8 PM Sunday evening. Cora should have picked phone message that we will show up tomorrow in her drive way at around 10 AM for a trip up to their cabin. So the next two days are going to be busy in travel and visits.

Lighting is flashing around the house, thunder is rolling across the valley and I am looking for my flash light incase the power goes off. I will save this for tonight and see about sending out the updates in the morning before leaving Logan.

Day Log 07.21.05 Thursday

Stared the morning at 6 AM, washed up and left for the Toyota dealership by 6:20, arriving sooner than thought because of no traffic, so sat in parking lot for about twenty minutes updating the computer messages from yesterday. At 7:05 the Service director took my information and I started my wait in the room to see how long an oil change and tire rotation would take. Battery on computer is about drained so am not sure I will be on line when he comes to let me know things are done. The management seemed to be in place by the worker bee’s were not around when I came to the waiting room. Someone was working as at 7:35 or 30 minutes I was paying my bill. $47 not bad for what needed to be done. Jerry did point out that they didn’t take the time to wash the windows, or dust the inside, so some improvement could be made in their service.

In the mean time a quick weather report. At 6:20 the temperature outside was 75, sky is a smoky hazy blue, and the clouds talked about on the TV last night are not in sight yet. The dry air, calm, morning would be a great time to be walking one of the paths or trails along the river if I was one to get up with the sun.

We stopped off at bookstore and picked up a couple of pounds of reading material, before going over to to visit with Jerry. We talked inside and outside until the heat of the day made it better back inside. At about 1:30 Nicole, Mariah and Bubba, two great grandchildren, arrived needing Grandma Jerry’s help so, Mary and I went up to Rainbow Garden for lunch, visited the graveyard and then came back and Jerry helped us find the candy store and my special granola mix. We returned home and about that time Cindy, Jackie, and Jack arrived so the whole gang visited until about 5:30 when we headed to Logan with a stop to pick up cherries and apricots. I am very disappointed in the fruit stands in Perry for their deceptive practice of selling seconds when you can drive down the road and see the apricot trees loaded with fruit that look almost as big as peaches, and as bright orange as the sun. We bought some anyway that will need a day or so to lose the green color and soften up some. Mary has been in the cherries already as they were red and ripe.

We went to Aunt Shirley where Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Henry, Uncle Preston were getting Uncle Preston ready to go get an cut on his arm sown up. He had been helping on a church project and a piece of Ree-Bar had gashed a whole in his right arm. The Stake President had wrapped it but Preston would not go to ER and headed home instead. Shirley got the call and fed him some ice-cream and peaches then loaded him up and off they went for about three hours. Seems he was cut deep and long needing a bunch of stitches and the tetnes shot we all love to get. While they were gone Aunt Ruby and Uncle Gordon, cousin Linda and husband Allen arrived so the party kept growing. When you get that many Maples in the same room the stories flow and history is covered. This went on until about 10:30 when it was time for all of us to clear out so Preston could think about sleep. We headed off to Ruby’s and settled into the upstairs, knowing that the same group were to meet again at 10:30 in the morning for brunch at Ruby’s house.

Day Log 07.20.05 Wednesday

We were lazy this morning and got up at 8:30, took our time checking out and then drove up to the graveyard. With the aid of directory posted we located Grandpa & Grandma Maxfield, Junious Maxfield, Wayne Morgan, and others grave sites. Took some pictures, batted at the Delta fly’s, and drove out of town by 10:30. Mary asked as we were leaving town how it felt being back in Delta after so long. I had to reflect for a minute and the thoughts went back to the time I was living there and not just the visits down from Ogden. I remembered the house over across the tracks by the seed mill, the house down the street from Grandpa Clyde’s where the fire happened, the smells and feelings poking around in Grandpa’s sheds where his plumbing stuff was along with the smell of pipe cutting oil as well as the dust that seem to always cover everything. All in all good thoughts, but a sure knowledge that I was glad we moved to Ogden. A good place to go back to for visits one in awhile but not someplace to live all your life. I know Kenny and Connie disagree with that but Delta is their life, the smells, dust, and people are their way and I just got too used to being closer to the green and mountains.

In the drive crossed some of the Delta fire burn that took up most of the right hand side of the road up to the mountain edge, the smell was still strong and it looked like they were still working a hot spot in one of the canyons. When we got to Elberta on route six we decided to take the old Redwood Road on the back side of Utah Lake. It turned out to be very much different than the last time I drove it some 39 years ago. The farm land is better developed, more of the landscape is developed and in the Sarasota Springs area housing has taken over. We did stop in Sarasota Springs for about 90 minutes to visit with the McElwain family that moved our from Connecticut about two years ago. The were kind and let us in with out notice. They both seemed to have taken to the area very well and enjoy having a good number of their kids and grandchildren near by.

We cut up toward I-15 an Nephi, stopping for gas and a salad then headed on toward Ogden, Just at the point of the mountain Cora called to see where we were and as it turned out we showed up in her drive way in about 65 minutes later. Kevin pulled in at about the same time. We visited for an hour or two and then headed to 12th street exit, checked into the motel, washed up, then met Jerry and Jack at the Golden Corral for supper. We made arrangements to me Jerry in the morning after I had the oil and tires tended to at Tony Divino Toyota on Riverdale Road.

The miles traveled for the day were small (180), the hours normal and the number of visits more than normal for this trip.

I will check in later in the week from somewhere.

Day Log 07.19.05 Tuesday

We are up at 6:15 after a night that started off warm, then cooling off where covers felt good. The neighborhood had a visit from Mr. Skunk last night so windows needed to be closed for a while. Sun is bright today which means the trip across from here to Delta will be warm. Grandma Mary is busy packing for the trip to mover forward but feeling very sad that she has to leave little Drew again. She has warned Kelli that tears will flow at this parting as happened in February. Thank goodness for the digital cameras and internet that allows weekly updates. Ok shower is open and I am next inline. More later.
We were packed and ready to roll at 8, but getting out the door after taking a few more pictures, a couple more kisses, tears, hugs, and away we went at 8:30.

We traveled up and down, around this curve, into this valley, out of trees into desert, out of sage brush into meadows, and then 30 miles from Delta over a crest and down into the Sevier Dry lake. All of the travels today were done in sunshine and temperatures from 87-107. Some places the wind was strong and other places no wind at all. We traveled for a total of 487 miles and did it in nine hours on the road with a short stop first in Eureka, NV., for lunch and Ely for gas.

After checking into a Best Western here in Delta I called Kenny and we met them at the Assisted Living location that turned out to be converted from the Motel Mary and I spent part of our honeymoon. Any way with all of us there a good visit was had. Aunt LaPriel was looking good, but she didn’t even know Kenny and Connie tonight, let alone me or Mary. We talked about some things in the past and she was not sure any of them were part of her life. She is asking questions over and over again. It is sad to see her this way. Connie had two of their grandchildren with them and had taken them to the park near by. After it was time for Aunt LaPriel to go to bed the rest of us walked over to the park and talked for a while longer. Delta has changed, but Grandpa Clyde’s home is still there but looking so much older and is empty right now. We will hit the grave yard in the morning before leaving town.

Day Log 07.17.05 Sunday

Night was quiet and cool so everyone slept in until 7:30. After showers, breakfast we were all ready to go to Church. Drew and the other two boys were able to make it through the three hour block. High council speaker was ok and had a traveling speaker with him that took most of the time so he was happy about being short changed. The Sunday School class had a sub teacher and the message was very well prepared, if I were her she should be careful or she will be a full time teacher. The five members of the Elders Quorum were less than engaged when the instructor tried to teach with discussion. The ladies all came out of RS with tears in their eyes and just raving about the lesson. Anyway we all attended and Drew as good most of the time.

After getting home, having a light lunch just about every one had a short nap. Jed had been working on the steaks for supper and by 5:15 we had grilled steak, salad, hush-puppies, and grilled onions. A meal fit for a king. Drew has been off schedule today and so eating and sleeping has been hard for him. He ate large bowl of mush, 6 oz’s of milk and presented Grandma with a full load of discharge so now she is truly baptized to the position. With a change of a diaper before we leave she will be certifiable grandparent. It is about time for a bath and bed so the parents can get some rest.

Jed and Kelli are in the process of getting ready for an apartment hunting trip. So they will be ready when it is time for Jed to start training on August 29.

Day Log 07.16.05 Saturday

We all had another good nights sleep with the air cooling off well after dark. Drew and Tippey got us up at 7 AM and we awaited Jed’s arrival at 10 after he got off shift. The ladies went off to do some shopping and at about 1:30 we all went out for lunch. Drew had had a nap and been fed so he was the best behaved in the party. Again a hot one here in Minden so out side stuff will have to wait for night-fall. Watching Jed with Drew shows that parenthood is able to change and calm most people.
Watched a TV show and ended up going to bed at 11 PM.

Day Log 07.15.05 Friday

Today is a day where the grandparents get to spoil Drew, while Kelli wonders what it will be like when the grandparents leave next Tuesday morning. With Jed still at work today we get to just take the day as it comes and will not be looking to do too much. The temperature outside is up near 100 but the house is cool.

Grandma Mary was just busy all day with the baby Drew but the only picture taken during the day was with Grumpa Max sleeping beside the baby. I wonder who got the most out of the day.

Day Log 07.14.05 Thursday

Up and about at 8 AM with Aunt Flora going to the Dr. at 9:45 AM. She came back with the report that all is ok and will be taking a echocardiogram in about a week. This seems to be a standard for her every few months. After the exam Aunt Flora took Janine and us to a late breakfast near by. We then came back packed the car, said our good-by’s, and was on the road at 12:45. We arrived here at Jed & Kelli’s at 5:30 and traveled 260 miles. The trip took us up I-99 to Stockton where we started to head back east on Rt-88 which took us through fields of grapes, nut trees, dry grass range land, and true pine forests. We were as low as 137 feet above sea level up to 8000 feet and then back to 4667 here in Menden. Was a good ride and better in some ways than going all the way up to Sacramento and across on I-50.

Grandma has been holding, feeding and trying to play with a very happy and at one time a hungry baby boy. Drew will find this lady getting in his face a lot the next few days, as we are staying here in his home instead of paying the local hotel fee of $80 a night. If now I can keep from blowing the electrical circuits in the bedroom with my air machine. It is about 10 PM and mom and I are going to hit the pillows soon. Kelli has Drew asleep in the closet. Tippy has had his snack, Jed is at work until tomorrow afternoon, the air is cooling down with the weather guy calling for another hot one in the morning.

Day Log 07.13.05 Wednesday

I was up at 6:30 because that is what the body wanted, Mary and Aunt
Flora are in bed still and it is about 9. I have been able to check the
emails and reports for home all seems to be well. It is going to be 107
today so we will be staying in most of the day. Both mom and Aunt Flora
got up at about 9:45, so I had time to take a few outside shots of a
bird in a wagon in a bush.

We have visited with Aunt Flora today and all of us had a mid day nap
after lunch. The heat is so high that Mary hasn’t even wanted to go to
the mall, and after Flora’s trip for x-ray she didn’t need to be out
anymore either. We are invited over to Lurane’s for dinner. I hope to
take some pictures while we are there. I didn’t think it was a good
idea to take them of Aunt Flora sitting in her chair as it looks too
much like Roa in her rocker. That is not the only similarity, as they
talk just about the same amount unless you ask lots of questions. I
think we will be heading up to see Drew and his folks after lunch
tomorrow. Looks like about a 5-51/2 hour drive.

We will head up north after lunch today. Aunt Flora has 9:45 AM Dr.'s
appointment.

Day Log 07.12.05 Tuesday

Up at 5 AM and on the road at 6:10 headed toward Barstow. We did stop in Barstow at the Denny’s for breakfast and about 90 minutes of visiting with Mary friend and her three children. Good visit, but sorry that children needed more attention than most newborns.

The trip on up to Clovis was very good and helped us to know that California and those that live here are on the fast track of life. The speed posted is 70 in most of the state and 80 is the speed of choice for those on the road. Gas prices are a lot higher than I expected for a state with oil pumps in about half of the fields and orchards. The wind farms are quite the sight on some of the ridges. Wonder how much power they produce and how it is added to the electrical grid? The hill sides are yellow with dried grass and you can see why they have so many fires after driving for miles and miles where little grows because of the lack of water, then you drop into a valley where water is present and the orchards and grape vines are a dark green. Signs all over the place show the farmers are fighting with the tree huggers. The signs read “Where water flows, food grows”.

We arrived here at Aunt Flora’s at about 4 PM PST. For one that has had a couple of falls in the past few days she seems to be doing ok. She will be going for an x-ray on Wednesday and Dr.’s appointment on Thursday. Janine has been here for the past few days so she is not alone at night. Annie called in the evening an reported that her Dr. will be watching her problems but as of now does not think getting her on the transplant list is the right thing to do. I hope to talk with her later on Wednesday. Lurane and Tom came over to visit at about 8:30 and stayed for a while. We will be eating at their home on Wednesday.

Time to close for the evening.

Day Log 07.11.05 Monday

We were going to sleep in this morning but Mary’s school office called at 7:30 to ask a question about one of the dear children, so we got up and started moving around. Have made a trip to Wal-Mart, the watch band store, Church distribution, had the car washed, had lunch, did a couple of things here at J’s, and now are looking for a nap before going out to dinner with one of Mary’s first cousins, James, J will know him, and will understand why I have to do this grin and grip. He reminds me of a carp out of water when you try to grab it and throw it back in the pond. Big blown out of its skin and slippery to boot.

Our plans are to get up early and leave here Tuesday morning so we can meet Mary’s friend from Ashford in Barstow for brunch then head on up to Clovis.

Day Log 07.10.05 Sunday

Well it is 7:45 AM and I needed to get up so have come down stairs so
mom will sleep a little longer. Looks like a bright day and one that
will see us traveling up to Milford for the funeral for Landon, Maples
the youngest son of Karl and Debby. From the phone calls we have made
the schedule is for us to be there by 5:30 or 6 for viewing and
services to be at 7 PM. We will then come back to J’s for the night and
have decided to hang out on Monday here in St. George before heading
out early Tuesday for Fresno to see Aunt Flora. I will look at map
later today to see what the distances are.

Mary was able to sleep another two hours and then we got busy and
headed to church around the corner for a 1 PM sacrament meeting that
started at 2. We slipped out went back to J’s place had a sandwich and
then went to the meeting. At about 4 PM we headed up to Milford for the
funeral that started at 7. We were there in plenty of time so we did
the viewing and stayed with the family for prayer and into the service.
Was a very emotional service with Landon’s mother Debbie taking the
spoken word and music very hard. A very large number of church,
community, and school friends were in attendance. Landon’s day Carl did
a wonderful job of telling about his son and the life he lived. A very
close adult friend also spoke about the wonderful example Landon was
for his family and those that worked with him. The Bishop then closed
the meeting also with an outline of the God like quality’s this young
14 year old exemplified while alive. The grave side service was short
with a prayer by Landon’s oldest brother and a tape recorded country
western song. The buried Landon in his cowboy clothes, boots, hat,
chaps, and the rest of the gear needed. There must have been 60 sprays
or floral displays in the chapel. To say the youth in the meeting were
taking his loss hard would be an understatement.

We left the grave side at 9:15 with the temperature in Milford at 67,
then traveled to St. George arriving at 11:45 with the temperature
sitting at 93. What a difference the mountains make.

Day Log 07.09.05 Saturday

For a day where we didn’t need to get up early or travel very far both
seemed to forgotten. We were up and on the road at 8 AM MDT which
seemed to be a confusion factor in AZ. Then in this great state do not
follow the rest of the Day Light Savings time changes so as we watched
the TV or looked at our watches, or cell phones they were showing an
hour earlier. It all settled back to normal when we crossed the Utah
border later in the day.

Anyway we left Holbrook and as I outlined in yesterdays notes headed to
Snowflake for a look around it was only 25 miles down Rt-77 so we had
decided to have breakfast there and was it worth the wait. A little
place on Main street owned by a local family, place ended in EVA.
Mexican food so we had the two omelet specials and being the only ones
in the place were able to talk to son of owner, a teen with a willing
ness to talk about his town and attitudes of “those Mormons”. Very in
lighting conversation about how our brothers and sisters treat the
minority in the area, as well as the police actions. Anyway it was a
good meal and fleshed out some of the questions we had. We then toured
the city, found the temple site and took a hard look at the development
that was going up around the site. Makes me wonder if some one on the
planning board didn’t buy up the site and area around it, donate the
temple site so they could then build a community around it. Have to say
if had the money would consider living that close even with all of
those “darn Mormons” so close. Did pick up some paper work and may do
some on line research later. I was able to get mom to change her plans
and we traveled on down Rt-77 to Show Low as it got us closer to the
mountains. It is a larger town with all of the shopping that Snowflake
didn’t have. Looks like the price of homes is more due to its being in
the ski area. The fire damage of two years ago really sad. We saw a
sign that said that the Show Low fire took 476,897 acres of land and
trees. Because we had gone to the on down to Show Low it was decided we
would follow RT-260 back west across to Payson and then up to Camp
Verde to catch I-17 up to Flagstaff and then Rt-89 and Rt-89A to
Fredonia then Rt-389 to Hurricane then into St. George. The 525 miles
we traveled in the 13 hours it took had us both amazed at the totally
different country within one hour. We went from the dry desert into the
low hills of cedar trees, to the high mountains with pine trees so
thick it was hard to see off of the road, to the fire ravaged mountains
back from 8200 feet into the low hills then flat dry desert again. We
were able to cross the Colorado River, at Marble Canyon by using the
Navajo Bridge. I called it in my photo file the green river because of
the color as it flows down stream. I wonder if it because of the rocks
it flows through? We should have eaten in Flagstaff but didn’t so when
we finally found a place open in Fredonia we stopped and again were
delighted with the meal. Good thing we carry the apples, nuts, and
cheese sticks or speaking to each other would have been short and tight
for those long afternoon miles. Taking the 389 route was a good idea as
road is in good shape and keeps one from paying to go through Zion park
when you can’t stop any way. The highway goes through Colorado City and
Hildale where the houses are very large and most likely hold a number
of families. Also looks like quite a few have been started but will
never be finished. Mountain ranges off to our right were and looked
like the back side of Zion with their many shapes and colors. Dusk or
setting sun makes those ranges look a lot different than when sun is
high over head. Was a good day but due the loop down to Snowflake and
Show Low we were not able to drop down to the North Rim of the Grand
Canyon this trip. The extra two hours needed would have gotten us to
the rim at sun set and into J’s place way later then we wanted. It is
on another trips list of things to do. We were glad we made the loop
and have in so doing taken New Mexico off the list of states to live in
and added parts of Arizona that were not being considered.

We arrived at J’s at 9:10 PM and by 11:30 had cloths washed, some
ironed, and were looking forward to a good nights sleep with no certain
time to get up.

Day Log 07.08.05 Friday

This is from Holbrook, AZ. We got out this morning as I though we would
except earlier than expected. Some of the camp members got up at 4 AM
to get on the road before sunrise. I was up at 5:10 and just stayed up.
Even as quiet as I could be it was 6:10 when Mary cracked an eye and
wanted to know why my side of the tent was packed and ready for the
car. After hitting the shower Mary was ready for a snack at the dinning
hall. The dinning hall staff were off and the replacement staff put out
paper bowls, sweet rolls, cereal, fruit, milk and juice. It was good
and we then finished the packing and were on the road by 8 AM. We took
the road (64) up to Taos through the mountains, then into Santa Fe via
(68), connecting to I-25 down to Albuquerque. All the long the way we
would look at the area to see if we could live in the area. Albuquerque
has some potential but we would need to come back and look around to
the North and East of the city, not the South or West. We checked both
Grants and Gallup off of the list because of heat, sand, rock, and lack
of other human comforts. We have poked around here in Holbrook and will
in the morning drop down on Rt-77 to Snowflake, then over 277 to the
west and back up Rt-99 to Winslow where we will catch I-40 over to
Flagstaff then up Rt-89 toward the North Rim of Grand Canyon then on
over to St. George by evening. That is what we hope to do tomorrow.
Today was great traveling except for the time two hours passed without
a water break. Then having to wait to eat in San Fidel at the Indian
Casino buffet caused us to snap at each other once about waiting too
long. So tonight we ate early here in Holbrook in a local joint that
had the best food so far this trip. Ok off line for the night and
maybe tomorrow on Sunday I will get on line at J’s and send off the
last weeks logs.
It is now 9:25 PM MDT

Day Log 07.07.05 Thursday

It is about 6:30 AM and the night was quiet, except for a couple of two
legged animals that snore worse than I do. Night ski was clear the
couple of times I was up and out. Morning air is crisp, the ski is
bright blue and the morning breeze is very light. I will have two sets
of classes this morning, then after lunch we have a two hour meeting
with the ladies where we hear once again from the YM and Primary
leaders, receive our certificates of completion, and hear about 45
minutes of testimony. The closing program is from 7:00 to 8:30 tonight
but from listening to people at the Bar-B-Q last night I would expect
to see some of the folks leave after the afternoon meeting. Friday
morning is up and out by 9 so some are looking for a head start on
their long drives. We are in no rush and will take our time in the
morning to unload the trunk and repack everything then head on across
the country.
Mom is just getting back for shower and we will be starting to
breakfast soon.

Well all happened about as outlined above with mom heading with a
couple of car loads of ladies at 8:30 to Cimmeron and returning at
11:30 feeling like it was a good tour and buying trip. The meeting was
a tear jerker and then mom and I walked over to the local museum and on
over to the trading post for a soda and a hat so next year I will
remember where I was. The closing program was a mix of the camp staff
and members with a slide show after that was also give to us on a CD
along with about 400 other candid shots taken by staff with the kids
and at events. I can share with those that want to see them when we
arrive at your local. Mom and I are tired but the night will be longer
because the teens have gotten back from their week long trek and have a
dance ending at 10:30. Camp is really a bus with people leaving and
more young adults running around. Will call it a night and get up in
the morning ready to put our stuff in the can and bolt by 9 AM.

Day Log 07.06.05 Wednesday

The storm of last night went over with a lot of thunder and lighting
but only a drop or two of rain so by 10:15 people were settling down.
All was quiet in camp all night long except for the camp members that
snore like some of our members in church. The Lovers Leap hikers were
on the road this morning at 4:45 with a lot less noise than the group
yesterday so I waited until the alarm went off at 5:30 to start the
day. Looks like a clear morning with the temperature just a bit nippy
this morning. I would expect it is going to be very warm before we see
sun set. The schedule has us very busy with four classes to attend, and
mom having two different meeting with the Primary General Board, One is
a training session the other is a Lunch time Q&A session, Mom is going
to try to get away from camp for a minute to drive up the road for a
phone call to NC about some business that was on the answering machine.
I would like to get back to the trading post for a look about while
they are open. It is now 6:30 AM and Mom is back from shower so we will
be getting ready for breakfast soon. I have not said much about the
meals because in most cases they have been just right for us, but as
mom says she wonders what the teenagers are doing for snacks. The
couple we sat with from Idaho last night said they have never eaten so
much salad in their lives. So you can see light on meat and vegetables
but little people have cereals and always PB&J with bread for rest.

It is now 9 PM and we have been taught, fed, and danced around with in
the past 14 hours. After breakfast I went off start the four sessions
of the day. Mary took time at the craft barn with some of the sisters
then all of the Sisters were in a testimony meeting with YM President
and wife, and after that had an open Q&A session with the Church
Primary Presidency during the lunch hour. By the time she caught to me
before I headed to the afternoon sessions she was spiritually and
emotionally on a high. I had just had two sessions on the cub scout
programs so knew some what of her feelings. Mary took off for a hike
off site with a group of sister that took them up into the canyon about
3 miles. I finished with the two afternoon sessions on the
teacher/venture programs and how they work hand in hand with the Duty
to God program. As we hit the tent at the same time it was decided we
would walk over to the trading post to pick up a couple of items. Of
course after finding the items in quick order I stepped in the slowest
line with the man in front trying to pay with a credit card and the
system crashed. The search for a old fashion paper card devise took a
while and all I wanted to do was pay with cash and leave. Mean while
Mom was in the snack bar throwing back a cold one. After getting back
we changed into our levi’s and Romantic Willimantic tee shirts for the
Buffalo Bar-B-Q, that was proceeded by the Primary Children’s parade,
(oops I missed that one), after the dinner Mom and I took a walking
tour of the Villa here on the site. This man had money and it shows.
Mom stopped by the Square Dance and I went back to the tent to down
load the 80 shots taken through out the day, only to find I had
misplaced my car keys. After looking high and low in the tent, around
the car, back through everything in the tent, it came to me to look in
one of the backpacks and sure enough there they were right where I
never put them.
It has been good day, not too hot, not too windy, not rainy, and cooler
but not cold tonight for sleeping. Hope all the animals in the tent
village sleep soon. As mom just pointed out this is the first day we
have not gotten some kind of short nap in the day and boy did she miss
it after the hike and walk to the trading post. She got too tired and
hot on the hike and it took a while for the red to leave her face and
be kind again. She has changed her plans for tomorrow to take a tour of
Cimmeron instead of the five mile hike. I do believe this is a good
thing. No use dieing on the trail when camp is almost over.

Day Log 07.05.05 Tuesday

Morning was early due to about a dozen cars pulling out to do the
sunrise – lovers leap hike at 4:50 AM, I got up to see what all of the
noise was and just stayed up. Being the first or second in the shower
is not a perk, the water heater needs to be woke up as well and luke
warm water is not as nice as warm water. I finished in the bathroom,
dressed and took a walk around camp taking picture as I went. A couple
of deer were taking a walk around camp and I tried to take a few
pictures of them but holding the camera still on full zoom was a
learning experience that will help in the future. Digital camera was a
wise purchase and the 200 shots from camp already is proof of that. I
hope the computer will keep taking them along with the other 1000 shots
already in files.

Pretty sunrise through the dark clouds of the day. Now waiting for mom
to shower and will start the day of meetings. 6:31 AM.

Well 14 hours later at 8:48 PM we are starting to wind down from a day
of eating three meals, going to a dutch oven cook out with 15 different
fruit cobblers – alamode, taking in a training session, a ride with 150
other men to a wilderness camp site for a spiritual set of talk, going
on a ride from camp to Miami, finding a cell connection 15 miles along
the way, and taking a good walk over to the wilderness camping
headquarters where the trading post was closed for the night. Today
turned out to have a little of all kinds of weather, wind, thunder,
lighting, rain, clouds, sunshine, and all this at the same time a
number of times in the day.

The more I am here and being told the duties of the leaders I see a
need to have more from Connecticut and Rhode Island attend these kinds
of training sessions. It is going to be hard to transfer the
information, and impossible to convey the spiritual feelings I have had
so far while being with this group of leaders and men and women, even
with the kids present. I have been blaming the thin air for the stream
of tears flowing at some of the meetings or gatherings. Mom says it is
just old age catching up with me.

With lighting starting to pop and thunder rolling around us I think we
will just close up the tent real tight and see if sleep will come and
stay.

Day Log 07.04.05 Monday

This morning started off at 5:30 with my watch buzzing in my ear. I hit
the button and twenty minutes later got up and went over to find the
shower to be standing room only. So after sitting in line for about 15
minutes, (some of the men need a lesson on wet-soap-rinse), I got in
and out, shaved and then went back to wake Mary so she could start the
same routine. She found that her facilities were not as crowed except
for the mirror’s where the good Sisters were putting on make-up, (this
is camp ladies). We had a good breakfast then headed over to the first
flag raising where they had the cub scouts handle the program and work
at the poles. Great to see the little blue uniforms just moving around
and getting the credit will help them in the future. Oh ya, today all
the big boys were in uniform also. Mary said it was harder for her to
find me in a crowed. I had to ask someone the difference in the green
and tan shirts. Tan for the normal scouts, green for venture or
explorers. Some had full shirts, pants, neckerchiefs, hats, shoes, and
all the patches and ribbons to boot. Me in my borrowed shirt and last
years patches just kept his mouth shut and let all the big boys handle
the questions in the four one hour training sessions for the day. After
supper we had a camp family home evening that started with a banner
parade, where all families had something to show off and were given a
minute on stage with name and state read. We then went over to the bowl
as they call it for the program of singing, story telling, readings,
skits, and message for retired General Authority Robert Backman about
the love of America we all should be showing or feeling. All in all a
good day with just two claps of thunder, three minutes of rain, a
little freshing wind that kept the temperatures down just a little.
This was good because Mary took in the nature hike with another
Silverado, where the crossed a snake path, spooked a deer, had to wear
a hat, drank two bottles of water and needed a nap afterwards before
attending a special meeting for the wives. All that for a one and a
half mile hike. She is working up to the five mile on Thursday morning.

I have been told of different spots that Verizon phone service is
working and tried them all we are just disconnected till Friday around
noon.

Ok all is getting quiet and if we both sleep as well as last night
should be able to get up for another day of meetings and some time to
see part of the ranch.

Day Log 07.03.05 Sunday

Mary had said last night she wanted to get up and be part of the Camp
Choir and to get her up at 5:30 AM so she could be ready for the 6:30
practice. After a long night and short on sleep when I turned on the
light at 5:30 the look and statement I got was not one that I could
print. The kids next door on our left didn’t listen to the parents when
they kept telling them to turn down the DVD movie they were watching.
So sleep didn’t come quickly and then at 1 and 4 getting up to hit the
bathroom didn’t allow for much sleep. The temperature was just right
for sleeping so getting up tired was not something she wanted to do. I
hit the shower and at 6:30 Mary needed to get up so she could shower in
time for use to have breakfast at 7:30. After eating light we finished
the make up, hair and put the tie on for church meetings starting at 9
AM. They had the Relief Society in the assembly hall and the Priesthood
out on the west lawn. Three different teachers for the men and young
men were sent off in age groups. They said last night about 765 members
here, 425 Men for training, 30 states of fifty are represented as well
as Canada. People here from Hawaii, and Alaska to the west and Florida
and CT from the east. Well back to the church meeting! Sunday School
was broken down by last names and on the west lawn where ever you had a
large shady spot you had an adult or teen class. For Sacrament meeting
they used the assembly hall, one of the dinning halls that was attached
and chairs on the lawn. The program was handled by the YM’s and Primary
President with the choir and children’s choir adding music. You could
feel the spirit in the building and it was just like most wards with
the little one’s crying and old folks wondering why they didn’t take
the kids out. At the end of the meeting we had about an hour before
lunch so we found a bench in the shade with a light wind to keep us
cool. The valley heat is higher than I had expected. We are not as high
in the mountains as I expected. The morning wind was warm and when I
got up this morning it was warmer outside than in the tent. We have
been warned to keep the tent flaps shut and windows closed because of
the unexpected rain in the afternoon. As it is right now most of us
will run fast rather than keep the heat in the tents. Even the fan we
toted all the way out here has a hard time moving the hot out but it
does help in the early evening and first thing in the morning.

This afternoon is free time and as we sit here in the shade near the
villa I took a few shots of mom getting a nap and to show the villa, we
were able to hear part of the walking tour that the staff members give.
It seems that the church is the only group that comes in on Saturday
and starts on Monday. It is because of the no travel on Sunday. This is
the only Sunday that families are seen napping or reading on the west
lawn. All the other groups or conferences are Sunday afternoon arrivals
and not allowed the use of lawn. That is the reason we have all day
for family time and the staff assigned to us are hard to find, except
the kitchen staff. I also know now why that group seem so unhappy to
see us, this normally is their day off. Over time pay is ot as good as
time away. We are week five in the system and they are already tired.
So reading and napping is a good Sunday activity when we could be off
walking some of the trails but with white shirts and ties on it would
be a dead give away we were sinners. Some parents are having a hard
time with the kids who want to play and be on the move. Oh well rest is
rest!

After taking time out for the afternoon nap in the shade of a
cottonwood tree we headed back to tent for a quick stop then back into
line for the supper of beef tips and salad with wheat bread and Peanut
butter, the Adult fire side was right next door and so from the hour of
7-8 PM had a chance to hear from Elder Robert L. Backman and his wife
of four years. They had both lost first companions and together told
the story of a late life romance and melding two grown families
together to a total of 103 then and now up to 126 counting children,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Their story was full of humor
and tips for those of us married to stay together and keep our families
whole and happy. Sun had gone down after the meeting and so we are
getting ready to settle down for the night – now if all of these active
kids would do the same. Mary just said that not getting as tired and
staying cooler has helped her to feel better this evening. It was hot
today but we learned to seek shade and more water, Dark old cloud is
coming over just at dusk which I took a photo of. Even shut the car
windows tight for the night just incase.

We have tried the cell phone in a number of location on the camp site
and I am officially disconnected for the rest of the week. It is a very
strange feeling not to know the news, check in with folks for complain
on line.

Day Log 07.02.05 Saturday

For a day that didn’t need to be rushed we were up and out of the motel
by 9:00 AM, mostly because of the folks above us who seemed to be in a
rush to leave for their next destination at 6 AM and didn’t mind
letting the whole world know. We ate a little before leaving and
decided that somewhere down the road we would have a late breakfast
which was in Raton, NM 100 miles later. As it turns out we drove past
the name brand restaurants and ended up in a little joint that had
plenty of seats, great food and was not in a ruch to kick us out. We
took our time and ended up driving on at about noon arriving at
Philmont Training Center at 1:15 well ahead of the scheduled
registration time. Along our trip to the camp we must have spotted at
least 100 head of Antelope, some in singles and some large groups as
large as 12-15. The heard of Buffalo before entering the City of
Cimarron was large enough for this eastern boy to stop and take a few
photos. As we entered the Camp just in front of the main gate a spike
mule deer walked in front of us and acted as if he owned the road, camp
and whole countryside. The camera was in the back seat so I missed
another shot for the folder. It was about 150 miles from Pueblo into
the camp so someone driving and short on time could make it in four
days and three nights on the road.

We started the registration process right at 2 and by 4 PM were in our
tent, a 10x12 foot tent on a raised wooden floor, out in the middle of
40 more tents with the sun all around us. The car was easily parked on
the road with only two rows of tents between us, so I was able to
unload with out too much trouble, It also makes a good safe to leave
all the food and other valuables so the wild and human animals don’t
have a reason to come visiting. The tent must be about 125 in the
middle of the day, but the evening seemed to be just right for sleeping
if the neighbors had just left their DVD player home and paid any
attention to Taps at 10 PM. The supper meal was at 6:15 as we are in
the second shift of dinning hall number two. The kitchen staff are very
good and the salad bar has all that is needed to keep us alive for the
week. The roast pork was very well done, and the drink ar allows us to
get ice for our bottles at each meal.

At 7:15 the camp staff and Church staff put on a orientation with
instruction, skits, music, welcoming remarks, inspirational talks by
the Church YM’s Presidency and Primary Presidency, also a short one man
show about Badon Powel and how scouting got started here in the US. At
the end of the hour and half we all headed back to the tents to get
ready for bed. If it hadn’t been for a short nap at about 5 we would
have not been able to drag ourselves about. The air here at 6780 feet
is thin and Mom is having the effects of heat and no air. I expect in
the morning she will be feeling better. Any way at about 10;30 we will
be turning out the light for the night. Each tent has two plugs with
one allowed for the hanging light. Good for light but one has to keep
the tent door closed to keep the flying insects from joining you for
the night. I am putting in a small night light so us old folks can get
the bathroom at night. By the way the facilities are not but 30 feet
away. I think they did this for all us old folks. The families with
little kids are also in this same part of tent city south, so quiet is
not one of the things we will hear for a few days, and I thought the
folks this morning were something to be sore about. They also have tent
city east which is about the same size. Showers are private and have
warm water, so we are at least doing to smell better at the beginning
of each day.

I have seen better thoughts so best I close for the night.

Day Log 07.01.05 Friday

Morning started at about 6:30 MST because body still thinks it is on the East Coast and needs to get up. Mary was able to sleep a little longer by telling me to be quiet. Breakfast from the snack bag means we do not have to rush today.

From the watching the news it seems we missed the storms going through the area by about half a day. Good to be ahead of the schedule sometimes.

We took the time this morning to do the laundry before starting out to see some of the area. At the end of the day we had traveled 190 miles seeing the desert, mountains, river, river-walk, evening concert on the river-walk and some great looks at the weather coming in but missing us. We took off west toward Pueblo West on US-50 going on up to Caron City then along another 25 miles west on 50 then back down county road 69 to Silver City then back along 96 up to Florence then Lincoln Park into the back side of Canon city along US-50 to Pueblo for the evening concert along the river-walk. All in a good day if not a restful day.



We saw mountain sites that invite a home on the hill side, large wide grass covered valley’s with a small stream just asking for someone to stop by and fish. Also in the same area were some very large ranches saying to most that land was taken and for a good price. From Pueblo West to Pentose really no one wants to live in the bare ground that looks like moon scape.

Had a good call from Lurane letting us know Anne would be at Aunt Flora’s so if we get to Clovis on the 12th we can see all of them. Hope we don’t interfere with things they have planned.

Well time to shut down for the night and think about getting up in the morning for the trip to camp.
This message will most likely be the last until we get out of camp next Friday morning. I will keep a daily log and what you get from me then will be more than you care to read.