Blog from Jack

The following is a bit of detail from Jack. He talks of things from a different eye.

The diesel fuel here is very expensive, but cheaper than gas. The motorhome has almost 40,000 miles on the odometer, and I believe the Cummings diesel is finally getting broken in, we have been averaging over 8 mpg which is pretty good considering that we are towing the Cherokee. In the past we have averaged about 6.5 - 7 while towing. The speed limit in Canada is fairly slow 70 - 100 kph (47 - 62 mph) which I am sure helps get better mileage, and allows us to enjoy the ride and scenery. We will reach the Alaska highway (AlCan) tomorrow and the road will become a little rougher with a lot of frost heaves and repairs. We anticipate reaching Alaska in 6-8 days.

Montana, Idaho Friends 5.18-24.10

We stopped along the way to visit some archery friends of Jack's in Montana and Idaho. No wonder he made such good friends when he traveled, he had to drive so far between dealers, it was like the pioneers at a stage stop.

While visiting with Ron and Mary Thomas, in Thompson Falls, Montana, we went for a beautiful drive up the canyon. Everywhere you look you just see nature's beauty. It was breathtaking! Yes, and it even has "falls".

We all went out to dinner for my birthday. It was a surprise, because Jack knows I don't go to expensive places. Well, I didn't know how to get out of it, so I just enjoyed the evening, and the food was good, too. This is Ron & Mary along with....... We stayed with them from May 18 - 23. (They said they still liked us.) lol


We stopped in Clark Fork, Idaho to stay a night with Pete & Jeanie Weatherford. You can always count on something yummy coming from her oven. She served us a rhubarb cake that was so....yumm so moist and good. And, yes, I got the recipe!

After a wonderful breakfast of scones and peaches, we are on our way again.

May 25th, 2010 We crossed into Canada today. It started raining, and we saw a Moose. The country looks like Montana. Covered with pine trees and Beautiful!!!

Lava Hot Spgs, ID- Jackson Hole, WY, 5.14.10

Beautiful stop with wonderfully warm water. The closer you got to where the water entered the pools, the hotter the water. It felt so good, and it warmed our achy bones.

After being rejuvenated, we went to one of our very favorite places, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We usually go there at least once a year, and haven't been there since we moved to Las Cruces 3 years ago. We stayed at Gros Ventre, a National Forrest Campground. Not many amenities, but the price was right. We camped next to a protected sitting Horned Owl, and got to watch her in her nest.
Shopping is always fun in Jackson, and we managed to find something special for the both of us. (Birthday presents, you know), and Dad took good care of the kids... They love it in their buggy..Can't see us very good, but you know we were there...lol

Mother's Day 5.9 - 14.2010

Layton, Utah May 13, We left the Salt Lake (Dody) area for one more family stop before heading North. We stayed two days with my sister Pauline (and her husband Tad in Layton, Utah. We had a great visit with them which included Dody and I going to the Ogden Temple.

Race For the Cure 5.8.10

Saturday, May 8, 2010


The Race For the Cure, held at the Gateway in Salt Lake City, Utah. This is an event that my sister Christina and I have shared for several years. Because of my double hip replacement, I couldn't attend the event last year. However, this year I had two daughters, and our older sister, Pauline celebrated the event with us. Sandra and Melissa both came, Yea!!! They were here for Issac's blessing, too. Bill, Alex and her "special friend" were there, too. Christina is 9 years cancer free, and I am 15 year free. Hooray!!!! After the race, we all went to a very delicious lunch at ZTejas. What a great day!!!! And the weather was even good. lol Both daughters left Salt Lake to return to their families for Mother's Day. Sure glad they could come to be with me for awhile.

Copperton with Dad & Aunt Evelyn

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Took my Dad and Aunt Evelyn to Copperton to visit the house they grew up in. It was fun listening to their memories of the house and growing up. The current owner came out and wanted to take a picture of the first kids that lived in their house. We also took them to the Copper Mine, where many of my family members worked. My Dad worked on the big shovel. My Uncle Rulen was killed when the mine caved in.

Jack looks rather small next to one of the tires that are used on the equipment at the mine. Below, you can see many roads thought the mine.

Matthew's Grad

Friday, May 7, 2010 - Today, we were privileged to watch Matthew's graduation from the U of U in finance. How fun to watch these little families grow and prosper.

Brunch in West Jordan

Saturday, May 1, 2010 - Annette Matkin, our neighbor and friend from our South Jordan home prepared a brunch in our honor. It was so good to see several from when we lived there. Our best home teacher, Harold Ceislak, was in this area. It was so good to see Evelyn Stalings, Evelyn & Clairon Perry, Mike & Connie Schmidt, Ruth & Lee Tucker, Harold & Carmen Ceislak, and of course, Annette Matkin. Luci & Koji love Ellie's stroller. We decided it was a must for our travels....

Harkers

Sunday April 25, 20210 - Attended church and had dinner with Martin and Shauna Harker. These are friends from the area of our first house, located in West Jordan. What a nice time remembering fun events about our kids. They were good friends and neighbors, and it's good to still be in contact with them. He is now the Bishop of the ward. I have to tell a story on myself of when we lived there. Mother's day was approaching, and as Jack was going to be out of town, he had arranged with Shauna to receive the RC Willy delivery of a new dryer for me. Well, the delivery man went to my house first, and because I had a dryer, old as it was, but working, I sent it back to the store. Don't ever refuse a gift from your husband. The next week, my dryer broke and I dried the clothes on the back lawn for the entire summer. We moved that fall, and Jack did buy me another dryer, but I wi9ll never forget how sad he was that I sent his gift back.

Visit with grandkids

Tuesday, April 21, 2010 Spent great day with daughter Shelly and grandaughter Amy, and got to play with those adorable grand babies, Evan and Issac. Evan is so funny, he couldn't decide whether to frown or be a clown. He called me MamaGrandma.