Alaska Bound

Oct 2010 Leaving Ak/Custer/Victoria/GRose/Lincoln

2010-11-23T16:35:00.000-08:00

Oct 2, 2010 On the road again....We leave Fairbanks with heavy hearts, as two weeks ago, our friend Art, had a massive stroke and today, he died. Shari is going with her Mother to San Diego, and will not return to Alaska until next May, at which time she will deal with the two houses and their belongings.

It has been good to be with Art and his wife, Shari, and what a treat to have them invite us here for the summer. We spent most of the time in Fairbanks parked in the Sportsman's Warehouse parking lot, as it was more convenient while we were working. However, it was so relaxing to pull into their property for a couple days a week for R & R. They didn't get the house finished enough to move in while we were there, but we stayed thee anyway. The four of us spent some good times with Shari's BBQ's, the eating out, going to the movies, and sitting at our favorite table in front of Coldstone Creamery. Yummmmmm. Glad we had this lovely experience, but we are sad that we didn't get any pictures of us with them....We really liked being in Alaska, but are looking forward to the lower 48 to be with family.

Frost Heaves give a whole new meaning to the term "Rock n Roll" as the motor home rumbles along the highway. Some places have been repaired since our coming up here, but we still bent the axle, again. Jack just used his manly muscles and pounded it back into place. We saw herds of elk and moose as we were leaving, and enjoyed the many changing colors of the trees. Everything was so densely green when we came up, that the contrast was like seeing a whole new land.

Oct 7, 2010 We finally arrived back in the good ol' USA. Jack drove really hard for the past 5 days, and the 6th day, we are taking it easy in Great Falls Montana.

Oct 8, 2010 We stopped at the " Little Big Horn" and toured the area of Custer's Last Stand. How brutal the wars were, and what a price was paid for the development of our country, on both sides. We thank those that gave their lives for us.

Oct 11, 2010 Well, that could have been bad!! I wrote that on our way to Alaska we bent the tow bar in the 'frost heaves', well we bent it again coming out, and Jack hammered it back as best he could. And...after we left Joel's place in Longmont, CO, driving down the freeway we felt a bump in the motor home. As we looked in the backup camera, our towed Jeep was no longer in the center of the screen, but over to one side. The tow bar had come off the ball, and the Jeep was being held with the safety chain. I'm a believer in safety chains, and we now have a new tow bar.

Oct 12 - 21, 2010 Bernice flew to Sacramento to spend some time with children, and see a good friend, Sylvia Roberts. Sylvia had been walking across the street and was hit by a car that severely broke her body from top to bottom. Thankfully, she will not be paralyzed, but recovery will be long and slow. Bernice was originally going to see grandsons coming and going on missions for the LDS church. One grandson, Kyle, just returned from two years in Chile, and another, Blake, is getting ready to submit his papers. Unfortunately, we can't always be to those farewells and homecomings. Stefani, Melissa and Bobby's daughter in Utah just left for a mission to Atlanta, GA. Didn't get to that farewell. Sad :(

Oct 22, 2010 Victoria Hwa Hsu was born. She has lots of black hair, and has sweet delicate features.

Oct 26, 2010 Went dancing and had a fun evening with the kids at the Grizzly Rose Saloon and Dance Emporium. The twins remember when we used to take them dancing with us to competitions. Fun times!!!! I know it's blurry, but one of the kids sent it to me, and this is what I got...

Oct 20, 2010 Stopped in Ogallala, NE, and had a very lovely visit with one of Jack's high school friends, Ron Holscher and his wife Karon. Dinner out was very fun, and Karon and Bernice shared lots of quilt project ideas!! Jack and Ron had a successful pheasant hunting outing in Ogallala. Jack missed a lot more then he hit. haha

Oct 31, 2010 We then went to Lincoln, NE to visit Jack's sister, Myrna, her son Scott and wife Patti, along with their three growing boys. Jim, Jack's brother, and his wife Pam met us there. What a great visit we all had.

It was nice to get together, and not have a funeral make it happen... What a nice way to spend Halloween....lol

Sept 2010 20th Anni./Derek

2010-11-17T13:05:00.000-08:00

Sept 22, 2010 We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary, celebrating with just each other. We went to one of Jack's favorite places, the Silver Gulch Brewery. We also had lunch at the Pump House Restaurant overlooking the Tanana River.

Sept 27, 2010 We discovered that Leroy's niece, Derek (aka Robin), Loretta's daughter, lived in North Pole. We were able to have a lovely evening with her and her sweet family, and catch up on lots of news. This was indeed a bonus.

7.1/8.18.10 Pam.Jim /Sr. Olympics/Denali/Nenana

2010-11-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2010 One of the things we loved to do was go to the Farmer's Market Saturday morning, with our babies in the stroller We didn't do a lot of buying, but loved to look at all the goodies people had for sale.August 9, 2010 We had a very special treat!! Pam & Jim, Jack's brother came to visit us for a couple of days. They were taking a cruise, but came in early for our visit. Here we are way up North, and family comes to visit. How special is that? One of Jim's school friends and his wife met us for dinner at the Silver Gulch. Good food, and good company!

We spent one day going to Ice Sculpture House, the Knotty Shop, Pioneer Village, the Alaskan Pipeline, and of course, Santa's House. Shari and Art joined us one evening at the State Fair. We had such a great visit with them.

August 13, 2010 Jack participated in the 'Senior Olympics' in Fairbanks, in Archery. He took first in his age group (he was the only one), but be got the highest score of all groups. Not bad for an old guy.----(that's what he says about himself)---- , While participating, he met this fun lady, RJ Nelson, from Nenana, a neighboring town to Fairbanks. One of the days was the opening celebration, and Jack and RJ entered everything. It was fun to watch them participate..

August 16, 2010 We were in Pioneer Park, with Jack and the puppies doing one of their favorite things, eating ice cream and smelling the territory. (you figure out which does what). haha

Jack found another friend, and one of them seems a bit confused. We really liked to go to Pioneer Park, and went there several times. There was a street that had been lined with some of the early houses from the Fairbanks area. Most of the houses had plaques on them stating the year they were built and who lived there.

August 18, 2010 We took a holiday from Sportsman's Warehouse parking lot, and drove to Denali, Alaska. What a nice time we had. We camped at a quiet campground for three days not far from the town of Denali.

While there, we toured the little shops and ate some yummy food. There were lots of cute little shops, but my eye was drawn to "Dizzy Lizzie's" where they had the cutest Gypsy skirt, but I resisted and walked away. There was even a quilt shop with hundreds of fat quarters, and I resisted and walked away there, too. If I finish all the projects I brought with me I will be doing good. I have managed to make two quilts and several crochet items on this trip, and have purchased a couple of kits for quilts. So, I'm not completely depriving myself of new projects.

One thing we have found since we arrived in Alaska, the people really like to eat. Whenever we order there is so much food, sometimes Jack even has a problem eating everything, and I definitely do. I just want to snack off his plate and not have my own.

August 20, 2010 We took a long tour through Danali National Park and saw many moose, caribou, wolf and grouse. It was a good tour, and we were provided a good box lunch. The bus was not full, so there were empty seats, which housed unclaimed box lunches. So, Jack was able to have more cookies.......

August 22, 2010 The lady from Nenana, RJ, that Jack met during the archery tournament, told us that her town was going to be having a big celebration and invited us down. Well, it was on the way back from Denali, so we went. What a good time we had!!! First we attended church in what I say was right out of Little House on the Prairie. We were a bit detained getting there, as we stopped for road construction and couldn't get the coach started again. We got a jump, and when we arrived, church had already started and the small but beautiful building was packed full. The newly elected Bishop was there to meet and greet the people of Nenana.

Afterwords, in a building close by, a potluck lunch was served. We then went back to the coach and took a little siesta till time for the next event. The town had erected a monument for the Alaskan Scout Troop that served during World War II, and were responsible for guarding the Alaskan boarder. It was a lovely ceremony with some of the old timers telling stories they remembered, which furnished us with some insight as to the history. Right after this dedication, we went to the Community Center for the naming of the building. It was being named for one of the prominent members of the community that had recently died. Then, we attended our first 'Potlatch' event.

A Potlatch is generally a celebration for some event, like a wedding, funeral, graduation or other major event. Basically, it is an eating, singing and dancing event, and this is how it goes. people sit in chairs or on the floor in back to back rows. There are strips of paper laid on the floor in front of you, and you set your plate on the paper. Servers go up and down the aisle putting food on everyone's plates. It is rude to refuse any of the food. You don't have to eat it all, but you don't refuse any of it. At one point Jack received a fish head, as a sign of honor, and I was excited when I received a cup of what looked like berry cobbler. I was enjoying it and was then told it was fish eggs, crisco and sugar. I thought about that lard going down my arteries...and was reminded that fish oil is good for you. Yummmm After dinner, the dancing and singing begin.... We really had a good time with our visit there. Thanks RJ....

Another fun tradition in Nenana is the Tripod. People from everywhere send in a bet as to when the tripod will fall through the ice. They guess down to the second. The money pot is usually very high. $279,030 was the pot for 2010.....

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Alaska Cont June 22, 2010

2010-11-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

ALASKA STORY CONTINUES

June 22, 2010 We took a wonderful Riverboat tour on the Discovery II Sternwheeler through some of Alaskn history. We learned a lot about the Athabascan native tribe.

We saw some beautiful pelts, and a gorgeous coat made from the fur of several animals.

The pelts were hung to dry

Jack had his picture taken with one of the locals in the village....haha

We were fortunate to also see a float plane go through some maneuvers, stooped by Susan Butcher's place and saw her husband and daughter put the dogs through their routine. She won the iditarod race several times. But this time of year, they have the dogs pull a 4x4 wheeler for the exercise. Quite imp0ressive, as the dogs could hardly wait to get the 'go' signal from the trainer.

Fish camp was also very impressive. All the natives leave home during the fish season to work at fish camp, catching, cleaning, and drying lots of salmon.

June 28, We had a great time at the El Dorado Gold Mine. We boarded a train for a ride back through time in a mining camp. We entered a tunnel that took us underground to an active mine, where a narrator took us verbally through the process of gathering gold. Honey was very good at gold panning. Me, not so much....... but I was good at shopping to get it made into a neclace. Thanks, Honey.......

6.7.10 Alaska, (last entry Northbound)

2010-06-15T13:15:00.001-07:00

6.7.10 We're Here - Northpole, Alaska. After 2 months, 6 days, over 4,500 miles of gorgeous country, and many enjoyable hours with friends and family, we finally made it to our planned destination!! Northpole, Alaska. We are parked on Art and Shari Harlow's property, where they are building their new home. What a beautiful spot to build a house and theirs is almost completed. They plan to be in before September. We seem to be having DirecTV and internet problems, and don't have either, but other than that, things are great! Our morning walks consist of walking around the property, and the dogs love the new smells, i.e., wolf, moose, etc. lol I'm not brave enough to just let them run loose.

Thought we'd start this off right, by visiting with Santa. After all, this is the Northpole.....

Boy, does he know a lot about you and where you live. So, you better be good!

The reindeer were a bit tired today.

Jack is in the sleigh, too, just look hard and you will see him.

And this is where we will be for about the next 4 months...... Art put in all the necessary things needed for a motor home to park, so we are quite comfortable.

6.5.10 Whitehorse, Yukon

2010-06-12T14:14:00.000-07:00

6.5 - 7.10 Whitehorse abd Tok

Well, fancy that...you remember that horrible road that we took to come into Skagway? We're taking it back out. and no one has repaired it. SLOW GO again... The climb out wasn't as bad as everyone made it out to be. We dumped most of or water to lighten our load a bit. Maybe that helped. We are in Whitehorse, Yukon, and have just toured the local Wal Mart. We really are blessed to be in the US and have clean and comfort at our disposal.One funny thing though..so many people here are in their sandals and shorts. One of us is confused... Jack wanted to tour the Yukon Brewery, so he did....complete with samples.

Whitehorse, in the days of Klondike Fever, was one of the major ports for the Steamboats. The SS Klondike, a paddle wheeler, has been restored and is moored in town. The Steamboats aided the stampede to this area. It is almost unbelievable the thousands of people that crowded the streets during the 'Gold Rush' area. The SS Klondike was one of 250 paddle boats that ran up and down the river through this area for 50 years, aiding the trappers, gamblers and fortune seekers. They also hauled ore mined in the areas.

6.6.10 Spent the night at a Canadian Superstore parking lot with 6 other rigs. Wal-Mart was nearby and had 17 rigs parked in their lot. It's good that there are so many places that will let us park for free as wee travel. They know we will come in and shop.

In spite of not getting and address for church before we left Skagway, Alaska, Jack was able to find one for me. (We're back in Canada and have no phone service). Lucky me, I got to play the organ for the prelude music. They said the organ doesn't get used very much. One of the fulltime missionaries played the piano for the meeting. I didn't take my music, but should should always have it with me. You never know when it will be needed.

We finally made it to ALASKA!!!! We also took a picture of the International Boundary. I could stand in two countries at the same time. I was looking for Russia, but couldn't see it yet. lol

6.7.10 TOK Alaska Jack had to start the day by working before breakfast. The roads were so bad the last part of Canada, that the hitch was sbent in several places. So, after doing a lot of hammering to straighten it out a bit, we stopped in Tok to get it repaired. What a difference when we hit roads from the good ol' USA. They're not in a big hurry here...we arrived at about 10am, went to breakfast, groomed the dogs, Jack puttered around with motor home stuff, and here it is 1pm and we finally wee him welding. 2:00.... Here comes Jack with the tow bar. Yea!!!!!

The welding shop in Tok had a lot to offer. Jack ahd a tough decision to make... Keep the Cherokee, or get a new truck?... lol Looks a lot like a Scrambler.....

6.4.10 Skagway, AK

2010-06-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

Sleeping has been very comfortable at around 50 dg. at night. But, what a way to wake up…and what a spot! Birds chirping, snow on the mountains, and the Excursion Train rattling right outside our door…….

While in Skagway, we decided to take a walk down town, and see the Alaskan Quilt Shop. I have been real good and haven’t gone to any so far. But, I’m weakening, and today is my day.

We watched the cute Soapy Smith Show, and a National Parks narrative on this “boom town”, it enlightened us on the Klondike story of Skagway. People stampeded in here by the thousands in 1898 via boat to get to Dawson City, Yukon, during the gold rush. The problem was, not many of them got any gold.

While in town, we weren’t invited to dinner, but Jack did get a picture taken with Sarah.

One of the jaded ladies caught Jack in one of the brothels, and I got him just as he was being lured up the stairs. Whew! Just in time. Some of the original buildings are still here, which includes the Red Onion Saloon.

The pianist wanted me to bring my older sister around........

We won't be able to go to church on Sunday, so Jack wondered if I could go a couple of days early? Silly boy!!!

6.3.10 Continuing West

2010-06-04T18:40:00.000-07:00

We had rain most of the day from Watson and a stretch of the Alaskan Highway was not paved, which is seldom the case, and when we got through it, we were towing a brown jeep totally caked in mud. Because of the rain most of the day, the road was like brown jelly. We did encounter a bright spot however. The Dawson Peaks Resort boasts that it has the best 'Rhubarb Pie' in the Yukon. You know, they just might be right.

Whenever we get out of the motor home, this is the look we come back to.

We decided to take a detour off the Alaskan Highway by going to Skagway, Alaska, via Highway 2. The drive to Skagway was breathtaking, even if we did have rain most of the day driving. Another RV’er said a trucker advised him not to tackle the steep grade of 11% for 11.5 miles, but we decided to take it anyway. Other reports said the road would be fine. We just took it slow. The other choice would have been the ferry out of Haines at $250. We did lose one of our electric power circuits on the way down, the one that powered the rear view camera to see the Cherokee being towed. Jack had me check all the breakers and fuses, and because I was trained by a professional, I was able to click them properly, and ‘Voila’ we have power. Thanks, Leroy….

We had to cross this suspension bridge, which is the longest one in Alaska.

All of the rivers or streams are plum full of water. And I do mean ‘plum’ and ‘full’. Everything is so green and beautiful. The water was seeping or gushing out of the rocks as waterfalls in many places along the passage. We talked of how challenging it would be to traverse this country before there were any roads. The forests are so dense, the obvious choice would be the rivers.

6.2.10 Watson/Muncho Lakes area

2010-06-02T20:10:00.001-07:00

6.2.10 Muncho Lake...... Jack keeps kidding me about driving. Well...... This is as close to that dream as I'm going to get. I couldn't even see over the steering wheel. He of course said, "Well raise the seat". All of the streams and lakes are very full with water. They are beautiful.

The lodge has a service of float planes that one can procure, if one wishes. Jack wished, but we didn't.

Watson Lake

We finally made it...... to here...

I have a very important job while Jack drives. I am to read the MilePost book and report. You know, it's very important to know what you are going to be seeing, and when you see it, you will know what you are seeing. (huh) Luci is always a big help. As soon as the motor starts, she thinks she has to get on my lap.

As I said, animals are everywhere. Today was the day for Moose and Bison. Couldn't get pictures of the Bison, as we couldn't stop.

While at Watson Lake, we visited the very famous 'Sign Post Forest' . There are 67,983 signs posted here. We looked and looked, but the closest we could come to one of our homes, was Albuquerque and Provo.... Jack had to consult the signage to get our bearings.

Forest Fire 6.1.10

2010-06-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

6.1.10 After leaving our beautiful camping spot by the Peace River, between Fort St. John, and Hudson Hope, and doing laundry in Fort Nelson (which was very expensive, $2.50 per wash load), we encountered a road block just out of town. It was a forest fire, and we got to see the 'Hot Shots" in action. We weren't detained too long, and were on our way again. I learned a new road term. 'Frost Heave'. I thought the signs meant undulation,or road bump. The road was usually very rough over the heaves.

The road is not as good as it has been, and often is just gravel. We don't go very fast, hoping to protect the motor home a bit. We did see lots of different animals however, many bears, stone sheep (a lighter colored mountain sheep), moose, deer. and something small,brown and furry. We weren't allowed to stop on the road for picture taking, and the turnouts weren't big enough for our rig. It was a long day of driving, and we were very glad to get to our night spot at Toad River Campground.

Chetwynd Chain Saw Carvings 5.31.10

2010-06-02T09:04:00.000-07:00

5.31.10 Chetwyn, BC
This is the Chain Saw Capital of the World. And, after viewing a few of these sculptures, it is easy to see why. The detail..... lips, eyes, nails..... WOW there is everything imaginable carved out of wood. There are carvings all around the town.

From here, we went to the Peace River to camp for the night.

Lake Moraine Glacier. 5.27.10

2010-06-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

5.27.10 Need to back up a little, as I forgot to send the Moraine Glacier. These glaciers are so pretty, and this time of year, they are all frozen over. A 'Moraine' is a bunch of land or rock that is shoved down the hill in front of the moving glacier.

This BIG GUY was very friendly..... As you can see, rain again....
Jack had a talk with him however, Man to Bear...

This was a beautiful glacier!!

5.28.10 Athabasca Falls-Shopping Jasper

2010-06-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

5.28.10 Today we visited the Athabasca Falls South of Jasper. These Falls have created an amazing rock formation, and continue to change the layout of the falls.

The water keeps changing and eroding the land, and we were able to walk where it once was..

We also got some shopping in. I was cold and didn't want to shop anymore, so went to the car. But Jack "made me" get out of the car for one more store. Results.....New birthday coat!!

5.26.10 Banff & Jasper Nat'l Parks

2010-06-01T16:49:00.000-07:00

Well, we are finally driving through Canada. What a beautiful country! It looks a lot like Montana with all the majestic pine trees, and, everything is so manicured and orderly. we camped at two campgrounds, Banff and Whistler. Most of the days have included rain or snow, or both. Jack said "We could be barefoot in our New Mexico, and here we are wearing winter coats, walking the dogs in the snow. What's up with that?"

We visited Lake Louise in Banff... It was breathtaking! And....frozen over.. This is a huge glacier, and the water looks all milky blue. We discovered that the color is created by the glacier pulverizing rocks into powder, called rock flour. the lake was completely frozen over except around the edges. We decided to make the best of it anyway. Soooo, while Jack played ice hockey, I went ice skating. (not)

This is what the chateau at the lake looks like today. The first one, was a log cabin, built to entice tourists to the area.

My handsome honey. Don't fall in!!!!!

Blog from Jack

2010-05-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-20T14:17:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-20T13:15:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

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.

Manti Visit 4.16 - 20, 2010

2010-04-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 16 – April 20, 2010 Manti, Utah We visited Bernice’s Cousin Paul & Janice Timothy and family. This is one of the small pioneer towns where my family, Luis and Olena Larsen settled in the early years, and the house where my great grandparents lived and is still standing. There was even a deer standing in the front yard. I remember my Mother and Father taking me there and Mother telling me stories of her memories visiting her grandparents. She remembered helping thoroughly clean the house every Saturday. Special attention was paid to the parlor, mostly used only for funerals. The outhouse and the walk to get to it, was whitewashed and scrubbed till it was white as snow. She told of

a large chandelier being lowered over the dining table at the beginning of each meal by her grandfather. They also helped in building the beautiful Manti Temple. We loved taking walks in the country.

Beginning of Alaska trip - Moab and Richfield

2010-04-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

Friday, March 27, 2010 - left Las Cruces, NM

The first two weeks have come and gone in the first part of our 2010 journey. About one month before we were to leave for our BIG trip, we made arrangements to rent our home. So, everything but the furniture had to be packed. A couple attending BYU are going to rent the house for a year while he finishes his master's program in Las Cruces. So, after having two garage sales, and getting all of our belongings packed, we were leaving two days later than projected. We were on our way to the first place on our schedule, to attend the annual Jeep Safari event in Moab, Utah. This will be the 13th year of attending this particular event. We spent the night in Gallup, NM. However, the next day, just as I was pulling into a gas station, in Cortez, CO, the trailer I was pulling with the Cherokee, got a flat tire. Four hours later, U-Haul came to replace the tire and we were on our way again. The rim rusted out and busted in two. So, it was lat when we arrived in Moab, at the OK RV Park, where we will spend the next week. The following day was Tuesday, and we went on a jeep trail ride through the beautiful red rock of Moab. This event is put on by the Red Rock 4 Wheelers. Wed brought another trail ride, but Jack rode alone as I chose not to go. Thursday, a snow day, was Vendor day, so no trails were led that day. Joel, Jack's son and his wife Melissa from Longmont, CO. to spend a few days with us, and have some fun wheelin'. We all went on a trail ride Friday and had a great time.

Sunday, April 4, Easter Sunday - April 10, 2010
After attending church, we headed for Richfield, Utah, where we will spend the next 2 weeks with daughter Melissa and her family. It's always fun to be with them and attend the events that he kids are involved in, i.e., performances, basketball, & track. The weather has been inviting to participate in invigorating morning walks, although a bit chilly. As Bobby & Melissa are owners of a Papa Murphy's, we get our fill of pizza as our pallet desires. Yummmmmmm.. Friday evening we drove to Manti so grandson Kyle could meet up with a date and the four adults met with my cousin Paul & wife Janice for 'date night'. All had a good time with dinner and a movie. We arrived back home quite late, and Jack & I chose not to go to Delta on Saturday to see two of the boys in spsorts events, so we spent the day doing household chores. Even though our house is small, cleanliness is still high on the list.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - What a treat! Melissa's ward was assigned to clean the Manti Temple, so I got to go along. The Temple was going to be closed during the time I would be in Manti, but I got to go there anyway, as a servant. While there, our group got to go up to the top and see and upside down boat that was built by the Norwegians for the roof.

That evening, Jack and I attended the local Senior Center for a country dance. A couple of the sisters that I worked with at the temple were also there with their husbands. We had a great time! The 6-8- piece ensemble that provided the music was quite interesting. Sometimes it took several measures before they were all on the same page, and if you wanted to sing, you sat in front, got up when it was your turn, told the band what you were going to sing and started in. Everyone eventually all got together on the same beat. It was quite fun.

Rubicon Aug 08

2008-09-06T07:36:00.001-07:00

Leroy and Jack took the Jeep on the Rubicon trail. An event put on by Jeep. Jack had been with the Scrambler group, but going with Jeep is a memorable event. The meals are all catered, and a grand piano is helicoptered in for the entertainment. They had a great time. When Leroy and I were riding motorcycles', we heard about those 'Rubicon trips', and he had been wanting to go ever since.