24th of July festivities

Somehow I think it's a first for our family... but we spent 'Pioneer Day' July 24th in Escalante amongst many folks local and otherwise. Small town parades are the best. Participants and observers swap greetings, "Hey Uncle Ray!" as the floats pass and did I mention candy? Every kid brings a bag to fill and by the time the party has concluded it looks like Halloween. This guy was one of our favorites- I don't know type of motor was rigged into this armchair but it was moving.



This may not look like Halloween amounts of candy (I may have been exaggerating just a little)- but the important thing to take note of is- it's not all Tootsie Rolls and Salt Water Taffy... tiny chocolate bars and bags of Sugar Daddys were flying through the air too. Hallelujah.

This tiny dude was so cute, and of course -everyone knew him by name.

After the parade we wandered down to watch the "shoot out" in front of Griffins grocery store. This cowboy wasn't fast enough on the draw...

family

We buried my Dad on Tuesday in Escalante Utah. The services were just perfect- a well spoken, heartfelt tribute to a wonderful loving father/husband/grandfather/uncle/friend. With much gratitude in my heart I would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped my Mom care for my Dad over the years- for everyone that came to the funeral, sent flowers and cards, made meals and went out of their way to help, it is truly appreciated.
Having all of our family together was great. Here are almost all the cousins (Precia's little M was napping) playing in the Escalante river in front of my folks place. Building dams, catching frogs, playing in the waterfall- just like I did with my cousins when I was their age, in the very same spot.
This time of year it's all about finding some water to cover yourself with during the blazing hot days. Here is Calf Creek kind of muddy after a little bit of rain. All of my brothers and sisters and kids spent the afternoon in this spot, playing around, soaking it up, having a party- just like Dad would have wanted us to do.
It seems like every day this week we've see a rainbow after the thunderstorms, stirred up by the summer heat, roll across the sky. The desert landscape is so spectacularly green this year thanks to a very wet winter and spring.
We have so much to be thankful for everyday.

My Dad

My Dad, Jeff Rex passed away early this morning, he was 65. He's suffered from Lewy Body disease for many years. But, regardless of the dementia that Lewy Body inflicts on its patients, he was cheerful, peaceful and desperately funny until the end. He cracked jokes constantly, inadvertently and with definite purpose on many occasions. Caring for him was a happy task, full of confused banter, mixed-up, unfinished stories and a slew of giggles for all. My Mom, tireless in her careful attention to his needs for so many years, is an impressive model of love and dedication in the face of trials. I don't think I've heard her complain once about the difficulties in her life or the workload she carried every single day- running a bed & breakfast and taking care of Dad everyday. I try and follow he example, but continually fall short. I suppose I've still got many moons to try and get it right...
My Dad is my hero. He's a person who led by example, teaching me to work hard and play hard. He taught me that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
I just found this picture this morning shuffled in with my unorganized mix of family photos and letters, and somehow, I don't recall ever seeing it before. This picture of me and my Dad (I think it's Rhode Island) seems to sum it all up. My Dad was always there for me, encouraging me to climb higher (letting me step on his hands if necessary), enjoy new places and work hard. He taught me to adore my children, embrace the company of family and friends, and love adventure and travel- smiling and laughing all the whole way.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday July 20, 2010 in Escalante UT. For more information look here.

and it's free...

Is there any better use of a hot, dry summer day than a clothesline?

Found jeans

I kid you not, we found these jeans on the side of the road this morning while riding bikes around West Mountain this morning. I never stop to pick up "roadkill" objects, they are usually frightening items I would never, ever touch. (Ok, I admit, once, last year I found a fishing knife on the side of the road when I was out running, but I've never even been close to picking up an article of clothing.)
But today we slowed down for a phone call and feeling in a silly mood decided to go back and see what we had just passed. A pair of 7 for All Mankind jeans, that are actually my size, what are the chances?


We had to have a "Who-Wore-it-Best" contest back at the house. From these pictures, I don't see myself as the winner... I believe Kip is the -hands down- winner with his "rear view" shot, but he let me keep the jeans anyway, thanks!

gnats

Here's a little video from our day at the Great Salt Lake. All I can say is thank goodness they are gnats and not bees.

salty fun & games

It occurred to me the other day that I have lived in Utah for 20 years and I have never been to the Great Salt Lake. Deciding to fix this oversight- we packed for a day trip and headed out. From what I could find out from google searching, Antelope Island is a great place to venture into the water, so we gave it a shot.
I'd heard and read all sorts of nasty reviews of the Great Salt Lake, but, let's face it folks and recollect what the Great Salt Lake is- the 2nd saltiest lake in the world (only the Dead Sea is saltier). Of course it's going to be a barren wasteland full of bugs, bad smells, mud and a salty residue on everything...
Being warned (and warned again) of the unpleasantness our adventure would entail- this is what we found as we arrived on Antelope Island. A gorgeous view of expansive water and desert, well-kept covered picnic areas, clean sand, showers and bathrooms. Not too smelly, and a breeze keeping the bugs at bay.

Getting to the water was a bit gross, depending on how you feel about gnats. The sand on the edge of the water was covered with thousands of gnats that moved in waves when you stepped forward. Kind of funny- kind of disgusting. The gnats weren't really interested in you (they didn't bite) as long as you kept moving. So into the water we went... very floaty, surreal feeling. You just bob effortlessly near the surface, this picture was taken with both hands on the camera. No need to expend any effort to stay afloat.


Little dude did some serious shrimpin'. Tiny pinkish brine shrimp are all over in the water, easily caught in a water bottle.


I couldn't head south, back home, without seeing Saltair and the surrounding area. So we headed west on I-80, past the airport, just as the sun was getting low in the sky. We went for a glimpse of Saltair but found ourselves enjoying the extremely photogenic Temple of the Birds and it's neighbor- 'burned-out-train-car' (for lack of a better name), just to the east. We just couldn't stop with the pictures. Oh the evening sunlight and colorful graffiti combined for some clever pics.

We weren't the only ones talking pictures, we counted 3 engagement and 1 bridal photo sessions going on as we wandered about. Here is the rare picture of the train car without any random strangers (oh wait, there is just one...).

Time to head home as the sun set, what an unforgettable day. To see a ton more pictures of the day- look here.

summer camp

Happy Independence Day weekend/extended mix here in Utah... We had some 4th of July mellow, good times at BrianHead with family, then got our 12 year old dude F. off to Birch Creek Service Ranch for 3 weeks of camping fun (and character building) this morning.
As a mother, I'm feeling a bit jittery about being parted from my young fella for so long. But, by the time afternoon came I'd channeled that nervous 'Mama Bear' energy into an industrious task- etsying.
And so by some miraculous twist of fate (it would seem- listing's been on my 'To Do' list for months) I got some skirts up on Etsy. It always feels like quite an accomplishment when I finally pull off this task.

Bear Lake

Why is blogging in the summertime so hard?
Geez... well, here's what's been happening- last weekend I headed up to Bear Lake with some lady friends and relaxed for what turned out to be a most excellent, too short weekend. I got out for a solo bike ride, nearly around the lake (I should have packed some snacks or some money in the jersey pocket and gone all the way around- but I feared 'bonking', 52 miles with no fuel could be bad news). So, I doodled along for about 30 miles and took lots of pictures. The lake water is this amazing azure color due to minerals in the water, and I couldn't stop with the pictures. Sure wish I had a brought a real camera (not just the phone)- but then I might have been busy all day, missing the point of the whole weekend...
More pictures of beautiful water here.