The week of the 24th

Instead of being home for the holiday Cindy and I went to Jackson for the first part of the week. We got to our campground on the Hoback River and this time we got the prize campsite next to the river. Cindy has always wanted to get his spot, site # 2 but it is always occupied; but not this time. It was so good to sit by the river and read during the day.

The first evening we went to the Bar J to eat and watch the show. We always enjoy the food and music and this performance was really good and funny.

The next day we went to the Tetons and took the boat across Jenny Lake. We hiked to Hidden Falls and then up the steep trail to Inspiration Point.

 We had lunch there. A Marmot sat by us to see if he could get any food. No such luck.

We then continued hiking into Cascade Canyon. It was a marvelous sight. You could see where avalanches had taken out stands of trees and where rock falls over the centuries had created interesting formations along the canyon. While storm clouds gathered they did not rain where we were at but when we got back to camp the awning to the tent trailers was filled with water and was sagging. We had dinner and played games. The rain had cooled things off and the night was cold.

The next morning the campground was was foggy and cool. The scenery was eerie with the fog.
















The wild flowers in the camp ground were pretty.

 I sat huddled under a blanket and read while I also watched the fog burn off.

 We went into Jackson and bought candy and some souvenirs and then in the afternoon went over Teton Pass into Idaho.

  I forgot how steep that pass was and we never made it over 25 miles per hour going up the pass.
Once on the Idaho side we drove through Victor and Driggs and saw the west side of the Tetons.

We continued on through the rolling farm lands which were really pretty and then made it to Rexburg for the rest of the week. We met up with Cindy's sisters Tammy and Nancy. We had dinner that night at Applebee's and then the next three days went to Education Week together. Cindy and I always enjoy the spirit there and the things we are able to learn.  This was the first time we stayed by campus and the room we had was less than desirable but it was close.

 We enjoyed the time there and the beautiful gardens in the middle of campus you walk through going to the different classes and seeing the temple on the hill. It was a very enjoyable week.

Hike to Ben Lomand Peak

Saturday we got up early to go hiking with Alan and Kathy Whetton. Cindy and Kathy go walking each day during the summer so they decide to have the husbands tag along and hike with them. Alan and Kathy's son Chris and his wife Daisy also came along with us. We went up the back road through Mantua to Inspiration Point. There were not too many people there in the morning other than some kids who had stayed the night and thought they could race down the road because no one should be there. They came around a corner traveling way too fast and almost hit us head on. Once we got to the top we started our hike to Ben Lomand Peak.

 Along the way we came across maybe twenty Mountain Goats.

There were small babies in the group and we watched while they moved among the cliffs and in turn they watched us.

The wild flowers were in bloom and it was really pretty.

We continued on to the peak and made it before noon.












We had lunch, flashed mirrors from the peak to Shannon at her house, and looked at some more Mountain Goats below the peak.

It is a wonderful view from the peak of the entire region.

We posed in front of the plaque that I helped install back in 1976. It was then time to head back to the car. Along the way back we watched a guy who was hang gliding. Sometimes he would be level with us then ride the air currents above us and then go below our level but he was just gliding along.

A week of concerts

For some reason it seemed like this 3rd week in July was music week. It started on Saturday, July 14 with us going to Layton to a concert that had two groups that paid tribute to Peter, Paul, and Mary and Simon and Garfunkel. The weather report had said there would be sever thunderstorms that evening so the concert was changed from being outdoors to indoors. The weather was fine that evening but it was hot inside the auditorium where the show was held. The groups were wonderful.

 The next night was the annual Pioneer day fireside with Elder Ballard speaking at the Dee Events Center and then the concert and fireworks at Weber State. This again was a great evening and the weather held that night also.

Monday night at the Ogden Amphitheater was a family home evening concert with Cherrie Call performing. Her unique voice and song writing are very distinct and once you have heard her you do not forget her. The rain came down hard in the early evening. Cindy and I thought there is no way that this will be held but at about 7 p.m. we thought let's go see.  As we drove into town the rain stopped and by the time we were at the amphitheater the clouds were breaking up. While the rain kept many people from coming, the weather was cool and comfortable for those of us who did venture out and it was a great concert.

 Tuesday we went to the Sandy amphitheater with our friends the Muellers  to the "Happy Together Tour" concert. There were five different groups that performed. The first was the Buckinghams, then the Grassroots, Micky Dolenz from the Monkees, Gary Puckett and finally the Turtles. It was a great evening of nostalgia; knowing all the words and signing right a long and feeling ok about our singing because some of these guy's voices ain't what they once were.

Wednesday night was a break from the concerts and we just watched the evening sky as Emma had her 8 year birthday party. There was a great rainbow and the mountains were lighted by the setting sun and the sunset with the clouds was wonderful.

Friday was rodeo night so it was a different outdoor performance but just as entertaining.

Saturday night was another concert at the Ogden amphitheater and it was Landau Murphy who had won American Idol last year. He was so down to earth and told various stories between songs. He won the contest last year by singing Frank Sinatra songs. He has an amazing voice that can belt the songs out but he also did some Motown style songs. He even had his wife sing some songs as they did a Nat King Cole song "Unforgettable." It was an outstanding night. I just felt sorry that more people did not attend because it was just so good.

Watching the grandkids

Shannon and Nic went to Mexico to celebrate their 5th anniversary from July 5 to the 10th. While they were gone we watched Connor and Payton for a few days. During the week day they were all Cindy's but on the weekend we both got to interact with them. We had fixed up the playground for them so they would not get slivers by finishing off the trex decking and painting the posts. We added a shade canopy which Payton called her stage.

We loosened up the sand so that it was easier to dig in.

We also brought over the little wading pool which they took advantage of during the hot July days. It was great to enjoy casual time and just watching them play and explore. Of course there were some challenges. Connor likes to put things into the garbage can and put several pot lids in the garbage before we realized what was happening. He took spare change and dropped the coins in the toilet. Other than that it was not too bad. At least the grandkids did not stand in the toilet like their mother when she was young. We really enjoyed the time with them and it was sad when we had to say good bye to them.

4th of July Celebration

The morning of the 3rd we woke up to a valley full of smoke. The smoke cloud was from a fire at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. It really had a strong burning smell. This summer there have been a large number of wild fires because it has been so dry. We have not had rain since May.  By noon the fire was out and the sky cleared.

In the evening we drove up to Logan to Willow Park for the Jennings family picnic. Of course it includes a visit to Willow Park to see the animals.











Payton and Weston love to do things together as this picture shows.It is always good to have these family traditions.

After the park we went up to Romney Stadium to watch the fireworks. They had a concert this time with Kansas performing. Payton got right into the music and danced for us.
She and Connor then played Star Wars and had light saber duels. It really got Connor laughing.

When it got dark enough it was time for the fireworks. They always have a good show and this year was no exception.