June vacation to fulfill a dream

It has been a dream of mine since I was small to visit the Willy Handcart rescue sites. We went to Rock Creek Hollow once before but never was able to get to the actual rescue site at the 6th crossing of the Sweetwater river. This is the place where my great great grandfather, John Linford died and was buried before they were actually rescued at this place. Since we were there some 10 years or more ago the Church has built a nice visitor's center not only at Rock Creek Hollow, but also at the 6th crossing site on the Sweetwater river. Last week we took a vacation to see the Willy and Martin Handcart sites the church has built. We first went to Rock Creek Hollow, (the only place we had visited before,) then to the 6th Crossing Visitor's center. It is a very nice and informative place with several campsites for people who want to go on treks pulling handcarts. They gave us directions to John Linford's Memorial that was put in place in 1998. What a desolate place to die in. We don't know exactly where he was buried, but the memorial gives an idea of the terrible conditions the saints were in.

Next we drove to Martin's Cove. We were impressed with this site as well, though it did not hold the same emotional appeal for me as at the 6th crossing site.

We had never been to Mt. Rushmore, so after leaving the handcart sites, we drove to So. Dakota and first went to the Wind Cave Nat'l Monument. If you have the chance you need to see this 4th largest cave in the world. It was great. We thoroughly enjoyed Mt. Rushmore. It was better than what people have told us it would be. Between the caves and Mt. Rushmore, I KNOW that we went up and down over 1000 stairs. Great sites and great exercise. No, you don't have to do that to go to these places, but heck, we are only young once, right.

Then we headed towards St. George VIA Colorado. Never been there either, so we took in Rocky Mountain National Park and Colorado State Park. Very beautiful and we were amazed that the RMNP road took us along the ridge for probably 20 miles close to 12500 feet high.

After wandering through Wyoming and Colorado we ended up in St. George where Spencer w

as to bless his baby, Jaron. We stayed at the Marriot's Towne Place Suites. They had a wonderful pool. The temperature was 108 degrees. Swimming was tops on our list of things to do on Saturday. Tessa and Kurt and family, Tyler and Julia and family, Spencer and Carey and family, (yes, even Jaron) hit the pool along with Brinton, who came up from California and John. Great way to cool down and spend time with family. (picture 2)

Sunday we went to church for Jaron's blessing. There were so many of Spencer's friends who joined him in the circle we couldn't count them all, but he gave Jaron a very special blessing. (picture 3).

Cassie turned 3 on Sunday as well, so we had a great time giving her a birthday party. Hope she remembers it all.

January Confusion

A couple of the young members from the Baltic mission are here in Salt Lake City going to the LDS Business school. We had the privilege of spending time with them on the 28th of January during our temple break. Helvis and Svetlana, the two Lativans we speak of, are both returned missionaries and full of the spirit. We wish them well in their schooling. Sveta is getting married on the 25th of March. Yea for her.

No doubt about it, January in Star Valley is known for being cold and snowy. So, taking advantage of a 4 week break when the Idaho Falls Temple closed, we headed for St. George. Basking in the warmth and sunshine was to be our lot, or so we thought. Yes there were some sunny days, and it did get above freezing in the daytime, but the rain, and scrapping ice off the car windows in the mornings was not what we had expected. On the positive side, John did get 2 rounds of golf in, we visited with a few friends, and our stay with Spencer and Carey was enjoyable. One of the main reasons for our going south was so I could have a minor operation on my foot. That kept me somewhat homebound, but not much.

After 3 weeks in St. George, we were heading up to Provo and Salt Lake for some family activities: a baby shower for Carey with friends and relatives who live in the Provo/SL area, and John's Mom's 100th Birthday celebration The day before we were to leave, our daughter from Alaska came walking into the house on a surprise visit known only to her and Spencer, (her co-conspirator ) She wanted to surprise all of her family and be with her Grandmother when she turned 100 years old. We were all blown away by her visit, and we were so very happy that she could be with us for these important events.

I have a hard time putting pictures in the right order on this blog, so in reverse order: Kari with her Grandmother, a total surprise; Grandmother, Lilly Venema Andersen; John and Peggy and John's Mom; Our family who were present at the 100 year open house for Lilly Andersen.

The thing that makes this the most special for me is that all but 4 of our family were present and we were able to get a picture of all of the family from John, the oldest, to Easton, the youngest. Missing is Brinton, our son, who is in school in California, and Kari's 3 children, in school, in Alaska.

When we returned to Star Valley, the 1st of February, we found only 18 inches of new snow in our driveway - we had expected over 2 feet. John spent 3 hours digging us out so we could get the car into the garage. First he had to remove a 5 1/2 foot berm the snow plows left when they plowed the road. Then he had to remove a 2 foot berm that had fallen off the roof onto the driveway in front of the garage, the rest was easy. Next time we do this we will pre-arrange for the driveway to be plowed.

Life is good here in Star Valley, quiet, beautiful, but don't get me wrong, we loved our time in Utah and look forward to the time when we can spend the winter in St. George.