Oh, So That's What Island Park Is

For many a year, friends and acquaintances have traveled north, crossing the Utah boarder to holiday. "Why", you may ask yourself. "Why would anyone want to leave the comfy, cozy, confines of Utah?" "I tell you Max, I don't know why I ever leave this place. I've got all the company I need right here."The Grinch Many travel to a spot called Island Park, ID. So, the fam decided that we might try that as well- don't tell anyone- they might not let us cross the boarder! "...And on Sundays I elude the eyes and hop the Turbine Freight to far outside the wire where my white-haired uncle waits..." cpt. Oh my goodness, what a beautiful place! Check the pix. The first one is a view just outside our cabin door. Everyday we would watch osprey dive into the water a catch fish.

Emery thought it was so cool. She would always want to sit on the rail and watch for the birds look for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Here are a few pix of Mesa Falls from different vantage points. The falls were about 15 minutes from where we were staying. It was quite beautiful as you can see.

"Sister! Sisters! Never were there such devoted sisters!"

Did Sydney get hold of the camera again?

And since Yellowstone National Park is so very close to Island Park, we thought we'd make a SHORT visit there. We were driving in two separate cars but thought we'd be able to stay with each other. Well, you can always count on slow people in Yellowstone and yep, you guest it- we got separated. The cell service isn't the best up there so it seemed like we spent most of our time looking for each other. We were on our way to Old Faithful and just figured we'd be able to find each other with no problem. Old faithful is probably the biggest attraction and has the most parking lots, so, it took a while. Luckily text messages were sporadic. The other cars' passengers were waiting for us at the geyser!

Here we have a picture of the faithful, both young and old, waiting on Old Faithful. As you can see, their wait was not in vain as Old Faithful lived up to it's name. "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"Wizard of Oz

Grandma with the wee grand daughters- teaching them the finer points of crossing the stream. There were some little fish in there, so I don't remember if Isla was freaked out about that or was it that the water was just so danged cold?

Well as I mentioned, it was a very SHORT visit to Yellowstone, so I didn't get a picture of a griz- dang!

Brenda took her bonus money she had gotten from work so that we could do a float trip down the crazy Snake River. As it turned out, we really didn't need those life vests. We didn't get the rattlesnake part of the river, it must have been the roadkill garden snake fork. We had to get out and push the raft off as we got high-centered a several times. But we soon figured out how navigate the river. We had our kayakers scout out the deepest part of the river to avoid getting sandbar-ed and having to get out and get our feet wet. It was a blast though- we'd do it again for sure.

As we were coming around a bend in the river, look what was hanging out. It made me back-paddle a bit and hug the opposite side of the river. I had Emery in the kayak with me- who knew if mama moose would charge or not? As you can see, she had her wee babe in the brush... although it was quite tall itself. Didn't get a picture of a bear, but got some moose and I didn't even have to worry that it was going to eat me.

Grandma Great and Emery just getting back from the hunt. Looks like they fared quite well against those furry little beasties. PETA is going to have a field day with this though.

One day, Rory's animal instincts flared up and he decided to go for a run through the woods.  As it happened, a deluge decided to come in whilst he was gone- it came down! We were hoping he'd make it back OK- yep, he did, except he was wet, soaked through and had a bunch of burs stuck in his hide.

The hot tub was a big attraction at the cabin. Emery would have been in their 24/7 if we would have let her.

Emery and Taylor enjoying the cookies that she and gpa made.

Caught ya!

The Ancient of Days Get More Ancient

The day after we got back from our little vacation to Island Park (post that I hope to post soon), my dad had his 99th birthday. I didn't get a picture of him on that day, but I got one of him when we were celebrating Pirate Princess Isla's birthday a few days later. Here's a pic of "Two-Eyed Willey" himself.

He is doing quite well for a 99 year-old dude- he (we) are very fortunate for that. He is now as old as his mother was before she died. But I think he really has his eye on the prize- to be the oldest in his family. One of his brothers lived to be 103. Might he do it? More than likely. Barring any slips, falls, or the like, he will probably achieve it and beyond. One thing to take into account is the battery life on his pacemaker. The doctor said it has a 10 year life. He's already done 2 of those. Is it rechargeable? don't know. I haven't had to plug him in since it was installed, so, who knows? He's a danged energizer bunny, that guy. "...A little girl asked me what am I gonna do when I get old and blue and worn clear through. And I said by that time I'm gonna be in my prime I'm gonna strut like a cock until I'm 99..." Grand Funk Railroad
Here is also a 4-generation pic for you to enjoy. "YO HO!" That's what Jake and the Neverland Pirates say.

Crazy Fun Weekend

Last weekend was very nice. Friday, Brenda and I went down to one of the stages of the Tour of Utah bike race. The stage we saw was in SLC. It was a 5-loop course- very fun to watch. On some of the downhill streets, they were going over 60 mph! I got up to 40 once on my bike- I was scared out of my wits. Thought I was gonna puke and then die. But, I live to tell the tale.

One thing though, those guys on their bikes, as good as they are, were just not good enough- they didn't stand a chance against all those cops on motorcycles.... how is that fair??   ;)

Then on Saturday night, we went to the Utah Symphony and the Music of the Rolling Stones up at Deer Valley in Park City (hangin' with the cool peeps). We took a little picnic basket with goodies and enjoyed the cool mountain air. NOTE TO SELF: Next time, take a jacket. The Stones are not my fave, but the impersonators played some of their best stuff. I like their older stuff better- personally. Man, I thought people at the Rush concert were old! Nothing to compare to the OLD people at this concert. I mean, Mick Jagger just turned 70, so, I guess there would be some oldies about. They were all drunk and dancing with wine glasses in there hands, shakin' and grindin'- hilarious! We did get up and shake it a wee bit, but we just haven't had the practice dancing with wine glasses in our hands, so we did not partake in those activities   :) We had a good time.

Clockwork Angels

After long months of patiently waiting, the time finally arrived- Rush's Clockwork Angels tour rolled into town! A few pix follow. Not the best photographymanship... it's hard to keep that phone/camera still when you're jumping around- yo!

Brenda and I decided to make a night of it. Since we were down SLC way, we had wanted to try this bbq place down in Grantsville, UT. Grantsville...where the Sam Hill is Grantsville you may ask? And, now that I think of it, who the Sam Hill is Sam Hill? (I just Googled it... interesting). Anyway, I digress... so, we went to Grantsville to eat at Richard's Roundup BBQ. Pretty good food, but I'm still wondering why they didn't put Grantsville a little bit closer?

After quickly eating, we buzzed on over to Usana Amphitheater which is on the other side of the mountain from Grantsville- thought we'd be late to the show for sure since they put Grantsville so far away, but we made it with time to spare. Seats weren't too bad, just a wee bit more off to the side than I liked- oh well, next time. Luckily the couple that was next to us (closer to the middle) moved to the handicap zone as the guy had a bad back... we just slipped over to their seats. It's amazing what 2 more seats to the center will give you for stage viewing.

The show was suppose to start @ 7:30, but it didn't start until about 8, probably on account that the sun was still blazing. Alex had to don some shades, of course Geddy wears his sunglasses at night, and Neil just squinted until the sun went down.

They took a break after playing quite a few songs from their previous albums, cause as Geddy said, they're a million years old (he just had his 60th birthday last week, Alex next month, Neil's already there). They came back and cranked out a bunch from the Clockwork Angels album. Brenda really liked Clockwork Angels and Headlong Flight- why wouldn't you? They were excellent. They had a seven-piece string orchestra that started the second half to cover the new album and many songs after that. I thought it was a pretty cool addition. After playing songs from the new album, they went back to more of their older songs- so awesome. They then bid goodnight which was much too soon. Brenda asked what they could come back and play for an encore- "there are so many"... I said, "Well, they can always come back and play Tom Sawyer and 2112 cause they haven't played them." They must have heard me, cause that's exactly what they played! Then they bid adieu until next time, that was about 11pm.

They played a lot of songs- many favorites, but they couldn't play them all of course. It was so much fun letting the hair down for a bit and getting crazy. It doesn't happen very often. We're usually very mild-mannered as you know ;) Brenda and I wondered how much longer Rush was going to keep this up... of course, all Rush fans have wondered that for some time now. Brenda said "Can you see them doing this @ 70?". I don't know... can you? Let's hope so. So what if they have to be wheeled out in a wheelchair or gurney- The show must go on! Thanks Neil, Alex, Geddy- we had a splendid time. And here's to at least 10 more years of timeless rockmanship!

I wonder if they would retire to Grantsville, UT? Probably not. Too bad they put Grantsville so far away.