100 Years of Scouting Gala

Scouting began in the United States 100 years ago. To celebrate , we attended a gala dinner with 2500 others in the Salt Palace. Joseph was able to get us tickets through a neighbor in his ward. The ceremony began with a choir of Eagle Scouts conducted by Michael Huff. Pretty impressive. Did I mention that I want an Eagle choir at my funeral? Then a young man was awarded a special lifesaving award for trying to save his mother's life after she fell a thousand feet off of Mt. Olympus.

Little Caleb was an angel through the entire night. We sat right up front. The only problem with up front is that we were also right next to the loudspeakers. There was a keynote speaker who just happened to be the president of the Boy Scouts of America. Lt. Governor Greg Bell spoke and got a laugh when he said that BSA headquarters may be in Irving, Texas - but Utah is the capitol. Utah, with only 1% of the population of the United States has more than 10% of all Eagle Scouts.

We were entertained by a group of former scouts from Utah named Eclipse. They also performed at the 2002 Olympics. It was a little weird to hear scouts really sing out.

Joseph and Caleb enjoyed the evening - and so did we.

Is San Rafael Next?

A memo is floating around in the Obama administration indicating that two locations in Utah may be being considered for designation as National Monuments. This news infuriated members of the Utah State Legislature who are still smarting after the designation of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. But I wonder, why all the fuss? The San Rafael Swell has some of the most stunning scenery in the world.

The view from the Wedge Overlook is something someone never forgets. The campground is right on the rim, something that would probably change if this was a National Monument.

The view of Bottleneck Peak from the San Rafael River is only one of the incredible vistas from this single point. To the north is a view up a narrow winding canyon, to the east is the rugged Mexican Mountain and the eastern ridge of the Swell, and the southern view is one of Assembly Hall Peak.

Hidden throughout the Swell are Barrier Canyon style petroglyphs, many of them still untouched by vandals. We have enjoyed hiking in the Black Box, exploring the slot canyons of the Bell and Little Wild Horse drainages and watching the stars of the Milky Way from one of the most remote areas in the country. If this doesn't qualify for monument status, I don't know what would.

On the Road Again

From the day I bought my first car, I wanted to use it to explore the wild areas of Utah. Janene and I drove our 67 Mustang through the dirt roads of the Uintas, even once going to the shore of Haystack Lake. That trip resulted in a hole in the oil pan. I longed to own the kind of vehicle that would allow me to truly explore. Shortly before Angie was born, we bought this 1951 Willy's Station Wagon. It cost $900 - a small amount that was dwarfed by the money we (I should say "I", because Janene was against it from day one) would eventually pour into it. It was in this vehicle that we first explored the Burr Trail, the Fisher Trail, and the Murdock Basin Road. Unfortunately, this was also the vehicle that broke down on just about every scenic road in Utah.

One trip on the Burr Trail with Julia and Tammy was particularly memorable because the rear leaf springs broke after we loaded up with petrified wood. Janene was badly sunburned, pregnant and miserable and she felt every single rock on that rough road. When we arrived home, it was time to repair the vehicle. While I was working on it, the vehicle fell off the stands with me under it, badly crushing my left hand. Janene and the neighbor came out to the sounds of my screams. Our neighbor picked up ( yes, I said "picked it up") the car while I scrambled out. Miraculously, though my hand was as big as a basketball, no bones were broken. I have since had to have three or four cysts removed from that hand. Maybe connected, maybe not.

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For several years, every weekend was a new adventure for us. We went often to the Uintas with Steve and Sherry Kubisch in their 56 Ford truck. We used the CB radio to communicate with each other and to talk to people all over the world using the "skip" that we could reach from the high mountain peaks. We never camped in a campground, but instead searched for remote sites where we could be alone. Janene was truly a good sport about this. For a man, the whole world is his urinal. For Janene, with two kids in diapers, it must have been a great ordeal, an ordeal that she endured for my sake. I loved this car, but eventually we could no longer afford to maintain a vehicle that was older than I was, and we sold it to another young family for $1000.00. It was a steal for both of us.

Will you be my Valentine?

This year will be our 42nd Valentine's Day together. After all these years we both still love to be together. We never run out of things to talk about. We had a big bunch of the time with a handful of kids in the middle, and we used to wonder if we would still like each other when the diapers, soccer practice, senior proms, and weddings were over. Our last little vacation showed that we still have the spark. We always have our little differences. Janene thinks a vacation is a time to relax, and she thinks that I always want to go go go. Somehow we balance each other out and still have fun. We are looking forward to another 42 years together. If we are lucky, we might just remember who we are by then.

Like Father, Like Son?

I was trying out the facial recognition software again and both of these guys ended up in the same folder. Of course, the top one is me and the bottom one is our son Doug. The funny thing is - Doug and I are not related at all. Doug joined our family when he was about 15 years old. Doug used to work with me in the fire business, and everyone would always comment on how much we looked alike. There usually was no question until they heard Doug's last name. We have a lot of fun too, pretending to be the Dynamic Duo. Whenever Doug calls, I always respond with "Batman!" to his "Hello, Good Citizen". Since those pictures came up together, I thought I would take this chance to record that memory. Back to the Bat Cave!

What to do .... What to do?

Ok, so I'm home sick with the flu, I feel miserable and wanted something to drink to help my sore throat. Janene has gone with friends to a cabin for the weekend and I'm home alone. I found this nice bottle of vino blanc in the fridge (it's just carbonated grape juice) It was a Christmas gift. It is a fine Italian make from a French importer. This would soothe my aching throat and get some much needed liquids into my feverish system. There's only one problem....

Beginning at the first of the year, my son in law, Stephen began the year with a resolution to avoid soda pop. He tried to get lots of people to join him in his efforts - kind of like an AA group. Nobody would join him. We all liked our Diet Cokes or our Dr. Peppers, too much. Well, I finally gave in and joined him. It has now been over a month without a Diet Coke. The first two weeks were miserable. I had a caffeine headache the whole two weeks. So now my dilemma... Is this really considered soda pop? And does it really matter if it's used for medicinal purposes? Besides, I'm home alone. Who will ever know?

Well, to quote from Clarence in It's a Wonderful Life, " No, I didn't take a drink". Ok, I'm headed for the Alka-Seltzer. Plop,Plop, Fizz, Fizz! Curses - foiled again!

Swimming with Sharks

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be snorkeling or diving and come face to face with a great white shark?

Maybe with a more docile tiger shark?

Or a hammerhead?

If you go to the aquarium in Maui, you can get a little bit of an idea of what that would feel like. Many of you asked how I learned to do underwater photography. It was easy - I just took my camera and paid my $25 admission to the aquarium. Are you kidding? Me with a camera underwater? It's all I can do to bring myself to get in the water with those bizarre creations. I could never do that AND hold a camera. I would probably forget to breathe.

ADCD Fishes?

When we went to Hawaii, we took our snorkeling gear. I don't really recommend doing that. It's bulky and heavy and you can rent snorkel, mask and fins in Hawaii for $1.50 a day. I have this weird fear that I am going to suffocate every time I put that mask on.

So, the second day we were there, we headed out to La Perousse Bay to test the waters. I didn't have my fins. It was cold and the water was kind of rough. I couldn't see anything. It was murky and muddy and I thought I was going to drown. I kept at it though, and pretty soon I discovered an area where it was all rocky and there were fish everywhere. As soon as there was something to see, I forgot all about my fear of drowning. Janene didn't really want to be out there, so she went back and sat on the rocks.

Later, we went out the island of Lanai in a big rubber raft and went to three different spots to snorkel. Janene went with me on the second one in Manele Bay, and then when we went to Lighthouse, she was too cold to get back in. Janene says she doesn't mind being in the water. She just doesn't like the idea of all those crazy critters being in there with her. On our way there, a flying fish came out of the water and flew alongside the boat. It was pretty impressive. It flew for about 300 feet in the air. Weirdness!

Another day, we went to a cool looking bay and were on the way down to snorkel when someone advised us not to go. "There's someone dead down there" she said. It was true. Someone had just died down there and we saw the body bag with the paramedics later. We never found out how they died. It was a little creepy, but two days later, we went back and I explored that bay while Janene sat on the rocks. It was pretty cool and there were lots of fish. We don't know what its real name is, but I call it Dead Man's Bay now.

Random sights on a full moon eve

I came home from work to the sight of a full moon rising over the mountains behind our home. I must get out the camera was my thought. I did and then realized that it would be another hour before it came up over our hill. That meant only one thing. I had to hike up the hill to the garden in the snow. I only fell twice on the way up, but once I got up there,there was no good angle on the moonrise, so I got it coming up over Dee Winegar's old home. I built that chimney, so it seemed only fitting.

While I was up there I got to see what happens to Brussell Sprouts if you leave them through the winter. We probably won't be eating any of these now. At least I think the aphids are finally dead.

Turning to the west, I watched the sun set over the Oquirrh Mountains as planes landed at the airport.

And then watched as the urban rats invaded our neighborhood. About ten of these guys were in the field across the street. I thought I was going to get a good picture because I saw two four or five year old boys out on their balcony looking at the deer. Suddenly they disappeared into the house only to return with toy squirt guns - and began firing away. I couldn't get both the deer and their attackers in the same picture, but it would have been pretty cool. Oh well, there is always tomorrow.

On Seeing My Kid Brother 32 Years Ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8sfp_nF7Zc&feature=player_embedded

Whoa! What a trip? I was watching the TV the other day in Hawaii and suddenly there was my kid brother - starring in a Honda Civic commercial. Of course it really wasn't him. It was just an actor. But he was wearing my bro's shirt and driving his old '77 Honda Civic. See the link above and you'll know what I mean. We all lead totally different lives now. My brother is a successful building contractor in Park City. Back then he was driving back and forth from Salt Lake to Park City to work. He needed a cheap ride. The thing got 50 miles to a gallon up the canyon and about 70 MPG down the canyon. My brother got this car after his other car was totalled out at the sand dunes. I never would have thought I would see that old yellow car again. The actor dude had better hair than my brother, but he had me going for a moment.

It's Turtle Time!

Half expecting this turtle to hail me with a " Yo, dude!", I was surprised when this guy showed up at our private little beach. Janene and I had searched the island for some new beaches we hadn't seen. Back in a little cul-de-sac, we found the familiar Shoreline Access sign and headed down the small trail that ran through the undergrowth. We came out , not at a sunny sandy beach, but at a rocky outcropping at low tide. We were there for a while looking at stuff in the tidal pools, when we noticed about seven of these guys feeding on the rocks.

We couldn't figure out what they were eating, but they were pretty intensely focused on it. The waves would crash against the rocks and we expected to hear a loud "Crack" every time as their shells were dashed to pieces on the rocks, but it never happened. Every once in a while, they would have to come to the surface to say hello to us.

Who would have ever thought that sea turtles have teeth? Each one of these guys was a little different. You could tell the difference by the markings on their shells. One of them was a good size, about three and a half feet across. We stayed here about half a day on our last day, watching turtles and watching whales in the distance. We had the whole place to ourselves most of the time.

When it came time to leave, our new friends popped up to wave good-bye and wish us luck on our journey. I never thought I would like Maui. It is the most commercial of all the islands, and definitely the most expensive, but it also seems to have the most abundant sea life. The trade-offs appear to be worth it.

Playtime in the Nursery

Every year thousands of humpback whales leave their rich feeding grounds and come to Maui during winter. I wonder why they would want to leave Alaska at this time of year. They come here for two reasons - to have babies (called calves) and to make more babies. We went out to see if we could find some. And to take pictures of some. At first, every time that we saw something I snapped a picture of the sky or got it too late and just got a splash in the water.

But pretty soon, I was able to get shots of tails with Haleakala in the background. The area between the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe forms a kind of shallow warm bathtub. The perfect place to bring up a baby whale. A kind of whale nursery.

Almost every group or pod of whales we found had a little one with them. The baby was learning the ropes (or should I say - testing the waters?) I was able to get a couple of photos of some whale tales. One of them breached and went way up in the air, but I missed it. It was too close and it scared me so much that I couldn't focus the camera.

We found out that whales have very bad breath. Yes, we could smell them. They make a strange whistling sound when they exhale and "blow" all the bad air out of their lungs. Did you know that whale babies will drink about seventy-five gallons of mommy's milk every day? That's almost as bad as our family was when all the kids were still living at home. These kids' mamas don't have to run down to Winegar's to restock on milk - they just have to go back to Alaska. It turns out that there is no food down here for the whales to eat, so while they are here, they are fasting and using up blubber. And I thought the real reason was that they couldn't afford to eat down here. Paying over four dollars for a gallon of milk, that would be about $300 a day. No wonder Shon and Mel came back home from Hawaii.

Holy Hana, Batman!

The road to Hana is nothing like what I expected. One of my coworkers who used to live in Hawaii said not to bother making the drive - it's boring and there is nothing in to do once you get there. I thought that from what I had heard, it was this horrible winding road on the side of the cliff with huge thousand foot drops to the crashing surf below, kind of a Kalalao backpacking trail only with pavement. Instead, we had a nice leisurely trip with lots of fun stops.

We got to spend a little time on a black sand beach kicking back and relaxing. We got to have some fun with a blowhole by the ocean. The waves were crashing and every once in a while, the water would shoot out of this hole in the rock. Even with a sign warning people to stay away, people would walk up and get surprised - or almost killed.

Around every corner there was another beautiful sight. We were able to sample fruits and banana bread and the ocean breezes. We found an old Hawaiin guy fishing along the shoreline. He told Janene how he had put a foot long fish on his line hoping to catch a four or five foot fish. She said "Wow!, then you will have food for a week." "Oh, no" he replied, "we share". That one fish will feed many. A nice lesson we could all learn.

 

At the end of the road are some awesome waterfalls and the Seven Sacred Pools. Of course, with our luck, the waterfalls were all dried up. The nice weather that made all the scenery so enjoyable had turned the pools into the 3-1/2 Desecrated Puddles. That was Janene's name for it. We stopped at Hasagawa's General Store to buy something. I didn't want to look like a tourist, so in addition to a buying the biggest avocado we have ever seen, I bought a pipe fitting, too. I wonder if they noticed my Utah tee shirt. It turned out to be an all day adventure and we loved every minute of it. So much for boring!

Sunrise at Haleakala

First stop in Maui was the top of a dormant volcano called Haleakala. And when I say first stop, I really mean first stop. Janene and I got up at 5:00AM after arriving the night before and started driving to the top of a 10,000 ft. mountain to watch the sun rise out of the ocean. We thought we were the only ones going up there. Imagine our surprise when we came around a corner and found a National Park Sevice employee directing traffic and saw the silhouettes of hundreds of people lined up on the ridge.

When the sun did come up it was pretty much a big let-down. And then this Hawaiian woman began singing in her native language. We thought she was praying, but we found out that she was actually a park ranger when she gave us the weather report in English. Pretty cool, huh?

We didn't think we could hang around for the sun to get high enough to properly illuminate the crater, or what's left of the crater. We couldn't walk too far on Janene's new foot so exploring the crater was out of the question. It was an eerie place to be with so much greenery everywhere else.

We saw a few of the silverswords, a plant that grows only on the top of Haleakala. After we started down, we got to see one of the Nene, the Hawaiian state bird, and the only state bird on the endangered species list. Just looked like goose without wings. On the way down the mountain we worked hard to get our ears to pop. Zero to 10,000 and back again.Can't do that back home in Utah. One of the girls at work was born and raised in Hawaii. She drove up to the top of Haleakala for the sunrise every morning for a whole summer. There must be something different in Hawaiian blood. I think she got a lot more out of it than we did. Then again, she put a lot more into it than we did.