Arizona Trip January 2010

Our little adventure began on Friday the 22nd of January.  Carol and Gordon Berthelson and Ann Marie and Sherwood were "snow birding" down in Arizona and we thought maybe we would drive down and check out this phenomena.  We started in the afternoon and drove to Mesquite, NV the first day.  We were so surprised at the changes in Mesquite.  We hadn't been through this area for several years and the growth was amazing.  We had a reservation at the Falcon Ridge hotel which was new and had no gambling associations which was nice. We drove around a little and one big surprise was that the Oasis Hotel and Casino was closed.  It was one of the founding casinos in Mesquite and it was all dark.  A new casino across the freeway from the Virgin River was still unoccupied.  It’s a mystery how one could be very successful and another one nearby fails!

The next day we headed down I-15 to Las Vegas and took the US 93/95 exit in North Las Vegas to Henderson and Boulder City.  The expansion of housing and businesses was amazing.  We ended up taking US-95 to Searchlight Nevada, a parallel road to the Colorado River.  The drive was interesting, however, and we stopped in Searchlight for gas and a bathroom break and then continued on to Needles where we picked up I-40.  In another hour we were in Lake Havasu, Arizona.  Pam and I had passed through Lake Havasu in 1991 when Johanna and Tom were married, but we didn't remember much.  We located our hotel and then took a drive to find Carol and Gordon Berthelsen’s resort.  They were staying at Echo Resort which was about six miles south of Parker Dam on the California side of the river.  They had no idea we were coming and were very surprised when they opened the door of their 5th Wheel.  As you probably already know, Pam and I seldom make plans--we just go!  They really had a nice location on the river and were very comfortable.

 


Sunday was the next day and we drove to Parker, AZ to attend church.  Carol and Gordon were there when we arrived and in a few minutes Ann Marie and Sherwood walked in and boy were they surprised to see us.  I told Sherwood we were checking up on them.  We enjoyed the ward and they really took good care of all the visitors.  We spent the afternoon with Ann Marie and Sherwood.  They were in a different resort, called the River Resort about 10 miles south of the Echo Resort on the California side of the river.  They also had a very nice setting on the river and seemed happy to be there.

Monday was a "play day" and the first thing I did was make a tee time at a local golf club, the London Bridge Golf Club.  We had the morning to ourselves and drove around the city and ended up at an Inn and Out Burger restaurant for lunch. It was next door to the London Bridge park and we wandered around seeing this massive structure and taking pictures.  Finally we headed to the golf course and enjoyed 18 holes of golf on a very interesting course.  Two courses were tucked in amongst beautiful homes.  the fairways were green but all the rough areas were dry grass.  We had a great time and we played as a twosome and that was nice.

Pam shot a 104, which was pretty amazing and included a 49 on the back nine.  I shot a 79 and had a 38 on the back nine, so the back nine was good to both of us.

Tuesday morning was our getaway day.  Before leaving we returned to Carol and Gordon's and visited and had lunch with them at a local restaurant and then began our journey home. It had been an enjoyable few days.  At the intersection of US-95 and I-40 we turned east and headed to Kingman where we turned north on US-93 and drove to Hoover Dam.  It was an interesting drive and we were amazed at how many people lived in trailers and other homes out on the hill side.  I guess they liked the solitude.  It took another hour to arrive at the Dam and 10 miles prior we ran into heavy road construction.  They were building a new highway [divided] to support a new by-pass bridge 1,500 feet downstream from the Dam.  The Colorado River Bridge was the central portion of the Hoover Dam Bypass Project.  Construction on the nearly 2,000 foot long bridge began in late January 2005 and was expected to be done this year.  As we dropped down towards the Dam it was amazing to see the construction project, especially the bridge.  We stopped at several viewing areas and took pictures and then crossed the dam and proceeded up the other side and on to Boulder, Henderson and eventually Las Vegas.  We continued north on I-15 until we arrived in Mesquite where we stayed at the Falcon Ridge hotel again.  It had been an interesting day. 

 

Wednesday morning we finished our journey home with an important stop in Cedar City for lunch at Cafe Rio.  It was sooo good!  It had been raining and snowing in southern Utah but the drive wad fine.  We found all well at home with the exception that our garage had been a Cat Hotel for the weekend.  Every drop of food was gone and I'm sure Sydney holed up somewhere as the other neighborhood "tuffs" took over.  Well we fixed that and got ourselves unpacked.  

We enjoyed our little get away and Lake Havasu was an interesting part of the country and the geology was beautiful.  I'm not sure we could live in a trailer and sit around and watch the river glide by, but believe me there were tens of thousands that do just that.  Now were back to Winter!  Hooray for snow. 

The New Year

Well the new year is behind us already and here we are half way through January.  We have been enjoying life even though it has remained quite cold and snow is still on the ground.  We have begun the lighting project in the kitchen and purchased cans for the ceiling (6) and then I took down the old lights.  The ballasts were beginning to degrade and we continually had flickering lights on one of the units.  I then installed all of the under counter lights.  We bought another set to total six sets and I put them on it and we only had one disappointment.  They would operate with a master switch.  So we put them up anyway and got the power supplies all hidden away and they look and work nicely, just have to turn them on individually.

Pam has been working on another quilt for Aunt Win and it will look beautiful when done.  It is for one of Aunt Win's granddaughters.

We have discovered a wonderful cassette and CD book collection at the city library.  We listened to two of the Barroman books (LDS Author) on World War I and World War II.  They were both excellent.  We just finished a book on Harry Truman and it was really good and really opened my eyes to that period of time.  When I was a boy I remember going to the movies on Saturday at the Egyptian Theater in downtown Ogden and during the news reels whenever anything came on about Truman, the audience just booed and booed.  I always thought it was because of the bomb, but in this book I learned it was for firing General MacArthur.  That was pretty awful period in US History, but history has determined that it was a good decision because MacArthur had turned into ego maniac.  Anyway it was a good book.  We are now listening to a book on Benjamin Franklin by David McCullough and his writing is very compelling and enjoyable. 

Yesterday we took a long drive down by Bryce Canyon and listened to the book and watched the scenery go by.  Still a lot of snow and everything is pretty.  I have added a couple of pictures from Kingston Canyon.  Some very interesting rock formations.

 

Today we began ward conferences and I enjoyed being in the Monroe 1st ward.  All the meetings were very good.  Friday evening Pam and I joined in their temple session and it was huge.  Well things are going all right around here.  Pam's Brother printer just seemed to die on her and she is not a happy camper.  Hope everything is well in your homes.

Dear Family and Friends,

Well Christmas is finally upon us. We thought that we might be golfing on Christmas, but boy oh boy the weatherman was right for once. Last night the snow began and it didn't stop until early this morning and when it was done we had at least 10 inches on the driveway. It was absolutely beautiful and I didn't even mind shoveling it. Yah I know, I wouldn't want to do it every morning! But Pam and I have pretty much gotten everything ready for our solo Christmas. Of course Pam and Erin decorated our beautiful tree almost a month ago and it is still wonderful to look at, especially at night.




During the next couple of weeks Pam continued decorating in the house and outside and I finally got on the ladder and put the new lights (LED) on the gutters and they look pretty good.





This morning I finally got some warm clothes on and went out to survey the whiteness. It was just beautiful and you hardly wanted to make a mark in the snow. As the cars and trucks went by it was so quiet. But I finally began shoveling and this is what everything looked like this morning.













With the path around the north side of the house Sidney now has a path to the deck or I should say under the deck. But he has pretty much enjoyed the garage for the past few days as it has been quite cold. We have even let him in the house on and off!!!

We have enjoyed just looking outside and seeing everything so white and beautiful. I would imagine that Denver is getting the storm today. We surely hope every one has a great Christmas Holiday and that you are enjoying the messages and music of the Savior and this special time of the year. Pam and I were able to see the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Devotional a week ago and it was magnificent. Well have a wonderful time in your individual homes and we will miss you all. Look forward to visiting with the family on Christmas Day!

Post Halloween--Pre Thanksgiving

We have looked at this corner of the basement for about 16 years and have discussed this and that and looked at cabinets and hardware, but with the current renovation spurt, this corner finally got its due!


We thought we found cabinets we wanted, but when we went to Provo to buy them at Home Depot, we found they were only available by special order and became quite expensive. We did find some "put together" cabinets and they looked quite nice, so we purchased a sink base and a drawer pack and after putting them together and instaklling them in the corner they looked nice.


We have ordered a rolling cart that will go on the wall to the left and on which we will put the microwave. Here are a few more pics that feature the cabinets.



While this project was going on we received the wonderful news from Travis that big changes were going to happen on the 8th of November when he would be ordained and sustained as the 2nd Bishop of the Roxborough Ward. Of course we wanted to be there, but had Stake Conference that weekend. Fortunately for me it was a broadcast conference and upon checking with my area seventy advisor, he assured me it would be all right to miss the broadcast and be with my family.

So following the saturday adult evening session, Pam and I boarded the VUE and headed to Denver. We had a great drive and arrived around 4:00 am sunday morning. After a quick nap we got up and dressed for church and slipped into the back of the chapel and sat on the last row without anyone noticing. President Walker made the change in bishoprics following the sacrament and then after the sacrament meeting we joined the rest of the family in a classroom where Travis was ordained a bishop.

Later that afternoon we spent a wonderful afternoon with the gathered family at Travis and Jennifer's home. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to have Erin, Weston and Kate there.

Yup, the Chargers were playing...I think the game was football...




It was wonderful to see all the grandchildren (and their parents). I know that Drew, little Alex, Kali, Megan, Andrew, and Haley were there, but they were just blurs most of the afternoon.



Of course we couldn't be together without food! Thanks Jennifer for the wonderful taco meal






After we were all fed and happy we returned to visiting and enjoying the afternoon.



Pam and I spent another couple of days in Denver and enjoyed visiting with each of the families but it had to end sometime, and for that it was Wednesday morning. We left at 8:30 am and had a very enjoyable drive home. The weather was beautiful and the high mountain passes were spectacular as was the Glenwood Springs canyon. We arrived home about 4:00 pm and found all well at home. Yea, Sidney was still there! He isn't smart enought to go anywhere else.

Thanks family for the wonderful visit. Sorry Erin and Weston---we missed you!