Well on Monday the 7th of July, Pam and I got the urge to take a trip to Denver to see our grandchildren and get away from phones and duties. We arranged for Aunt Win and on Tuesday morning we were winging our way along I-70 enjoying the scenes across the San Rafael Swell and enduring Utah east of Green River. Our first plan was to stop in Fruita, Colorado and play some golf at the Adobe Creek layout and we were not disappointed. We got a room at the LaQuinta Inn and it was really, really hot so we planed to play golf the next morning. That we did the next morning, playing the Mesa Course and it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately when we concluded our round the van wouldn't start. You know the routine - "click, click, click." A man from the golf course came to help us but the van wouldn't jump start and he thought our starter was gone. Thankfully USAA came to the rescue for us and a tow truck took us to a local auto repair facility in Fruita. They couldn't get to us that day but a lady in the shop drove us back to the Comfort Inn and we got a room for the night. the next morning we got a call about 9:30 am and they happily reported that the problem was the battery cable and he repaired it and in an hour we were checked out of the hotel and on our way to Denver. We stopped in Silverthorne for an hour and shopped and then continued on to Denver.
For the next five days we enjoyed out family in Denver. Unfortunately it seemed that every time we had a family gathering my camera was somewhere else, so I didn't get many pictures. But the following were shots when we went to a softball game where Andrew's ward team played.
We were able to visit with each of our families in their homes and enjoy their hospitality. We especially enjoyed staying with Andrew and Sarah and we enjoyed Jane and Reynolds very much. Friday evening we had a family get to gether at Tom and Johanna's home [minus Travis and Jennifer and their family who were out of town]. It was a lot of fun watching all the interactions between the adults and the children. Saturday afternoon we had a large golf outing with Pam and me, Travis and Drew, Alex, Andrew, Tom and Spencer. It was a lot of fun. Sunday Pam and I attended sacrament meeting with Alex and Cynthia in their ward and then attended the block with Travis and Jennifer and Andrew and Sarah in their ward. Both meetings were good and we enjoyed watching our children's involvements in their wards. Monday Travis and I played another round of golf and then Monday evening some of the family got together again at Tom and Johanna's for root beer floats.
It was a wonderful five days and today we are on the road again, back in Fruita where we played another round of golf. Tomorrow we will complete the saga back to Monroe and hope everything is fine there.
p.s. Well tomorrow has happened and I needed to add to this post because it didn't finish like we thought. Wednesday morning we left Fruita and drove to Green River and stopped to play the golf course in the middle of town. When I paid the fee the man said the bugs were pretty bad today. We had repellant and I figured we would be all right, but who would have known the extent of the mosquitoes and knats. It was like playing in a fog at times. On the brighter side, the course was really beautiful and I really want to go back at a time when the bugs are to bed. It was nestled right along the Green River and the fairways and greens were lush and interesting. Oh yeah the cost was good also - $10.00 for nine holes. We played the fastest round of golf in history and when I went to put the clubs in the van I reached for the keys and guess what? They were in the ignition. Not doing well with the van this trip. Anyway the lady in the clubhouse call the local sherrif's office and a man came over and got us unlocked and we were off. Everything was fine at home and I think even Sidney was happy to see us!
We had a few wonderful entries, besides sport teams and cars, that reminded us of the meaning of the 24th of July. Our great heritage of pioneers who came to this country to enjoy religious freedom and at the request of their leaders. They sacrificed and endured beyond anything we could imagine and we are grateful to them for their example.
Pam worked a booth for the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and Erin and Kate aided her in selling tickets to a beautiful quilt raffle. Kate was so cute and I got to walk around the grounds showing her off to all of my friends.
Kate is sitting in an antique high chair used by many generations. I added a new tray and was able to re-glue and paint this wonderful piece of furniture and hope it provides many more years of use.
Tom and Johanna and their family left for the Wood family campout on Wednesday and Pam and I went north to Springville and brought Aunt Win home. She has been staying with her son Jeff and also niece Jacki for the past couple of weeks.
