Our summer began with lots of work, both on campus for Scott and work on the ranch for all of us - trying to paint the house, finding dry-rot and not being able to paint the house, weed abatement, teaching a Pysical Geog summer course, lots and lots of watering for the ranch, running pipe in the new Scout campground, special care of the grapevines that really paid off, and more. But we also had alot of fun.
We began a very long, ongoing game of Monoploy that still hasn't finished, enjoyed our outdoor barbecue dinners, had a spontaeous night of sleeping bags under the stars, and lots of swimming lessons that we all did together. (Scott swims quite well now, he says:)) Acutally it was just the kids, but we all went as a family each day and built up some fun memories. The kiddie mushroom pool doesn't fit adults very well but our kids enjoyed our company. We also discoved that you need to be able to swim when you get to the bottom of the water slide (long story that JD can tell another time).
At the end of summer came our only vacation - 10 fun filled days with Brenda's parents and participating in the 2008 Salt Lake City Ride For Kids.
We traveled first to Elko, (Yes, a destination for some people) and spent a few days there. Scott got some motorcycle coaching from Walt and a great ride up Lamoille Canyon. He bought Rick's bike just before the trip, a sad and happy moment all in one, and is now has a confused identity between a geographer who wears sandals on some days and a motorcycle jacket on others. After a few days in Elko, the kids took turns riding in Walt's side car to Salt Lake with Scott on the back. Brenda and Donna rode in the car over the Salt Flats, after which we enjoyed fabulous strawberry shakes, sponsored by Brenda's dad and scowled upon by her mom. We waited patiently for mom's Can-Am (cool bike!) that she eventually rode in the Ride and then we all made it to Salt Lake.
The RFK creates special memories for us each year, to see family and to see the fabulous motorcycle community of the Salt Lake region make a real difference for Pediatric Brain Tumor research! This year, Mom and Dad contributed $8,013?
The first morning, (with a one-hour time change, mind you) Donna called at 5:45am SLC time and invited us to join her for breakfast. Scott enjoyed that time with her.
While in Salt Lake, we met up with one of Scott's favorite missionary companions, John Barfuss, and his great family at Hogle Zoo. After not seeing each other for over 15 years, it was great to see that he was still Scott's Brother in the Lord.
The ride was not unlike many others. However this year, in fear of being late, we arrived even before the entry gate opened. After waiting until (once again, local time) 6 AM, (yes, it's still dark at that hour) the gate was then opened and set-up began. Our role this year was to set signs out along the road, and then we headed to the end of the ride before the bikes and were able to see them pull in for the first time instead of sending them off with a wave and trailing behind. Walt was feeling under the weather and another friend rode his bike for him. Donna rode the snazzy Can-Am with Lindsay, a young woman who is attending BYU that we love to see each year. She is a sweet girl who Laura would like have as her babysitter even though we live in California.
Before leaving Salt Lake, we visited Temple Square for our Sunday worship and enjoyed every square foot that we explored, once again. We helped mom and dad move all the bikes around back in Elko, no small task mind you, and then bid our goodbyes the following day and returned to find the homestead save and sound.
The RFK creates special memories for us each year, to see family and to see the fabulous motorcycle community of the Salt Lake region make a real difference for Pediatric Brain Tumor research! This year, Mom and Dad contributed $8,013?
And that's Summer 2008.
