Cathedral Hopping When you purchase a high-end tour package or cruise these days, there are almost always pre-trip or post-trip add-ones that represent some logical and generally in-demand extensions to the baseline trip. These add-ons are usually driven by the location of the original trip. For instance, when we went to the Baltics a few years ago for a cruise, we were able to add-on a few days in Iceland, presumably getting a better deal…
So Long, Farewell This morning was our collective get-away moment, so naturally, there was one last opportunity for fun during breakfast at the Lodge at Red River Ranch. Whenever you get a large multi-generational group together for a few days of fun, there are bound to be a range of personal circadian habits on display. The group is made up of early birds and night owls. The night owls tend to be the ones that…
The Cowboy Olympiad Today was the last day of our family gathering here in Southern Utah and what a perfect western day it has been. Tomorrow we scatter to the four winds (literally) with people leaving as early as son Roger & Valene and son Tom heading out pre-dawn to drive to catch planes in Salt Lake City for points east (Delaware and Brooklyn respectively). Niece Nichole & Domenic with kids Ethan, Jackson and Parker…
Who Do the HooDoos? The landscape and topography of Southern Utah never ceases to amaze. I think that has to be one of the biggest reasons why this area has always attracted me, year after year. From one time to the next, I seem to both forget and remember its majesty. I remember how much I love the area, but I forget the feeling the visions invoke in me. I am reminded of William Wordsworth…
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch We’ve finished one of the four days we are here with our combined family groups. Here is Teasdale, Utah, right next to Torrey, Utah and Capital Reefs National Park with its magnificent red and white high bluffs set along the Fremont River, smack dab in the middle of Southern Utah and what is generally called Canyon Country. By the way, once I used the term “smack dab”, I wondered what…
Clan of the Cave Bear In 1980, Jean M.Auel wrote the first of her Earth’s Children series called Clan of the Cave Bear. This was a very popular book that chronicled the mixing of Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon man in a very graphic, if somewhat speculated fictional, way. It was a fascinating read to me in my young adult days (I was the age of my youngest son Thomas when I read it) and I have…
The Great Expectations of Steven “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” This was, indeed the tale of two cities, but neither…
Vantastic For our family western extravaganza over the next ten days I have rented a 15-passenger Transit van from Enterprise Rentals. There are only six of us, but we have not only baggage, but also all sorts of paraphernalia for the family outing ranging from costumes and implements for the last day Utah Games we have planned to create a grand finale “field day” sporting event. There are hoola hoops, pool noodles, cowboy hats purchased…
Anthropocene Independence Day Today is July 4th and we now have 32 people confirmed to attend our little Independence Day Barbecue. I’ve already bought 60 pounds of ice that is sitting in the garage in coolers, trying not to all melt before the festivities begin. I imagine this is a big ice buying day and that the ice merchants will be out of stock in a few hours. Despite refrigeration being around since 1834 and…
When You’re Hot You’re Hot This morning I went out for bagels like I normally do on Sundays. My routine is to get to the bagel deli a little after 7am, when it opens, to insure that I both beat the crowd and make sure that they have not run out of everything bagels, which have become the family go-to selection. I have refined the ordering process and now get toasted everything bagels for me…