Kind of kooky

I know it seems kind of kooky putting a cemetery photo on social media.  But really now, the last time I checked I saw pics of:

• just the whipping cream on a slice of pie, 
• a bathroom selfie, 
• and a totally weird guy standing on a beach holding a pistol.  

Located in Vernal.

Oh, the guy with the gun had 24 likes, 7 comments and 1 share.  Interesting, huh?

Anyway, please do not "defriend me,"  for I really do enjoy the playful "monkey business" that goes on.

Okay, how did the Rock Point Cemetery get its name?  My guess is from the above rock outcropping located really close by on the north boundary of Vernal.  Notice the flat slab in the middle.  It is loaded with petroglyphs, most of which are simple as pictured below.  To me they look like ladders, or perhaps humans with six decorative markings on their breastplates?

Joe told me that he and Andy discovered these while biking.

Located in a gully, on the same road just east of the outcropping, is more artwork.  It looks to be a little more advanced.

Pictograph - painted on rock surface.

Petroglyph - carved or pecked into the rock surface.

Do you like dolls?

Do you like dolls?

One of the most fascinating shacks on the McConkie ranch is the doll house.  All four walls are literally covered with cuties of all kinds.  The one featured below is reported to be over 100 years old. 

It was really kind of eerie being in the presence of all those inanimate little things looking at me with their little beady eyes.

In another shack were various items from the past.  About this time my camera started acting up, so I didn't get pics of either the painting or any Indian artifacts which were in another shack.

But I did get a closeup photo of the old coffee mill featured below.

I Love the eagle on top.

Please take note of the wooden skies.

An old wooden snow sled is balanced up against a kid's wagon.  Things like this adorn the ranch's landscape.  

Time to leave.

Bev prepares to go.

  This is rugged country, so desolate - a land of mystery.  

On the way out, we passed by a sheepherder's wagon.

A virtual wild west museum

 A short drive up Dry Fork Canyon and we arrived at McConkie ranch - an interesting place.  Joe informed us that some great Indian art is on the sheer Navajo cliffs.  We didn't actually make it to the cliffs, thus no photos. 

Below is the only pic I got of a glyph, but for some strange reason, I don't think the artist is an ancient Fremont Indian.

A visitor parking lot is provided along with a visitor's shack.  Inside this is a few artifacts and a guest register.  

  

On the south side of the parking lot is a line of deer antlers.  Andy informed me that these are probably "sheds."  Each spring they shed their horns and new ones begin to grow.  

Below is one of the out-shacks.  

What one person views as useless, another person might highly value.  This is what Jean told us as she led us through the shacks.  All of the items on display have been saved by the family throughout the years.  In reality this ranch is a "down-to-earth" virtual wild west museum. 

The bar.

Across the way from the bar is a pump organ.  Jean insisted that I play it, and it didn't take long for my legs to ache with pain.  

 On a wall hangs an old meat cleaver.  The blade has a word of warning for drinkers.  "The bartenders friend.  Think twice before skipping out on bar bill."

Bev and Jean socially connected almost instantly.


The next posting will contain more interesting items that may of interest to you.  So please check back in a day or two.  Thanks.

A real Indian kiva

On the McConkie ranch is a real Indian kiva.  Andy, with her slim and fit frame, easily descended the ladder.  My descent was another story.  My shoulders just would not co-operate, and I got stuck.  This experience definitely proves that the Fremont Indians were very small people.     

Andy was shouting words of encouragement from inside the kiva, and Joe was overly enjoying the spectacle from the outside.  

   

"Come on, John! You can do it."  "You're almost there!"  "Only a little bit farther,"  she kept saying.  

My foot helplessly dangled between the rungs as I squirmed.  I finally gave up and reversed direction.  Jean McConkie, trying to be informational, said that 21 kindergarten kids made it to the bottom.   

Inside the kiva.

Jean took us on a tour of the out-shacks surrounding the kiva.  They contain all kinds of antiques and artifacts of which I will describe in the next posting.  You will find this very interesting!

   

Autumn in Sheep Creek

 This fall we were treated to a showcase of color and wildlife.  The trees were "showing off their stuff" for sure.  

According to Joe, the Kokanee Salmon spawn each year during this time.  They make their way up Sheep Creek from Flaming Gorge to do their thing; then they die.  (Poor things, but what a way to go.)

I took the above pic from a bridge, the same one that Joe and Andy are on in the pic below.

Grandma & I are standing on the same bridge, but facing the opposite direction, so the background is a cliff scene.    

Totally unexpected was a little herd of big horn sheep feeding in a beautiful pasture.  One of them posed for a great photo.  

Wildlife was abundant.  In addition to the big horn's we saw wild turkeys and deer.  Below are fall colors in Sheep Creek Canyon.

The road was mostly paved.

The Madison Limestone, I think.

The ranger station.  I understand this beautiful spread with its cabins can be rented for family gatherings etc.  Maybe this would be an interesting spot for a reunion?

Missionary Manna

Saturday evening we left a box full of Missionary Manna on Dayle's doorstep.  The manna was not necessarily healthy, but I'm sure it was appreciated.  He and his companion were not home; so no rules of contact were broken.  :)

Joe & Andy were with us during this adventurous caper.  By the way, he lives in the community of Naples, just 20 minutes away from Joe (the Anderson's traditionally are always 20 minutes away from places of destination.)

We are so proud of Elder Anderson and what he has and will accomplish.  We know he is doing The Lord's Work of goodness on this earth.  What more can we ask of anyone?  

Pleased as punch

This birthday was a milestone in life.  Our youngest grandchild reached the age of 12.  On Sunday we attended his priesthood ordination ceremony.  For those not of our faith, this means that he is now a church Deacon.  Under the direction of the bishop, he can pass the sacrament to the congregation, collect offerings, serve as a messenger for the bishop in church meetings, care for the meetinghouse and grounds, and care for those in need. 

Grandma and I were pleased as punch as he emerged from the ordination circle wearing his white shirt, tie and big smile. 

Later the family gathered for a birthday party.  Matt received a lot of presents.  The first one he got was the patriotic head hood shown below.  

Proud to be an American, for sure!

$12 attached to a box of cereal.

Cougar tee shirt.

Great gatherings involve family, friends, food, and plenty of fun.  The activities of this day had all of these.