THE CABIN

I told Sharon that she was almost a member of our
family.  She along with Andy, Joe, Mike and Jeff were brave enough to finish the 100 mile Panguitch bike run.  When they arrived back at the cabin Saturday afternoon, they all took well deserved naps.


L>R:  Sharon, Andy, Joe, Sherry , Mike, Katie, Bev





"Look, I can spread my toes."


Sherry, Katie, myself (Grandpa Zucc) plus all the kids stayed at the cabin, enjoying good books, resting, talking, visiting the salamander pond, etc.  It was great.  I even caught Katie hiding under a blanket.  It seems that she is a little camera shy.  I don't know why. 


Afternoon napping is good.




"Please don't take my picture."



Greg and Jeff reading.



Kids at salamander pond.

 In the early afternoon, Greg and I ventured to the top of Brianhead peak.  At 11,307 feet, we had great views of the countryside below.  The cabin sits at almost 9,500 feet.  On top is little block building constructed in 1932 by the CCC.  It had an official survey marker in the floor dated 1957.  In 1995 it received a remodel upgrade.  It is really cool. 


Looking towards Cedar Breaks.



Shelter at Brianhead peak.


We played a lot of board games:  Go Fish, Quidler, Five Crowns, Old Maid, Greed, etc.  Katie was the Queen of the Quidler game.  She won twice, mainly by coming up with big words, but the third time, I won.  This made my day.  Ha-ha. 

Matthew really likes Old Maid.

I believe that the major attraction for the kids was using the motorbike, and the four wheelers.  They all wore helmets for which we were all grateful.  The only injury was to Erin.  She got a nice little burn on the inside of her knee. 


Matthew at 4 years old, can ride by himself.




Bells is ready to ride.

I worry about the kids, especially the younger ones when they ride by themselves, but I must say that Matty is really good at riding, especially for his age.  Erin told me that she didn't know how to put the brakes on in order to stop.  This perhaps could be the next lesson on of the adults could teach at the cabin.


Jason activates the chopper.



Jeff brought a little automated helicopter.  The kids really liked to fly it.  They actually got it to rise all the way to the upper loft. 



Flying high!

Now for the guy who made this little vacation possible, Jeff Davis!  He owns the cabin, and was gracious enough to lend the use of it to us.  On Friday he drove from Vegas to Brianhead in an old school bus with a bunch of boy scouts.  He stayed with them in another cabin just down the mountain a-ways.  I wish we all could be as kind and gracious as this gentle man.


The owner of the cabin.



A MOST INSPIRING EVENT



The organ at the Cathedral of the Madeline

Last evening, Grandma and I attended a most inspiring event, "Organ Fest IV."  It was sponsored by Classical 89, a local FM radio station, and featured six of the area's premiere organists. 


I had beforehand heard that the Cathedral's organ was a good one, but the artists' were able to exploit the full power of this immaculate musical instrument.


"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."  (Acts 2:2)  I realize this verse refers to the Holy Spirit, but truly the mighty sound of the organ caused mouths to drop in amazement, eyes to light up with admiration, and legs to straighten for a standing ovation.


I especially liked Eugene Gigout's Toccata in B Minor as played by Bonnie Goodliffe.  During this piece I envisioned the rising of the sun, brilliant and moving with a dramatic lightning ending.


Clay Christiansen, played the exciting Tu es petra, from Esquisses byzantines by Henri Mulet.  I have heard Clay play this many times before on the Tabernacle organ, but I must say he really showed what the Cathedral organ was made of as he brought this piece to a spectacular ending after playing what seemed like 10 million notes.


Now, organ music can be all encompassing.  This was the case with Choral, from Symphony No. 2, Op.20 by Louis Vierne.  This piece seems to want to dive into the inter sanctum of one's subconscious mind, in a dramatic, emotional, and maddening sort of way.  The ending was spectacular as Andrew Unsworth played with brilliant chords and heavy bass.  He really showed the versatility of this organ.


I would be amiss if I didn't mention the program's opening number, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, by Bach.  I don't believe Douglas O'Neill missed a note. 


The concert went out live on satellite radio.  For those of you who would like to just relax a little, it will be rebroadcast Sunday 28 August, at 3pm on Classical FM 89.


Try laying flat on you back, closing your eyes, block out all distractions, and letting your mind open as you listen.  You may be surprised at what will come into your mind as you listen to this great organ.
 

  



STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj-366oM6dk

Have you ever been to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport?  Who really gets a kick out of a 5 hour layover in a gigantic airport?   For me, this stop was one of the highlights of our trip to Mexico.  I suppose my natural desire to experience new things, attributes to the forgoing statement.



Stairway to heaven!

 Let me explain why I liked this stop.  SKYLINK TRAIN!  This was awesome.  I had no idea this even existed before arriving, but almost immediately, upon entering terminal D, I noticed the highly visible skylink directional signs.  As Bev and I made our way to our assigned departing gate, we came upon the longest escalator I have ever seen.  I jokingly called it a "stairway to heaven."



One minute ride!

 After we got seated, I got the wander urge and decided to take the escalator.  I timed the ride at one minute, from bottom to top.  It took me to the third level where Skylink was located.  Feeling adventurous, I boarded the car and off I went, but got off at the first stop.  I made my way back to inform Bev of my discovery. 



Skylink is located way at the top.

 I soon realized that Skylink connects 5 terminals together, and if a traveler has a flight transfer, he must use this service.  After a little rest, Bev encouraged me to explore some more, so I ventured back up the escalator, and again boarded the trax-like train.  I ended up traveling past all 5 terminals, and crossing a freeway perhaps 3 times.  I don't know how far I traveled, but I'm guessing at least 5 miles.

When I got back, Bev was amazed that I had been so far from her without her realizing it.  But hey!  The warder lust!  Right?  In the meantime, Bev discovered a shop where we could buy a hot dog for about $2.00.

Dallas/Fort Worth International is like a little city with lots of restaurants, shops etc, but everything is really expensive, so we enjoyed our hot dogs, and with grateful hearts, counted our blessings. 

After returning to this airport from Mexico, Bev didn't mind at all pushing a cart of luggage.  She seemed so happy to be back in America where pushing shopping carts is taken for granted, by all happy consumers.



New friends



FAMILY REUNION AT THE GORGE!

The skit is about to begin.

The McKea family reunion was held this year at Flaming Gorge, Utah.  Joe and Andy were the hosting couple, and what a great job they did!  Everyone had activity and food assignments.


Good entertainment!

 

"Ride um," cowgirl!





Nobody juggles like this.




Andy & Joe



We are going on a dam tour!

 Perhaps the main event was the float trip on Friday morning.  We launched our three rafts, each holding 6 or so people, from a point just below the dam.  Almost immediately the water started to fly.  Even the people in the so called, "dry raft," got soaked.


Watch it!


The "water wars" were continual, and about 3 hours later we reached the docking area absolutely soaked and cold, but with big smiles.  Even Katie, who inhaled some water as she fell off the raft, recovered quickly after getting some food.


Sherry won the cheese ball contest!




Rachael is looking good!


The rapids were great, as were the "Minute to Win It" games that were held later that evening.  Everyone was assigned to a team, and a competition was held.  Lots of fun and laughter was had by all!

One thing that will not be forgotten was the 50 mile bike ride that Mike, Joe, Andy, and Jeff took to Manila and back.  The leg cramps really got to these hardy bikers.   



Julie always has a smile!



As for me, I only made one trip down the Green River, then Grandma and I, with the younger kids, made a beeline back to our rooms at the resort, for showers, snacks, and games.  All the others were brave enough to make a second trip on the river.

What happens next?



Is he really going to pour water!


What makes a great family reunion?  Lots of fun and laughter, I am sure.

Grandma and I are in charge of organizing the next one in three years.  We will let you know where, but first you have got to give us a least a year to recover from this one.  Ha ha.



You better be careful, Rachael!




Grandpa loves a good breakfast!



The water's great.  Come on in!





Breakfast in the breezeway!



Ek' Balam


If you say "Ek' Balam" quickly three times, it sounds as if you are having an attack of hiccups.  Actually "Ek' Balam" means black jaguar in Mayan.  This site of ruins is  one of newest excavated - only open about 13 years.  Jack Marshall, our expert tour guide was excited to take us there, because it is not as well known as Tulum or Chichen Itza, therefore less tourist traffic.  Jack also was allowed to give on-site lectures.

Sign by the visitor's center

I believe he was fair and open-minded in his assessments. He did humorously mention on more than one occasion that his ideas were "the gospel according to Jack."



A directional sign



Entrance arch

 From the visitor's center to the actual ruins, our group followed a rather long path.  When I saw a rather corny, pictured sign marking the way, I began to wonder if this was going to be a legitimate ruin site; but soon, my wondering was put to rest, as I saw a magnificent Mayan arch at the entrance.  Looking at the buildings through this arch, really got me excited about being in this wonderful place.



Ceiba tree

The tree of life, as spoken of in ancient records, is found on buildings at different sites, and Jack seemed to think that this particular species of tree (Ceiba tree) could have been the model used on mesmoamerica temples.  Notice the big roots.  They symbolize the journey to the underworld.  The limbs represent rising to the 13 heavens.  It is believed that the blood-letting by scraping the tongues of Mayan royalty, was accomplished by using the thorns found on the upper side of the limbs.


Steps of Mayan temple


At the east east side of the site was the largest ruin.  It had over 100 steps from the base to the top.  The steps were uneven and very steep - I know because I climbed them.  This climb was dangerous as the rock was slippery, and handrails were not available.  I took every step with great care, knowing that a slip would likely result with my ending up in a pile at the bottom.


Royalty





Mayan male



Mayan female

Halfway up the pyramid is a display with life size figures sculpted into a rock panel.  Obviously the most predominate figures were royal representations.  Notice how dignified the male is.  Now, look at the female and observe how she is holding her hands in a most feminine way.



Biggest pyramid



font used for cleansing

 The above sculptures are located about half the way up the steps of the great pyramid.  The Mayan religion must have placed great emphasis on ritual cleansing, as it seems that fonts, with steps are located in strategic locations on the site. 


Be sure to check back in a few days for an exciting update!

TROPICAL STORM ARLENE BEGINS!





Tropical storm Arlene begins!

 What a trip!  And I don't mean on drugs or anything like that!  I mean our most excellent adventure to the land of the Mayans.  The Yucatan was not only hot and humid, but also wet!  We were lucky enough to get into the action of Arlene, the first tropical storm of the 2011 season, which really started to form over us while we were visiting the ruins of Tulum.  You can see the squall moving in over the water.  Soon I, with a couple hundred others, was running for cover.



Relax, we had no tequila!

 I found Bev waiting for me back at the shopping center, which, by the way, was hopping with aggressive vendors, anxious to sell their stuff.  Bev did make it all the way into the ruins, before returning.  We had to pass through a wall that was constructed with an exact 33 degree slant (This may be meaningful to Masons). 


John, before the storm hit.


Our guide explained that this is the exact place where the early explorers landed and met the Mayans.  The Mayans were not only impressed with the christian cross carried by the sailors, but also by their white appearance.  You see, the Indians were looking for the return of Quetzalcoatl, the white, bearded God.



The train at Tulum!  Totally worth the fare!


The Spaniards thought the Mayans were a bunch of savages, which they were.  Human sacrifice was part of the religion.  The unfortunate thing is that instead of trying to study the culture, they sought to destroy it.  In the process they destroyed over 15,000 records.  Only 20 codices remain today, in a museum in Germany. 

My next post will be of Ek Balam.  This is a most exciting place, because I was able to climb all the ruins I wanted, even the big pyramid.  Be sure to check back in a few days.  Thanks.