Buttons about to pop!

It's Sunday, and all is well.   Especially when one's granddaughter is playing prelude music on the church organ.

Grandma Zucc and I made a quick trip to Mike's church, quietly sneaking into the overflow seating.  What we saw make Grandma prouder than a peacock.  As for me, the buttons were about about to pop off the front of my suit.  

Erin (12) plays prelude music at church - 1st time.

Clouds at Brianhead

One of my favorite things to do at the cabin is to take in the incredible beauty of the clouds as viewed from the deck.  So it was one day, when the rest of the family took off for Navajo Lake.

Grandma Zucc was sort of cabin-bound with a boot-cast on her leg, and I was not about to leave her alone for several hours; so I made my way to the deck with my little Olympus camera and got these great pictures.  

Little did I know that a storm was brewing over the lake.

These clouds were the northern end of the storm.
 

When the family returned, Sherry told me that not only did rain pour from the sky, but also hail.

Later on in the evening, the center part of the storm worked its way to the cabin. We were amazed when the clouds dropped down, drifting through the trees and the meadow.  It almost reminded me of a coastal fog, as it was thick and cold.  The only thing missing was the waters of the Pacific Ocean, crashing against large, defiant rocks.

Just around the corner from the far railing are a couple of lounge chairs (not in view) that I really enjoy.

  The following pics I took from a reclining position in one of these chairs.  I moved the chair around several times to get the pics I wanted.

I really like this pic as it reveals a sheen of the sun on a deck support log.  I also think the angles in the pic highlight the background cloud in an artistic manner.

The same goes with this pic; maybe even more-so, with the curvature establishing an interesting perspective to the background trees.
 

Billowing clouds.

After returning to the Salt Lake Valley a few days later, we found out that Cedar City had received record rainfall from this storm.

A few weeks later, lightning caused a wild fire in the dry, hot conditions of Patch Springs, Tooele County.  The smoke drifted eastward to Salt Lake County causing the setting sun to appear spooky red.

So, summer is nearing its end now, and the grand-kids are gearing up for school. Times and seasons come and go in an ever-changing world, and people are no different.  It is great to take time, once in a while, to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauties of nature.

The new drip system works! Hurrah!

A family reunion

We arrived home from a family reunion at the Davis cabin in Brianhead, Utah. 16 persons attended.  It was a great get-together.  Bev organized the event, and kept things moving during our three night stay. 

Jeff and Sherry (McKea) Noorda family - Blue.
Mike and Katie (Grandquist) McKea family - Orange.
Joe and Andy (Hendrickson) McKea family - White.
John and Beverly (Noakes) McKea family - Grey.

Grandma was in charge, for which I am grateful.  Because she was recovering from foot surgery, she had plenty time to plan, for sure.  

Let the games begin!

"Candy Ball"

                                                  "Divide the Loot"

There was lots of free time for riding the mini motorbike, 4 wheelers, and bicycles. I was surprised at how well Matt, only 6, was able to maneuver the mini-bike, and Erin, bless her heart, was able to do very well on the full-size 4 wheeler. Sam excelled in riding all the ORV's. Nick tried a little cross-country running, but soon was discouraged because of the altitude.

Greg, Rachel & Sam are ready to go!

Sam the Man!

            Joe & Andy fixed dutch oven potatoes and chicken.  Yummy Good!

Mike keeps company with Joe, the cook.

Mike decorates a homemade pizza!

"More games!"

                     

                                                  "Catch the cookie"

"Bounce the balloon"

"TP wrap"

"Elevator Lifter"

"Pass the Marshmallow"

Jeff and I were assigned to give little talks. Jeff told of how his ancestors joined the church in Holland, then immigrated Salt Lake City. I was assigned to give a little talk on how I am a pioneer.

"Candy Bag"

Grandma Zucc even brought crafts which everyone enjoyed!

Jason was good to help Matt.




 From the cabin deck, I was able to take some really scenic cloud pics which I will display on this blog in a few days, so be sure to check back.  For some reason the colors in this location are spectacular.  I guess God just made them this way!

The official geographic center point of America.

Oh My!  It is amazing to me how vast the western part of this country is.  In Custer, I visited a rock shop, and the owner asked me where we were from.  I told him, and then said that this was our first visit to South Dakota.  He told me that he had only been back east a few times and that mostly he travels west.

Now, why would people in the center of the nation want to travel mostly west?! By the way, about 20 miles north of Belle Fourche, South Dakota is the official geographic center point of America, so declared in 1959 by the US Coast and Geodetic Survey.  If you don't believe me, check out the follow source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_center_of_the_United_States


We drove through an interesting park called Bear Country.  It is a strictly a 'drive-through with your windows rolled up' adventure.  Bears are just a part of the experience.  All of the animals roam freely within defined areas.

I really like this pic.

Big Horn sheep.

Bears roam freely in the park.

Just outside of Hill City is the Circle B Chuckwagon.  It is much like the Bar J Chuckwagon in Jackson, Wyoming, in that they entertain you with cowboy music, while they feed you cowboy grub.

Across the meadow from the Circle B is an amphitheater; so we wondered over and found a seat.  Soon an Indian group began to play.  It was interesting the way they mixed native rhythm with modern harmony.  We stayed for only a few numbers, then left for Crazy Horse to see the laser light show, one of the highlights of the trip.  

While driving through Keystone, we found the remains of a once-active mine, shown below.  This town, once a mining mecca, is now loaded with tourists and motorcyclists.    

On the fence just outside the mine is a friendly reminder, to all that pass by, that you have to be born again.

Getting hungry, we stopped at the Keystone House for dinner.  Inside we found it to be a little old, but clean.  We were served by a nice, polite young man - a foreign exchange student.  We ordered the pork dinner and were delighted with the quality of food served.

The day before we left, we drove the Wind Cave Loop.  The buffalo were truly free to roam here.

The burros were free to roam also, and they were very friendly.  At one point people were actually getting out of their cars and petting and feeding these gracious animals.

We saw plenty of Antelope.

Saturday night, back in Custer, we found this place called Pizza Works.  Believe me, their pizza is one of the best I have ever tasted, and it is reasonably priced.  I totally recommend stopping here for lunch or dinner.  You won't be disappointed; and oh! the rock shop is only two doors away.  

This is where we camped.

I don't think these wolves are dangerous, but we kept our windows rolled up anyway.

We arrived home Sunday evening, tired but happy with all that we were able to see and do in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  I guess that I can now cross Mt. Rushmore from my list of places to visit before I pass on;  but believe me, I would go back for another visit if given another opportunity.