Today’s Outing…

I went to Monticello today to attend the temple.  As I passed the Blanding Cemetery, I decided to slow down and see if the headstone had been installed.  It had!  So, off we went to see the headstone…

 

Caroline enjoys putting flowers on graves and she just happened to have these red/white/blue carnations, which she placed in the vase.  Perfect for Doug’s grave as he’s a veteran of WWII.

Moab Day Trip!

Mike arose this morning (after 10:00am) and said, “Let’s drive to Moab and go to the Chinese Buffet for lunch!  Well, I immediately accepted.  Mike spoke with his mom and she quickly agreed as well.  So, here’s a synopsis of our trip to Moab!

Out the door!

Lunch at our favorite Chinese Buffet in Moab

(It’s probably the ONLY Chinese Buffet in Moab!)

Sidney's Fortune:  Your charm has inspired a secret admirer

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Mike's Fortune:  Soon wedding bells are in a family member's future.  (Okay, Jeff, Nathan, Ryan, Stacey, or Alishea, do you have anything you are wanting to announce to us???)

Caroline's Fortune:  Time makes one wise.  Ask advice from someone older than you!  (Okay, anyone older than 87 who wants to give Caroline some advice!?!?!)



We drove down the road to Castle Valley, along the Colorado River.

 

Caroline mentioned the ‘River Spring’ about 1/4 mile down this road.  She and Doug would go there when they were dating.  We stopped and I filled up my water bottle!

We drove Caroline over the ‘new’ bridge that was recently completed.  It is at the north end of town over the Colorado River.

We bought gas.  At $3.42 a gallon, we thought it was a steal!  (Gas in Blanding is $3.72 a gallon.)

Every trip means a trip to the Quilt Shop.  This trip was no different!

We went to the Moab Cemetery and found the gravesites of several family members.

Mike with his Grandmother, Marjorie D. Christensen.  Marjorie died in 1930, when Mike’s dad Doug was only 9 years old.

Mike with Granddad Christensen’s (Butch) headstone.

 

Mike at Great Grandma and Grandpa Goodman’s headstones.

Other Goodman relatives…

Severina Christensen was Mike’s Great-grandmother.  She was the 2nd wife of Christian Lyngaa Christensen.  We had been wondering where she was buried because her husband is buried in Monticello.

Happenings…

I know I haven’t blogged much recently, but here’s a snapshot of what Mike and I have been doing.

Fishing at the Fourth Reservoir which is about seven minutes from our home…

Yes, it is true.  I bought my first fishing license last week!  I actually enjoy going fishing.  With lures, it is so much fun.  (I had preconceived ideas on how it would be done and fishing didn’t interest me at all.)

Attending the temple and doing lots of temple work for family!

Working in our yard, planting new perennials, etc.

 

Watching our garden grow… and the weeds too!

 

Of course, Sidney is back at the pool every day at noon enjoying her swimming social hour!  (no pictures!)

The Mail Run!!!

Friend, Judy Lyman, contracts with the postal service to do the mail run to several remote areas in San Jan, Garfield and Kane County.  Today, I went on the mail run with her.  After six hours and 291 miles and lots and lots of talking and laughter, I returned home.  It was a delightful trip!!!  Thanks Judy!!!  (P.S.  I saw so much scenery.  I love this area.  San Juan County continues to grow on me!!!)

Judy at “Natural Bridges” mail drop

Stopping to look at White Canyon

Hite Ranger Station.  Just over the mountains in the backdrop is Moab!

The scenic view looking towards Hite.

Ticaboo, Utah Mail Drop, yes, the Napa Parts Store!

 

Bullfrog, Utah Post Office

Afternoon Date

Today Mike's sister Marjorie was visiting from Aztec, NM. She volunteered to sit wtih Mike's parents for a few hours and invited Mike and I to leave for a date.

Plan A: Drive to LaSal-->Paradox, CO.

We are not ten miles out of town - at Devil's Canyon - when we run straight into snow and ice on the road and an overturned car. We decided to turn around and head south.

Plan B: Bluff and the Bluff Fort

Neither Mike nor I were too excited about Plan B, but honestly, it turned out great!

First, we ate at Simpson's. Their fries are delicious and so is the fry bread! Eating at Simpsons is always good. (This part of the plan we were okay with.)

Mike at Simpson's with the Navajo Twins in the background

Our next stop was the Bluff Fort. Members of the original Hole in the Rock company settled the Bluff area in 1880 and built this fort. When here three or four years ago, the fort was rundown, but so much renovation has occured. It is really cool!

Mike standing outside of the meeting house

Mike pointing to Walter C. Lyman,
his great-grandfather who came through
Hole-In-The-Rock at age 17.

Sidney holding the hand of a prophet (John Taylor).

John Taylor was the prophet who issued the

mission call to those families who settled Bluff.

Hanging out of a window of the Barton Cabin

General view of the fort

Thanks so much Marjorie for giving us a few hours off. We so enjoyed our date!