Multi-week Post

Two consecutive weekends in Idaho and pictures from both.

First..last weekend (7/23-24). I wanted to fly but the plane was still in TSA Prison--inside the security perimeter of the Provo Airport. Absolutely a beautiful weekend for flying as severely clear with no wind but alas, I ended up driving north. Productive in getting lawns mowed and watered as well as trees trimmed and a little weed eating.

The highlight was running out to Hopkins landing on Saturday night with Dad, the Hunters and Don's family. We took the sail boat but...again, it was perfect weather for flying but not sailing. Still had fun pulling the kids on kneeboards and tubes behind Sparkles (I think that's what they call the boat). Fascinating as we pulled Grant across the lake (Blackfoot Reservoir) a loan seagull flew in and started pumping right above him. The light from the setting sun illuminated his white body clearly against the darkening sky and you could clearly see his wings, muscles and feathers as he angled back and forth riding the wind. Then another came and a third and soon a whole flock of seagulls were pumping along behind Grant on the kneeboard.

Afterwards a hot dog cookout (Hebrew National--thanks Webb boys for the tip!) and a fire and a good time and food was had by all!

Sunday was also fun as after church, we all (Hunters, Dad & Mom and the kids--Kent & Mignon had to go to Grays Lake and get cows in) congregated at the guest house for dinner and then a lovely evening watching the sunset. Weather and temperature were absolutely perfect!

This weekend (7/30) turned out to be Idaho as well. Friday night, with new airport pass in hand, I went out to the airport and did a detailed check of the plane (it's been on the ground since March!) then did a short flight to Goshen to check on progress of the new Jerusalem and temple--still sort of looks like a new dairy in progress to me but it's coming.

Then, arose early Saturday morning and took off before the tower was in operation and flew to Mountain Green. I'd heard this could be a very tricky airport so was a little nervous but landed from the south and had plenty of room to get stopped. Dan was waiting for me and he piled in and we took off. A noticeable difference with two people on board and although we missed not having David come, I was glad we had a lighter load. We climbed out, flew over Logan and were soon barreling down on the ranch. Dad says I should fly lower and turn steeper so he can see me but even slowed down, we're still doing 140 mph and with thoughts of the Mooney crash in Grace just a couple of weeks ago, I'm cautious. Anyway, landed in Soda and were met by Tatoo. For those of you old enough, on the show Fantasy Island, the midget Tatoo always said, "Boss, the plane! The plane!" And then he drove to pick up the new batch of guests from the plane in a jeep. Don came got us in his yellow Jeep that has had the top off all summer so far.

We were treated to a breakfast of huckleberry pancakes with chokecherry syrup, "kicken chicken" eggs and bacon...delicious! Dan and I then drove the Nova to Bench and enjoyed of day of working. Dan was getting things ready for his youth conference coming up and I did more mowing, weeding and watering. Then we both took NAPS! It was awesome--I slept under a tree on the new hammock that Kent bought at the scout auction. Dan slept in Dad's camper up by the stream.

Towards evening, Dad asked, "How much av fuel will $20 buy?" So he and I drove up as the sun was setting and took the Mooney for a spin out past Woodall Mountain where he used to work for Simplot. I was a little unnerved as the prop would not feather on run up and we took off anyway thinking that it was ok as the default position is for it to run flat. However, we had full tanks of gas and climbing at a safe RPM proved to be difficult. After the gear was retracted and flaps up, I tried again and this time it worked (probably need to be warmed up more) and we had all kinds of climbing power. We flew north to the Knollin Ranch and then back to land with Dad flying most of the way (see video).

Up this morning and back to Utah. It was overcast and there were a few showers but the air was generally smooth and still. We went through a little rain south of Logan but the sun was shining in Mountain Green where I dropped Dan then back to Provo. We left home at about 5:50am and I was in my truck headed for the Orem house by 8:20.

Flying is very interesting. Not having flown for a while, I'm always a little anxious. Also, with a passenger and then with any mechanical oddity. Just kind of on edge all the time. But then when it's all over and everything's safe, it's like--Let's do it again! Life gets to feel sort of routine or like drudgery then you go through an anxious experience and everything seems good again. Maybe there's a deeper lesson here.

Anyway, here's what I know of news of the family.

Dad and Mom are doing well. It was so funny to see Dad riding on his orange Allis Chalmers little tractor with a whole flock of white pullet chickens running along side him and out ahead to the chicken coop as they knew he was going to give them food. Mom has started her harvest with picking beans and squash as well as raspberries. Last night, she was in the patch with her bonnet and a belt off of which hung a pitcher that was two thirds full of raspberry red (we also dined on raspberry short cake and whipped cream).

Paula met Dad & Mom in Pokey and chauffered them to Idaho Falls for Mom's doctor's appointment. They had the extra treat of Anna and Francie joining them and afterwards dined at Red Lobster. Clayton is still in the US on his way to Iraq (even though he's been gone a week) and Jessica is flying into Boise tonight (Sunday) to spend some time with the family. I think everyone's heard the rumored news that Hayden and Madeline are getting married on November 11th. Haven't heard the details of how the proposal went but we'll look to writers in the Webb family to give us the particulars.

The Steven Clegg's have been spending their time at the cabin in Morgan for the last couple of weeks. Jamie's last letter "set the hook" for the beginning of her book--I'll leave it to her to continue! Here's a picture of Timp early Saturday morning. If all went well, Spencer was standing on top at the time as he was going to hike up starting at midnight and be there for sunrise.

Jill's been to St. George with Priscilla seeing Shakespeare and the Little Mermaid at Tuacan. Erin's home in a couple of weeks from Redfish where things have been going good for her and Hayley.

Kent's been like the operations manager at Disneyland! Can't even count the number of groups of people that are taking advantage of his slide and fish pond. This week was Stacy Hale's kids and family from South Carolina. A couple of weeks ago, Mark Clegg's ward for youth conference. Maurice Clegg's family. Brian Christensen's son and friends.... and more. All the kids are tanned, sun bleached hair and calloused feet from no shoes. Saturday, the three girls were shearing their sheep and getting them ready for their showings at the fair next week.

The Littlefields spent last week in California. Shane had an assignment in Oakland so they drove and saw the sights of the Bay Area. Melissa is readying to move into her new dorm (really, it's brand new--replacements for Deseret Towers) in a couple of weeks.

Ben's been fighting failing exchangers and some other work stuff. Megan and Alex are due back from their month long honeymoon tonight and back to work tomorrow--that's going to be a tough reentry!

The Hunters are doing good--Cami's enjoying her new job as an admin at a clinic where they work with recovering meth addicts. The girls enjoyed Grandma's camp in Santa Cruz and all came back sunburned. Andrew had a great time with Kai and Joe (watch the video again).

Don, Greshen and kids spent yesterday at Bear Lake with friends. Emily is working at Arctic Circle in Soda and looking forward to her first pay check! They're headed to McCall in a week for a Butterfield reunion.

And Frank, Melissa and kids...doing well I think. I'm still waiting for the picture of Andrew riding his bike that his dad was going to take and send (by Andrew's orders!). I understand that they now have light or at least the potential of light in their dark basement as the new french doors and large windows have been cut out of the back side of the house. It's kind of like having a new house...without having to move, no?

Anyway, that's all I know. Love you all!

Peter