Chilling!

Do you ever think about some of the craziness of the way we go about living life? We race the clock only to try and relax when the rush of things is over. Chilling out is kind of a novelty to seventy percent of the world. How do you define chilling out also? For many it is feet up and sitting in front of a very big screen. Others maybe a good nap. Some reading an interesting article or book. Some others in a chair near a mountain lake or stream. Maybe even by a toasty warm fire with a loved one sharing a good blanket. Even the special kind of chilling out cuddles and hugs from a grandkid or four.

For many years we have been chilling out camping in the backcountry. Not always considered chilling out for some peeps in this life. We often spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars to go live like a nomad or homeless person in the hopes that we can connect with the earth and maybe reset our internal body clock. I have heard many comments on just this kind of activity. “No sleeping in the woods for me, there are bears and snakes out there, but there's no Wi-Fi, my skin and hair don't mix well with dirt and campfire smells, and so on. Then there is the flip side of the comments. Woke up early and the sun rise was just breathtaking, ate breakfast watching the deer and elk wandering past, caught the biggest one of them all today, and the best one, I haven't missed my alarm clock one bit.

They say even a bad day fishing beats a good day at work. I get that not everyone chills out with rod and reel but hopefully ya see the digs of it. So, what is it that gets your chill on? For some it maybe a combo thing with chill and thrill too. Yeah. Ya have to go there to be there. Rappelling a waterfall, catching a northern Pike and nearly breaking a pole, or jumping from a plane and trusting a sheet of fabric to let ya down slowly. Think of it may be riding the biggest rollercoaster or floating the lazy river. Skiing down a black diamond run in the steep and deep with untracked powder. Dropping off the K12 so to speak (so of you 80’s peeps may remember that one).

Take that time however you must and live life. If not, we only look back on things, we regret that we didn't do more fully than the things we do. Granted I have a few do’s that may have been a well you shouldn't have done that but I'm more guilted by why “dint's”. So, ski, fish, and yes even nap so you feel chilled and leave fewer what ifs.

She is the Mama of Six awesome kids!

     Yeppers! She is the Mama of Six awesome kids and many others that see her as Mom. I know she down plays herself but she is like a fine diamond ring. The value is so priceless that it and her cannot be compared to anything else out there because there is nothing that comes even remotely close to her. She has the distinction as a tough one but has had to be at times to keep a few teenagers on a path going forward and uphill. Also, she is very loving and has one of the warmest hearts any mother could ever be given by the Great Creator. For many of the world that have ever crossed life’s path in some way with her they know that she cares a lot about seeing people become what God sees in them. Just like many in the world, we all struggle with beating ourselves up and even down. We too often try to feed ourselves the lie that “I don’t add up.” She more than adds up and stands out. Yes, she isn’t so much a big fan of being in front of a camera but I love to see the smile in her dark and beautiful eyes. I love to see her smile when she is surrounded by her kids and the countless others that bring out the smile in her. Start with the six and add them all up and she has a well-stocked house full of very awesome and special accomplishments. 

     Granted I haven’t been much help in a lot of the training of the kids but I am grateful to have the best of the best in a parenting companion for me. She has so many cool names she is called by the six and a few others. They call her Mother, Mom, Mama, Mamita, Grandma, and Nana. I’m sure Mama and Nana are the names that she hears and loves best, but she has many more that some very dear peeps call her or have called her that listing them is kind of hard. No one affects us in our lives quite as much as the mothers, grandmothers, and aunties in our life. Please friends don’t compare you or yours to any one because God made the women of the world different so we could help each other in so many ways and every one of them are extremely special. This awesome mother of six has so many talents that are not seen by the world and in many ways should be, but the kids in her life know some of those awesome things. She is a diamond in so many ways that to know where to start counting would be hard to do without missing some along the way. So, Happy Mother’s Day to the Mama of Six that has effected not just six and others but me in so many ways. 

Adventures with rod and reel.

Adventures with rod and reel.

My Uncle was a man of fun hobbies and adventures from building up a Jeep from a crate to luring fish. For many years he didn't have someone on the short side to follow him around of his own so I readily volunteered. To this day I only recall him getting on me about something a two or three times. Once for a cast with a hook grazing him and then later in my days for some not so good of thinking with a life choice. That Jeep took us to some remotely situated holes with the likes of which people take ya blind folded and threaten your next of kin if the secret ever leaves your mouth. My uncle was the type to sneak up on those fish that they didn't see it coming and warn the rest of them. Those fish feared his name. One of those days we happened to be at a spot we called the glory hole. We hadn't been there long and were saving those fish from drowning left and right when all of a sudden there is some serious crashing in the trees and brush near us. The hair stood straight up on my already buzz cut head and I look around trying to see if I was about to be done fishin for life. Then I see it. A badger! Between me and the Jeep now where to go. Almost fell in the good ole glory hole. One wild experience too say the least. Not every trip was as wild with the uncle but good times just the same. I can't recall if I caught my first fish on trips with the uncle but my biggest string full sure was and yeppers it happened at the glory hole. Made many a trip to the glory hole and other goodies along Caulk Creek, corn creek, maple Creek to name a few but the best ones will forever remain a secret between a boy and his uncle.

I have fished many a lake and stream in my many of days. The only time I ventured a fishing trip on a Sunday I found some bad luck. New Shakespeare pole and reel and thinking this was my day to hook the big one. I went early to one of those secret spots and thinking I could get the limit quickly and of course a nap. After a few good casts I get a fine hit to the line set me some hook. Then would ya know my foot had the crazy notion to slide backwards on slippery bottom of a cheap rental tinny boat. Try to save grace and pride I grabbed for the side of the boat and let go of the pole. Scrambling frantically all I could get was a fist full of Moss and water as I see the pole make haste and leave me. I can honestly say to this day even when I wasn't doing the best in life with something's I never fished among other things ever again on a Sunday.

I spent many a trip with a brother in law also. I remember one trip in particular as it was the first time I had gone ice fishing. Early morning, we went to Strawberry where fishing was said to be happening. We punched some holes and did our best to stay warm.  The first fish I hooked as it neared the hole looked too big to come through the small hole. Wow! We were pulling in fish about as fast as we could bait the lines and sink them. About forty minutes later we had the limit and a fine keep. Rather than being cold any longer we headed for a nice grill in Heber for some breakfast. As much as I like to catch fish and save them from drowning, I love me some bacon and eggs too. I'm not much for eating fish so those that know me well know that if you on a trip with me you may well end up with my stringer also.

In the dozen plus years being around various groups of teenagers I have seen some crazy and astounding things fishing. From scouts to foreign exchange students you see it all. Kids catching bushes, fingers, Moss, boat seats, and some of the friends. Yes, and some of the best fishermen and gals. Some of the most fun was finding some that fit the joking of swallowing a story hook, line, and sinker. It always added to the fun of the trip.

Two things that go together are naps and angling. But time spent with family and friends is the most important things. Many of my kids enjoy angling and some even like to eat fish. Lots of great memories with kids and my wife. Fishing with a small boy that graced our family for a time with some special needs was of course a very unique experience but a very special memory too. I look forward to building the same memories with the next generation of anglers in the family now that there are grand kids to have fun with also.

A lot of well-known people enjoyed and still enjoy fishing in its many forms like George Washington, Herbert Hoover, Kevin Costner, and Jack Nicklaus to name a few. But with that said none of those compares to my awesome angling Uncle. But there are a few that may surprise you now and then like Thomas Monson. So if you’re going to set the bar I put my Uncle up there with Pres Monson, and Peter of old, and yes the greatest Fisher of men the Savior. Besides being able to catch fish it is a good thing to catch the souls of men from drowning also.

Sleep deprived and other interesting peeps.

Sleep deprived and other interesting peeps.

Having been a bit in need of sleep countless times in my life, I can see how crazy people can act at times in life. I add to that the sometimes effect of too large a dose of some commonly used allergy remedies. Knowing me to be at a time early in my life missing a few of my digits and being something rarely brought up in most conversations. Normally things said at late night or very early morning hours would be forgotten by most but I challenged a promise that it could very well find its way blogged. Of course I will in my own way tell about the event with some added coloring of embellishment.

During a late night at my in-laws around Christmas, the slightly older bunch were engaged in playing games. A sister in law having come in contact with something that her body deems bad, and thus partook of Benadryl. The comment was made that surely someone must be holding out on the playing of game pieces. I piped up let me see. Not playing the game myself I figured it to be safe. Nope! The sleep deprived and Benadryl impaired sister in law snaps out "don't touch it or you'll lose another finger". Shock filled the room and the shock was extremely viewed on her face. It was kind of sure embarrassment and she was red in the face. She apologized quickly for the rash outburst. To break the thickness of tension I joke of it and gave a laugh. It's all good with me because I know the feeling of sleep deprivation and the combined effects of your average allergy remedies.

Lesson of the story be as we often say things that cause us resentment in moments of anger, delirium, and pain. Remember we are human and we are striving for some day to find some degree of perfection in our lives. Asking for forgiveness for these moments is key. So forgive me for in some way using you (my sister in law) for this posting but it may be of use to some soul someday also. Be careful also as to the things you think someone may have said that are not meant as we take them. Never assume that it was meant as a dagger aimed to stab us and cause pain. Often if we want to be offended we look for things to claim. Always give the benefit of doubt and know that we don't have a full story to go on. Good to pray for understanding and let God. God loves us in spite of our character flaws, lack of sleep, lack of understanding, and times of failure. May we ever be blessed to be more understanding and forgiving of others.

Hang'n with a one-year-old.

Hang'n with a one-year-old.

Challenging to some and not for others. Most toddlers have in their fuel tank enough energy at least twenty times of that of most adults. For a few of us it would be more like fifty times more energy. Hanging out with a grandson full of energy can of course be a challenge in keeping up with him but a blessing in keeping my mind in constant thinking mode of how to stay a step ahead of him. He has the built and mannerisms of a bit older and larger version with a Nick name of the bull Dozer. Yeppers if it crashes, bangs, beeps, or makes a big sound he likes it. A can with small tiles is more exciting to him then the contents with in. Whether he is eating a sandwich or pulling the longer whiskers on my face I relish the energy he has. One super proud papa that gets the opportunity to play, attend, watch, and hug him.

On some day in the near future we will of course have to write about the sister with the attitude. But for now it will be another day. They say hanging with your grandkids helps ward off dementia. If that proves true I should be sharp as a tac, unless dealing with our children has damaged my mind in other ways.

Roll with it!

Roll with it!

In twenty something years you come to know many people and have a hard time pulling up stakes and moving. Some people we have come to know by the way they serve others in their life. One family we came to know in that time because the kids of the family were good leaders in the area and had a way of making our family feel important to others around them. Add to that that the mother of the family can cook so awesomely that Martha Stewart would be an amateur. We had many a blessing of the bread and other baked goods of her hands. Great people that helped me to know that even the hardest times can be the best of times. Many of the people in the area came to know us personally and that we are just people trying to make it through life and see if we can understand how it all works. We had many great adventures with the people of the area. We do miss lots of those people greatly and they will always be a big part of our lives and the lives of our kids. May God ever bless the people of the City of Enoch of our day.

For the past few months we have been as a ship sailing around an island looking for the best place to drop anchor and venture a shore. We have met many good hearted people who would love it if we would stay in their neighborhoods. Of course our son is always wishing us just a bit closer to them than we are. I have to say the hanging with the grand kids is always fun and enjoyable. We are still trying to get used to the empty nester life. We get a good kick when we go to church and people wonder where are family is. Don’t worry they caught us long enough to get us to do the unthinkable and speak in church. I would say I’m set for the next five years and as far as that again (speaking in public is not on my list again anytime soon). I would just as soon fall in a freezing cold pool of water or face a rattle snake in a slot canyon. We are kind of keeping the door open to things over the next few months to see what the Lord has in mind for us but that is how we roll with it in life.

Don’t ever think when you’re planted some place that it is where you will be for the rest of your life or even die there because God has a way of making the wind stop blowing so to speak and having your caravan pick up and move on. We keep asking what it is he has in store for us and maybe we will get to see it soon enough. For now we will just have to have the faith of many an explore in the history of the world that push on knowing there is something more out there to see and do.

Kids, Cars, and Busted!

Kids, Cars, and Busted.

A bit of an explanation as to the cast in the post.

Thing 1 is the oldest son

Thing 2 is oldest the Daughter

Thing 3 is a Daughter

Thing 4 is a Daughter

Thing 5 is a Son

Thing 6 is a Son

Every kid dreams about the day they get to sixteen and take that driver test. Every parent has mixed emotions each and every time it happens. When it happened for me I thought I was free but that is another story for another time. You sweat bricks with the first one and think it will kill you yet. Then you realize it is going to be that way with pretty much all of them.  You always hope that everything you teach them will keep the car up right and as few of dents in it as can be expected. So ya teach them driving on dirt, ice, snow, etc the whole time grabbing the seat and clawing the dash board. Ya pray that if things aren’t the best that they call you to bring it home on a trailer in at least one or as few of pieces as possible. Well at least there is hope!

Well we can start with Kid/thing 1. Thing 1 spends the afternoon working on the car, changing the oil, lube job etc. Snap decision to warm it up to check the Trans fluid and out on the road it goes. A mile or so to warm it up and he should be good. The quicker you can get it to the warm side the better. Right? Yeppers when you’re warmed up and pulling in the yard ya bring a visitor with ya. Yeppers a car with added disco lighting. Ya find things going from bad to worse when Mama comes out of the house. She tells the visitor that when he is done with the formalities that the permit is now hers. She tells thing 1 as she is returning “you’re so busted mister!” Not the greatest situations for thing 1 considering me and the local judge have been on a good first name basis for years. I told my judge friend not to throw the book at him but give him the book case full all at the same time and he smiled. Thing 1 had some other driving experiences and encounters with the law over the next couple of years. Once in a ditch but he called his uncle Wheel’n Roland to help him dig out that time. A few years past and we were sitting in church and he happens to see the visitor of years previous and says that is the cop that gave me the reminder once. Yeppers I tell him that’s our church home teacher and friend. The look on his face was priceless!

Well jumping ahead about six to seven years by now. We come to an occurrence with Thing 5. We had thins going on that day and Thing 4 had to go to the swimming pool after school. So after an appointment in town with Thing 5 we drop of the Beast (suburban) at the school. Thing 5 is to give the keys for the Beast to Thing 4 at lunch break. So we (my great wife and I) go home thinking all is well and I can get some rest before work that night. About an hour or so passes and there are calls coming in to our home phone and cell phones from the school. On the way to the school we are thinking of what will happen to this situation. We get to the office and are kindly escorted in to a conference room by the principal and the resource officer. There sits Thing 5 looking as worried as cat about to fall out of a tree into a pond. Thing 4 shows up at about that time with stress written on her face like she had been watching a bad movie and eating burnt potato chips. Thing 4 has the keys to the Beast at this point and hands them over to me and goes back to class. Well it seems Thing 5 had gone wild in a parking lot close to the school with some others in the Beast with him. He had gone fast enough in turns to slip the tires hard enough that one had removed it’s self from the rim. Then driving a crossed some lawn. After the ride Thing 5 gave the keys to Thing 4 telling her "there seems to be a flat tire". Finish the stuff with the school and officer. Thing 5 suspended for a few days and a ticket to boot. We look at the Beast and sure enough there is a flat tire. Thing 5 gets a crash course in tire care and changing. Off to the tire shop to see what kind of damage repair we were into now. So the friend at the shop looks at the tire and the rim and pulls me aside. He tells me the tire and rim are ok and we should be good but if I want to play it on the kid he’s game. About this time Thing 5 is sweating a semi-load of bricks and thinking he will be working the rest of his life to get out of this one. A few weeks pass and we go with him to see the Juvie PO about the next steps with the ticket. His mama is on this one and she expects him to pay up big with this. Lesson learned so far!

We skip back to Thing 4 and parking a car in to a bumper of her own small ride. Thing 4 kept me hopping with dead batteries, flat tires, and a missing key once.

Thing 3 had a scrap with the trash can and the back of the house. Had a car back in to the car while it was parked. But for the most part if it would run she fixed it (I didn’t help much). She did get pulled over once because she didn’t look old enough to be driving. The officer asked why she was driving and not Thing 2 that looked a bit older. She just told him she had been driving longer.

Thing 6 had some things happen with low oil and then a quart or five too many. Telling me the car is too hot. And well half cow tip’n Thing 3’s car in to a fence post and ditch on a gravel road. Leaving a good mark on the car, flat tire, and broken rear axle. Just glad it wasn’t with me in it. I can only imagine what it could have been. It must have been an interesting conversation with Thing 6 and Thing 3.

Thing 2 still has the ultimate clean driving record. Still has yet to scratch, dent, or ding a car or truck owned by me. She is an insurance agent’s worst client as they would not make any fee.

There have been some other stories also but they will need to be embellished more by themselves. So if you have kids and cars you know many stories. If you have little kids i recommend life insurance and lots of Rolaids.

Patience and a Sense of Humor

Patience and a sense of humor

When you sit back and look at people in the world and the crazy things they do and say, it hits ya that God for sure has some serious patience and a sense of humor. I mean I'm a bone head and do some things and have done things that would for sure be classed as pure stupidity at the least. So you may see where one could look at some one doing something and say Yeppers there's another one. Take for example some crazy young feller's riding a bicycle created from broken parts from the trash dump and jumping off a ramp build with scrap lumber taller than most of them and hoping for favorable results. While this crazy is happening the big man upstairs is sending a few extra guardians too ensure there is nothing serious but maybe so bumps, bruises, and a little road rash. He probably shakes his head and wondering how much until they get it but knowing some peeps are just real hard headed. But young and hard headed is great if it doesn't stay in to the later years of life.

 I use the example on a neighbor I had in the past that I'm sure is a member of the 1000 chances club. I don't think in any way God would give up on any one but some peeps I think if he wanted to would be one of the first in line for the spank'n machine. When you get hit by something and ya go back for more and God doesn't call you out on it with that whooping he could dish out then you can bet he is very patient. When you continue to use substances with liver damage and cancer while telling everyone you can't quit. I would be thinking Yeppers God is patient with him but I think God is holding out on him letting him live because maybe the All Powerful One is not ready to deal with him yet. I remember one day I hear a cement mixing unit clanking along next door. I just happen to be in the tool shed close enough to see and hear well. The neighbor was drinking down a few and leaning on a shovel. I hear him yelling at the mixer using a long string of verbal expressions and referencing the heaven and everything else on the earth too. I hear the mixer jam and drive belt squeal. He beats at it with the shovel yelling more color. It doesn’t move and he shoves the digger in the mixers mouth. Instantly the mixer moves with the shovel caught at this point and spinning it wildly. He makes an attempt at retrieval of the tool missing and have’n it boldly clock him aside the head. He sprawls out on the ground face sputtering in the dirt.

 You honestly couldn’t tell that God was thinking the humor in quieting the old heathen. Honestly he has to have a sense of humor or some peeps would be struck down. He has to be patient for sure. It makes me wonder if he sits up there with a large drink, popcorn, and candy and get a laugh watching the show many of the world put on as they show how much they just don’t get. I hope I have been able to taper some of my stupidity to a smaller amount of a show. I fall down a few stairs now and then and bite my tongue from saying any thing bad. But now I too get to see the show with my kids and grand kids. Hopefully they all shorten their show having a lot to learn from the generations of the past.

 This reminds me of the out of the blue head smack by Gibbs on the show NCIS. Many a person has gotten the smack but mostly Tony. A bit of a shock at first for most of the people it happens too but mostly it happens when someone does or says a bone head thing. It’s kind of like that with us I think too.

Fences, Barbwire, and hung up.

Fences, barbwire, and hung up. Some summer in Provo.

They say great fences have good posts, good field mesh, and yes barbwire. Summer time fun was always a trip or two to the pond. You can bet we didn't walk the road like most people would have. Over the fences and through the woods to the play ground with the rope swing. We went there often and things where a blast. You never expect things to go wrong when you're about to have a good time. The first fence is never a problem but everything changes with the last one. Half way over the top my foot made the choice to leave the cross post and drop me on the top wire. By now I’m thinking going under the fence like I had done many times before may have had better results. Some of you country folks could probably relate to a few ingenious predicaments of your own. Yes as you could guess headed to the pond I was adorned in swim’n get up too. So I’m yelling for help and hearing the laughs of the others as I hang there. At this point I know I have those mean barbs grabbing my shorts and shirt but at least once had my upper leg. Doing my best not to let the others know I’m not a wimp and start the crying thing. All the while doing the desperate wriggle to find that cross post with my unwilling stupid foot. After more wriggling than a snake racing for a hole to hide in my foot makes contacted with the post. I look down at the wire and my leg, UGH! I grabbed the fence tight as my head started to spin out of crazy. Carefully I worked to get the mean prong out of my leg and the thought came to me what are you doing. Then it hit me people bleed to death in the middle of nowhere land. The others attempted to help me free the shirt and shorts all the while telling me you don’t looks so good. After sitting down for a good spell I considered the situation and that the pond was not a great idea for this day. Patting Lucky on the back those mean thorns grazed a few other spots but didn’t impel but once and missing some serious spots by a few hundredths of an inch. Made my way back to the house thinking how lucky that was.

Some after notes for sure for the fence adventure. Don’t get distracted when you’re about to hop the fences of life.  It’s that time of distraction that things happen and things reach out and grab us. Even good fences have some meanness to them and need to be treated with an element of caution. Not every step we use to get over the hurdles in life is good and put us in the best place. Some of those steps we use or take leave us hung out to dry. Barbwire is great for encouraging livestock to stay in place but not human body friendly. That we often are used as accidental entertainment by others that don’t realize the extent of our pain at the time. Scars are reminders for the next time that not all bad situations are deadly. Always keep control of your emotions in the heat of the situation but when you get free of it let it go. Always hope those with you are capable of helping get un-hung or out of trouble and back on good ground. When things go wrong and they will, breathe and roll with it because things do happen. Changing direction or ways over the fence do come with new challenges and they will always change us. Prayer is a key element of change and God kind of likes to help us when things aren't going well and we are caught on the barbwire in life.

White washing the world

White washing the fence.

Back in the day, paint and painting had some real “stick to ya stuff.” Similar to the old story of Tom Sawyer, with the picket fence, is a story of my brother (the one just younger than me) and me doing a painting job. It was a wooden three board rail fence and my parents thought that we could handle the painting of it. Yeppers. We had good intentions, but were very poorly skilled workers. It was a hot cooker of a day, so having long pants and a shirt were not happening. I was about seven and my sidekick was about six. Back in the day, paint was not as user-friendly as it is today with the easy wash-up with water variety. With the area we needed to cover, we had been issued large brushes to speed the job up some. In the country setting, the bugs, flies, and gnat's were out in full force and buzzing around our heads. Seriously, what can ya possibly do to rid yourselves of the small pests? Yeppers. As you can fully guess, that large brush was as handy as a horse’s tail. Ya can't really blame someone when those little critters, especially the biting ones, were mean, to say the least. It was turning into quite the show, so much so that even the karate kid would have been jealous. The fence was done and we were also. But what about clean up? This is where it got crazy and wild. Generally, you would have something around called paint thinner or mineral spirits. Nope. We had to improvise. Gasoline it was. Not a good idea of fun, but a gas bath was in order. Thus was the story of the white washing of the fence. 

Craziness we call Benson.

So I get a call one day in early spring from the district representative for high adventure training for the scouting program. They were looking for help with planning a Kodiak training camp for the 14 to 17 year old boys for the Cedar Breaks area. They wanted to have a high adventure activity using Climbing and Rappelling. Their first thought was to have them go on a canyoning experience and we made arrangements to explore a possible area with some other rope junkies. We met on a Tuesday afternoon and made our way to the area with five of us geared to the ready. The first part of the hike seemed long and one of the others remarked that there is a shorter route but it had lots of hazardous stuff that may not be suitable for scouts and other groups. As we got to the top of the ridge we rested and found the trail (old wagon road). We stopped a few times along this part of the trail to look down at the road far below us noting we were possibly a good thousand feet above it. There is also on the other side of the canyon a formation of rock that is large and promenade called the hole in the rock. About twenty five minutes or so latter after bush whacking around some we managed to find the desired canyon. The dropping phase of this trip included four rappels ranging for 50’ to 110’ down waterfalls of the slot canyon. Easy half mile on a good path walk back to the road. This was just the start of the craziness we call Benson Creek.

Many a year or two has passed since that day in 2008. We have been to the area so much that it has become a quiet home away from home. We have since also placed a few Geocaches along the way to add to the adventure. Some trips have been in the early spring when the water is flowing higher and making for an outrageous experience. Other trips later in the year not as much water but fun none the less. Although the Kodiak camp experience was changed and we used a different venue, finding Benson Creek was a great trade off. There have been trips with scouts to Benson Canyon. 

One of the biggest statements about it came on the first trip there by my good wife. After hiking for ever she was not thinking much of the whole thing until we had dropped down the first waterfall and her whole mood changed. The statement of “you can’t have a bad mood for long walking in the woods” Not sure where it’s from or who said it. Something changes for many people when you get to play in the water where few people have been. She has been back so many times now that it must have left some kind of spot with her that is good. We have had graduation hikes, challenge hikes, things to prove hikes, birthday hikes, and many others in Benson. We have taken family, people we even consider family, many friends and new friends. There have been lots of diversity in the groups we have taken as well. Some groups of people from many states and some countries out in the world. Some interesting tidbits on this placed that happened or are ongoing. 

A tradition that started not long after going a second time was placing a rock or two on a stack on the top of the ridge. With that in mind, we stopped to rest and look down on one trip and a friend Sara started a rock pile. That same trip we came a crossed a small rattler at the bottom of the first Rappel. He was dazed and confused to the point of not caring much that we were there either. We came had and surprise one trip finding a house cat at the top of the first Rappel once also. Once crossing the upper meadow we spooked a large buck with a rack that any hunter would have been drooling over  with a good herd of deer running him. The meadow still has a few remaining things of years gone by when a man named Benson had a saw mill there. Very often we would encounter many shocked and camera happy people as we would make the last Rappel on our exit. Many people come to this area to hike and enjoy the lower area known to many as Hidden Haven not knowing that the greatest of water falls is deep in the canyon out of reach of the rest of the world with out a trusty rope.

There have many names of some of the crazies that have joined us on the hike of fame. There are a few cool birds we call Gull, some one that runs and likes to Dash, Dave’s not here, Let Mickey, The Wind, and many more. May the craziness live on long with the next generation of crazies! The connection of a soul is most often found in connecting with the wilds of nature. There is some solitude in the confines of a canyon that is narrow and deep. That is a short clip of the craziness we call Benson.

Wrestling with objects in a wonderland of white.

Wrestling with objects in the wonderland of white. After many years of doing crazy stuff in the out of doors I have slowed down a bit and decided to blog about life’s adventures. I always wondered why I liked to find the next rush of adrenaline and yet I didn’t care much for the cold. Tubes, boards, sleds, and yes an old car hood or two made for some serious fun. I’m reminded of a few good stories we read and shared at the condo in the hills from Patrick McManus. I remember he called some things a pleasant misery in his stories of the wonders of life. I can honestly say I cuddled up in fast motion to my share of brush and trees. Some serious things happen when you have your feet tightly fastened to items of sure death and destruction. Yes I play hooky many a good day of school to carve the fresh laid white on the hills. Large many of us were called “The out of control ski patrol” and “The rag time ski team”. It’s hard to stay away from the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Racing the gates on the NASTAR and trying for air from the ledges. The snow snakes and bogies loomed about waiting for their shot at us and laughing when they did. Yet even when we found ourselves face down in the cold white we always found the need to jump back in for more. In the end we always could place the blame of this insanity on our well meaning mother. Snow skiing was a kind of way of life for her growing up in the Doner area of the Cali. This craziness has spread for years from Mom to kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and on and on….. Even on those times that we didn’t head to the mountains, we found snow and a large slide in the yard to challenge us. Yes it is a family that relishes in the crazy and not limited to just the boys.

Brushes with the death star.

Brushes with the death side.

Thinking back on my life I am amazed that I survived at all. Brushes with the death side of things came early on in my life. About two or three years in to life we were camping near Flaming Gorge. Not sure as to the details but the story is I tripped and fell as most young kids do. Not landing in the best of places but landing none the less in the fire. Came out good in the end considering that we where miles from nowhere and no where close to a hospital.

One day a few years’ later (Maybe 4 years) walking across the road to home. Small toy rifle in hand I crossed the road not seeing the car. Toy flying from my hands and a blur passing fast. It was close and I didn’t even realize it was that much so until I was older. I would say this is brush number two but I can’t place the time frame on some of the things of the past.

With the time frame jumping as it has I also remember a large and rather mean rooster that attacked me in there some place. It leads more to the explanation of why I gag on eating meat of the fowl variety.

Cars, Trucks, and Motorcycles and I have had some rather fright filled times as well. From rolling over to head on and in to the trees and brush on two wheels. Bicycles aren’t safe either.

Those that would think playing with ropes can be just as close of calls too. Smashed fingers and face, cracked helmets, and a few thrilling rope stops on occasion. Some would say I had a kind of death wish but I have thrived on adrenaline. Yes I would say it is one of the notches ya get in your walking stick born in to a family of thrill seekers. May have some light to shine on things when ya look at the other self destructive behaviors I’ve had.

Yes ya have to add in the water and snow skiing, snowboarding, and tubing/sledding with stories for another day.

Not forgetting the one big one and the numerous other times of being burned and zapped by the wired monster called electricity. The big zap will take a post of its own. People often talk about the things they see in half way passing to the other side. It is a thing you don’t soon forget and most of the time try too.

It is the stuff that we fear most that we often hide and run from. Yes there have been many brushes and near passes to the other side. But knowing as I do now the love of a very loving God. I have come to not fear the reaper so to speak but have some peace. I do know that I was saved for some reason and still aloud to be here. Although life can give us a pretty wild ride, all we can do is sit down, shut up, and enjoy the ride.

Moving!

MOVING!

This is one of the things that you can depend on happening in life, Change. Moving is part of the change thing and it makes things crazy for sure. Growing up I moved so many times I thought for a time my dresser was a box. Yeppers, born in a small town and lived there for a few years. Then on to areas with more people. It seems the longer you stay in one place the more crazy stuff you collect. I’ve seen some amazing places in the journey. I had to do some thinking as to the location with the longest lay-over. Some of the stops along the way had light and great moments to share with some fantastic people. Some with some not so cool. I learned a lot of things in my moving around the country. I found I liked some pretty good things to eat along the way too, like mud bugs. It gives lots of stuff to write about that’s for sure. So here it goes with the places I have lived by myself and also with my family. Some of them I lived off and on and more than once at different times. The longest place I happened to live was with six plus kids. The places I’ve lived are: Fillmore (Utah), Pleasant Grove, Orem, Provo, Albany (LA), Slidell (LA), Gautier (MS), Mobile (AL), New Iberia (LA), Kenner (LA), Baton Rouge (LA), Ephraim (UT), Logan, Centerfield, Cedar City, Enoch, Vernal. Just to put the house count in there at maybe twenty-five ish. Not including camping and working in various places around the country doing jobs. Kind of make me wonder what is in store for the next ten to thirty years. But that could mean lots more adventures to have and write about.

Adventure in six!

Raising six kids has been an adventure to say the least. Six different temperaments. Six different personalities. Six different ways of thinking.

First born was on the early side of things. Balancing the scales at three pounds three ounces. Full of fight and not a hold of meanness in him. He had to have a blanket berm around him to keep him in the ICU bed. I would step on him all the time when he was smaller because he had to always be in the thick of it with me. Has called me Pops for so long I’m not sure he is sure we have somewhat the same name. Teen years presented many a close call with the law. Gladly for his hide there are some judges and police officers that are friendly to teen shenanigans. He did make the grades and Graduated UVU with an associate’s degree with honors. All is well to this point he is still alive, married, with some kids to return challenge his thinking.

Second child of the crew is a mysterious thinker. I found early that she could hold her own in the scuffles of life. School was a challenge for her due to people there. Books have always been her best friends. She managed to make things work with school and now sits as an accomplished writer and editor. Although hiking has not been one of her most favorite things she has check many fabulous adventures off the list of great places to be. She surpassed so much in being the first of my bunch to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree. She has a sweet side that is amazing caring and warm. On the other hand she has a fiery side that keeps things very interesting.

The third kid is the “let’s do this kid”. She has some pretty wide interests. She has challenged and stretches us keeping up with her. She has travel places of grander and yet also the simple and peaceful ones. From church missions to soldier she has some drive. She has a way with machinery and tools. Is a daddy’s Shadow through and through. She picks up things more easily than most like the piano, second language, sports, school, and more. She showed her strong independence side very young when she would not allow any one to help her do things. She made it a point to dress herself when any one tried to help it added to the challenge. She did at collage change a starter on a truck in the cold and snow. When she went to the auto parts shop for a new starter they asked if she needed helpful hints etc, she gave them the look of “well duh, I got it out didn’t I”.

The fourth is kind of the over achiever. She had the knack of making up homework to keep herself for being board. Plus doing her other sibling’s homework. We could never understand how she could keep going like the Energizer Bunny. She challenged us on many occasions with her hide and seek tricks that started at maybe two ish. Hiding in a hutch and then clothes racks at the store to name a few. Her last part of high school we watch as she balance classes, job, sports, and social life, adding maybe just enough time to eat, sleep, and run. Known for the barefoot climbing and mud parties. Where some would say EW to things it was her thing. So she now is perusing the nursing thing in school. She married this past July too a good hearted guy.

The fifth is the point guard of this team. He jolly heartedly pranked the rest of the clan. Help filled to the max. He would never say a word but just do things because they needed to be done. Like one big cuddly Teddy bear, he attracted kids. When he wacked out his knee we walk and talked many times as he got back up. He did have his follies along the path. Finding as flat tire in a parking area with the beast suburban. Chopping a few items with mowing equipment. Sleep walking while camping. His toughness can out big at about two, when molding came instantly off the walls when he touched it. He found a nick name quickly of “The Bulldozer”.  It took some time but he fixed many of his own mishaps. We had many of mix emotions sending him off on a church mission. We knew he needed to be there but missed his strong helpfulness. Missed his help in moving pianos, with him on one side and four of us on the other.

The sixth expanded the parental thinking. Creative to the point of almost deadly. He wanted to make a hang glider and jump off the house. Not that we didn’t have the tools or stuff he wanted but some of us didn’t want to help in endangering him. Known for his out of the box thinking. He has some very serious charm and especially with the girls. Lots of friends but no real serious arrangements with any of them per say. He is a planner and outlines a lot of how his next steps of life are going down. Finish high school this past year and now off to the next phase of his plan. He has never really spent a time away from home so his next stop could be an adjustment. Boot camp in the east with other training in the mid south.