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Showing posts from July, 2013

Old Ephraim

A couple of weeks ago my son, a few friends and I went on a Saturday ride to Old Ephraim's Grave.  Who is Old Ephraim, you ask?  He was the last and biggest grizzly bear in Utah.  He roamed the Cache National Forest from circa 1911 until his death on August 22, 1923.  In researching the story about Old Ephraim, I stumbled upon this told in four parts by Blair Henderson on YouTube contributed by Oak Norton.  Join the camp fire with his family and listen to him tell the story.   Old Ephraim Story Part 1 Old Ephraim Story Part 2 Old Ephraim Story Part 3 Old Ephraim Story Part 4 There are several jeep trails that will get to the grave site.  We drove up Logan Canyon and came in from Temple Fork.  The road is narrow and difficult to navigate unless you are on an ATV, jeep or four wheel drive.  In fact, the road is narrow enough that as I was going up the mountain pulling a horse trailer, some girls were coming down in a sedan.  There wasn't room for the two of us to p

Everybody Out Of The Water!

We got the kids together and talked about places they wanted to go over summer break. Nathan said he wanted to go to "the place where the President's heads are shaved out of the mountain." Bryse said he wanted to go to Lake Titicaca. After further discussion, I advised the kids we could go to "Lake Kid Did a Caca", otherwise known as the "community swimming pool". I still remember our last visit to the swimming pool, just like it was yesterday: I was floating on my back in the lazy river, enjoying the afternoon when a lifeguard from the spotting tower started blowing his whistle. Loud sirens then started blaring and helicopters flew overhead. A lady next to me started screaming, "Shark! Shark!" Immediately following this, people started to panic and began exiting the water as fast as they could. It was not a pretty scene. Children started crying for their mothers. Mothers started crying for their husbands. Husbands also

Life Is A Competition

I was entertained by two of my young nephews on Sunday.  One showed the other a toy and said proudly, "this is my car and I'm big enough to take care of it."  The other, not to be bested by this revelation said, "ya, so, I'm five." This caused me to reflect on other young challenges. "My dad is bigger than your dad."  By the way, this is an argument my child has never won.  In unique fashion my child may counter with, "oh yeah, well, my dad has less hair than your dad."  You can hear the boldness of the statement fades in its delivery as my child realizes this may not be something to be proud of. So much in life seems to be a competition.  We have desires to be the first to declare tidings.  News agencies will claim, "you heard it hear first." Athletic teams reunite every year to compete and be declared that season's champion. Chickens have pecking orders, dogs have an Alpha. Horses will have a Boss and this domin

Kachina Falling Star

Do you remember the old Perry Como song, Catch A Falling Star? One of my horses is named Kachina.  I sing to her: Kachina Falling Star and Put It In Your Pocket,  Never Let It Fade Away! Kachina Falling Star and Put It In Your Pocket,  Save It For A Rainy Day! I'm here with Kachina and singing to her.  She's not interested..... Sometimes I'm in the mood for West Side Story.  You know this one too, right? Kachina The Most Beautiful Sound I Ever Heard: Kachina, Kachina, Kachina, Kachina.... All The Beautiful Sounds Of The World In A Single Word... Kachina, Kachina, Kachina, Kachina, Kachina.... I've Just Met A Girl Named Kachina And Suddenly That Name Will Never Be The Same To Me Kachina! I've Just Kissed A Girl Named Kachina..... (it is when I get to this point she has had enough and walks away)

Headlights and Tail Lights, Angels and Demons

We were driving home late the other night and Nathan said, "I like to think of the tail lights in front of us as devils." "And I like to think of the headlights behind us as Angels." "We are leading the battle of Angels and we're chasing all of the devils." I loved the creativity and imagination.  I had to share.  Driving at night will never be the same.  I have a feeling those words will stick with me. I thought a bit beyond his description and thought of those who pass me on the freeway.  They were once the Angels following me into battle.  Are they now Angels in the lead or the demons we chase?