Autumn Update

Days tick by and things happen. Where does time go? Only a few short years ago, my father, on his 65th birthday, indicated that time had slipped by so fast. As only a 29 year old can understand, I remember thinking, "is he crazy, he's had a great life". That was almost 30 years ago and the passage of time is picking up speed. I understand his sentiment and want to crowd memories into minutes.

For the past 3 autumn trips, I have driven to Palm Desert, while She Who Adores Me, has flown down, then ridden back. The first year, Mike G. rode down with me and we had a great time golfing in Utah, then checking out Laughlin, NV. (Save your money, it's old and so are most of the habituants.) For the past 2 years, I have travelled alone and cherish a little alone time. I think that I could drive for 2 days and never turn on the radio, just enjoying my own thoughts and the drive.

Anyway, Gerry flew to San Jose to spend a few days with Carly and Jesse in their new home and I journeyed alone.

Day One, I spent in Raymond attending to housing duties with a late afternoon departure to Cahoon's cabin in Polson, MT. Their home in Polson is exactly what a cabin should be; not too elaborate and very tight and comfortable. For a day and a half, we talked house stuff, went to some cabinet makers and show homes and got our heads around their project. I am grateful for their forbearance as progress is tedious but we are grinding it out. Drew managed to drag me, kicking and screaming to play 9 holes of golf at the Polson GC. Mostly we talked as I marvelled at his most excellent, although somewhat screwy mind.

Day Three, my goal was Salt Lake City, an 8 hour drive. Somehow, the car swerved off the road at Anaconda, the site of The Old Works Golf Course and before you could say, "if you want to play golf, there is a twosome on the first tee", I was off for a very enjoyable 4 hours with 2 Montana good old boys. What did it matter if I arrived in SLC at 4:00 p.m. or at 9:00?

The stream that cuts Old Works off from the world.
It is world class.

3 great days of golf in Utah with Tommy and Rory. (Alright 2 great days and one forgettable one). The new Sand Hollow Golf Resort in Hurricane, UT is going to be a winner. Check out some of the photos. I enjoyed a 3 hour visit with Kristen, our next door neighbor and a champion. She is a klutz, though and I wasn't all that surprised to see her hand all wrapped up. She is prone to pratfalls and had walked into a post earlier in the day, breaking a bone in her hand.

Sand Hollow Golf Resort. A winner!

Creme de la creme was the week in Palm Desert. We had a crowd this year. Jesse and Carly came down for Friday and Saturday nights, Princes, as always, were there, Goodrows were already at their home in Desert Hot Springs and the Doug and Nancy Jacksons and Harry and Susan Karchs' made up the complete guest list. It was hot!!! Temperatures were in the 104 - 107 F. with very little overnight relief. I felt like we almost lost most of the men in the extreme heat. It seems that riding on a golf cart, hitting a little white ball, with lots of clothes on does have some effects.

We barbequed, ate out, shopped (and shopped), sat by and in the pools, checked out the markets, went to church, played a few games, sweltered and time went by way too fast. We'll do it again (and again, I hope).

On the return leg, we had geared up to attend a reunion with people that I had served an LDS mission with in 1970 - 1972. It was marvelous, although most of the attendees hardly looked like they might have once been 19 years old. This mug shot is reminiscent of me at that time.

In actuality, the reunion was very emotional for me, people remember only the best about each other, we forgive imperfection and want the very best. I visited with many former companions and love them for their goodness.

Our adventures home continued with us picking up a U-Haul truck in Missoula, MT, then bringing home a load of appliances and stuff for our projects.

This photo is a candid of our guest of honor on Sunday past. We have so much for which to give thanks, we are overwhelmingly blessed. SWAM is the best at putting on a great feast on these special occasions. And lastly, who is this little girl that we are seeing more of?