Over The Next Mountain

FAMILY WEEKEND 1/28-30/2012

2012-02-01T17:22:00.000-08:00

Jed and Kate flew in from N.Y. for the weekend. We picked them up from Kate's brother's house south of the SF Airport and took them up to Santa Rosa on Saturday. There we all spent the weekend with Jared and Angi and crew.

We went as a family to tour the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield. Our dentists were all very happy for the upcoming visits we will all need from all the sweets we ate that day. Tons of free samples!!!

Too many Jelly Bellies in the belly tend to make one a little excited!!!

A picture made totally out of Jelly Bellies. The Hulk was still looking for more free samples!

Free hats, free samples, free tour!! Hog Heaven!!

They gave these to me for free!!!

Back at the house, Oranges gave us a free concert!

Grandma counts back points for Bananas as she pins Uncle Jed.

Dog Pile! on Uncle Jed!!!

After a full and busy weekend, we took Jed and Kate to the SF Airport on Monday. On the way there we stopped in SF near Height St and walked up to the top of the hill near the Egyptian Ambassador's house to enjoy the view. Here Jed and Ann stop for a rest. Then we went out to lunch, dropped them off at the airport and drove back to our trailer. On the way we stopped at a fruit stand and a mushroom farm to stock up on fresh supplies.

We will leave Morgan Hill Thousand Trails Preserve Thursday, February 2 and head south to Soledad Thousand Trails Preserve near Acton, CA. We will stay there 2 weeks, visiting and taking pictures of houses where our parents, grand parents and great grandparents once lived, visiting cousins and relaxing before heading to Palm Springs, CA. We have been in the Bay area a few months. It is time to move on.

COWS AND FAMILY 1/24/2012

2012-01-24T13:09:00.000-08:00

Plans change, life happens, goals are altered, some things are added to the plan, some things deleted. It doesn't matter whether we are living in a house in a stationary life or mobile and on wheels. Life is full of decisions and adaptations. Thus has been our last several weeks. Is it bad? No, just opportunities for rethinking things.
We had planned to be in Southern California by now, but the last three weeks have been spent in the Hollister/Gilroy, California area. Matter of fact, as we looked at the calendar the other night, we have been in the Bay Area since late October. Not that we mind, it's been good. Just different than we planned.
A couple weeks ago we learned that Betty Huff (Ann's deceased father's wife) had passed away. We left our trailer and headed to Redding for a couple days to attend the funeral.
Here we are sitting with Ann's brother and his wife, Karen at the luncheon after the memorial service.

Betty's four sons, L-R; Mark, Richard, Tony and Steve, have been friends of the Huff family since the early 1960's. It was good to see them all again. Though, we would have liked it to be under happier circumstances.

We have spent the last couple weeks trying to sit tight and conserve funds in preparation for future travel needs. Ann has been knitting a blessing blanket for a new grandchild that will make his arrival in July, reading a lot about our church and its beginning years and doing a little shopping.

The ranch next to the San Benito Thousand Trails Preserve where we are currently staying brought in several thousand cattle to fatten up on the section of land behind us. They were herded by our trailer for about an hour.

Modern Cowboys apparently do not ride horses any more. There were several 4x4 mounted cowboys moving and controlling the heard. The cattle doge were fascinating to watch work. They did not have the advantage of the 4-wheelers though.

Wayne has been exercising daily and working on Family History research. It is special to round up family data and thus get to know the people in the pictures. Wayne's Grandpa and Grandma Cowley and Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Cowley are in this picture taken in Cleveland, Ohio. Two of Wayne's cousins, Chick and Tom are working on identifying most everybody here. Joan, Donna, Ginger.... can you identify all of them?

This family portrate is of Wayne's family too. Clockwise starting at noon; Leo Thomas Cowley, John Palmer Cowley, Lillian Emma Henrietta Brown Cowley, Allyn Claude Cowley, Donald Lee Cowley. This around 1919-20 in Pasadena, California.

Where from here do we go? The next week we will have our son and his wife from New York out for a visit and we will go see the son and his family from Santa Rosa. The plans after that was to head south, but....., we shall see.

WONDERFUL WALKS! 1/4/2012

2012-01-04T16:20:00.000-08:00

One part of my day that I have an absolute love/hate relationship with is my daily exercises. I alternate days. One day I walk 2.5 - 7 miles and the other days I do 100-150 sit-ups and push-ups. Getting out the door is the hard part of the walks. But once I am out there and have a quarter of a mile behind me, I love it! There is always beautiful things to see and tons of people to talk to or walk with. Today, I decided to take my camera to see what interesting things I saw.
It is January here in Paicines, CA but some of the trees are just finishing shedding their leaves. Some are evergreen. It makes for added beauty to the walk! By the way, this is at 8:30 AM and it is 37 degrees.

I have seen this fellow a couple times on my walks. I am told there are several in the area. But this morning this little guy was so still I almost walked up on him.

As I walked closer to see how close I could get, he decided to walk away.

He actually was much bigger than I thought a Bobcat would be. Not like a mountain lion, but 2-3 times the size of an average house cat.

I tried to get a little closer as he walked away and he picked up his pace a little, staying just ahead of me.

Then around the next corner was another group of friends I had encountered many times here.

They weren't interested in visiting with me either.

Finally, I found someone that wanted to visit. I have visited with this Spaniard a couple times and this time he wanted me to come play horse shoes with him. I stopped and we visited about the motor home that burned to the ground as it left the park yesterday. We had both seen the rig as we had been stopped from entering the park (He had been shopping and I had been at the Family History Library) while it burned and the fire trucks came to extinguish it. The lady driving the rig was taken away by ambulance with smoke inhalation lung damage and a couple little burs from trying to save her cats. The two cats did not make it but she is doing well. The rig was a total loss.

After our visit I walked on, just enjoying the day. Today I walked 5 miles. Usually I do this in about 1 1/4 hours, but today because of the visits it took 2 hours. Ann walks too, but we usually do it separately because I walk too fast and talk to too many people. In fact, as I write this, she is out walking.
Our plans are to leave this preserve Friday, Jan. 6 and take our rig back up to Morgan Hill TT. We will then go to a funeral in Redding, CA for a family friend, (Betty Huff) and then back to Morgan Hill TT for a few days and then head south to Acton, CA to stay a while at Soledad Canyon TT.

NEW YEARS EVE: WAYNE AND ANN STYLE 12/31/2011

2012-01-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

The New Years Eve tradition in our family for 37 years has been to hunker down in our home with tons of junk food and a couple movies. We always encouraged the boys to stay home and invite their friends if they wanted. Sometimes they would go to a dance at the church that was a couple blocks away, but we never supported driving on this one night of the year.
So, now that we are just the two of us, the tradition has continued.
Two movies to watch. I recommend the first, but the one on the right was kind of a bore. Good thing we watched the boring one first!

The evening starts with the preparation of the food. Used to be pizza, soda, crackers, cheese, summer sausage, baked stuffed peppers, chips and dip and the like. But, with age, and watched expanding waist lines, the menu changes.

Lots of veggies and a little meat and cheese does us just fine.

Good Bye 2011! Hello 2012!!

CHRISTMAS DAY 12/25/2011

2011-12-26T16:45:00.000-08:00

After a short night and in our usual Christmas morning sleep deprived state, Ann and I were woken at o-dark-thirty by our cheerful son exclaiming it was time to continue the Cowley Family Tradition of a special Christmas Morning Feast. So, loving to participate in it's preparation, we joyfully bounded out of bed and headed towards the kitchen.

With bacon and sausage, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns

hot cocoa, orange juice,

and toaster stroodle, we prepared for a long day of feasting and present opening.

The kiddies were released from their bedroom, where they traditionally had all slept together on the floor and we were almost ready for the feast to begin.....

...when Mommy remembered one last item to place on the table.

Then the feast began. With Bing Crosby and Perry Como singing in the background we had our breakfast while the gazes of the kids was directed towards the tree and the bounty underneath. Needless to say, the kids did not eat much!

Then the other feast began!!!

But first we opened the stockings that Santa had left....

...and Grandma found her stocking labeled "NICE"!!! It is wonderful to know that Santa has Grandma pegged as that. It is a natural state for her (You can see that she is still a little fuzzy from lack of sleep!)!

The revealing process and bounty counting begins and lasted quite awhile!

Then we cleaned up and went to church together as a family. That was nice.

When we got back from church, the preparations began for our Christmas Dinner.

A yummy feast of Ham, mashed potatoes, mission sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, and tons of other stuff, topped off by Ann's famous pies and ice cream made pigs of us all!!! But then the feared of all calamities happened. That oft ignored peril of every family feast!

The attack of the finger-eating, killer olives! As they covertly attack and attach themselves to the fingers of innocent, unsuspecting, feasting children. They make the eating of all other food impossible until each child must remove them one by one and eat those dastardly little black buggers. Fear coupled with amazement is seen on the face of every little child thus attacked!

Will this horrible annual holiday torture of small children ever cease or are we destined as a human race to suffer this terrible plight every holiday? Oh, the horror of it all!!!!!

But worse yet, is the misguided placing of incorrect labels on innocent grandfathers' stockings across the world, as they lovingly and trustingly hung by the chimney with care, the night before, their little humble sock for Santa to fill. Naughty???? Now, we all know better than that!!!! We, the members of the Paternal Order of Grandfathers Inc., to be thus treated!!! It makes one question the whole of humanity!!! Naughty???? Who could be behind this nation threatening plot!!! Is it the makers of "Via-Rogue"?? Could it be the the same political leaders that introduced us to the "Age Gate Conspiracy"???

Merry Christmas! We plan to stay in San Benito TT until Jan. 6th when we will head south for warmer climes!!

CHRISTMAS EVE 12/24/2011

2011-12-26T15:50:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve we drove 2 1/2 hours north to spend Christmas with Jared (#2 son) and his family. The drive up was peaceful and beautiful. The drive through our mission area in Oakland and then through San Francisco and over the Golden Gate Bridge during beautiful blue skied weather was amazing and it felt good to be on the road again, even though we had left our trailer back in San Benito TT. Anyway, it was very pleasant!
Then we spent the evening having a special Pizza Christmas Eve dinner and then spent the evening telling stories and playing, then their family tradition of opening a present each of new Christmas Pajamas.
Here The Hulk is overwhelmed by his.

Oranges gets excited by hers.

Bananas gets carried away by trying them on backwards.

And Superman realizes he still has some growing to do for his. Never fear, at the rate he is growing, it won't take long!

Angi gets excited by her silky PJ's and tried to take pictures at the same time.

And The Hulk gives a standing ovation approval of his dad's new PJ top.

Wayne thinks these 4 grandkids are super special because they all love eggnog, so we all had a cup of it together. Bananas left some on her upper lip for later.

Then before bed, it was time for a little growth comparison. You know, the ol' "I think I am as big as Grandma!" thing.
Here are L-R, Jared and Superman.

L - R Jared and Ann (Mom).

L - R The Hulk and Grandma (Ann).

L-R Superman and Grandma (Ann). I think Grandma is losing her foot hold!!!

Then it was time for the excited young'uns to head to bed so Santa could come.... but first we had to get Santa's cookies and the reindeer's carrots ready. Oops, looks like Santa got one less cookie than planned for!!

After the kids were in bed, we got to help Jared and Angi do what we had done for years while our sons grew up. It was fun to sort of pass the baton on to the next generation!

SETTLEING IN AT SAN BENITO TT 12/23/2011

2011-12-26T15:15:00.000-08:00

Well, after 2 weeks at Morgan Hill TT and spending some time with our friends, the Casauses, we hitched up and hauled down to San Benito TT located near Hollister, CA.

Here we set up in a remote section of the park. To have the solitude we had to park in a space that had 50 AMP service and water hook-up, but no sewer. But, that's okay, we are able to manage just fine. We like the view and the solitude.

Ann got busy decorating our trailer and making it more seasonally festive.

So, we hung our outside lights.....

.... put up our newest inside decoration....

...and some older ones....

....and Ann wished for more holiday type weather....

...while Wayne worked on Family History, Christmas Letters and the like.

Ann did not get snow, but the night time temperatures have gotten into the teens and thought the days are sunny, it has only warmed up to the mid 50's. We will stay here a couple weeks so we can spend Christmas with Jared (#2 son) and his family. Then we plan to head south to catch a little of the warmer weather.

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER FOR HIRE! 12/15/2011

2011-12-16T23:23:00.000-08:00

I remember when I thought I wanted to be a professional photographer. Easy!! Just ask people to smile, point and shoot! Duck soup!! I have repented of the stupid thought. Here you see my efforts with a perfectly normal, sedate family. It all started out quite relaxed, but then could I get them all to sit still and smile all at the same time???? I give up! I am a professional photographer of mountains now!!! But seriously.... I think this was the funniest 5 minutes I ever spent. No matter what I did, I just made it worse. Bethany and Anna, where are you when I need you????

Look on Jared Cowley's Facebook and you can see the one shot out of about 40 where I got them all to look at the camera at one time!!! Are they all Cowley's or what?? Whew!!!

FAMILY AND GRANDKID TIME 12/15/2011

2011-12-16T23:01:00.000-08:00

Today, on Thursday, Dec. 15, we left our trailer behind at 9:00 AM, ran a couple errands and then headed north for 2 1/2 hours to spend some time with the Jared and Angi's and children.

A little hide and seek with The Hulk.

A little story time with Oranges.

And then off to Superman and Banana's school play. Note the proud parents in the row next to us??

The play was a version of one of the Harry Potter movies. Bananas played the part of Jenny

Superman played the part of Harry Potter.

Here are a few action shots of the greatest theatrical production in the world!!!

You can see that Superman gets totally wrapped up in his part as he waits for his turn to say his lines!!

Proud parents, eh??!!

Here Jenny reads from her diary as a set for the next scene.

Grand Closing Scene!

Flowers for the star!

A balloon for the other star!

Afterwards we went back to the house for a quick game of 1,000 Aces before Grandma and Grandpa headed home.

A little peace and quiet and dinner on the way home.

Got home at 9:00 PM and exhaustedly went to bed! Another day in the life of the traveling grandparents!

EIGHTEEN DAYS SHOT TO SHALE 11/27-12/4/2011

2011-12-11T22:17:00.001-08:00

The 18 days spent from the time we left our trailer in Hollister, Ca, went to Oregon and back were the longest, most tiring, most exhilarating, most exciting days we have spent in quite awhile! As you will see in a couple blog entries prior to this one it began very family filled. Then as you see below, we had our home re-roofed while we were in town, we went to several doctor's appointments and had a truck repair job.

Then the work began.

Seated in the western foothills of The Rogue Valley there lies a shale pit, as seen in the center of the picture below. Here we would spend 2 days setting up camp, 8 days helping our son Jed shoot a film called "Shale", a short, but energetic project for his final project in his Masters pDegree at Columbia University. Then we would spend a couple days breaking camp. A few months ago he had asked us to help. We were asked to provide the food for his cast and crew of 23 people. First thing was to plan out the food and how to prepare it, then set up our kitchen and headquarters. See the two tiny white dots to the left of the bald hole in the mountain? That was the mess tent and the trailer for the crew that we set up.

Enlisting the help of family and friends, we began. Here is Cliff and his faithful farm truck on the first day of setting up the mess camp.

Cliff, Wayne's brother, and the producer, Michele and assist. producer, Alvaro, helped Wayne set up the mess tent.

Then we laid pallets down as a foundation for the floor to help keep the crew out of the mud.

Then the floor went down.

The rest of the walls came next.

With the tent set up, Wayne, John and Ann hauled a rented 31 foot trailer up for the actors to relax in and for Ann and Wayne to sleep in at nights for security of all the equipment and so we could be close to where our workday would start each morning at 4:30 AM. The trailer is the one on the right. The one on the left belonged to one of the squatters that lived up on the mountain.

This is the view looking at our camp with the fog socked in The Rogue Valley in front of us and the shale pit several hundred yards behind the camera man.

This is looking the opposite direction down towards the shale pit where all the filming took place. That is the actor's trailer in the foreground.

Taken from the same position, just turned a little to the left.

Our view of the cold and frozen Rogue Valley!

Some nights, the fog would freeze on the trees and we would wake up to a beautiful winter wonderland that would sometimes melt away as the fog subsided and the sun came out.

Then we would be back to wonderful normal colors. Seeing as how we had no running water, this little red house was our only restroom.

Many mornings we woke up to ice cycles hanging from the inside and outside of our mess tent. But after we started cooking on our propane stove and turned on the propane heater, things would get better.

Our MacDonalds water container had a drip that would create a long ice cycle to greet us each morning as we filled the two 85 cup coffee pots.

Ann's and Wayne's first job of the morning was to set things up, warm things up and fix a hot breakfast, then create a welcoming atmosphere for the crew as they began to filter in about 5:45 AM. Hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, scrambled omlettes, french toast, pancakes, hot coffee and cocoa, orange juice, begal-ham-egg-cheese sandwiches, juice and such were some of the treats we prepared for the hard working film makers.

Helping turn fuzzy eyes into cheerful smiles was our goal.

Of course Kate was always one of the first to arrive. Her cheerful smile helped brighten up the mess tent!

As we readied ourselves for the morning rush of sleepyheads, Kate and Alvaro would usually get into a friendly debate over something or another.

And Michele would busy himself with something quieter.

Then the director and executive producer would recalibrate, make last minute changes, and make sure everything was set up the way they wanted it for the day.

Then the executive producer and the producer would set everything up according to the directors wants.

Then the crew would start arriving and we would feed and entertain them for 30 or so minutes before Jed would make them go to work.

As they slowly moved towards the exit, with full bellies and coffee in their veins, Kate was there with last minute instructions.

Then Jed would come back to give us instructions for the day as to extra things he needed of us.

It was so cold up there that everybody wanted hot foods. Alvaro, playfully would try to convince people through the day that they needed Cheerios to make it through the day. That box never got opened!

Besides a kitchen, dining hall and office, our mess tent got used for many other activities.
It was a hospital for minor actor injuries. Here the lead actor, Walter, gets a head boo-boo doctored by nurse Kate.

It also was the make-up room. Here Meridith, a wonderful artist from England, works her craft on Sandra, the lead actress.

After we cooked, served and cleaned up breakfast we would run into town to do errands for Jed and Kate and pick up the lunch food, by 11:15AM, that we had contracted for, with family and local restaurants. As we would drive down the hill, we would pass by the movie making going on down in the shale pit.

John (Ann's brother) and his wife, Karen, made one of our lunches. It was a family recipe of Ann's and John's dad's famous chili, corn bread and fruit salad. Here Karen checks it as we arrived to pick it up.

A big pot of chili and several pans of the Huff secret recipe cornbread......

...and a great fruit salad was the fare for this day's lunch.

Then we transported it up to the mess tent on site, set it up to keep warm until the crew came to eat anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 1/2 hours after we got the food there, depending on the shots that were going on in the pit. Then the gracious and good looking host and hostess served it up with a smile.

Another lunch from the Huff Kitchen was orchestrated by Sarah, our niece.

It was three pans of her famous Chicken Pot Pie....

....and a delicious salad.

These two lunches were a success! The other lunches were contracted with local restaurants and were dealt with in the same way.
The dinners we arranged to be prepared and eaten at family and friend's homes. Huffs, Cowleys, Allens, Gossons and Ashcrafts all provided excellent homey, warm and friendly food and atmospheres to help the crew unwind after a long day of shooting a film in the mud and cold. It became a nightly ritual to de-boot, de-jacket and shake off all the mud we could before entering our hosts' homes.

Then we would enter in for dinner......

....relaxation, socialization,....

....and always a business meeting afterwards to debrief the day and plan for the next.

The proof of the relaxing atmosphere and good food provided for the crew by our dinner hosts. is exemplified by Tracy falling asleep during one of the after dinner meetings in a host's home.

When we were not feeding the crew or running errands in town, we got a little time to feed the cats, watch the movie be made and socialize with the cast and crew. Here Ann is watching Walter, the lead actor, feed a few of the wild kitties that lived up there.

A constant visitor to the set and mess tent was Harold, the owner of the shale pit where we were located. A generous ol' timer that has a love for kids, education and telling stories about his life. Jed feared every day that he might do something to worry Harold, but Harold loved having us all there! See the big smile on Harold's face!!!

We occasionally got to watch some of the acting and filming. The fog was a constant worry on the set. One minute it would be fogged over.

And a couple minutes later it would be bright and clear.

Actors and crew were constantly scrambling to get the next shot while the sun shone. The director and producer were constantly changing which scene to shoot based on the lighting changes.

There were a couple times Ann and I got to watch from the director's chair! Parental privileges!

Not only did the stunt man move the tractor around, but Jed, the director became quite confident and proficient at relocating the tractor for different shots.

Once the tractor ran out of fuel, once the batteries died, once a fuel line broke. The stunt man and Harold are here consulting on the best way to remedy a current problem.

Both Harold and his son, Jamie, were valuable technical assistants on tractor fix-its.

Here the stunt man and the actor are discussing how to deal with the scene of rolling the tractor.....

....and during the wait for the next shot, one of the crew catches some Zzzzz's.....

....and a new character, Sam the dog, is introduced to two of the actors in preparation for an upcoming shoot.

Then on Saturday when we were to shoot the big scene where the tractor gets rolled, the fog socked in hard. Finally, in the late afternoon, Jed decided they had to shoot it, even in the fog. They had run out of wait time. So all was set up and readied for the shoot.

The tractor and stunt man are readied.

Then as we begin to shoot, the fog wonderfully begins to thin out.

Cold but happy observers feel that prayers are beginning to be answered.

The two main actors join the whole crew to watch as the first attempt to roll it fails.

After the second attempt fails, Alvaro is worried that we will not have enough film to keep shooting too many more failed attempts

Still a third attempt fails!

On the fourth attempt, we all hold our breath and say our own little prayers.

Up it goes and it begins to look like it might roll over.

The fog is clearing.... that's good. But will it go all the way over this time?

Friends from Phoenix Auto and Ann look on with worried concentration, willing the tractor to roll.

And it did! The stunt man crawls out and Jed yells, "Cut!!!" and there are cheers that erupt in the shale pit!

Wayne, Linda and Ann are happy campers!!!

Tom, another son of Harold, kept walking around saying, "I can't believe they rolled a Cat 966 on purpose! That is crazy!!" He was amazed at what film people would do.

Our stunt man proudly stood by for a few pictures to say, "I did this! It's all in a day's work! No big deal!"

Then, re-assembled, they began shooting the actors in the scene as though the they were the ones in the roll over.

After all the shots were done, it was time to right the tractor and move on to the next shot.

All returned to normal, the fog rolled back in and the next day the actors and crew had all flown out of the valley and returned to home or their next film. Jed and Mechele had to drive some equipment back up to Portland the next day and Wayne, Ann and John began the task of breaking camp and returning stuff to the family, friends and businesses we borrowed or rented it from. Monday night, after Jed and Michele got back, we went out for a dinner together.

A couple days later, Ann and Wayne were driving their dirtier than ever truck back down to our trailer in Hollister, CA. Since that time we have moved our trailer to Gilroy, CA and have been trying to catch up on all the undone and behind stuff that needed to be done. A few more days and we may see the end of the Shale Pit Shoot chores and catch-up. Then we will spend a day going a couple hours north to see #2 son's children, Superman and Bananas in a school play, move our rig back to Hollister on Dec. 23 and then spend Christmas with #2 son and family before moving a little further south to soak up some warmer climate.
We want to say a big THANK YOU to all our friends and family that helped us out as we worked with Jed and Kate on this project. It couldn't have been done without your help!!!!!!!!!!

A COUPLE DAYS WITH #2 SON'S FAMILY TOO!! 11/26-28/2011

2011-12-11T15:23:00.001-08:00

After Thanksgiving, Jared and Angi and crew came up from California to spend a couple days with us and celebrate Superman's birthday.

Jed, Kate, Alvaro and Michelle (pronounced Ma-Kay-Lay), Jared and Angi and kids and Cliff & Linda and a few of their kids all got together at Cliff and Linda's for an evening of visiting.

Angi, Oranges and Jared.

At Angi's parents' home for another get together for Superman's birthday. L - R: Bananas, Oranges, Jared, Angi and Ann.

Superman blows!

The cake survived!!

Back at Cliff and Linda's. L-R: Michele, Alvaro and Linda

Bananas, Braden (Cliff and Linda's grandson), Oranges and Angi get in some snuggle time at Cliff and Linda's house.

Michele and Alvaro strike a pose. It was so much fun having these two Italians from Jed's crew with us. They became like family to us as they hung out with us. But they sure talk funny!!

A frazzled and exhausted Grandpa and The Hulk play musical chairs.

At Cliff and Linda's L-R: Jared, Superman, Oranges and Jed.

Jed the movie director!!

Family visit time. It was so relaxing and so much fun to get to spend family time with two of our sons and their family and Wayne's brother's family. We were truly blessed!

Aunt Kate and Oranges

L-R: Jared, Jed and Superman.

A hilarious time! Uncle Cliff tells the story about and shows Superman about his crushed finger from years ago. It is a blast to watch kids reactions as Cliff, straight faced, shows his fingers to them and tells the story behind the scar.

The Hulk finds and tries on Uncle Cliff's hard hat.

Back at Angi's parents house we gathered to have a birthday celebration for the overly excited Superman.

Then we opened presents, which included books, which were immediately engaged by eager readers.

Oranges practiced her beauty shop skills on Grandma.

Pretty talented, eh?!

Wrestling is a must at Cowley family gatherings. Jared pins his son, The Hulk!

Then we practiced doggie tricks of speaking, rolling over and balancing a cracker on their nose. L-R: Doggie Oranges, Doggie The Hulk and Doggie Bananas.

Also, we all went over to John (Ann's brother) and Karen's house for some more family time.

We were so lucky to have so much family time before we got to work on the shooting of the movie, "Shale".

THANKSGIVING 2011 11/24/2011

2011-12-11T14:56:00.001-08:00

On November 21we left our trailer in Hollister, CA and drove to Central Point, OR where we would spend the next couple weeks with John and Karen Huff and Cliff and Linda Cowley while helping our #3 son, Jed, shoot a short film for his Masters Degree in Film from Columbia University. Amidst the hustle and bustle of preparing for the film, we were blessed to have Thanksgiving with Cliff (Wayne's brother) and Linda and some of their family.

Jed and Kate were in Seattle with Kate's family, so we got to have Jed's Producer and Asst. Producer (Michele and Alvaro, both on the right side of the picture) with us for the Thanksgiving feast.

They are both fellow Columbia Film Masters students and are both from Italy. Great guys!!

The feast!

We were so blessed to have family and friends to join with for this Thankful holiday!!!

Happy and full Cliff! My goodness, he's got Daddy's nose!!

ANN BACKS UP IN HOLLISTER, CA 11/19 - 12/5/2011

2011-11-19T19:28:00.001-08:00

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!!! When we pulled int camp and decided which space we wanted to park in, Ann quietly asked, "Can I try to park it?" I could not believe my ears!! Ann has never expressed interest in trying to park the trailer in the 30 or so years we have been trailering!! In fact, she has only driven this rig once on the highway!! So, out I hopped and in she popped. 10 minutes later the pro had it almost perfectly in position!!!

A little more maneuvering and walla!! We have a parked rig!!! See the professional trailer backer proudly showing her job!!!!!

So, here we are in San Benito Thousand Trails, where we will only stay two nights before we leave our rig in storage until we get back from Thanksgiving at Cliff (Wayne's brother) and Linda's in Central Point, OR, staying 10 days with John (Ann's brother) and Karen's house and a week of helping # 3 son shoot a film called "Shale" to finish up his Master's Degree at Columbia University.

On Dec. 5 we will come back here and get our trailer at which time we will tow it up to Morgan Hill TT for another couple weeks up there before coming back here for 2 weeks. Funzies!!

GILROY, CA 11/10-19/2011

2011-11-19T17:18:00.001-08:00

After leaving Oakland, CA we headed south a little to Morgan Hill Thousand Trails, situated just west of Gilroy, CA. Here we set up for about 10 days. We parked 2 spaces over from the site we stayed in a year ago when we were here. It is a peaceful spot in the busy preserve. We spent our time here working hard and saving money! We did not need to fill up our fuel tank for the whole 10 days due to not going anywhere but two trips to the store and one trip to church!!! We exercised!! Wayne walking 20.6 miles and Ann walking 15 miles. We also upped our sit ups and push ups a big notch!!

Ann slaved away developing her creative cooking skills, attempting to tempt Wayne to eat more as he worked on dropping 7 more pounds. Here you see a delicious pumpkin soup she made from two pumpkins we found deserted in a nearby camp space accompanied by a delicious veggie salad.

Another creation was a recipe she has wanted to try for the last 2 years. Prune Cake! It was not a light on the calorie cake!! But, oh so yummy!! We allow ourselves one piece a day!

We also read a lot, worked on investment research, church history study, Family History research and compilation and Wayne found some English walnut trees nearby of which he harvested 2 more bucket loads and then shelled them all.
It was beautiful weather for working outside on the shelling process. Wayne had two very interested and vocal bystanders as he shelled out the nuts. You can see the blue jay on the post in the center of the picture and the squirrel on the tree trunk. The jay scolded me repeatedly until I tossed a cracked walnut his way. He took a while, but eventually got brave enough to pick it up off the ground about 5 feet in front of me. He came back after awhile and repeated the process a couple more times.

But, this fella came down the trunk of the tree chattering and grumping all the way. I thought he was going to attack me. He seemed pretty annoyed. But then he decided he wanted to get quiet and watch me closely. I gave him a couple nuts and each time he would take the nut up into the tree and eat it. Each time he would return scolding me and telling me off, until I gave him another walnut. Then I went in the trailer to e-mail a friend about something I had been thinking about and look what the little bugger did!

Then I went in the trailer to e-mail a friend about something I had been thinking about and look what the little bugger did! He got up on the table and......

....helped himself!!!

Then he took off and ate it in another place other than the tree!

We had fun here in Morgan Hill TT, even though the turkeys made messes of things occasionally.

So, on Saturday, a couple days early, we left and went down to San Benito TT near Hollister, CA, where we set up for a couple days stay before we head to Medford, Oregon for Thanksgiving.

ANN'S FOOTPRINTS 11/6/2011

2011-11-06T16:12:00.000-08:00

These last several years since retirement, I have probably spent more time with my wife than I did in our first 30 years of marriage. Funny, I thought I knew her really well. I thought we were intimate with each other concerning all our thoughts, goals and people skills. I have found, since retirement, I knew Ann much less that I thought.
Recently, while visiting our #2 son's family, I went for a walk with Ann in their neighborhood. We came upon these footprints left in the sidewalk.

They struck me as symbolic of Ann's sweet quiet spirit, who goes about quietly leaving her mark on all she meets, especially her family. Quietly, patiently, unassumingly, she loves our sons, their wives and their children and leaves a path for them to follow of how to behave, how to love and how to live. She leaves a path of footprints of her quiet examples as she moves through life.
A few days later, when the business of four grandchildren was taking its toll on my nerves, I went for a walk alone. I found myself later standing and then sitting near those footprints. As I sat there, thinking of Ann and these footprints, I cried. There sitting on this sidewalk in front of somebody's home, I thought of what a blessed man I am to share my path through eternity with such a wonderful person. I thought of me slogging along, tearing through life like a bull in a china shop, thrashing through the learning experiences of life and families. And there quietly along side of me is a gentle, smiling woman, leaving a loving path for others to follow, all the while letting me think I am the one leading and creating a trail.

Over a period of time, as I composed myself, wiped away the tears of love for she to whom I am married, I contemplated telling the story in pictures of the power of those small footprints and the effect they had in form of an experience of self recognition they had upon me. So, a few days later I gathered two of my grandchildren and Ann and took them with me to the footprints.
I set up the following shots to tell the story of the wonderful woman to whom I am married and the example she sets as she quietly walks through life, leaving examples behind of how to live, serve and love.....leaving.... her footprints.

Sometimes those examples are followed by those around her and dear to her. Still, even though time may pass, those examples she leaves behind continue to influence lives that pass where she has walked. Generations later, lives I'm sure, will be affected by the path she left behind her.

Generations that follow are and will be influenced by her example. I have seen it already in her relationship with her sons and then her daughters-in-law, and now, her grandchildren. They see and feel of her love. They see her pattern of life.....

...and strive to emulate her....

....her path she has trod influences those that come after her.

We all, at times, contemplate our lives and the paths we desire to follow. It is good that we have good examples to follow, footprints left by those who have gone before.

Whether now or many generations down the road of life eternal, I am sure there will be those who choose to follow the examples Ann has left behind. She is leaving good footprints for her loved ones to gain direction.

May we each be leaving good footprints for others to follow. I know, because of being blessed to find my path through life at the side of Ann and because of the self reflecting experience I had with these footprints left in the sidewalk, I will try to be better at the examples I set and the footprints I leave behind.

Just today I was reminded of the power of Ann and the footprints she left behind her while we served our mission in Oakland a couple years ago. Today we met with some of the Cambodians we served while on our mission. They flocked around us, shook my hand, smiled at me and then lovingly embraced Ann. Unabashedly, they expressed their love for her and tearfully told her how much they missed her. I was there too, but the focus was on her. I puddled up as I watched my quiet little wife. These people truly loved her and truly were effected by her footprints she left in their lives several years ago.
I am a blessed man to be by her side, trying to leave gentle footprints where we tread. May we each leave good footprints.

OAKLAND, CA 11/3-10/2011

2011-11-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

We are currently located for a week on the grounds of the Oakland Temple where we lived for 18 months when we served as missionaries back in 2007-9. It is a nostalgic visit to see a few friends made while here and to rest in the memories of our past. The Christmas decorations are partially up and it lends to the walk down memory lane for us.

We are parked a few spaces down from where we had our trailer parked several years ago. Though we can hear gunshots and sirens around us it is peaceful here on Temple Hill! We ventured into Oakland for some groceries and remembered how this town was. It is not a place we wish to visit often.

But, here in the shadow of the Lord's House, we are secure and at peace.

Another reminder of our past here..... we had an earthquake last night!! Small, but startling still the same. We will leave for Morgan Hill Thousand Trails Preserve in Gilroy, CA on Thursday 11/10/2011.

SLEEPOVER WITH ORANGES 11/1-2/2011

2011-11-06T15:00:00.000-08:00

While here at Russian River TT we had the opportunity to have three of our grandchildren for a sleepover. First we had Oranges up all by herself with us. We had a blast together in what was the last of the great weather here.

We had a picnic.

Oranges found the kids toy drawer and immediately latched on to the Etch-a-Sketch and some stories for Grandma to read.

Here you go Grandma!!

Looking out the window at all the doggies being walked was a fun pastime.

Helping Grandma fix breakfast was fun too!

Let's make a Mickey Mouse one!!

Delicious, Grandma!!!

We also had a sleepover with Superman and Bananas. But the weather was riny and cold, so we played Thousand Aces and Sorry and told stories. Unfortunately, Grandpa was forgetful with the camera and failed to take any pictures, but we had lots of fun with them too!!! Bummer, no pictures!!!

2011 COWLEY COSTUME PARADE 10/31/2011

2011-11-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

Last year had a blast spending Halloween with #1 son's family and we so missed being able to see the other kids do their Trick or Treating. This Halloween we were with #2 son's family for Christmas, so we decided to extend an invitation to our other son's and their families to send us their pictures of their costumes and we would have a Cowley Costume Parade via the internet.
So here for our and your entertainment is the FIRST ANNUAL COWLEY COSTUME PARADE! Take special note of our talented and creative daughters-in-laws' creative powers as seamstresses and stay up late to satisfy the kids creations!

Superman transformed into Megatron The Transformer

Bananas cast magic spells as a Water Princess

Oranges Trick or Treated as Rapunzel

The Hulk was costumed as Kung Fu Panda...... but refused to wear the top piece

But he made up for it by showing us his Jack o' Lantern face

Peaches flew through the night as a Fairy Princess

Captain America created his own unique interpretation of a Zombie Santa

I had to include this one as it was the best one of Brody as a reindeer

Brody the Reindeer, after a night of Trick or Treating

Strawberry became a Greek Goddess for the night

Mango was Little Red Ridinghood

Apple was transformed into Rapunzel

Each child's costume was properly judged by a fair and balanced, un-partial group of judges. Following the judging, each child was sent a specially delivered, by the USPS, Costume Certificate of Award. created by two loving grandparents.
There were two grandchildren from which we did not receive pictures. They will be added and posted with certificates sent later....... when we get the e-mail. So check back regularly for the update!

SICK TRUCK 10/21-27/2011

2011-11-05T14:53:00.000-07:00

Shortly after we got to Russian River TT we were going to #2 son's house to pick up three grandkids, Superman, Oranges and Bananas for a sleepover. But our truck had different ideas. It decided not to start. Wayne was depressed over his little truck being sick and called for a truck ambulance to take Ol' Blue to the truck hospital. We were both bummed about not being able to have our grandkids over too.

Wayne supervised the removal of his poor sick truck and then rode in the truck ambulance to the truck hospital.

It was sad to see our truck be sick!

Our little home on wheels, just did not seem the same w/o the truck out front. But, we managed while the truck was gone. A week later the truck was cured and life returned to normal. Having a little Corolla rental was a savings on gas usage, but it was nice to have our truck back.

We soothed our truck loneliness challenge by spending lots of that week with the grandkids. That helped keep Wayne's mind off his depression and worry

A VISIT WITH SON # 2 AND HIS FAMILY 10/20 - 11/03/ 2011

2011-11-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

We arrived at Russian River Thousand Trails Preserve on 10.20 and will leave 11/03. While here, we have spent a portion of nearly every day with our #2 son and his family who live about 35 miles from here. They also have joined us for a dinner and one grandchild for a sleepover. During this time we have been very busy with activities together. Some of the activities included:
Dinner at our trailer,

Using Grandpa as a wild Disneyland ride,

Seeing who can kill Grandpa first,

Seein how long Grandpa can remain in his base position,

Teaching Grandma about backyard weeds that can talk,

Visiting a Pumpkin Patch Farm and getting a ride with Grandma Mule,

Seein who can get farthest from Grandpa when he tries to take a picture,

Visiting with some fellow full time RV'ers we made friends with a couple years ago,

Taking naps (Well at least The Hulk did),

Soccer practice,

Farm animal visits,

Bananas' soccer game,

Superman's soccer game (He's the redhead making the awesome kick),

Being king and Queen Grandparents,

Wincing at #2 son's activities with his kids,

Visits to the TT Preserve dilapidated playground,

An evening at their Ward Halloween Carnival and Chili Cook-Off,

Watching Bananas be Lady Guinevere,

More wincing,

Stll more wincing,

Rock throwing at Russian River,

And exercising our right to put our mouth on the drinking fountain and collect all the germs we can.

Been a good time!

GOT NOSE? 10/8/2011

2011-11-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

Nothing needs saying.

GRANDMA THE MEASURING STICK 10/6/2011

2011-11-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when you were kids and you thought you were really tall when you measured up against Grandma? Ann's turn! Superman and Bananas have discovered they are getting closer to Grandma's size!

GRANDMA THE PUSHER 10/24/2011

2011-11-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

For the last two weeks we have been at Jared and Angi's in the Bay area of California we have been privileged to go retrieve Superman and Bananas from school many times. It is a short 1/2 mile walk from their home. Sometimes we take The Hulk and Oranges with us and while we wait for big brother and big sister, we play on the playground.

Grandma is a good pusher.

Grandpa is a good picture taker of the deal going down.

Her customers are always very satisfied!

GRANDMA'S GOT A YARN TO TELL 10/29/11

2011-11-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

Grandma has has made a white blessing blanket for each of our sons' families with children. Another goal of hers is to make a comforter for each of her grandchildren. She is making them in order from oldest to youngest and just finished Bananas'.

She has worked really hard on this blanket, having to take it undone several times to do it perfectly.

But. now it is finished!

And she presented it to Bananas while we were here visiting #2 son's family.

It sure is warm and soft!

There will be a picture of the two of them and the blanket added soon as Grandpa forgot to take one at the presentation.

LAKE OF THE SPRINGS TO RUSSIAN RIVER 10/19-20/2011

2011-10-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

We completely enjoyed our stay at Lake of the Springs Thousand Trails Preserve near Yuba City, CA these last 2 weeks. While here, we have entertained special guests like those pictured below and a skunk and a few feral cats.

We also went to church with and spent most of the sabbath with Helen and her family at their house about an hour's drive from our place. Helen is one of the daughters of some of our dear friends from Medford from our own child rearing years. Now Helen and her great husband, Tyler, are raising their own crew. Thanks Helen for a wonderful day and the introduction to some great cowboy chili and cowboy caviar!!

We also spent most days walking, exercising, internetting,and reading. Ann paid bills and Wayne got half of the trailer waxed, after first using rubbing compound to remove the road grime and oxidized paint from this last couple years of traveling. The other half will have to wait until another place where we have good weather and a little time not visiting people and places.

We hated to leave our little sanctuary on top of the hill (see the picture below) on October 19th, but we were anxious to get on our horse to head to Russian River Thousand Trails Preserve near Cloverdale, CA. There we will be able to spend some time with our #2 son's family. Good times comin'!

October 19th, we stopped in Marysville, CA to resupply on food and fuel, then drove on to Clear Lake, CA where we spent the night in Camp Wal-Mart. While there we parked next to and visited with a couple that now live in Anaheim, but were from Argentina. They are a married couple that competes in Tango competitions. They were fascinating to visit with and swap "On The Road" stories.
That evening we were also approached by a young man asking for assistance in getting something to eat. He obviously wanted money, but we gave him food. We were severely disappointed when we watched him walk away and throw the food on the ground about 25 yards from our trailer. I guess he must not have been very hungry, eh? Frustrating, but the food we gave him was his to do with as he decided best for his situation.
The next morning as we were driving towards Cloverdale, we noticed huge English Walnut orchards along the road. We came to a place where the trees were discharging their load of fruit onto the roadside side of the fence. We spent an hour or so harvesting that which was going to waste. We did not go into the orchard, but harvested that which was between the fence and the road.

Our bounteous was two buckets of walnuts ready to preserve for the winter. We remembered that about this time last year, a little south of here, we were blessed with the same type of opportunity that provided walnuts for us for the next couple months. We felt blessed!

Since our #3 son has begun preparing to shoot a film about a shale pit where he will be using a tractor and since we have been helping him find one, we have seen more tractors than we ever thought existed. You know the drill...... you don't notice any black Chevy trucks on the road until you buy one...then you see them everywhere!
The tractor he will use in the film, he has nic-named, "BIG BERTHA". Well today as we drove we saw Big Birtha's MAMA!! This beautiful work of man was parked along the side the road and it made us think of Bertha, so we had to stop and take a picture!!

Finally, after a leisurely, stopping a lot, drive, we arrived at Russian River Thousand Trails Preserve about 2:00 PM. We found a spot, set up camp and sat out our chairs. We read and watched the passers by for a couple hours before we even unhitched and set up the trailer. You can see our walnuts by the chairs. We spread them out on the picnic table and two TV trays to dry some in the fading afternoon sun.

So, here we are and here we will stay, in space A-14, for the next two weeks. During this time we will spend a lot of time with our nearby residing #2 son's family and their four children, attend a couple soccer games, do Halloween with them, celebrate Ann's 75th birthday and play with grand kids. Maybe we might even get the rest of the trailer waxed????? Here through Nov. 3 or so.

A QUICK TRIP TO UTAH 10/7-10/2011

2011-10-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

While parked in Lake of the Springs, we left our trailer and drove our truck to Provo, Utah to spend the weekend with Kevin and Megan for the blessing of Pineapple. We had some rain in the preserve the two days previous to our departure and found that it fell as snow in the Cascades we went through on our way east.

It made for a beautiful drive through the mountains for the first 80 miles of our trip.

We drove part way there and spent the night in Wells, Nevada and then arrived Saturday at Lehi, Utah where we spent the evening at Megan's parent's beautiful new home with lots of her family that came in from all over the country to be there for the blessing of Pineapple.
Naturally, there were ample arms to hold Pineapple, mainly the two grandmothers and one great grandmother, as you see in the next three pictures.

And of course Batman, being two, had to do all he could to change the focus from little sister to himself. He was quite good at it......

...much to the amusement of us all. Grandpa McGhie always finds joy in his family!

We were well fed by Megan's brother and sister-in-law, Derek and Hannah. They were in charge of dinner that night. We were fed original Korean dishes. Yummy!!! Hannah is from Korea and is quite the good cook!!

It seems as though every family gathering has its traditions. With the McGhies, it is back massages.

With the Cowleys, it is Kevin wanting to wrestle his mother. He is much more gentle than he used to be!!

We stayed the night in dive of a motel because it was homecoming night for BYU and every room in town was taken. We had to drive south and find the first place that had a room. Oh well, it was just for one night. The next morning we were witnesses to a hit and run accident in the parking lot.
But, we later had a good time at church and Pineapple's blessing. Afterwards, the family all gathered for pictures to document the event.

Us and them.

After church, we went back to Megan's folks house for lunch and more time together. We then left about 4:30 PM and drove west to Wells, where we spent the night again. We slept 10 hours! Then Monday, we drove the rest of the way home to our trailer, spent the night and the next morning, moved the trailer to a better site, on the hill with a better view and better cell phone service.
This is the view out our front door.

Out the front door and to the rear.

Out the front door and to the front of the trailer. There was a severe forest fire here 15 years ago and the brush is just starting to grow back and a few trees are beginning to take hold. It is so quiet here that the noisiest time is in the evening when the crickets start to chirp. We love it in this spot.

We will be here until Oct 19. Then we will head west to Santa Rosa area to visit more family!

MEDFORD, OR 9/22-10/4 2011

2011-10-11T16:30:00.000-07:00

We spent almost 2 weeks with our rig parked in the spacious driveway and field of the C & L Ranch in Central Point, Oregon as the guests of its proprietors. While there, seeing as how it is a working ranch, we rode tractors mowing fields and lawns, trimmed hedgerows and got wet irrigating.
We also spent ample time with their new grandson and watched Cliff and Linda as they developed their grand-parenting skills. They have mastered one. What about #2?

We were blessed with the opportunity to visit with Grant and Kristen and Sarah and spent almost every evening.....

...playing canasta or dominoes. Though Linda managed to stay out of all the photos, she did manage to come up as the winner once during our stay there. Too bad that Wayne's master canasta skills dominated hers. maybe next time Linda!!!!! Ha!

While in town we were blessed to have our son, Jed, there at the same time. He was there scouting sites, auditioning actors and trying to find a skip loader to use in his soon to be shot Masters Thesis Film, "Shale" that he will be shooting here in December. We spent many hours over several days going with him on various responsibilities he had while here. It is going to be a great film. It has already won an award and grant from HBO and a grant from Panavision just based on Jed's screen play. Check out his web site for the film at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/25712774/shale-a-short-film

It was hard to send him off on 9/29, back to New York, but it was good to spend the time with him that we did.

Also while in Medford, we spent a day with our good friends, Mark and Dawn Gosson. Ann and Dawn went shopping and worked on a quilt together while Wayne and Mark walked a 13.1 mile walk from Talent to Central Point. It was great to spend some time together and catch up on our lives! We also went to tons of annual check-ups at many doctors and dentists to update our contributions to their vacation funds and have them tell us we are in good health. We also did several errands in regards to our house, banking and such. Then we were blessed to be able to spend several days at the J & K Dude Ranch, where we got to help out with house painting, visiting and eating. Master painters, Jessica and John led the way as to how.

Wayne, with his head stuck in the rafters, followed their lead, while Ann mowed all the lawns.

Go get'um Farmer Ann!!

While we slaved outside, Karen kept the vittles comin' and the home fires burnin'!

We were blessed with tons of opportunity to work on projects with family, visit friends, visit family, visit doctors and financial advisers and catch up on our house stuff. We had a blast, were well fed and canasta'ed out. A great time. Oh, I almost forgot. We also got to hook up with one of our favorite outlaws, Bob Noble, for lunch one day! Thanks Bob!
When we left town on Oct 4, we headed south, spent the night in one of our favorite campgrounds, Sims Flat National Forest Campground, about 10 miles south of Dunsmuir, CA and then stopped in Redding, CA to have a quick lunch and visit with a long time friend, then stopped at The Olive Pit in Corning, CA to resupply on olives and pickled garlic before stopping at Lake of the Springs Thousand Trails Preserve in the mountains east of Yuba City.

Here we will stay for a couple weeks before moving on to Russian Rive Thousand Trails Preserve near Santa Rosa. While here we will also spend a weekend in Provo, Utah for our 11th grandchild's blessing.

BACK ON THE ROGUE 9/20-21/2011

2011-10-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

So many years of our life has been spent in the valley carved out by the Rogue River. Here we met, married, worked a career, raised 5 boys, hiked and/or rafted almost the complete length of the Rogue Rover from its source to its mouth. It is hard to realize it has been a year since we were here.

It was natural and refreshing to travel the very familiar route from Redmond, OR to Medford, OR. We spent 2 days traveling the route that would normally be driven in 4 hours. We stopped at several of our favorite, memory filled spots to sit and hike next to "our" river. We could have spent a week doing so. But even retired, full time RV'ers sometimes have a schedule to keep!

It was wonderful to be hiking along side a real river with real trees. We felt like we were home.

What a gorgeous river and forest!

Ahhh, the sweet joys of life! The peace that comes from wandering the trails of previous experiences, recalling special memories and savoring precious time spent together as husband and wife, as friends with many years of memories shared together. Life is good!

BRINGING OUR REDMOND FAMILY VISIT TO A CLOSE 9/16-18/2011

2011-09-19T16:25:00.000-07:00

As our assistance for Sean and Amanda was approaching a close, we took Captain America and Peaches on a weekend camping trip to Sun River/Bend Thousand Trails Preserve. Our first evening was a little chilly, so the heaters came in handy!

But, the next day was bright, sunny and almost hot, which warranted some bike riding.....

...by both Captain America and Peaches. Grandpa went on a few of the bike rides too. We explored the preserve quite a lot. Grandpa had borrowed Sean's bike and has decided he wants one too!! Maybe someday we can get one for Grandma and Grandpa!!

We are so blessed to have such good looking Oregon Grandkids. In fact we have good looking Maryland Grandkids, good looking California Grandkids and good looking Utah Grandkids too!!! And the fuel companies of America are totally tickled that we enjoy going to see those good looking Grandkids all around the country!!

Grandpa loves to tell stories and loves to tease, but as you can see by the looks on these faces, he is not always believed!! Grandpa hears a lot of, "Grandma, is Grandpa telling the truth??"

Seeing as how the pool was a toasty 84 degrees, Camden and Grandpa decided to try a swim. Camden thought it was perfect. Grandpa, after awhile, opted for the hot tub!!!

Amazing what swimming does to little boys!!

Peaches is going to be an architect when she grows up!

Pretty good city designs, don't you think?

Just hanging around with Grandma!!

Sunday morning pancakes,ala Grandma and Peaches!

Sunday afternoon, after dropping captain America and Peaches off at their parents, we spent a couple hours visiting with our nephew and his family. It was good to see them again and spend some time with them.

Then, we headed back to our trailer and exhaustedly relaxed and went to bed early. Been a very busy couple weeks. We will stay here at Sun River/Bend Thousand Trails Preserve until Wednesday, September 21, when we will leave and take 2 days to drive to Medford, OR where we will spend a week or so with family there and do doctor visits.

AN UNCLE JED VISIT 9/13/2011

2011-09-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

Uncle Jed was in Oregon setting up for a movie he will shoot here in December and decided to come pay us all in Redmond a visit. There were all the standard activities of an uncle coming from New York for a visit.
Like reading stories to Peaches......

....trying to ignore a pestering brother......

.....spending time with Brody......

....and hanging out with his brother.

We all really enjoyed Uncle Jed's brief visit.

CAPTAIN AMERICA'S LEGO CITY 9/11/2011

2011-09-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

One thing that Grandma and Grandpa are good at is being coerced into going to Captain America's room and helping him add more to his Lego City. Below are some shots of Captain America's creativity.

Not bad, eh!!!!

REDMOND OREGON 2ND EDITION

2011-09-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

After a few days of transporting Captain America and Peaches back and forth to school, they convinced the parents that they were able to ride the bus to and from school. After a few trial runs, it now has become part of the morning and afternoon routine, to walk them to the stop and then be there for them when they return.

While Captain America and Peaches are at school, shopping, cleaning and such takes place. It is also a time of peace for their new kitten, Gilly. She thinks Sean is the purrrrfect father and tends to follow him around and sleeps in his arms like a baby.

Gilly gets so relaxed while the kids are gone that she will fall deeply asleep in Sean's arms and then be totally out for the count, no matter what Sean does to her.

Now, that's one relaxed cat!!!

Then Captain America comes home......

....and so does Peaches. Gilly's peaceful day is done!

Okay, I am not making my grandkids out to be kitty terrorizing monsters! They just love to play with the new kitty...... a lot!

Redmond OR 9/5-21/2011

2011-09-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

It came time for us to bring our nation trotting to a temporary halt and go back to Oregon.

We left Idaho on September 5 and drove a few hours, and arrived in OREGON! Haven't been in this state in almost a year!

Oregon was so excited to see us they created a "Welcome Center" just to welcome us back!!

Now, Ann and I are currently in Redmond, OR at our son’s home.
His wife went in for emergency surgery last week and our little visit and camping trip with them has turned into an extended stay, parked outside their house, helping out with the recovery, grand kid care and such.

We still plan to be in Medford for the 24th to do the half marathon walk….. but Wayne will be doing it without Ann, because a couple days after we got here, Ann fell out of the trailer door and damaged her foot.

Now, Sean and Wayne have two invalid women to care for!

We got to be here for the start of school and Wayne got to be the go to guy for a couple days for taking kids to school, meeting teachers and picking up kids after school. He was in seventh heaven, being at school and dealing with kids and such.

Amanda is recuperating and so is Ann. Sean and Wayne are doing the best we can. We are working hard!

So, for the last week and the one to come, we are in Redmond, OR. We help with meals, transportation, care, playing, household duties and all the other things that go with a busy family that includes two handicapped wives.
Wish Amanda and Ann, Captain America and Peaches good luck.

2 WEEKS AT FORT RUNNING BEAR 8/23-9/6/2011

2011-09-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

We have been at our home Coast to Coast Park since August 23. We will leave here the day after Labor Day. What, you may ask, have we done for those 2 weeks? Believe it or not, we have been very busy. No, Mark ,it's not work! But very time occupying.

For instance, Ann made a lemon ice cream pie! Then came the hard part.... limiting ourselves to a small slice each evening. YUMMY! (Even though it was a store bought graham cracker crust!)

Another thing we did was sprout some alfalfa seed sprouts for our salads and sandwiches. This required remembering to rinse them several times a day! Not many left are there? Better start sprouting some more!

We also made a couple batches of home made whole wheat bread. Again, time to make some more. Maybe tomorrow after we walk our 9 miles in the morning.

Oh, that's something else we do. We walk in this beautiful desert anywhere from 2-9 miles a day (But only in the morning when it is 40-45 degrees, before it heats up to 85-90 degrees).

Then another thing we do, we make cooked whole wheat to sprinkle on our sandwiches and eat for breakfast with raisins.

We've also cooked up a batch of black beans to use for dinners of beans and rice, make sandwiches with, snack on and such.

Another thing we do is worry that we might run out of excellent pickled garlic. But, we think we might have enough to make it until we get to The Olive Pit south of Redding CA.

Then still another thing we do is enjoy home made delicious sandwiches for lunch. This was Wayne's today. Delicious looking, eh!!! Ingredients: 2 slices of home made whole wheat bread; two tablespoons of Miracle Whip, spread one tablespoon on each side; 5 tablespoons of drained, cold black beans; 1 tablespoon cooked whole wheat kernels; 10 pickled garlic buttons, sliced; 8 slices of bread and butter pickles (those are sweet pickles, Kevin); 1 small handful of alfalfa sprouts. Juicy, tasty, YUMMY!! Beats cowboy music any day!!!

This is what is left of Ann's creation. She devoured it before we could take a picture. It was an open faced toasted cheese and alfalfa sprouts sandwich on home made whole wheat bread. Yummy!! Now you see why we have to walk each morning!

Oh, another thing we do to stay busy is read. We do that a lot. Ann's current book is on the left and Wayne's current book is on the right.

We also play miniature golf, pay bills, visit with our fellow RV'ers, work on Family History, help the owners on odd jobs around the park, watch a little news, Ann knits, watch a few movies, clean the trailer, talk to each other, work on Wayne's autobiography,

and cut Wayne's hair.

So, you see, two weeks has flown by and we still don't have enough time to get everything done. So, after Labor Day we will take a couple days to drive to Bend, Oregon where we will stay a couple weeks, do more of what we have been doing and also visit another son and his family. WHEW!!!

FORT RUNNING BEAR 8/23-??/2011

2011-08-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

August 23, we arrived here at our Coast to Coast home park, Fort Running Bear. This small RV park located at 5,033 feet above sea level out in the high desert, 25 miles NE of Mountain Home ID, is a beautifully peaceful place to unwind for a few days.

Here, nestled among the sage brush and wheat fields, we will celebrate our 37th wedding anniversary......

... go for walks out in the desert......

...read and write....

...and just absorb the peace that comes from the solitude of being at the end of a road in the desert, in the end of the RVing season, in a recession.

As we sit at our dining room table and gaze out on Little Camus Reservoir....

...and watch the deer come in to graze in the evening.....

...we will contemplate how long we will stay here before moving on to Bend and Redmond OR to visit another son and his family. It has been over 4 years since we have been here, so we may stay a little.

BURLEY,ID - MOUNTAIN HOME ID 8/23/2011

2011-08-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

Leaving Burley, ID, we headed west on Hwy 30, once again choosing the red roads for a slower pace. We stopped and read many historical markers along the way and eventually ended up in a small community named after one of our grand daughters. Or so it seemed.
I put two shots of the same picture below. This first one just has Ann in it and she is looking downward. We usually set the camera on a tripod, set the timer for 10 - 20 seconds and then I run to get into the picture. The reason Ann is looking down is because I slipped and fell as I ran to get in this shot. I am on the ground, out of sight.

I managed to not slip on this try! Anyway, Kimmy, this one's for you!!

We then, as we were headed towards Twin Falls, stopped to view Shoshone Falls on the Snake River. They are beautiful and even though they are dammed, the engineers did a good job of preserving the falls.

We drove down a very steep and narrow road to get a closer view.

This land is so full of beauty. It feels good to be back in the Pacific Northwest. This is home and familiar to us, even though we have never seen these falls before.

We then drove into Twin Falls, ID and across the Snake River. We have been here before and it felt good to be on more familiar territory.

After crossing the bridge, we stopped for a walk down below the bridge. It was so peaceful here. We spend 30 minutes or so just absorbing the peace of the Snake River Canyon.

We both commented, as we stood there, that this view reminded us of a bridge crossing the Colorado River that we crossed a couple years back and saw a couple condors. It also reminded us of the bridge north of Redmond that crosses either the Deschutes or John Day River. Beautiful, eh!!!

Absorbing the peace of the Snake River.

BRIGHAM CITY, UT 8/22/2011

2011-08-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

As we headed north towards Idaho on I-15 we noticed a temple rising from the small community of Brigham City. Not remembering there being one there before, we pulled off the freeway and drove into the small little community. We fell in love with the community immediately. We so much more enjoy small communities to large ones.

As we drove towards the temple building, we found a beautiful little home for sale for only $137,000.00. We did not buy it, but oh how tempted we were.
We found the temple and saw that it was under construction.

As we walked around it, we learned that it will be completed in late 2012.

It is a beautiful building, kind of reminiscent of the Twin Falls and Salt Lake Temples.

Then, across the street from the temple we saw a beautiful building and it said it was open for tours.

So, we walked up and took a tour of this beautiful building. It was built in the late 1800's and has served a s a chapel for the church ever since. It's structure inside and out reminds us of the St. George Tabernacle and a smaller version on the inside of the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

We spent about an hour here. It is a peaceful little community!

Then we got on our horse and headed, once again, north. Along the freeway we saw this old cement building decorated with graffiti. Only in Utah would graffiti cover the walls welcoming home two missionaries and supporting our military troops.

Finally, after stopping for dinner in a small diner in Snowville, did we reach Idaho. We then drove on to Burley, ID, where we spent the night in Camp Wal-Mart. It was pleasant to be on the road again, exploring and seeing our country.

POV FAMILY 8/22/2011

2011-08-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

We left Kevin's family on August 22. We drove to Salt Lake City and met up with our friends, the Povs. We served with Chinn on our mission in Oakland. He is from Cambodia and is now a legal immigrant here studying nursing. After being accepted here as a legal immigrant and while beginning his schooling, Chinn met and married a wonderful young lady, Sarah, and together they are developing a life here in the good ol' USA.

We shared a lunch together and had fun visiting for an hour or so before they had to both run off to work.

We are so proud of Chinn and Sarah. Chinn is pursuing a life here in the United States and in a couple years will be able to become a USA citizen. Chinn grew up in a hut on stilts in a poor family in Cambodia. He left home and lived on the streets of a large city, shining shoes for a living. He then met the missionaries of our church, found a better way to live and joined the church. A year or so later he accepted a call to serve as a missionary in Oakland, CA, where we met him. After his mission, he was required to go back to Cambodia. He did not want to go. He was so afraid he would not be able to come back to the USA. But he wanted to follow the laws of the land, so he went back. While there, he struggled and worked to be accepted as an immigrant to America. Finally things lined up for him and he was able to come here, where he has worked, struggled and began college.
Chinn is living proof that the immigration system works well in our country and if a person from another country wants to come here and better his or her life, there is already a good system for doing so. We are proud of Chinn and Sarah for making good choices and for working so hard to improve their lives!!!

LAST DAYS 8/17-21/2011

2011-08-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

So, the month we spent helping Kevin and Megan get settled in babying and teaching has come to an end. While we were here, we did lend a hand, but we also spent time doing things in and to our trailer. We also spent some time doing other things too, especially the last few days before we left. It was though, quite amazing at how busy we were just helping out. We forget, as we travel, how busy life is with kids running around. Whew!
We also were surprised at how rapidly Pineapple changed and grew! She has gone from being a newborn with little interaction to the outside world to cooing and watching us, as well as interacting with us. Amazing!

Batman has amazed us with his physical abilities. He's quite the little jungle gym rat!! He has grown too in our stay!

One day we spent just with Megan and the kids. It was nice to be able to get Megan out of the house a little. We think it is easy in the busy Mommy stage to get locked up at home and forget about the outside world.

It has been a long time since we have had to worry about car seats, diaper bags and such in preparation to go somewhere. It brought back memories of when we celebrated the first time we could go somewhere without a diaper bag.......so many years ago!

Kevin and his friend, Angel, decided to run a 5 K run on Saturday. It was fun to be there and support them.

Here they are, ready to start.

Right in the center of the pack!

While they were running, Batman and Grandpa hit the air bag jumpy thing.

Batman was really good at telling the other kids what they were doing wrong. He is learning slowly that he is not in charge of everybody!!!!

Grandpa and Batman wore the same kind of hat most of the time we went out in public. Megan said that Batman had had the hat for a few months and refused to wear it, until Grandpa showed up and he saw how cool Grandpa looked in his. After that we did not go outside without our hats!!

After a little wait, we saw the runners begin to come in. The 1 milers, 5K and 10K runners all mixed up together.

Our boys finished strong and together! The clock shows the time for the 10 K runners. Our boys started 10 minutes later, so deduct 10 minutes for Kevin and Angel.

Grandma's favorite activity in the whole world is being with her grand children. She spent so much time taking care of Pineapple and Batman. She was a great mother and now is a super grandmother. Grandpa tries really hard to be as wonderful as his eternal companion!

On our last Sunday together, we spent the after church time relaxing....

....and Grandma presenting to Pineapple some booties she knitted for her.

Oooops! Well, hopefully she will fill them soon!!

That afternoon we went for a walk together and while we walked, Batman and Kevin braved a little woods exploring.

Papa and Batman!

Thus we ended our stay in Provo, UT. We left the little family to begin the school year and their life as a bigger and busier family. We now head off into the wild blue yonder to visit more sons and their families, do more family history research, sit in campgrounds and explore this wonderful country of ours.

MR COWLEY #4'S TEACHING HERITAGE

2011-08-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

Kevin, our youngest son is entering into his first year of teaching this 2011-12 school year. He has a background of teachers in his family in whose footsteps he is following.

There is Mr. Cowley # 1. Allyn Cowley is Kevin's grandfather. He started out teaching 4th grade, then 7th grade science, and finished his career as a 5th grade teacher. He taught 20 years in California from 1957-1977.

Mrs. Cowley # 1, Kevin's grandmother, taught 4th grade her whole career. She taught 13 years in California from 1964-1977.

Mrs. Rice #1 taught grade school for about 10-15 years. She is Kevin's great-grandmother on Ann's side of the family. She taught in New Mexico around the years of 1908-1915 and Oklahoma about 1918-1930.

Mrs. Huff # 1 taught 4th grade for about 3 or 4 years in California from 1941 on. She is Kevin's grandmother (Ann's Mom).

Mr. Cowley #2 taught grade school for 30 years in Oregon. He taught all those years in the same school, but taught 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades. He is Kevin's dad.

Mr Cowley # 3 is Kevin's uncle (Wayne's brother). He has taught 7th grade English for almost 20 years in Oregon. He is still teaching.

So, Mr Cowley #4 has a long history of teachers in his bloodline that are rooting for him and wish him great success in the greatest career out there. Go get'um Kevin!!! We are all proud of you!!

MR COWLEY #4 8/2011

2011-08-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

Well, besides being here to help out with the new grand child, we are also here to help launch Kevin, our youngest son, into his new career as an elementary school teacher. He has completed all his requirements for graduation but student teaching. His university allows 15 or so select students to do internships instead of student teaching. This means thy are hired by a local school as full time teachers at half salary. They are supervised by a staff member of the elementary school and the principal. He will have his own classroom, his own class, just like a fully graduated teacher. This is a real team partnership between the school and the university and gives Kevin a real opportunity to jump right in and get started. He is really excited to have been hired, chosen and assigned.
It is interesting to note that his classroom number is......

..... #14! That is the same classroom number as Wayne started out in 35 years ago!!!! Only different states and different schools!! Another difference will be that Wayne started out in 5th grade and Kevin will be starting out in 4th grade.

TA DUMMM!!!!! Here he is!! Mr. Cowley # 4!!

Thought this was interesting how this photo turned out with Mr. Cowley # 4 working at his desk and Mr. Cowley #2's reflection above him.

Teaching is such exhausting work!!

BATMAN AND GRANDPA 8/2011

2011-08-14T16:04:00.000-07:00

One of the fun things Grandpa gets to do, on an almost daily basis, is take Batman for a walk or a drive. While Mom and Grandma are busy with house and baby things, and Papa is busy with work and school, Batman gets kind of antsy. So, we go out, just us boys.
One day, we went for a walk, instead of driving someplace.
We found a busy construction site with lots of hard working big tractors and dump trucks. We sat for close to 30 minutes just checking out "BIG TRUCKS!!!!". One dump truck driver was friendly and waved to Batman each time he drove by. It is amazing how big trucks and tractors fascinate little boys!

Later on that walk, we found the duck pond we had visited several days back. We fed the ducks, chased the ducks, climbed stairs, threw rocks, chased other little kids that came to play, almost touched a turtle and threw some more rocks.

And then, a miracle happened!!!! Some lawn guy just happened to come by and set up a sprinkler near where we were. Of course, Batman had to go check it out and make sure it was set up right.

After about 15 minutes of acute and very active inspection, Batman determined that it was appropriately placed. Of course there are hazards to such specialized tasks! And Batman had to deal with the fact that he was all wet! He did so with an ear to ear smile and the declaration, "I wet!!!!"

Then, after finding all the drinking fountains in five buildings on campus, we decided it was time to go home for lunch!!

PAINT CREW 8/9-10/2011

2011-08-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

Megan and Kevin run the apartment complex they live in. Megan is the office and manager person and Kevin is the maintenance person. Kevin had one last project to finish before summer's end and a whole new school year began. That was to paint all the inside and outside of the building! By the time we got there and Pineapple was born, he had finished all but the outside railings and stairs. So he hired a friend and volunteered his dad. In two long days, we three whipped it out. Whew!!!! What a job that was!!!
But that is the way our family has done things for a couple generations. Visit and do projects together. It is grand!!!

BIRTHDAY BOY

2011-08-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

Kevin took Wayne out for breakfast to commemorate his completion of his 59th year on this earth. We went to a quaint little hole-in-the-wall place where all the old guys hang out for coffee in the morning. Good food and good company!

QUEEN PINEAPPLE 8/7/2011

2011-08-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

Ann and Wayne have been here in Provo a few weeks helping take care of Pineapple, Batman and their parents for a couple weeks now. It has been a long time since we have spent this much time with a newborn and are simply amazed at how quickly they grow and develop. It is fun to be with her, and the family. Isn't she a sweet one!!!

Kevin and Megan know so much about baby things, like wrapping Pineapple tightly so she sleeps more comfortably. Ann and I learn a lot by being with the little family. Ann spends most of her days and night helping out. Wayne just wanders around, plays with Batman and tries to stay out of the way.

Occasionally, Wayne is allowed to hold #11. But, we have watched and learned that the most important thing we can do is......

... just let the little family be a family. But, it is oh so hard not to be trying to help all the time!

Aren't they cute!!!!!

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY AND BEYOND 7/31/2011

2011-07-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

This last week seems like an eternity has passed. We have been so busy trying to help out with Kevin and Megan and the two kiddos. Between the two of us, Wayne and Ann, Grandma is the most useful and works the hardest. Wayne just tries to keep Batman entertained, takes out the garbage and tries to stay out of the way. Wayne sleeps at the trailer, Ann on the couch at the kid's house. Wayne gets the air conditioner replaced on the trailer, Ann bathes a baby, does diapers, fixes meals, does dishes, supports Megan, etc. The lack of balance is noticed.

One day, Wayne took Batman to the park for a couple hours.

One day, the two grandpas, Kevin and Batman went out to the pool.

Grandpa McGhie teaches Batman about the" hose phone".

Megan, and the Grandma McGhie give Pineapple a bath.

Grandma Cowley holding Pineapple.

Then on Saturday, Wayne took Ann for a needed break and hiked up a canyon to relax and enjoy the scenery.

The view of Provo Lake almost made the lake look beautiful! So, we plan to be here, helping out (Ann)and getting in the way (Wayne) through the near end of August. Then we will head northwest to Idaho and Oregon. Family History, Family and Temples are our plans for the future.

BLESSINGS

2011-07-30T23:46:00.000-07:00

I am constantly amazed at how much I learn each day; about the world, about other people, about myself, about life. Today I was reminded of how special Ann is to me and how my life is filled by her. Sometimes being without reminds us of what we have. As we spend time helping with our son's new addition to his life, I watch Ann as she goes about her motherly and grandmotherly tasks and marvel how blessed my life is and those of her sons and daughters-in-law by her contributions to their betterment. She spends all day and night with them, helping where she can. I help during the day and go home to the trailer at night. I miss her so much when I am alone in the trailer and when I go to bed at night. I am blessed with a great woman for an eternal companion!
WC

COWLEY GRANDCHILD # 11 7/26-28/2011

2011-07-30T22:33:00.000-07:00

Late in the evening, after having spent the day with Kevin and Megan and shopping and such, just as we were settling down into bed back at our trailer, we got a call that said for us to come to the house and watch Batman because Megan was in labor. Wayne stayed with Batman and Ann went with the kids to the hospital. Here is Megan checking in for the birth.

All checked in, the soon to be parents of two await the arrival of the stork.

In the morning, after the stork delivered the bundle of joy, Megan and Kevin presented a new Cowley to the world!!

Then the next day, during a severe thunder, lightening and rain downpour, they prepared Pineapple for her ride home.

Did I mention that it was raining?

Heaven's water broke for the delivery of Pineapple to her new home.

Big brother, Batman, gets to welcome his little sister to his domain!

My Baby!

The new family of four!

Grandma Cowley, who was there for the birth and got to hold Pineapple many times before, finally gets a little quiet time alone with her newest grand daughter.

Grandpa Cowley finally gets in on the act. While everyone else was paying attention to Pineapple, Grandpa and Batman had been hanging out together.

The Champ, er, I mean, Princess!!

A WALK WITH BATMAN 7/24/2011

2011-07-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

Sunday, after church we went far a walk with Batman and his parents on a beautiful new path along a man-made creek and ending up at a nice pond.

A happy family at a nice park waiting for the new baby to arrive.

Batman is a typical little one that loves to throw rocks,

climb things and hit trees.

Then when Grandpa asked where all Batman's rocks were, he wasn't sure.

Then he remembered and revealed a secret pile!!

Later we all worked together to fix dinner.

Dinner waiters!

Dinner eater!

OFF TO UTAH 7/21-22/2011

2011-07-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

After we left Tucumcari, NM we began driving towards Provo, UT where we were going to stay and help while our youngest son and his wife have a new baby. The drive began to get more and more beautiful as we went through Arizona.

The rock formations were getting more and more interesting.

Then we got into some cloudy area and we were really thankful for some rain.

This is Ship Rock.

The north side of Ship Rock.

Finally we crossed over into Utah!

We spent the night in Blanding UT in a trailer park near a Shell gas station and then the next morning headed out north for Provo, enjoying the beautiful rocky scenery of Southeastern Utah..

Hat Rock.

Wilson Arch, near Moab UT.

Wayne, after climbing to stand under Wilson Arch.

Close-up of Wayne under Wilson Arch.

Wayne and Ann at Wilson Arch near Moab, UT.

I bet you can't figure out where we are !!!

We had planned to spend a few nights here, but we felt we needed to move on to be closer to Kevin and Megan's, plus, we were not sure we wanted to tow thew trailer up the hill if we were not going to spend the night. So, we moved on.

As we went through the canyons we saw several coal trains. We figured they must mine it around here somewhere.

Well, we made it to Provo UT on July 22nd and set up camp at Wal-Mart for the night in Springville. We spent the night there and then the next day set up in East Bay RV Park in Springville UT where we will stay until we finish helping Kevin and Megan.

TUCUMCARI, NEW MEXICO 7/19-21/2011

2011-07-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

From Ada, OK we headed west across the rest of Oklahoma, through Texas....

...seeing the world famous Leaning Water Tower of Britten....

....then into New Mexico.

There in New Mexico, we stopped for a couple days in Tucumcari. We had learned that Ann's grand parents that we had just researched in Ada, were married here by a Judge in 1911. So, we decided to visit here and see what we could find! Don't let the exit sign fool you. It is a town that once was grand, but is no more. When the railroad pulled out and Route 66 was replaced by I-40, the town dwindled rapidly starting in the late 1950's. It is a skeleton of it's former self!

We got to town after the court house closed, but before we wanted to call it a night, so we found the local theater and attended a movie. It was a theater house right out of the 1940's. It was quaint.... and for sale! $65,000 and you could own your own theater with a sound and projection system that matches its age. After the show (Green Lantern) we spent the night in Camp K-Mart, Our air conditioner stopped working a few days ago and with the days hovering around 108 degrees, we were grateful for this evening's little breeze.

The next morning we toured town a little, viewing some of its attempt at a historical come back.

There we 56 murals in this little town! All commemorated its past. It was begun in 1904 and was a booming town until the late 1950's. Now, it is just a blink of an eye as you drive by on I-40.

We went to the air conditioned (Everybody say ahhhhhhh!) court house and got to work. We found the marriage applications, licenses and certificates for Ann's grandparents and for her grand mother's sister. We also found the deed to 260+ acres that her great grandparents, John and Sarah Rice, recorded for land that they had homesteaded here. We later found a lease deed where they leased the mineral rights to a local oil company and then later the land was sold in two parts. We used a local cartographer to locate the property for us by using the legal description. We then went to the public library and read up on the history of the town and researched the schools. We found that Ann's grandmother had taught elementary school here too, before she married Ann's Grandpa.

We found in the library that the school building still stood, but it was now a historical center. It was closed when we got there. We had scanned a picture of the school as it looked in 1906 and then took this picture as it stands now. We also learned that the old court house where her grandparents had been married had burned down, so we could not get a picture of that.

We then drove out to find the property they had homesteaded. It was the land located between these two mountains and beyond a little.

Here is a close up from on top of the trailer. There were no roads out to the property at this time.

As you can see, it was desert like. It is now used as cattle grazing property.

After Tucumcari, we drove west to Hidden Valley RV Park in Tijeras, New Mexico. It rained most of the night. We were grateful for the cooler weather. We actually pulled a sheet over us this night!!!

ADA OK 7/16-18/2011

2011-07-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

Over a period of a few days, Ann and Wayne drove to and searched the small town of Ada, Oklahoma. This town was the town where Ann's mother was born and grew up.

We spent those days driving around and walking through the places where her grandparents, mother and siblings had spent a lot of their lives.

We spent about half of one day searching the deed records of the county court house, looking for the location of two hoses that we knew Her Grandpa had built. One being the house in which her mother spent most of her first 20 years of her life. The other being the one her grandpa built and in which he hoped to spend the rest of his retirement. What we found out in this searching was that both Ann's grandparent were very active in buying and selling land and homes in the Ada area/ Below is a partial page showing her grandfather's name in one such trade..

We also learned that her grandfather worked for the postal service a large part of his life, retiring with full honors at the still young age of 69. This was the second post office he worked in in Ada, from 1935-1958. We spent a number of hours in the public library and found the location of the first post office he worked in, but also learned that that building had burned down and there was a city park in its location now, just a couple blocks down from the new post office. We went there and Ann stood on the place.

This in Main Street of down town Ada, near where the old post office had stood.

We also learned that Her grandparents also owned an insurance business too. Her grandmother operated it. We also learned that Ann's mother went to college here, majoring in Elementary Ed, and later became a 4th grade teacher. We went to tour her college that is now called east Central University.

While strolling across campus, we found this bench recognizing the play this campus had in preparing future teachers, like Dana. Here Ann sits, contemplating her mother's life while on this campus.

The gateway at the end of Main Street, entering the campus with the Old Science Building, oldest building on campus, and in which Ann's mother probably took classes, in the background.

The Science Building and part of the beautiful campus of East Central University.

Then we learned that Ann's Grandmother had also taught school, not only here in Ada, but in New Mexico too! So, we did some more research and found the school in which she taught, Irving Elementary School. It is no longer a school. It now is a senior center.

This is the school in which she taught. If you look real hard you can see Ann in the entry way.

So, after some deed searching and some cartography work in the court house, we found the address of the first house Ann's grandfather built in Ada and in which Ann's mother grew up. 917 E. 6th Street.

Then we also were able to locate the house Ann's grandfather built and in which they lived their first few years of retirement, located on 423 Hillcrest.

Ann had fond memories of visiting this home when she was 4 or 5 years old. We knocked on the door and a very kind older lady gave us a tour of the house.

Here in Ada we learned that her Rice grandparents had worked hard and survived the depression years quite well through lots of hard work and being actively engaged. Grandpa worked for the post office as a clerk, bought and sold real estate and built houses. Her grandmother taught school and owned an insurance business. Ann's mother went to college and became a teacher. Very good times we spent here. Finding and learning about family is very rewarding and uplifting.
So, after a couple days in Ada, OK and basking in the spirit of getting to know Ann's grandparents and mother a little better by touring some of their history we departed Ada and headed towards Tucumcari, New Mexico for more research into Ann's family history.

PELICAN LANDING COAT TO COAST RESORT 7/13-17/2011

2011-07-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

We stayed a few days near Afton, OK to rest, catch up on laundry and meet up with our oldest son's family as they traveled east to their new home. To our surprise we also met up with a family we had met a couple years ago in Santa Cruz, CA. They are the Harrises and are east to spot as they have a large family! It was good to reconnect and good to see other large families braving the traveling of this country so their kids can see how beautiful it is.

Being camped next to them has refreshed ourselves of our years gone by when we traveled with our boys. People always marveled at us traveling with such a large group and always, well almost always, complimented us on their manners and good behavior.

Here you see some of the family problem solving and working together changing a flat on their rig.

They couldn't get the jack to take the rig up high enough to get the repaired tire back on, so they dug out a space so it would fit.

Even the little ones helped!

But it was easy to see which one was in charge!!

FAMILY ON THE RUN 7/15/2011

2011-07-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

The day we had been anticipating for weeks finally arrived! With one of our son's family headed out to join him in his new assignment in the east we anticipated that we would be in the same place as they on some part of our and their trip. That crossing of paths took place today in a pizza parlor in Vihita, OK.
We got to spend about 90 minutes together while eating pepperoni pizza and an apple type dessert pizza. Good food, good visit, good family time.

Strawberry was indignant to think that Grandpa thought she was doing some of the driving, but was proud to share that she is in charge of all the phone calls while Mommy is driving.

Apple giggled and told us that she was in charge of the back seat and watching movies.

Mango, we decided was in charge of naps and looking cute!

It was a way too brief visit, but we did get a few hugs and smiles that will last us until the next grandkid fix in Utah in about a month. We sure miss all our grand kids in between visits!

INDEPENDENCE AND LIBERTY MO 7/12/2011

2011-07-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

We spent today in Independence and Liberty MO. First we toured the Visitors Center of our church. It was so much fun to be with the senior couple that greeted us at the front door and the sister missionary that took us on a tour. We were primarily interested in the history of the area. She did a bang up job of teaching us all the events of this area. She even added some information to what we already had studied and learned about on our own!

Then we walked across the street to this building. It is the temple and headquarters for The Church of Christ, another church that has historical ties to the area. We went in and were greeted by wonderful people that shared their version of the local history and their doctrinal beliefs. Interesting and very easy to listen to as they shared.

The tour included their chapel and their massive pipe organ. There was a lady there practicing for a pipe organ recital. She was quite good!

Looking up from where we sat in the chapel, we saw the insides of the spiral we saw on the outside of the building.

Then we walked outside and across the other street to another church that has their history centered in this area too. Wow! This place was interesting, but our tour guide made it really difficult for Wayne to keep his promise not to speak and just listen and learn. We learned a lot and even though the guy was very challenging and confrontational, Wayne smiled a lot, nodded his head and said, "That's very interesting." a lot. Their church was called, The Church of Christ Of the Temple Lot. Interesting, to say the least!

This is the beautiful 2 acre plot of land owned by The Church of Christ of the Temple.

One of the many plaques posted around and near the temple site by various historical societies and churches..

Then we drove to Liberty, had a really nice lunch at a deli there. Next we toured the Liberty Jail Visitors Center.

Here is the door that was on the jail when Joseph Smith and several others were jailed there on erroneous charges for many winter months.

This reconstruction of the jail was built on the jail's original foundation and constructed with the stones left from the rubble of the destroyed jail.

The missionary that served as our tour guide allowed us around the rear of the jail to see the consruction more closely.

The figures representing the prisoners were very life like. We half expected them to stand up and share their story with us.

Well, here's the proof. We were there!

SPECIAL SITES 7/11/2011

2011-07-16T15:43:00.000-07:00

Today on July 11, Monday, we drove to a site near Gallatin, MO that is sacred to us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We spent several hours here, walking the grounds and visiting with the director. What a special place to serve a mission! Only 12 Senior Couple Missionaries serve here.

We walked out on a point where we could overlook the beautifully maintained Valley of Adam Ondi Ahman. Powerful!! Roy and Patty, let's go!!!

Just beautiful! We spent quite some time reading and feeling while here. Awesome!

Hiking the trails was great. Only draw back... it was oh so hot!!!

From this rock, we are told sermons and prophecies were made. It is called "The Preachers Rock". It looks out on the fields below.

This is the grove that has been dedicated for a temple someday in the future.

Then we drove to the site that once was a thriving community called Far West. It is now just a park surrounded by farm land. To read the history of this place and then to be there was a powerful testimony builder.

Across the road from the temple site, another church adds its comments to the events that took place here.

This is one of the 4 corner stones laid for the temple almost 200 years ago. Amazing! Touring these two special historical sites today brings reality to the history we have read for years.

We then drove to Lone Jack MO to a Coast to Coast Park to spend a couple nights and use as a base to tour Independence and Liberty MO.

ANN'S ANCESTORS 7/10/2011

2011-07-16T14:38:00.000-07:00

Today, Sunday, we went to church in Quincy IL. A nice ward. While there, Ann felt that she wanted to look to see if any of her family lived in that area in ancient times. She checked her research and found that one of her Huff ancestors was born near there in a small farming community called Beverly. We left church after Sunday School and after consulting the GPS, the maps and a few farmers, we found the Township of Beverly consisting of two cemeteries, a few houses, a couple churches and lots and lots of corn and soy bean fields. As you can see by the sign, it is a small place. By the way, the GPS did not even know of it.

With only two cemeteries that the locals knew of in town, we decided to go to the one that was on the straight line out of town, thus not having to turn around this big rig in this no place to turn around township. We found it and found a cute little church with it.

We delicately maneuvered off the road into the cemetery, between the church and the recently tornado blown down tree. On the way out here to Beverly, the farmers educated us on the recent tornado they had. Anyway, thus parked, we began walking the cemetery with the hopes that if one of her ancestors was born here, maybe some were buried here too.

Ann first found the name of the cemetery. Then Ann took the left side of the trailer and Wayne took the right side.

Here is a closeup of the name of the cemetery and the year it was started.

Then a little later, Wayne heard a squeal of excitement and Ann exclaiming, "I found my family!"

Here she is with hers and John's Great-Great Grandparent's headstone. This man, John Huff emigrated to USA from Prussia and then married Mary from Pennsylvania and then farmed here in and around Beverly Township, IL, raising a family and then dieing here.

Here is a close up of the details on the headstone.

Then Ann set about recording the details of the other headstones of family that was buried nearby.

While she did this, Wayne further explored the cemetery and climbed the downed tree.

And in his explorations, found that the back door to the church was unlocked! Seeing as how it was a Sunday, he figured it would be okay to go inside and see what he could find. He found it abandoned, so he went back to get Ann and they explored it together. And guess what we found?!!!

Nailed to the wall in the back room was a map of the cemetery and who purchased what lots, plots and such. It did not record who was buried there, just who purchased what. It was fascinating and Wayne was tempted to take it for Ann's records, but then realized that it was probably hanging there for every explorer like us to discover. So, we took a picture and put it back in its place of honor, nailed to the wall.

You see in Section 12, James Huff bought lot 2 and John Huff bought lot 3. Pretty neat discovery eh?

Once we had recorded all we could at that cemetery, we drove to the cemetery in town. Here is the Methodist Church located in front of what was once a cemetery.

We were sadly disappointed that this cemetery was not being taken care of properly. As we explored what just appeared to be a field, we gradually began to find a few headstones still partially standing and leaning up against trees. Then further exploration found there were many many headstones that had fallen over years ago and the crabgrass had completely grown over them and covered them making it look like a flat field. Who ever is the grounds keeper here is mowing it but there is no sacred care of the cemetery. There needs to be a missionary couple come to research who is buried here and resurrect all these headstones and make it a sacred place again, before somebody forgets it is a cemetery and builds a house over it or a baseball diamond or something.

This is the address of the cemetery here in Beverly that is older than the one we had just visited. It is known as the Old Beverly Cemetery.

Thus inspired, we did some computer research while we were there and found some records on the cemetery and found there are three that we could find of Ann's family buried there. Maybe this is a project we should invest our time in. To us it is very sad that there is not better maintenance of this sacred resting place. We shall see.
We left this area and drove on towards Gallatinn, MO, spending the night at a Wal-Mart along the way.

MORE NAUVOO 7/9/2011

2011-07-16T11:34:00.000-07:00

We spent the night of the 8th in the state park in Nauvoo and rose early the next morning to catch a presentation along Parley Street. A lot of the actors from the pageant were spaced along the road from Nauvoo down to the Mississippi River, the same path the saints took when they were expelled from the city they had built by the governor of Missouri and the government ignored mob violence.

These actors quoted entries from the journals of the people they portrayed. It was very touching.

There were also signs along the way, in between the actors that quoted other pioneers and their experiences in Nauvoo and their experiences in departing in that terribly cold winter of 1846.

When we got to the bottom of the road, arriving at the Mississippi River, we found a statue of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young discussing the plans to leave for the Rocky Mountains.

There is the river they crossed. It was a sobering couple hours we spent in this experience, thinking of what those families must have been experiencing and thinking so long ago. Here we are with our comfortable RV. We are so spoiled!

Could you imagine being ferried across that massive river on this?

Then we visited more buildings, like this one. it is the 70's hall. It was the church's first Missionary Training Center!

Here is the inside. It was beautiful!

Then we went back to the trailer, hitched up, showered and drove to the temple to attend the noon session. It is a beautiful temple, both inside and out.

When we left the temple we stopped at the sculpture of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum leaving Nauvoo for their last time.

I thought this was a rather poignant shot of them facing the temple as they leave for Carthage Jail and their deaths.

Then we drove down to the section of Nauvoo owned by the church called The Community of Christ. We paid a fee and a very nice guide took us on a tour of the last home of Joseph Smith....

.. the graves of Joseph, Emma and Hyrum Smith and a couple other buildings they own.

Then we departed Nauvoo and drove south along the Mississippi River headed for Quincy IL.

In a short space of time we crossed through three states; Iowa,

Missouri,

and back into Illinois. We sopent the night in a Quincy, IL Wal-Mart.

NAUVOO IL AND THE PAGENT 7/8/2011

2011-07-15T12:24:00.000-07:00

Friday, July 8th, we got up and drove to Nauvoo IL. On the way, we took the red roads through beautiful farm country. The corn is getting bigger as we travel later in the season!

We pulled into Nauvoo State Park and felt right at home. We had stayed in this wonderful park 5 years ago and found it still just as easy to access and as charming as last time. Mark, this is the park I have called you from twice now!! We did not stay in the same space as we did last time though. We have a bigger rig and the space was too small for us this time. But this one was just fine!!

After setting up camp, we went to the city of Nauvoo to take in the sights. We went on a narrated wagon ride around the old city first.

Then we took in a musical play about the settlers of Nauvoo. It was very well done! These very talented young people that played and sang the parts are young missionaries. And because of their talent are called to serve the first 6 months of their mission performing here and then are transferred to their proselyting areas around the world to finish their mission.

This is a local bagpipe group that was here performing. They were awesome! We ran into them several times as we walked around Nauvoo.

Then we attended a presentation by the actor that portrays Joseph Smith in the Nauvoo Pageant. He gave a 20 minute portion of the three hour King Follet address. It was amazing! If you have never read that address given at the funeral of King Follet, a friend of Joseph Smith's that was killed in a well he was digging when it collapsed in on him, read it. Good stuff!

We also toured many of the still existing and reconstructed historical homes of prominent persons from the 1830's and 1840's that lived here during the town's heyday and decline.

We attended a couple more performances celebrating the history of this city. Here we were at one presented by mostly the senior couples missionaries. It was fun!

Barber Shop Quartet wanna be's! They were funny!

One thing that impressed us, is that every performance began with the presenting of our nations colors, The Pledge of Allegience, us singing our country's national anthem and a prayer! This performance presented the theme song and flag of all the armed service branches of our country. Those in the audience that had served in each branch were asked to stand and be thanked as their branch's flag was presented. It was grand and made Wayne cry.

We attended the Nauvoo Outdoor Pageant in the evening. It was amazingly well done and had the temple in the background.

We had gone to the seating area when we had first arrived, earlier in the day, and placed an exercise pad on our chairs to save our spot. That pad was nice later on in the performance!!

Again, the performance was begun with the presentation of the flag, the pledge and the national anthem! Very nice! Notice the bag pipers in the back ground?! Nice touch!

This dramatization of the founding and settling of Nauvoo, Il was very inspiring and entertaining. here is Joseph Smith teaching the Saints.

As the story was presented of the building of the temple, it slowly was constructed in the background. Not Broadway, but amazing none the less.

The majority of these actors and cast are volunteers from around the world that come here to spend a portion of their summer presenting this program. It is amazing how well things turn out!!

This pageant was the capstone to a wonderful day spent in Nauvoo IL! We were duly entertained, spiritually fed and impressed!
Here Joseph Smith delivers an address near the end of the evenings performance. The play teaches the history of the city as well as emphasizes our faith in and devotion to Jesus Christ. Good Stuff!