A Day in Sun and Caves

This last Saturday, Aug 22, Tallene, Mac, their three kids Taylor, Eliza, and Bobby, Krystal, Mike, and I all went to EBR-1 and Craters of the Moon.

We met at Tallene’s house and then drove out to EBR-1. When we arrived we took the guided tour and learned how a Nuclear Reactor is built and what it looks like. A fun fact was that in 1951 the first electricity generated at EBR-I illuminated four light bulbs. Here is a quote from the pamphlet, “On Dec. 20, 1951, EBR-I became the first power plant to produce usable electricity using atomic energy. After that day until decommissioning in 1964, EBR-I generated enough electricity to supply all the power for its own building whenever the reactor operated.”





We then headed to Craters of the Moon to explore. Our first stop was the visitor’s center to get a map and find out how the kids could be Junior Explorers. They were each given a booklet where they had to complete different activities. At this time they were doing a special space explorer program. Our first stop was this large hill that we climbed, “Inferno Cone.” We all started out fine but, by about half way up we were all struggling to get up. The view from up top was nice.


View of the "Spatter Cones" from "Inferno Cone"


Then we headed down and thought we would get a little break before the next stop. It turned out to be about a 2 min car ride. We walked to the “Spatter Cones” where there are two miniature volcanoes that you can look inside.

Then we headed to the caves area. At 1pm there was going to be a guided hike of the caves, so we thought we would see what that was about. The guided tour took us to the easiest cave “Indian Tunnel.” The guide stopped along the trail and gave us some interesting facts and information about the lava, animal, and plant life.





“Indian Tunnel” is the easiest because there was only a short walk where a flash light was needed and it was tall so we didn’t need to duck. After the tour was done we continued to “Beauty Cave.” It was the farthest away but, we were told the next easiest for kids. This cave was a lot smaller and much darker. We then decided to try “Boy Scout Cave” on the way out. This cave was definitely harder but, a lot more fun. It was dark and there was still ice in the cave. When we were the only ones in there we turned off all our lights and boy was it dark. I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face.





Inside the caves.










Junior Space Rangers (Bobby was asleep).


We then headed to the car to go home. Just outside of IF we stopped by “17 Mile Cave.” When we got close to the cave it smelled smoky. We came across some cold fire pits in the cave but, the further we went the smokier it became. We then decided it was better to leave.

We all headed home to get pizza and end the night with a movie at our house. A fun day to end the summer. Oh, by the way, it was over 95 degrees in the sun and we did a lot of walking. The caves were nice and cool.

August Adventures

So, after the "unfortunate event" Mike and I took a week and a half off to re-group.

First on August 6th, Mike's step dad (Gary)and his mom asked us to go to Island Park to gather wood and ride 4-wheelers at his daughters cabin. On the way up to stopped in Ashton to have brunch. Everyone but me had lunch, I had breakfast.

We arrived at the cabin, walked around and then went for a 4-wheeler ride. We were going to go up to saw tooth, but it looked like we were going to get rained on and decided we better get the wood cut first. Just as we finished it rained and we went inside to relax for a bit. Then headed home.

Enjoy the pics of us playing and working!

Playing

Working







The next day, Friday, we drove to Bozeman, MT for a friend of Mike's wedding. We had calculated we needed to leave by 12:30 to be there in time. We left about that time but, it took us longer than expected to get up there. There was a lot of construction that kept slowing us down. We arrived just in time for the wedding to start. Is was very pretty, set up against the mountains. Because it took us soo much longer to get there than expected we ended up not staying for the dinner and dancing. Too bad, I never get Michel to dance and was looking forward to it.

On Sunday we drove to Mike's sisters house, Megan, in Tremonton and spent the night. We had purchased a new game for the Wii called "Rayman Raving Rabbids." It is advertised as the only game you play with your butt. We took this with us and had fun playing it on Sunday night and Monday morning.

On Monday, August 10th, we left Megan's house and drove to St. George until Wednesday.

We arrived in St. George at around 4pm and checked into our condo. We then went to dinner at Cracker Barrel. I had my favorite the chicken and dumplings. We then went back to the condo and Mike went swimming while I sat in the hot tub. We then picked out our complimentary movie and headed back to watch it.

Views of the condo

One of the swimming pool areas


I would like to take a quick moment here to let everyone know that Monday August 10th was our anniversary. We have been married for nine years. I would like to let Mike know that I am grateful for all his support, love and friendship. We don't always get along or agree with each other all the time, but we have worked through it all and are still together.

Ok, back to St. George. On Tuesday we decided to find try and find this ghost town called Silver Reef. It was a little of a disappointment. First about the only thing there was a museum with things found there, a few old foundations, the graveyard, and the outside of one mine.

I love that the carts say Gold and Turquoise, not Silver!

Abandoned mine, I think they are trying to restore it.

I then suggested that we try and find the Dairy Queen. Now let me explain a few things if you have never been to St. George. We were at an exit closer to SLC and the exit we were staying at was the last exit closest to Las Vegas. We decided to start at the first exit and drove around hoping to find more restaurants down one road, but as we drove further away from the interstate we came to residential areas. We then saw a sign for I-15 and followed it which took us down to the second exit. We decided to get back on the high way and go back to the exit and try the other direction. It was the same, we went a little ways and then it was all residential. We decided to try the second exit and had the same luck. At this exit we passed a Custard Shop and decided to stop. By this time the only thing we had seen was a Cold Stone at the first exit and had been driving around for about an hour. The custard was very good and not as heavy as ice cream is. We then drove back to the condo and sure enough there was the Dairy Queen. Oh well, tried something new.

On Wednesday we drove back to Megan's house and stopped to go out to pizza with them. We arrived a little early and Scott had a "Star Wars Christmas" video that he had been given my a co-worker. For those who don't know Megan loves star wars. It turned out to be twice as long as we were told and it was mostly about the Wookies and Chubacas family, so not much talking. It was very painful to sit through and everyone agreed.

Christopher at dinner.

On Thursday it was back to work. A nice time off to regroup.

Fun Day at Island Park

This last week my sister Nicole decided to take time off from work. She originally wanted to go to Bear Lake and spend the week, but my mom didn't realize that all of Utah would be off. So by the time everything was approved Bear Lake was booked up. They decided instead to just go to Island Park. This worked out great for us because both Tallene and I couldn't leave for the whole weekend, but were able to come up for a day.

Mike and I decided to come up Saturday afternoon and meet everyone at the fisherman's dock at Buffalo Campground. Krystal came with us as well.

We floated down the river from the dock to the bridge twice. If you have never been there let me explain a few things. The river is not very deep. It is less than waist high on Mike in the deepest parts and in the shallow parts you have to get up and walk or you are dragging the river floor. It was a lot of fun for an afternoon and the closest we will be camping this year. Here are some pictures at the dock.

Blowing up boats and tubes.


Nicole and Nick

On the river!

Heading back for another trip!

On the way back home we stopped at Big Jud's for dinner. Here the kids trying to eat the hamburger!

Las Vegas Trip

It is both sad and lots of fun to think that at this time last Sunday we were sitting at the Las Vegas Motor speed Way watching the Shelby 427.

Last Wednesday morning we woke up, loaded the car, and Mike, Dad H, RaeAnn and I were off for 5 days in sunny Las Vegas for a NASCAR weekend. We stopped for a quick break in Tremonton to say HI to Megan and Christopher. Just outside of Vegas we came to a dead stop for about 40 min and could only see police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks. When we finally started going a RV was on the side of the road with only the frame left. Too bad for whoever owned it. Then it was off to the condo.

Mike and I booked a two bedroom condo on Las Vegas Blvd just down from the strip. The condo has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full size kitchen, dining area, and a living room. Some of the amenities also available are a game room, exercise room, 4 pools and 4 hot tubs. It was very relaxing every night to come back and soak in the hot tub. The weather was in the 70's all week long. Check out the view from our patio, very serene.

On Thursday we decided to head down to the strip and have some fun. We parked and walked through the MGM Grand to get to the M&M's store. Where we stopped to watch the lion being fed.

Then we wandered around the M&M's store and watched the 3-D movie playing. Check out how funny we looked in the glasses.

We then drove to the NASCAR cafe and had lunch. By this time we were tired and I wasn't feeling well so we headed back to the condo.

On Friday it was off to the track to watch qualifying for the NASCAR race and practice for all races. We spent most of the day at the track. Mike and I walked around on what is called the "fairway" where all the trailers for the drivers and vendor booths are located. It is fun because you can have your picture taken with different cars or backgrounds or choice when you upload the picture online.

Tony Stewart's car at practice.

On Saturday we watched the Nationwide race. The Nationwide race was a lot of fun to watch. It is not a race that we watch on a regular basis so we didn't know very many of the regular drivers and the cup drivers who race are always changing. I was cheering for Denny Hamlin who was driving the No. 20 car. He was doing really good and even lead a few laps, but with 2 laps to go he cut a tire and slammed the wall. The race ended up going over 9 laps and the race this year was already longer than previous years. Greg Biffle won the race.

Denny Hamlin's wrecked car.

Greg Biffles's winning car.

On Sunday was the "big day," the Nascar race. We arrived at the track and Mike and I met up with Mom S. and Krystal. They were staying in St. George with Auntie and Grandma at a friend of Aunties. We then walked around together and bought more souvenirs. After getting food we parted and went to our seats. The race was a lot of fun to watch. There were a few wrecks right by us, of course every time it happened I had just put down my camera. It is amazing to see how the difference in the speeds of the cars. Mike commented that on TV when they talk about slower or faster cars it is hard to tell but, at the track it is easy to see.

Tony Stewart was doing fairly well until Jeff Gordon cut a tire down and Tony was in the pits for the second time fixing a loose tire and was caught one lap down. Tony ended up 26th and Ryan Newman 25th. Kyle Busch in the No. 18 M&M's car won the race.

View of the track looking left toward turn 4.

View of the track looking right toward the start/finish line and lined up for pre-race.

Stewart moving forward at the start.

Caution lap.

Joey Logano pit stop. He finished 13th.

Mike and I at the track. This picture was taken with me holding the camera, not bad!

Dad H., RaeAnn, and Mike at the track.



Kyle Busch celebrating after winning.

On Monday we loaded up the car and drove home to snow and cold weather. The week was a lot of fun and great memories. It will be a while before we are able to go again but look forward to another great season.

P.S. The Atlanta race just finished; Tony Stewart finished 8th, Ryan Newman 22nd, Joey Logano finished 30th, and Kurt Busch in the No 2, who dominated all day, won the race.

TSO Concert

On Monday, November 10th, Mike, Krystal and I went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert in Boise. If you have never been to a show let me explain a little about it.

First about the band. The concert only lasts from the first of November to the about the first week in January. They have two sets of artists that perform the shows. One on the East coast and one on the West coast. So some of the video's found on You Tube may not have the same set of performers that we saw and yes the lights were really that bright. (Be sure to check out the video at the bottom and other video's on YouTube. It is nothing like being there but gives you a great idea of what you will see.)

There are two parts to the show. The first part is a Christmas story with the music from their album "Christmas Eve and Other Stories." They use both a narrator and songs to tell the story.

The second part of the concert is more like you would expect a concert to be. With them playing songs from their other three albums. Along with all the songs is the best show with lights, fire, fireworks, and even snow.

The first time Mike and I went was in 2005 in Salt Lake City. Along with us was my sister Tallene and her husband Mac, Mike's sister Megan and her husband Scott and we had an extra ticket so we took Mike's 80 year old Grandma. We sat just to the right of the stage in the bleachers section. It was great because we were able to watch one of the amazing pianist's that they have. Everyone loved the show and has always wanted to back. Even Grandma says that it was the best show she has ever seen and enjoyed herself.

This year when we went we were on row M on the floor and right in the middle of the stage. It was a lot of fun to be so close and was great seats to see everything.

One of the coolest parts actually happens after the show is over. About 15 minutes after the show is over all of the band members and singers sit in tables and autograph items and shake hands and talk to you. It is great because then you are able to tell them what a great job they did.

While we were waiting for them to come out, where we were standing looked out onto where the stage was. We were able to watch the workers tear down the stage, all the lights and other equipment that makes the concert work. It was fascinating to watch all the work that goes into setting up and taking down one show.

If you ever get a chance to go I highly suggest it. It is a great show for people of all ages and the best show we have ever seen and I know everyone who we have taken agree.