Thanksgiving and Home

Thanksgiving Day, Draper Utah, 

Barbara and Ken Gondor's house.
Mumsie and Papa Hekker's Clan

 Family Gathering

Okay folks, I know you want to see the table or tables with the whole clan, laughing, talking, roasted turkey neatly on the head table, pumpkin pies and desserts ready to go. Well all that happened, Three full tables of 30 people, hustle bustle in each direction, and yes, you guessed it the picture below as we arrived was the ONLY picture we got that day. We arrived, took this picture and were completely overwhelmed with the family and its dynamics.

It was a wonderful evening seeing family we had not seen in a couple of years. Bob's Mom was turning another 90+ year this December and we really wanted to make this gathering at the end of the journey. It was not Norman Rockwell, but it was true to life with everyone gathering together being just who they are at that particular moment. It was joyful and great and sweet and challenging. In a word...FAMILY. They are so hospitable and we were so thankful to be there. 

Friday, since we had mentioned that we were disappointed that we went through Crazy Horse and Custer areas of South Dakota and saw no buffalo. Willie (the outdoorsman of our clan) decided to take us out to Antelope Island in the middle of the Great Salt Lake. 

Seven of us hopped in the Admiral and headed off to the Island. Bob and I got married in Utah and had been to these places long ago, but not for many years. We were interested to see the changes. We took off over through Salt Lake City, Farmington, Kaysville, and down to Layton then across to the island. This island has buffalo, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and some of the largest trophy rack deer in the US. It is a preserve but two hunting licenses are auctioned off each year to the highest bidders They can garnish hundreds of thousands of dollars for the preservation of the preserve.

If you ever get a chance to go out here there is a great day trip available. If you are an athlete there are runs there including a night run with lanterns that is quite a sight. There is also a great deal of history out here. Across from the island is Promontory Point where the golden spike was set to signify the connecting of the railroad from the east to the west. 

 Picnic areas and viewing sites abound. It is all bundled up in blankets because this is NOVEMBER.
It was still a great deal of fun, and some good hotdogs.

       

Buffaloes are really cool. There were large herds of them we were glad to see far away at first and towards sundown as we were leaving they walked right across the road right behind our RV. It was as if you could actually reach out the window and touch them, although they seem docile, they are very dangerous and several uncautious idiots on the island are hurt each season.

They are rather majestic. The First Nations people call them 'Tatanka' and hold them in high reverence as their source of food and warmth. We learned this by watching Dances With Wolves 4 times since it was the only video we remembered to bring on the trip. Purely poor planning and lack of remembering to ask for DVDs from others.

The next day was used for baking bagels, Bob's specialty and bread, Willie's speciality. It was so good and there is nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread.

Sunday, Game Day against the Saints At the Mumsie's condo! 

       

The Mumsie factor was in full force, cowbell and all. She is 90+ but faster and feistier than I am at 65. Yikes. What a woman. She lives in a third-floor walk-up with no elevator and still drives and shops. She is a lovely woman with so many good qualities and the love of every grandchild and child around.

Bob and Dick his brother

 We left Utah the Monday after the Saint's game. We had been there 5 days and the altitude was affecting my lungs.



We left Salt Lake and had a chance to visit my brother Terry in Ogden, Utah. He is the sweetest man and had been through a rough couple of years.  We were able to talk a bit and let him know I had not dropped off the face of the earth.

He even went out and had a picture taken with the Admiral and our rig.

This man was a top Pharmacist in that area, married to a lovely Dean of Nursing. They both were involved in Education and Athletics. He raised three fine boys and inspired many young people including my son Zach who went to Weber State University for his first two years and gained a scholarship there until he was injured.  I owe a debt of the heart to this wonderful man

We added our last new state to the list as we headed north on our trip. Even though I was raised in Idaho we had not been through on this trip. It seemed fitting to head through Idaho, Utah, and Oregon, all familiar states as we headed home. 

We have lived in all three but as we travel back through them at the end of the adventure there was such excitement and adrenaline to just be home. When we arrived  and drove up on our driveway we could not help but set the camera and record our happy dance.

We made it. Dream fulfilled and the Lord dropped more adventures in the mix than we could have imagined. I am overwhelmed with gratitude, and the biggest part of the adventures that I keep pouring over in my heart is the people, not the places. After all it is people that matter. Love to all of you who shared this journey on our way.

Happy Dance!

Monuments

 Tuesday Morning Rushmore, Crazy Horse

After passing over the Missouri River and viewing the lovely statue of 'Dignity',  we let the sunset lead us to a place to stay for the night. In the morning before the first light, we headed into South Dakota. We have never been there and I did not particularly want to go look at some carved rocks. Bob really wanted to go so we went. I had seen pictures everywhere and heard about this area and thought we will just breeze through. We were well into the Black Hills when the first rays of light broke through. It came out just as we hit the summit of the mountain containing the busts of the Presidents on Mount Rushmore.
The Admiral stood up for the flag there at the top before we could go visit the monument. There was no one else on the mountain we could see. We had the views to ourselves. It was too far to go to the mountain for me. Bob took my camera and got these shots. I could see the mountain from the rig but not get close. We were on a schedule to get to Salt Lake for Thanksgiving so we could not spend too much time since we wanted to get in Crazy Horse monument also.

Rushmore

First shot pale light

Pinks and yellows of sunrise on side of the mountain

We got into the monument for free since we were the first ones there and it is open for free before 7 AM. The gate was open and we went in. The stores and other parts of the Monument were not open yet, but it was the mountain that we wanted to see.

It is a beautiful area and the monument is well maintained and staffed. Loved winter with NO crowds. Even though some things are closed many are open or you can explore by yourselves.

Crazy Horse

 

Years ago my Mom and Earl (my Uncle Dad...long story) went to Crazy Horse and saw the first parts of the plan for the biggest stone monument of any. It is an amazing story and they were so impressed with the small museum and plans for the monument. She also loved the movie about Crazy Horse they played there. My great grandmother on one side was first nation and suffered prejudice.

The template for the carving of the mountain

 

On the mountain, you can see the heavy equipment that is used daily to work on the sculpture. This has been a lifelong project of one man and the Indian nations. It has been continued by that man's family or 10 children. The mountain is worked on in weather up to 20 degrees below zero. Work must be halted during storms since the mountain is often hit by lightning. 

You can see from this more personal view the face that is finished. The whole of  Mt Rushmore will fit on the side of the face where the hair is. This is a huge endeavor. With the increases in technology and construction equipment, things are changing. The parts that took weeks and months can be accomplished in an hour with new equipment that is newly developed. This statue is to be a symbol of dignity and respect for the first nations people. 

There are many more things that are happening because of Crazy Horse. There is an amazing museum there with art, exhibits, and artifacts relating to the First Nation Indian culture. The place is expansive. If you visit to allow time to really look and learn about these people groups. Their look, their lifestyle, their culture, and way of thinking are quite interesting. There are movies and details there that may just change your mind about these beautiful people and what happened to them in their own country. There was also a University established that is specifically for furthering the education and job opportunities for these people so that they can be viable and successful without compromising their culture and heritage. 

    

There are van rides, restaurants and so many cool places here to explore. There are many trails and opportunities for inspiration and an increase in understanding the value of these great early Americans. It was also convicting me about what we do in trying to make all men like us rather than understanding and loving their beauty. Then I had to deal with their hostility towards our invasion of their nations. I think that there are some great opportunities for my own learning and viewing my own ideas about what happened with the Native Americans then and now. As they build this mountain may I consider my life and take time to visit my own ideas and prejudices and offenses. 

Build On!

Custer State Park

We went to Custer State Park on the recommendation of Willie, Bob's brother in law, who is an avid outdoorsman. He said it was the best area to find wildlife, deer, elk, and buffalo. We decided to take the time and search for the big game. We never did find the buffalo that there were signs all over about..."Caution, Buffaloe are dangerous" We did, however, find these beauties. We also got lost and were sent by the GPS on a 4 wheel drive road in the RV to find the highway on the other side of the park.

Mule Deer

Long ears and darker

White tail buck

White Tail Does

 Prairie Dog village was so fun. They were hopping around and warning the group that people were around.

 
A dozen wild turkeys hiding in the woods two days before Thanksgiving. Safe from the table/

This is the best part of the Beavercreek road that the GPS took us on. It went through miles of remote farms was only one lane the whole way and was mostly through the woods and plains. We did not see any buffalo or elk....But we had an adventure and found out the Admiral was built to endure!