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. 
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.
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!
