BCNHA Pre-Trip 2010

This weekend was the annual pre-trip for next year's BCNHA field seminar. We have decided to concentrate on the natural history of some selected locations in the Salt Lake Valley. We were supposed to leave Cedar City at 10:00 AM, but we were a little slow getting out of town. We drove the back roads from Cedar City, along the Cricket Mountain highway north of Milford and into Delta where we stopped for lunch. We then drove north to Eureka, Goshen, and on into Santaquin. We picked up the "other" Larry Davis in Orem, and then went to Sandy after a stop at Cabela's.

On Saturday morning, we drove west into Herriman and Kenticott Copper. The mine is quite impressive, nearly three miles across and 3/4 mile deep.



There is a very nice visitor's center with a museum and gift shop. There are also some great outdoor exhibits and a mine viewing area. Bubb wanted her photo taken by a tire from one of the haul trucks they use to bring the ore and overburden up from the mine. They have to remove two tons of overburden to get a ton of the low-grade copper ore. The trucks run 24 hours a day.



There were several benches in our view that had been drilled for dynamite, and we hung around to see if they would set one off, but alas, it didn't happen. Bubb had a great time in the museum.



When we left the mine, we drove north to Clearfield and the causeway that takes you onto Antelope Island and the State Park there. The bugs were amazing and voracious, but we had fun anyway. We saw antelope, deer, shore birds, and, of course, buffalo. I couldn't get this guy to lift his head for a photo. They are very impressive animals.



After leaving the VC, we drove along the east shore of the island to the Fielding Garr Ranch house, which has been preserved. It was quite an oasis on the island, even more remarkable because it was in full spring beauty.



Bubby wouldn't get out of the car at this site, because of the bugs. They do love hairspray! I took lots of photos of the spring flowers for her, including this shot of some tulips that seemed just past their prime.



We filled in the rest of the afternoon we a variety of activities, and had a nice dinner in Sandy. On Sunday morning, we drove to Red Butte Garden's to take a look at Red Butte canyon, which lies immediately east of the garden. We will try to make arrangements with the Forest Service to get access to the canyon when we bring the participants next June. It has not had livestock grazing in over 100 years, which makes it a great range comparison because of its pristine conditions.

When we had dinner on Saturday night, Bubb announced to the waiter that Dr. Bowns was having a birthday. They sang to him, trotted out a saddle on a stand for him to mount, and brought him some ice cream to eat. Of course it wasn't his birthday, and he wouldn't have appreciated the attention if it had been. He looked Bubb dead in the eye and said, "paybacks are hell!" She spent the rest of the trip trying to schmooze him. I think he will wait for just the right time, and then exact his revenge. Of course I will continue to remind him that he owes her every chance I get!



Red Butte was absolutely beautiful. The spring flowers were impressive. I got lots of photos.

We drove south of SLC without a stop at the Utah Museum of Natural History, because their hours didn't match ours. We drove up Little Cottonwood Canyon, which we will include in our trip. We stopped at In-n-Out in AF for lunch, dropped Larry off in Orem, and drove him via Thistle and Sanpete Valley, arriving home about 6:30 PM.

It was a great trip. Good fun, good friends, great weather. We always look forward to these outings.

Buboppy

SLC

As previously mentioned, on Thursday of last week Bubb and I attended the ribbon cutting for the State Unified Lab building in Taylorsville. Bubb was very excited to be in proximity to the Governor, and she snapped this when he came to the pulpit to speak.



One feature that our building addition will share with the Unified Lab is a "green roof". A portion of our roof will be covered by flats of this material. It makes for a very attractive appearance, and is supposed to be very easy to maintain. I think it will be a nice addition to the same floor that will host our greenhouse.



While I was in my meeting with the Lt. Governor on Friday, Bubby explored the Capitol and its surrounds. Here is an artsy photo she took on the grounds.



It was a glorious day, and spring is a little better established in the Salt Lake Valley than it is in Cedar City. Of course the Bubb could not pass up a shot of some beautiful "daffies".



She decided to hike down State Street to a couple of parks on either side of North Temple. I don't know the name of the one on the north side of the street, but the one on the south side is called City Creek Park. She had a grand time talking to volunteers who were gardening, a resident who saw Bubb in the park from her window and came down to chat, and anyone else who happened along.



We did have the chance to visit with Babsy and family. On Friday night we all went to dinner at the Mac Grill. Miss Chee was pretty patient waiting for her dinner. She had her root beer, and she had her Pollys. She really doesn't need much else.



Bubb is trying to bond with Miss Maggie, announcing repeatedly that, "this is your Bubby speaking." She is a very nice baby, and although she is kind of short, she is growing quickly. She seems to want to get moving, but can't quite figure out how to do it. We did look at some family baby pictures and I can confirm that she does have Jakey's face!



Bubby and I drove home on Saturday afternoon, were able to attend the T-Bird awards, and were home to take care of our Sunday responsibilities. We sang in the choir, I taught Sunday School, and we received our home teachers. Daniel and Rosalyn came for dinner—Larry's chicken and rice, roasted asparagus, strawberries and pound cake for dessert.

Miss Thang showed up sporting two spouts and looking very pretty in pink. I have included this photo for Auntie Sarah. She was very sassy with her do, and could hardly sit still for dinner.

Have we mentioned that we love our Grand Kids?

Buboppy

The Last Easter Post of the Year, I Promise!

No lengthy explanation is necessary. This is the final activity of our Seeking the Sunshine weekend. I am just getting around to posting them. After our trip out on "The Slope" an Easter egg hunt was convened on the lawn of the condo. Here are the eager hunters.



Mid hunt, grass is green, sun is out, nothing but fun.



Our Kate in post-hunt bliss.



Ditto for Miss Evelyn.



Lydia taking a look at what she found, and what everyone else found, too.



I couldn't resist this photo of Evelyn in her swimsuit and rash guard. Of course she needs guarding from a rash. Love the CRT's.

Buboppy

On the Road

This post marks a first. I am sitting in my motel room in Murray, UT, using my iPad to update our readers. I have to say that the keyboard is good, but leaves a lot to be desired for a touch typist with big fingers.

Yesterday, Bubb and I drove up to Taylosville for the ribbon cutting of the unified state lab. The same contractor that built that facility is building ours in Cedar City. The level of sophistication in air handling and movement there far exceeds our needs, but it was interesting to see the finished product. Our architects were there,too, and we all got a private tour. The actual ribbon was cut by Governor Herbert, but I will have to add his photo later. You realize that the iPad doesn't have a USB port.

Following the ribbon cutting we did Granato's for lunch. We visited Babsy and the kids and did a little shopping. This morning I am meeting with the other Science deans in Utah with the Lt. Governor. We are trying to get a Science and Math education initiative started in the State.

Buboppy

Beaver Dam Sunshine

I realize that our readers will already be aware of our weekend adventure since it has been discussed in other blogs. However, I thought you might want to see some of my photos of the events. We had such a lovely time in the sunshine it was hard to come home at the end of the day. It is wonderful to be able to enjoy early spring at least three times and our trip to Beaver Dam represents at least one of those events.



Beany was trying to keep is girls out of harm's way. Lots of things that prick out on the slope.



Jake and I were wandering off of the road and found this little chipmunk sunning himself on the blades of a yucca. We watched its antics for about three minutes and I got this photo with my long lens.



Evelyn was enjoying being with her Daddy.



The object of Bubby's quest, a Joshua in bloom. We only found this one specimen, but I took a photo anyway.



On the walk back to the car, the girls were fading. Aaron was trying to carry both of them for a distance. It didn't last long, however.

What family fun. We just wish that Booty, Laur, and Leego could have joined us. I am sure they would have loved it, too.

Buboppy

Aquatic Research

The title of this posting is the euphemism I place in my work calendar when I am planning on slipping away for a little fishing. I have to block out sessions weeks in advance, or things tend to get scheduled over them. My administrative assistant understands the meaning, and tries to respect the times I set aside.



Yesterday afternoon was one of those times. It was a little cool and breezy, but sunny and worth the effort so Bubby and I drove south just as soon as she got off from work. We wheeled the boat out of the garage and during the process it gained a couple of passengers. Here are Babsy's girls with their new haircuts. They were having a fun afternoon in the sun.



Jake was very excited for the outing as you can see. He was ready when I pulled up and spent most of the prep period sitting in the jumper seat in my pickup, ready to get going.



The water temperature is still only about 53°F, so I didn't think much of our chances of catching fish. I got Beany going with a drop shot rig, and Jake was trying to master casting a crappie jib on a spinning rod. I thought I would throw a hula grub, just to amuse myself in between casting lessons, and I got bit! Jake reeled it in, and posed for the photo.



We were drifting across the big flat in the southeast end of the reservoir, a place where we have caught lots of fish in the past, and, wonder of wonders, I hooked a second fish on the hula grub. This one was a little smaller, but Jake enjoyed hauling it in and another photo op.



By now, Aaron is wondering if I gave him the wrong bait. I assured him that the drop shot he was using would be my first choice with the current conditions, but he couldn't get a bite. Then, it happened again! Here is Jake after hauling in fish number three, the biggest of the those we boated yesterday.

Aaron wanted to change baits, so I set him up, but he only ever got bit once, and never hooked a fish. I feel bad. All I wanted from the outing was for him to catch a fish.

The story continues. I started alternating between my grub and the idle drop shot rig as we drifted across the flat in the breeze. My trolling motor wasn't working, so we had to use the drift sock. Anyway, on one drift, I get bit on the drop shot rig. It was a solid strike, and I was hooked to a really tough fish. The reel was spooled with 4 lb test, so I was being careful. Fortunately it was a light rod and that helped me get the fish up to the boat. When we saw him, we were shocked. The fish was at least five pounds, and the hook was right in the outside corner of the mouth. I told Aaron that as soon as I touched the fish, it was going to make a final effort to escape and it would either spit the hook or break the light line. Sure enough, when I reached down to lip the fish and bring it into the boat, it gave a final flip, broke the line, and slowly swam away. I really wanted Jake to have a photo op with that fish. I am sure I will replay that scene in my dreams for much of the upcoming season.

Aaron threw up his hands in disgust. I caught the fish of the day on the rig he had been fishing with but gave up on. All I can say is, he needs more practice.

Warm weather is coming. The fishing will only get better. I have to admit the afternoon exceeded my expectations.

Buboppy

Easter Weekend

While things didn't exactly go as planned, we did enjoy our Easter weekend. Bubby and I spent most of the day on Friday (a holiday for both of us) getting ready for the arrival of company. We have been spending so much time in St. George that things at home were in need of attention. Not big things, but lots of little things. We cleaned, mopped, dusted, vacuumed and generally got things in order. Bubby had free coupons to Cafe Rio, so she took me to a late lunch.

When the gang finally arrived, it was approaching bedtime. We made pizza in our kitchen and got caught up a little. Daniel and Rosalyn put off bedtime long enough to make a cameo. The cousins do love to get together.

There were lavish plans for the Saturday before Easter that included an Easter egg hunt in the snow in Cedar City, travel to the Arts Festival in St. George, and some family time. Things didn't really go much like our plan, since there are lots of family ties and pressures in different directions. While Daniel and Rosalyn took their gang home, and Sarah and Aaron attended to other family business, I attended general priesthood in St. George and Bubby read her book. At the meeting I saw a former ward member from St. George, one of my Aaronic Priesthood boys, Fabian. It was great to see him. I have kind of lost track, and it was nice to take a minute and catch up.

We rose Sunday morning to a lavish breakfast of crepes and fillings prepared by a joint effort. It was a pure-D pleasure to watch Jake consume crepes. He can really get after them. Once he had eaten half a dozen, he lurked in the background hoping for another round. Hopefully he went away satisfied. We filled them with Nutella, a sweetened sour cream and cream cheese mixture, bananas, and straw- and raspberries.

The one thing we didn't do this weekend was watch much conference. Too much else going on. I will have to read the talks as they are published on the LDS.org website. For some reason, Sarah and Bubb decided to make strawberry freezer jam during the Sunday morning session. They had a radio in the kitchen that was about 15 seconds ahead of the TV in the bedroom, and those of us trying to watch kept hearing a bad echo effect. They did get the jam made, however. Between sessions we tried to make preparations for an Easter lunch of ham and funeral potatoes. The timing of our meal kept being adjusted around other family commitments. We finally sat down to it at about 4:30.

When Bubb and I got home, we pretty much crashed. This is another busy week ahead, and although Sarah and family will be in the area all week, we will have to fit them in around our work schedule. At least they can use the condo as a home base while they are in St. George.

We are looking forward to some warmer weather, but alas, we may have to wait. There is a big storm in California and Nevada that is headed this way. I think we are supposed to get snow again tonight. It is going to be a good water year. I think we are approaching 200% of normal. Now if it will just melt slowly instead of all at once.

I will post one photo now, and perhaps some more later. We visited with Booty last evening, and Laur sent us a shot of Leego with the Uester Bunny at the Dallas Arboretum. She also shared some news with us. You will have to ask her if you want to know. We are very pleased.



Buboppy