Provo Memories

Yesterday Scott and I went to Provo to have lunch with some friends.  When we realized that place we were meeting at for lunch was close to the first house we lived after we got married in 1977, we decided to drive by the house and see its condition.    

Yes, it was still there and I was so happy to see a mother and her young daughter sitting on the porch step as we parked on the side of the street.  I quickly got out of the car and came up to her and said that my husband and I lived here 49 years ago.  Seeing her with her young daughter brought me back to when we lived there the first year of our marriage.  

We haven't changed a bit, have we????

All You Need to Know About Bluff, Utah

Recently we traveled to southeastern Utah. The scenery there is unparalleled. We passed through Moab, and reached Monticello the first night of our trip. 

We were excited to attend the temple there. The Monticello Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was built in 1998, completed in just eight months after it was announced by then-Church President Gordon B. Hinckley. It was the first of the Church's smaller-scale temples, built to serve Church members living in remote areas. 

To learn more about why we build temples click here.

Our primary purpose of traveling to southeastern Utah was to visit Kathleen's brother Douglas and his wife Kerri. They own and operate Cadillac Ranch RV Park in the small town of Bluff, population 300, on U.S. Route 191. (No, the cadillac in this photo doesn't run--it's a park decoration!)  

Cadillac Ranch RV Park is the premier RV way-station in this part of the state, boasting beautiful restrooms and showers, and even a dog park! To learn more about the RV park, click here.

The vistas are famous and gorgeous in this part of the state. Here, in Valley of the Gods, one can experience a mini-Monument Valley view of these unique rock formations.

Craig, Kathleen's older brother (right), joined us on this trip to see Douglas (left) and Kerri.  

Goosenecks State Park, is located 25 miles west of Bluff. It sits 1,100 feet above the twisting San Juan River below. The river curves deep within the gorge and offers breathtaking views. This is one of three curves in the river that can be seen here side-by-side. It's believed that it took a few million years to erode the mile-thick section of rocks, and cut the canyon called "Goosenecks." 

On Sunday we joined our fellow Church members in worship here in the Bluff chapel, across the highway from the RV park.

Bluff Fort is a state historical site. In 1880, 250 pioneers arrived here, concluding a six-month, seemingly impossible journey across the most inhospitable, impassible, yet breathtaking beautiful terrain. They built Bluff Fort, thinking they may be in danger of the Navajos. 

Nurturing peaceful relations with the Indians, they then built houses outside of their original circle of cabins and raised their families. 

This is the one original cabin of the fort, with the well that supplied the fort with water.

The rest of the cabins we saw of the fort are re-built replicas. Inside, we saw evidence of the resilience and strength of these early settlers of Bluff. 

The early settlers in Bluff met and worshipped in this log meetinghouse, a replica of the original. 

You can learn more about Bluff Fort by clicking here.  

On our last day in Bluff, we walked along the San Juan River Trail to see the river south of the RV park.

The San Juan River runs at the base of these bluffs in the distance, about three-quarters of a mile from the RV park.

The river and mountains are quiet and peaceful.  They are evidence of God's handiwork in southeastern Utah.

Thank you, Douglas and Kerri, for this opportunity to see Cadillac Ranch RV Park, and the spectacular sights of this area. 

Chill'n, Grill'n, and Celebrating the 4th of July

In April we were thrilled to welcome granddaughter, Preslee, into our family.  This past weekend we drove to Billings, MT, to witness her baby blessing given by her father, Sam.  In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, babies are blessed during the Sunday service. This would coincide with celebrating our country's 250th birthday.   

Our 9-hour car trip was well worth it as we were able to be with three of our children's families during our trip.  Janelle and Dave's family lives in Rexburg, ID, the halfway point to Billings.  We were happy to get re-acquainted with their chickens.     

Lisa and Ryan were also on their way to Billings for the blessing and joined us.

What an exciting time to spend in Rexburg, waking up to their 4th of July parade!  Remember, we are from Duarte, CA, just a few miles from Pasadena and the world famous Rose Parade.  The Rose Parade pales in comparison to the Rexburg 4th of July parade.  You be the judge as you view the photos and video of our parade experience.  

Of course, our grandchildren were the cutest and most patriotically dressed at the parade!

Click onto the arrow to see the marching band in action.

Rexburg had everything, even one of the Founding Fathers on a scooter.

Thank you, Rexburg, for making the 4th so special! 

When we arrived in Montana we were greeted by Preslee, and her sisters and brother.  

Rainbows are especially fun to make on the 4th of July!

Chill'n...

Grill'n...

and shoot'n, all make for an appropriate Independence Day.

Click onto the arrow to see the shoot'n.

Billings has a terrific zoo. We had a grrrrr-great time visiting all the animals! 

Ahh!...look out behind you!

Scott doesn't want to miss out on any new zoo information.

What's Independence Day without an eagle on hand?

When the Warrens were in their Billings hotel, the breakfast employee told Ryan she thought he was JD Vance when he walked in.  She was serious!   

You be the judge. 

 

It's not every day you get to attend church with your twin granddaughter.

What a special occasion on Sunday for the baby blessing!

It was a choice experience to be with family.

Until we meet again.

Happy Father's Day

Today, Facebook notified me that I had three memories that I posted on today's date--three different years. I was happy to see that they were memories of past Father's Days.

My Dad with our family on one of our many summer trips to Utah.

Below was posted on Facebook June, 2024.  

  

Happy Father's Day to the best Dad of these wonderful children.

1998

This was posted on Facebook in June 2013

When columnist Claudia Heller sent out this request, I knew just what to send her.

“For my Father's Day column, please send me a few quotes and the constant advice your father gave you while you were growing up -- his words of wisdom that have stayed with you, and a sentence or two about him.”

I was happy that she started out her article honoring my dad.(Claudia's words that are highlighted in yellow are shown below the article.)

"Many Alzheimer's patients become mean and cantankerous as the disease progresses," said Kathleen.  "But at the end of my Dad's life, he remained pleasant, and developed a childlike personality.  This is the spirit my dad displayed throughout his whole life. 

"She (Kathleen) fondly recalls that when she and her siblings would work in the yard, her father would often say:  'Many hands make light work.'  

"Duartean Kathleen Magnusson lost her father, Kiefer Harris, seven years ago when he was 76."     

This was posted on Facebook in June 2012:

I’ve had similar experiences as a little girl with my own father and family in Fernley, Nevada, and as a wife and mother with Scott, in Victorville, Calif that is told in the video below.  I’m grateful for the fathers in our lives who have the courage to always keep moving ahead when faced with difficult  trials.  Happy Father’s Day!

This was posted on Facebook in June 2016:

Scott -- a great father to a great group of kids. Magpad 2007

Thank you, Facebook, for the wonderful Father's Day memories.