Visit to Wil, Lau & Liam -Boise, Idaho

Thursday evening we packed up the truck with an old Bike of Wil's, The Poisonwood Bible on CD, and stuff to make GRANOLA.

Happy is the woman on the way to see her son, daughter in-law and grandson.

What happen to the tall skinny guy I used to be?

Departing Cache Valley.

The West face of the Wellsvilles.

So this is a proud opinion I have of my home in Cache Valley and I apologize before I share it with you. Every place I have ever lived I have found it to be interesting and a wonderful place to live.

But Cache Valley is one of the most beautiful places of the world. When Karen and I drive to visit Abby, Andy, Ben and Henry & Christine, Ryan, Bel and 2/3's done, or drive West to visit Wil, Lauren, and Liam we have noticed that you go 30 miles west and 60 east miles from Cache Valley and you are right smack in the middle of high deserts with fairly boring scenery and very sparse populations and very little water. It make one realize that the West is an oasis existence. But what a great oasis Cache Valley is and I am very thankful for the spot on the planet where Karen and I live.

The other observation is that Abby and Andy, Christine and Ryan live where in the water is more plentiful. Elder Ballard mentioned today that his family had been pioneers who came to Cache Valley and that of the 1850 mile trek they spent half of their time just getting through the mud in IOWA.

Lauren paying the Great Harvest bills.

Lauren selling Sweet Rolls.

Will taking orders.

Lauren getting ready to slice and bag fresh bread.

Me, Wil and Lauren checking out the Granola. We made two different types.

We got the product on the shelves.

Out at a THAI restarant. Liam with his rice dish.

Lauren with Sushi!

My Sweet Basil with shrimp, Wow good!

Next day MoM and I went in at 8 AM four hours later than Wil and helped with the bread and cookies.

Frosting in the big mixer.

Action in the back of the G HARV.

Karen says she has this job down.

The Owner.

Part of the days product.

On the town with the Boise Wood Family.

Wil in Blondies, breakfast served from 7 AM to 2 PM. It was also great. YUP Wil's a foody.

Wil's looks like he's doing well in the world on many fronts.

YUMMY

Good bye. So Liam was crying like crazy just before this because GranMa was leaving. I have to say I made some progress with Liam on this trip usually he's not too excited to see Grand Pa Wood.

I want to thank Wil and Laur for their hospitlity. It is was a sweet experience to share part of their lives. Wil and Laur are a strong team working on their new business.

I appreciate all my children for the love and devotion they have for their spouses and children. I want each of you to know how much I love your mother and enjoy her company and companionship. Thanks again Wil and Lauren.

Fishing in Alaska with Mont & Rory

Rory took this photo of Mont's Cub. We are flying over to Lake Clarke Pass. The Cook inlet is the body of water behind Mont's plane.

This is a hanging glacier in Lake Clark Pass.

This is the summit of Lake Clarke Pass and a glacier coming into the pass from the west.

OK there was a picture here I don't know how I lost it.

Me piloting one of Mont's great Cubs at the east side of Lake Clarke Pass.

Mont almost to Lake Iliamna.

Rory preparing to go fishing with an Ipod and a short story to listen to. Figuring It Out by Ron Carlson, was our favorite story.

Camping on the tundra under the wing of Mont's Cubs.

Best Burger on the Tundra!!!

Mont cooking the best burgers on the tundra. Mont the perfect host, pilot, guide and friend!

This was the end of the good fishing time. From 6-dark was great.

We decided this was a female bear. We saw everyday. She would either hike up the river past us or the next day hike down past us. We tried to give her plenty of elbow room.

Mont working on a meal.

Hey Abby thanks for the warm hat.!

There she is again.

Bear tracks on the shore of lake Iliamna.

That's me with a Rainbow!!!

Rory fighting a Rainbow.

If you look closely you can see this fish is smiling just like me after having been caught.

Rory with a big rainbow!!!

Rory with a Sockeye Salmon.

Mont's cub ready for take off and getting us out of Dodge. We only made it to Iliamna, the town, before bad weather set in and Rory and I flew out commercial and Mont waited out the storm for 3 days.

So I love to fish. My Dad took us fishing a few times when we were children, we floated the Middle Fork of the Salmon and Rory and I took turns sitting on top of the mound of gear tied in the boat (Wil re-lived this experience when we floated the Gulkana catching Grayling instead of Rainbows). My Dad told us to cast over there or over here. We caught a lot of fish off that pile of gear. We were all in that boat together and we shared in the success and excitement of the catch.


Maybe that is why even today I like to fish with a friend or a relative. I look forward to the shared experience. I do love catching a fish but it is not as much fun if I am alone. A great powder run is twice as great shared as it is solo. A wonderful meal is just food if you eat it alone. When I am fishing and a big Rainbow grabs a fly and takes off running and jumping down the river my heart jumps too. There is great joy in taking a photo of your brother, son, father, or friend as they ease the hook out of the jaw of the fish. I am in awe everytime a fish takes a fly or a lure. It is just a strange wonderful connection with nature and I am glad it happens to me once in a while.

I am grateful for each of you and the shared experiences I have with each of you. Your mom or Karen lives for the shared experiences with her children. Karen checks your blogs everyday and then shares with me your new postings. Thanks for sharing your time and your lives with us.
Love Dad

Spiral Jetty

Smithfield
Great Salt Lake
Great Salt Lake
The Wellsvilles.
In flight self protrait.













Preparing for takeoff. My inflight photo of MOM.

The folks are true empty nester's. Gordo is living with Mike Raymond in the 200 East 4-plex. So Mom and I eat out a couple of times a week and go on adventures with each other. This Saturday we climbed in the Super Cub and flew out to the Spiral Jetty. The Spiral Jetty is a famous piece of land art. It was build in the 1970's.

Ok sorry kids. Every photo I added went to the top instead of the bottom so the photos are out of order. But I think you will get it.
Love Dad and Mom