OUR TRIP TO YELLOWSTONE

Scott and I had a wonderful trip to Yellowstone in September. We were invited by our friends Sam and Peggy to join them in their 41 foot toy hauler and to take our bikes with us. The toy hauler was a motel on wheels, all decked out with a kitchen, living room, two bathrooms, master bedroom, loft with beds for kids, large screen T.V. DVD, the works ! It also has a garage to haul our three bikes in. After the bikes were unloaded the bed pulls down and turned into our bedroom ! We stayed at their house in Huntsville Wed. night Sept 17th so that we could get an early start Thurs. morning. From their house we headed up over Monte Cristo, it seemed as if the canyon was on fire. The leaves were at their peak, and the beauty of the mountains surrounded us. We had a great time traveling, the two guys up front and Peg and I in the back watching movies. We stopped in Jackson for lunch. Peg and I had hoped to do some shopping, but the guys didn't seem to think it was as important as we did and manuevering and parking a 41 foot trailer was not an easy task , so we just were able to go into a little shop right next to where we had lunch. We arrived late at Fishing Bridge campground. We had taked the wrong turn earlier so it had delayed our arrival. We unloaded the bikes and settled in for the night. Friday morn we grabbed breakfast at the little restaurant inside the gift shop ( yeah shopping !) a short distance from the campground and made our travel plans for the day. As a young girl I had camped almost every year in Yellowstone with my mom and dad and various members of our family. Memories came flooding back to me each place that we went to on that day. For years I have had a memory in my head about a time that mom and dad and I had stayed in a cabin. There were no bathrooms in the cabin so you had to go outside, just a few feet across a dirt road to the bathroom shared by all the campers. I remember the color of the bathroom being a khaki green. I was about 7 or 8years old and my dad had taken me in my pajamas to the potty. We were on our way back, me riding piggyback, when we saw mom in the doorway of the cabin frantickly motioning to us and yelling to us to hurry there was a bear behind us. As I looked around, sure enough there was a bear and it chased us right up to the cabin door, dad running as fast as he could ! I have looked off and on over the last few years when Scott and I have traveled thru the park trying to remember where this incident had taked place. As the four of us took off on our bikes after breakfast Sam turned onto a road that he knew from his teen years where he had been a junior scoutmaster working on his eagle scout award. Then it hit me ! This was the place, this was my memory ! There was the row of cabins, the cabin we stayed in and the horrible green bathroom ! We left before I could get a picture, but now that I know where it is I can return to it. From there we did the lower loop, stopping at all the hot pots, and geysers. We of course ended up at Old Faithful and walked around and ate in the Old Faithful Lodge. Again more memories ! I can't tell you what it was like to see the park on the back of a bike ! Everything is magnified and seems so much closer and clearer. Of course when you come to a herd of bison you really don't want to be that up close and personal, but what a thrill ! We saw lots of wildlife on our way. Many herds of bison, elk, a wolf, a coyote, moose and 1 bear. Remember the days when the bears were everywhere? My mom would feed them bread from the car window at the entrance of the park. They would be in your garbage cans in the campgrounds. You would always see them, now they are scarcely seen, so sad. Our butts were tired by the time we made it back to our camp, we watched a movie, then called a night. Rain dampened our plans on Sat. We decided to ride in the truck for awhile and then come back and get the bikes if it cleared up. It didn't quit so we spent the day touring the upper loop in the warmth of the truck. We were really glad when we got to Mammoth Hot Springs where it hailed on us ! There was a large herd of elk at Mammoth, we watched them and ate lunch there and headed back. We had discussed the possibility of staying another day, returning on Mon. but the weather wasn't going to cooperate at all with us so we took our time driving back home on Sun. Although we only got one day riding thru the park on our bikes, it was still an awesome trip one that we hope to repeat next year.

PATRIOT GAURD MISSION

Scott and I belong to an organization called The Patriot Gaurd Riders. Their mission statement is " TO STAND FOR THOSE WHO STOOD FOR US". Basicly we all join together on our bikes and ride to a given destination to welcome home soldiers returning from war. Most of the time it is at the airport or gaurd base. There we stand with smiles and flags waving to give our support to these honorable soldiers. Sadly there are times when one of these soldiers has given his life for our country and is returning home for the last time. Scott and I had the privledge and opportunity to stand gaurd for one of these soldiers. Jordan P. Thibeault was killed in Irag on Sept 5 2008 serving his country. We were given the alert that the Patriot Gaurd was needed to meet his body at the Salt Lake Air Gaurd Base. There were approximatley 30 of us that were there and it amazed me to see how these wonderful people show up to give of their time to honor a fallen soldier ! We met at a restaurant parking lot in Salt Lake and from there traveled to the airport, were we where told that there had been a change in plans and the plane was to arrive at the gaurd base. Our troop then made their way to the tarmack at the base and parked our bikes. We were each given a flag and we all proceeded to the edge of the tarmack forming two lines. The slight breeze in the air made the flags stand up and wave proud, what a glorious sight to behold ! We only had to wait for a short time when the plane carrying the soldier landed and pulled to a stop. At that point we followed in the pallbearers dressed sharply in uniforms to form two lines on either side of the door of the plane. As we stood at attention the casket was lowered out of the plane to the awaiting family members. To watch the mother caress the casket with her hands and gently lay across the casket to give her son a hug, hit home for me. I knew the heartache and pain that mother was suffering and the tears flowed down my face, later that day at the mortuary I was able to speak with her and we shared a few tears. The pall bearers and family then walked slowly behind the casket as it was taken to the awaiting hearse, and then the Patriot Gaurd members followed behind them. After the casket and family were settled in their cars, we mounted our bikes . Four of our gaurd members were to be in front of the hearse and the rest of us followed in behind, with police escorts bringing in the rear. The procession was inspiring. We traveled out of the base to the freeway briefly, then onto Rewood Road to the South Jordan area approximatley 90th South, at each of the intersections there had been police officers blocking traffic so our procession would not be interrupted, there we turned east to drive the soldier one last time by his house were the procession paused. The streets were lined with flags and people that had turned out to pay their respects, it was truly an emotional, reverent, experience. From his home we the proceeded on to Jenkins and Soffe Mortuary where the procession ended. We parked our bikes, stood by them until the casket had made its way into the building and then went in to the mortuary to give our condolences to the family. They were so grateful to us for escorting them and their son and thanked us so very much. Of course it was our honor and privilege to be able to participate in this homecoming. It is a memory that Scott and I will not soon forget.

Happy Birthday Dustin

Dusty would have been 37 years old on September 22 this year. He lost his courageous battle against melenoma cancer 5 years ands 1 month ago. He fought hard for his life trying traditional as well as alternative medicines, nothing worked.
Even when he was soo ill he would still warm your heart, and light up the room with his smile and his laughter.

During his time here Dusty had a passion for life, especially for the outdoors. It was his to explore and enjoy all aspects of it! From the time he was a little boy until his death, he loved being in the mountains. In the summer he loved camping, fishing, hiking, biking and horseback riding on his favorite horse Harley. The winter brought skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and snowmobiling. Dusty started golfing at a young age and announced to us he was going to be a golf pro when he grew up.

When he lived and worked at Pack Rat Pawn in Montana he played hard with his cousins the Reisbeck boys They had boats, His was a speed boat, the Shady Lady, They rode Harleys, his was a sportster, they all had snowmoblies and they torn up the slopes.

As a brother he looked out for his little sisters. He loved his little sisters, Gentry, Reagan, and Summer. Mostly he loved to tease them. They all played and laughed together, they did everything together. We did many things as a family, camping in the Uintahs where he caught his first fish, swimming at pineview, Lagoon, the Zoo and many vacations.

Dusty loved going to Rendezvous. He loved to shoot his black powder rifle, throw his tomahawk. He participated in all the activities and games. At night sitting around the campfire in his buckskins singing and listening to tall tales was his favorite part. He had many Rendezvous friends and when we are at Rendezvous now we all have a get together to toast and remember the ones we have lost.

Dustys nieces and nephews adored him. He would play and tease and tickle. He was there when each of them were born and came to every birthday party.
He had many friends growing up, the Shiffletts, Rigbys, Beaker, Hulls, Eric, Todd, and George and many more. Each had a special place in his heart and wonderful memories of many good times.

When Dusty was little he loved Cherry Hill. We swam and plyed miniature golf almost everyday. Dusty, the Shifflett boys, and the Rigby boys, were the first ones to go down the blue waterslide to test it out.

Growing up in the mobile home park Als Apple Acres Dusty spent alot of time "helping" his grandpa. You would see them walking hand in hand or riding the tractor together.

He loved the holidays, Halloween he would always dress up. Thanksgiving he could put more food away than humanly possible. Christmas was always magical for him. He loved being withh his family more than anything.
When we moved to Erda and bought horses he spent alot of time here. He loved being around the horses and riding. We went on many rides together, often with George, and Todd.

Dusty and Scott had a wonderful relationship. They would have heart to heart talks, and they shared their thoughts and intrests. They were truly the best of friends and loved each other.

He was a beautiful baby often mistaken for a little girl, a precocius toddler, mischeivious toddler, imp as a child, funloving (sometimes too much so !) teenager, aspiring young man and a wonderful father to his then two daughters.
The girls were the joy of his life, Jossi and Savannah. He was so caring and kind with them and enjoyed every minute with them. And the thought of having twin boys thrilled him, although he knew in his heart he wouldn't be raising them. I'm sure he was able to meet and love them in heaven and is their gaurdian angel now.

I'm so proud of Dustin, for the man he had become. As his Mom we had a very special and loving relationship, many tears and hugs, scrapes and bumps. And I loved him so very much.

He was a wonderful, caring son, loving brother and uncle, special sweetheart, and doting father. We were all blessed to have him in our lives and we love him and miss him every day.

I would love for all of you to write something (more than one if you want) about your time with Dusty. What you remember, something you did , anything you want.

Happy Birthday my son, We love you !!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAKAYE !!!!

Shakaye is my oldest granddaughter and much to my dismay just turned 15 years old. Holy cow, that makes me ancient ! She has been such a joy in our lives. She has always been a beauty since the day she was born. With her sweet smile she has charmed us and won our hearts over and over again. When she was first born I had the privlege of having her and her mom Gentry live with me. Such a tiny little blessing brought such love into our home. As a little girl she talked early like her mom did, in complete full sentences. She was always dancing and singing and making us laugh. At the age of eight we started her on horseback riding lessons. She has been showing our Missourri Foxtrotters ever since and is a natural ! She has won countless ribbons and was the Youth Grand Champion. Now she is fifteen going on twenty-five, and charming the boys. Time certainly does fly, it seems only yesterday she was wrapped in a little pink blanket. We all love her dearly and wish her a very Happy Birthday !!!!

A Letter To Dusty

It's been 5 years since you left this earth, August 22,2003, it doesn't seem possible.
I wonder how you are, what heaven is like where you are, what things you can do.
Is there fishing, snowmobiling, boating, horseback riding, golfing, camping, skiing, all the things that you loved to do here ? Can you see the fireworks ?
I think of you everyday, I miss you everyday, I ask God why everyday.
At times I feel your presence, I feel when you are with me and I close my eye's to feel your arms hug me. I know when you send me messages through the songs - Cheeseburger in Paradise, Skydiving, When I get where I'm going, I believe. My heart smiles.
I am sure that you watch over, and visit your sisters and dads too.
I think of you everyday, I miss you everyday, I ask God why everyday.
Something that bothered you the most when you knew that you were leaving this earth was that you wouldn't be here to raise your children. I know that you watch over them now, and are their guardian angel.
All of the kids' look like you. Jossie is so beautiful. She looks just like you and she has so many mannerisms that are yours. She has your laugh, your smile, the way she shrugs and tosses her head.
Savannah, what a doll, she is a joy ! All girly girl and such an imp. She has the gleam in her eyes and the sassy way about her. The twins, I'm sure you got to meet them before we did. What a pair - what one doesn't think of the other one does. They are handsome little guy's with the same boyish charm you did. It tugs at my heart that you cannot be here with them, that they call some one else daddy. We all are making sure that they know who you are, we tell them all about you.
I think of you everyday, I miss you every day, I ask God why everyday.
We all miss you, your children, dads, sisters, family and friends. We miss your smile, your laugh, your walk, the fun that we all shared ! I often wonder and hope that you know how much we love you.
Did we do all that we could to keep you here ? Were we too late in fighting desperately for your life ? Was there something else we could have done ?
You are a wonderful, loving, kind, fun person, who was a friend to all. You touched so many peoples lives and we were blessed to have you for the time that we did.
I think of you everyday, I miss you everyday, I ask God why everyday.
Love, Mom

My First Attempt at Blogging !!

Well Sue this is all your fault ! Sue and I are old friends. Wow ! How many years has it been ? We started double dating way back when I was very first dating Paul. Woody, Sues' husband and Paul are cousins. We had some good times, although the guy's were grouchy most of the time. We raised our kid's together, spent countless hours at Cherry Hill before it was all the rage. Celebrated the kid's birthdays together, we even had themes for our party's. All of the holidays together. Halloween, making carmeled apples, and trick or treating. The 4th and the 24th of July watching fireworks. Christmas partys. Our children were each other's best friends, and so were we. We had a harrowing day trying to find two of our children, Matt and Gentry. We spent hours looking for them throughout the neighborhoods, Cherry Hill campground, and holding each other's hands, tearfully walking towards the pond, hoping that they were not floating in it. We were certain they had drowned or had been kidnapped !! They had been gone for around 7 hours, we had called the police when finally they showed up being carried by friends that had joined in the search. They had been found in the telephone booth around the back of the store at Cherry Hill. After getting in, they were too small to open it back up and they had spent the entire day in the booth. Their account was that they had cried, slept, wet their pants, and according to Gentry " They didn't even have a dime !!"
When Woody and Sue moved away we drifted apart, life happens. Some of the kid's have stayed in touch here and there. But recently Sue and I have reconnected. She and some of her family came to visit when Reagan had her open heart surgery. We have visited at a couple of event's, birthday's and car shows. I'm so glad we had the chance to rekindle our friendship and I'm looking forward to having activities where all the kid's can get together again. Sue told me about her blog and when I looked at it was when I decided that I would give it a try. May take some time to get it as good as her's, well maybe never ! So here's to you Sioux !!!