Another Road Trip

On Thurday, April 21st I jumped in the car for another Road Trip...destination...St. George, Utah. I drove ten hours down to Ione, California, the home of Terry's Sister, Rea. I spent the night there, and then early in the morning Rea and I loaded up and hit the road for another ten hour leg or our journey. We drove through California, parts of Nevada and Arizona, then into Southern Utah and the city of St. George. We visited with Grandma Lu for a bit, then went to meet Lynn (Terry's older sister) and her husband Garth for dinner. Their son-in-law, Jason, was down from Salt Lake for a couple of days with his youngest daughters for a fishing trip, so there was quite a large group at our table.

On Saturday we went over to the Temple. This is the oldest operating temple in the church. It was dedicated in 1877, the first temple completed after the arrival of the Saints in Utah. It was also the temple that Grandpa Tom and Grandma Lu were married in. Until the completion of the L.A. temple in 1956, it was the closest temple to Southern California.

We witnessed a little mini-drama in the Visitors' Center. The guy in the shorts had brought a really cool looking Easter Basket, (clearly made my Mom, or some other talented female!) and put it at the base of the Christus statue. He had informed the missionaries there that he was going to bring his girlfriend back and she was going to discover the basket, and inside one of the eggs was an engagement ring. Well, after we heard this story, we kind of hung out in the general area until we were able to witness this scene. I was far enough away that I thought I'd take "candid pictures" and then send them to the couple. But the missionary lady walked up to them before the girl even found the ring, and asked them if they'd like a private room. (which I thought may have ruined the surprise, and definitely ruined our ability to view it. However, I may not have been as candid as I thought, because in this photo it looks like the girl is looking right at us! (I thought I could look like I was photographing the statue!)

Later, we went to an art festival, which had about a million people. Just the kind of thing I love!!!

Funny story. Rea had a headache that morning, and asked her mom if she had any Tylonol. Lu produced a bottle of pills, and Rea immediately popped a couple. A few minutes later I heard her say, "MOM!!! You gave me Tylonol P.M!!!" Rea, needless to say, was in a blur much of the afternoon. But she didn't have a headache anymore!

We attended Sunday meetings with Grandma Lu, and then Easter Dinner at Garth and Lynne's. It was a beautiful weekend, weather wise, and a great change from rainly Portland!

As I returned to my motel Sunday evening, I noticed the beauty of the temple against the gray dusk skies, so I went over to try to get a couple of shots. They all came out darker, as if it was already totally dark outside, but they still looked pretty cool.

Monday morning, we hit the road again, and traveled across a few state lines, and then arrived in Ione about 3:00 p.m. Since it was so early, I continued driving a few more hours before I stopped for the night. I then continued on Tuesday morning, arriving home about noon. People think I'm crazy to drive like that, but I really enjoy it. I put on conference talks, or music, and do my best karaoke, really loud! (That is, when I'm alone....only when I'm alone.) Next trip....???