Monday, September 22, 2008

Cruise Slide Show

Alaskan Cruise!!

Well well well, I am back now and no worse for the wear. All of you remember that as a senior in high school I got a flier urging us to go to classes on the new wave of the future, computers, and I scoffed at this new idea and said that it would never get off the ground. That is the level of intelligence on computers that I deal with. A little sympathy here.

You have seen the slide show of our Alaska trip, a few words about it. We have never in our lives on this earth seen a land so green and wild and beautiful. Fog and mist everywhere, low clouds and some drizzling rain. we had sun in Ketchikan and fog, clouds and mist every where else. The temps stayed between 53 and 60 with no wind or measurable rain in port. Victoria Canada was the coolest stop at 48 and a slight breeze and what a quaint and beautifu island it is situated on.

We cruised out of Seattle and let me tell you that is one hilly city and is full of save the earth mountain muffins. I couldn't have a paper in my hand and someone would ask to recycle it for me. Geeesh. The streets Are so narrow and shaded. Nice place to visit and leave from.

We next hit Ketchikan, the site of the famous airplane ride over the mountains and glaciers. It is a tiny city built on the very steep slopes of the low ridges. It is 1/2 mile wide and 4 miles long. Some of the pix are of the houses way away from everyone else. The sewer lines are under ground here as ther is no perma frost, but the outlying homes have outdoor privies. Here is where we rode a jet Catamaran, covered and all with toilets for 3 hours up the Misty Fijord. Once again, to see all the mountains and the islands are one big mountain made of granitr with a layer of spongy material from 6 inche to a couple of feet thick. The trees grow in this with no roots in the ground, the first hydroponics on earth. We could see all th striations from the glaciers and all the thousands of little waterfalls that run continually off thesides. There was this cool little jagged peak sticking up from middle of the Fijord and it had vegetation all over it. Some loggers wife went out to this and planted all of the plants she had in her home when they left. The Botantists came along years later and were amazed at the plants on this spit if rok in the middle of nowhere and the water. They spent 5years and millions of dollars to find out what miracle of nature and evolution put them ther. The logger was reading about this miracle one day and called the government boys and told them it was his wife what planted them there.....In Ketchikan they have a street there called Creek Street, all on stilts over the water, 20 or so buildings from the gold days and all for prostituts as they were not on ground and hence no laws. Now they are all shops etc. Everything in these towns were in good repair as the weather causes slow deterioration. Of course all the tourist shops. You can see some shots up and down the streets.

Next was Juneau, third largest city in Alaska covering some 3800 square miles and 30,000 people. A cool place but Mrs. Palin was not home. It is the state capital. it is also where we went up the extremely steep Tram to the top of a very high mountain. Replete with a bird sanctuary and restaurant and many more people looking for a tip. Also had a few seals playing around the boat, much safer than swimming with Shamus kin. Everything there wants to eat you.

Next we went to Skagway, population of 800, 2800 with a cruise ship in port. All the ports are up to the edge of town as the inland passage way and the Fijords are 1000 feet or more. It is built on a spit of flat land which had been carved out of the valley from the glacier further up the valley. Being created this way makes the ground unstable and the town is in a State Park which leads to the price of an 85 year old house, 600,000 dollars. no new homes can be started without a lot of red tape and geological surveys. One main street and the Red Onion saloon, famous for the ladies who worked there. It is home to some summer folk who leave after the last cruise ship and before the first freeze. Neat place to visit,

Then south to Victoria. What a beautiful place, and so colorful. One park covers 155 acres and the smallest one is 3 by 6 feey, there is a picture if it. No more building there on the island, 100 square feet costs you 600,000 dollars. We saw a retirement home(picture of a light brown building) where they pay 6000 bucks a month. There are either college students or retirees there now and the parliament buildings and over 1300 hanging pots of flowers, green and colorful.

We are now home and happy to see the dog, no hassles and she only wants to please you and be loved. Good to be home on the 100 degree heat,yechhhhh. It was nice to get away on our first real vacation since the I Do's. Our Father In Heaven has made us a very beauitiful world in which to live.

Here is the little lady standing and looking up Creel Street at the old houses of ill repute. The water looks roppled becuse thousands of Salmon are migrating up stream. There were many dead ones also which had a different odor about them.

these next two shots are of us on the balcony of our room and watching Seattle go by, boo hoo hoo hoo. please recycle everything and hike up our streets.
do I jump or stay with the boat, looks mighty cold.

I noticed in these next couple of pictures of dad that he likes to pose for pictures.


This is the biggest bald eagle in Ketchikan, carved by the local tribe. There are a lot of bald eagles around southeastern ciostline, but very hard to get close to them.

This is the old guy trying to decide whether or not to go in and get a drink of cola. This is the very famous attraction for the gold miners in the rush days of Juneau. Could not find Sherrie, did she go in and start to work??????

Sunday, September 21, 2008

ATTENTION TO ALL!!!

YES there is going to be new posts soon. My father has been slacking and I am getting his blog up and going again. They just got back from their Alaskan Cruise and I am getting the pictures and stuff ready for it. Hold on to your seats people, this blog IS going to have a new post!!!!! I know, it is hard to maintain your enthusiasm.

Lyndsey

Monday, July 28, 2008

JUST HAD A GREAT WEEKEND

SHERRI AND I HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY GETTING EVERYTHING IN ORDER FOR OUR TRIP TO ALASKA. IT WILL BE THE FIRST REAL VACATION THAT WE HAVE TAKEN TOGETHER SINCE WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED. ONE OF THE ONLY DRAWBACKS IS THAT SHE WANTS ME TO FLY WITH HER IN A SMALL PONTOON PLANE OVER FOUR GLACIERS, YOU KNOW, ZOOMING UP AND DOWN AND ALL AROUND. I CANNOT HANDLE A ROLLER COASTER VERY WELL. SHE MUST REALLY WANT TO SEE IF THOSE BARF BAGS CAN REALLY HOLD LIQUID. OH WELL, ANYTHING FOR MY SWEETHEART. BRENT AND KAMI AND THE KIDS CAME DOWN FOR THREE DAYS AND DID WE HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH THE SWIMMING AND ALL THE GOOD FOOD. WORDS CANNOT TELL HOW WONDERFUL IT IS TO GET YOUR FAMILY TOGETHER AND ENJOY EACH OTHER AND THE SPIRIT IT BRINGS TO YOU. OUR ONLY WORRY IS BRIAN AND THE SCOWL HE HAS AND THE BULGING VEINS ON HIS FOREHEAD AS WE PLAY GAMES. WHAT A COMPETETIOR. I MUST SAY THATR THE GAME THE SAINT GEORGE ELLSWORTHS BROUGHT DOWN, L C R, LEFT CENTER RIGHT IS A VERY DIABOLICAL GAME. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH IT. IT IS A NEW FAMILY FAVORITE, RIGHT UP THERE WITH 7-UP, MORMON BRIDGE, AND THE GREAT DALMUTI. I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED SWIMMING WITH THE KIDS UNTIL THE SUN BURNED ME TO A CRISP, BUT IT IS A DRY HEAT???????????ANYWAY WE HAD A GOOD TIME AND REALLY ENJOYED THEIR VISIT, AND THE EXCUSE TO EAT. WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS OR EXPLAIN HOW MUCH I LOVE MY FAMILY. I HAVE SO MANY SHORTCOMINGS AND WEAKNESSES AND AM SO VERY SURE THAT I HAVE FAILED THEM ALL AT SOME TIME, BUT I WANT THEM ALL TO KNOW THAT I CHERISH THEIR LIVES AND WANT THE BEST FOR THEM ALL. I DO NOT HAVE MUCH IN THIS WORLD BUT I DO HAVE A TESTIMONY OF THE GOSPEL. IT HAS BROUGHT ME AND MY FAMILY SO MUCH JOY AND BUOYED ME UP IN THE DEEPEST AND MOST SORROWFUL TIMES. IT GAVE ME A BASOS TO BUILD MY FAITH AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. THERE WERE TIMES THAT I THOUGHT MY FATHER WAS NOT AWARE OF ME AND MY FAMILY, BUT I SAW SO MANY THINGS HAPPEN TO US TO BRING US THE PEACE OF THE GOSPEL AND THE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE, AND THE BURNING KNOWLEDGE THAT EVERYTHING HAS ITS SEASON AND TIME. OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN DOES KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE AND HE IS AWARE OF EVERYTHING THAT WE GO THROUGH, AND ASKS NO MORE OF US THAN HE OR OUR SAVIOR HAVE NOT GONE THROUGH OR EXPERIENCED. TO THIS END I KNOW THAT THE GOSPEL IS TRUE AND THE ETERNAL TRUTHS IN IT ARE FOR US ALL, IT IS UP[ TO US TO BE OUR OWN ADVOCATES FOR THE ETERNAL KINGDOMS, MAY WE ALL BE THERE TOGETHER IS MY PRAYER, AMEN.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

NEED TO ADD THIS. MY DEAR LITTLE LADY HAS HAD ME AT THE MALL GETTING STEPHENIE MEYERS BOOKS ABOUT VAMPIRES, SUPPOSED TO BE SOOOO GOOOD. SHE IS LDS YOU KNOW, MAYBE THEY WILL BE IN THE SPIRIT WORLD. MAN ARE WE SO HOT DOWN HERE. THE CLOUDS ARE GATHERING OVER THE RIM EVERY NIGHT AND CREATING AOUR BEAUTIFUL MONSOON WEATHER AND ALL. BRENT REMEMBERS WHAT IS IS ALL ABOUT. STAY WHERE YOU ARE AT SON, MUSH COOLER THERE. MAKES YOU GLAD TO BE ALIVE WHEN YOU WALK OUTSIDE IN THE MORNING AND IT IS 90 DEGREES AND VERY MUGGY. JOLYNN HAS FLOWN OUT TO OREGON AND THE NIKE FACTORY, BRIAN FLIES OUT THURSDAY, I WILL TAKE HIM AT 5 IN THE MORNING. LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. TRIED TO CONTACT EDWIN BUT HE HAS TO INVITE YOU TO HIS BLOG, AREN'T WE IMPORTANT.
ALMOST FORGOT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF ALL THIS, THE TWO NEW GRANDCHILDREN, GAVIN AND SAVANNAH, THEY ARE SO GOOD LOOKING AND CUTE. WE HAD A GREAT TIME AT THE TEMPLE THERE IN ST. GEORGE, WHAT A COOL PLACE AND SO HISTORIC, THE FIRST TEMPLE DEDICATED AND ALL.
THIS IS US AT KAYDEES GRADUATION. VERY DARK AND VERY FAR AWAY. SHE IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE ONE WITH THE LONG DARK HAIR. WE WERE VERY PROUD AND HAPPY THAT SHE MADE IT WITH ONE TRY. HA HA HA!
UNDER THREEAT OF MY LIFE AND LIMBS HERE THE PICTURE OF THE GREAT WHITE HUNTER. PRE-HONEYMOON. MAN WHAT A BOD, JUST FOR KAMI TO HAVE AND TO HOLD. YOU CAN SEE WHY I AM SO PROUD OF MY BOY.
YOU NOTICE THAT I AM LOOKING TO THE SKY FOR THE LIGHTENING, PHEW, IT NEVER CAME AND HE WAS IN THE CLEAR. THANK YOU KAMI, HE IS NOW ALL YOURS, BAD SPORTS PICKS AND ALL.
HER ARE THE CELESTIAL WOMEN, ARE THEY NOT BEAUTIFUL AND ALL. NOTE KAMIS PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE FRONT OF MY LENS, CUTE SPIKED HAIR AND ALL.
THIS IS THE BULL PEN, BECAUSE OF ALL THE TESTERONE ABOUNDING. NOTICE BRYAN MORTENSEN, WHERE AM I? JERRY SAYS LET ME SIT DOWN, ME, JUST RELIEF.