The Delta Farce

Hey Folks,

A few weeks ago I got word from the local gas company that there was a one week survey job in Delta, Utah that needed to be done.  Similar to the trip to Price last month but this one needed two people. My co-worker Don and I were chosen for the task.  Since his wife Sandy works at the KOA she needed to stay behind, so the four of us got together and discussed it.  We came to the consensus that Margo and Sandy could stay behind in SLC in LuLu and Don and I would take their Class A RV to Delta.  The ladies were okay with it, saying they would, “enjoy a break from us.”  Go figure…..  Don and I saw it as a chance to get away without having to pick up after ourselves or wear clean clothes.  With that we christened ourselves the “Delta Farce” and hit the road.

 

Home for the week.  Not an Airstream but it did keep the beer cold.

Delta Farce team member Don on a satellite adjustment mission

Delta Utah, (pop 3,400) is about 130 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.  It lies along US-50 (affectionately known as The Loneliest Road).  For most people it’s nothing more than an adjustment on the cruise control unless they need to gas up at the Sinclair or stop for a bite at the only McDonald’s within 100 miles.  Both probably a good idea especially if they’re headed into Nevada.  The road got the nickname for a reason.

Fill 'er up

Some old aluminum could be found here and there

This is as rural as it gets

Delta isn’t a fancy place but in the 4 days we were there we found it to be like many other unknown small towns; friendly, unique and with plenty of civic pride.  It has seen hard times but is making a comeback as evidenced by the new, very large Ace Hardware going up and new construction on many of its residential streets.

Main St. Delta

 

The economy is supported by agriculture, corn and hay, but with less than 8 inches of rain per year, the crops are dependent upon irrigation.  That’s a good thing when it comes to hay.  You see, when hay is cut it has to dry in the field.  If it rains during that time the crop is lost to mold.  Here in Delta they just shut off the water when they’re ready to cut and let it dry - worry free.

Irrigation canal.

Green hay ready for cutting

Cut and drying

Baled and off to market

 It’s nice that my job allows me to see these places like few people can.  To come to a place like this and work would normally be very difficult.  There just aren’t that many jobs available in these small towns.  I get to bring my job with me temporarily, visit, get to know the people and the community then be on my way – oh, and then tell you guys all about it.  

So with that in mind, we’re excited about our next post.  We’re going to take you back to the Old West.  We recently visited the Golden Spike National Historic Site – the location where the transcontinental railroad was completed at Promontory Point, Utah in 1869.  Till then may the Farce be with you.

Only In Utah...

Hey Folks,

Everybody loves a parade.  Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Macy’s to name a few.  But how about the Pioneer Day Parade - ever heard of that?  I doubt it unless you’re from Utah.  For those of you not initiated, Pioneer Day is a Utah state holiday that occurs every July 24^th regardless of the day of the week.  It commemorates the day in 1847 when Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers arrived at the Salt Lake Valley.  This year it fell on a Thursday and everything shut down.  I mean EVERYTHING, including the local gas company so I had the day off as well.  Psssssst, Southern Cross – let’s consider making this a company holiday – just sayin’.

Margo and I had a prime location to watch the parade as it rolled out from the center of downtown SLC at 9:00 a.m.  The high for the day was forecast to hit 100 degrees so the festivities started early. These Utahans are a hardy bunch though and for the 2 hour duration even the kids weren’t complaining of the heat.  As far as parades go, I have to say, this one was pree-ty nice.  You could clearly see that these floats weren’t just thrown together but probably took hundreds of volunteer hours to complete.  As with any parade, all of the local dignitaries were present right up to the Governor and of course, it was very heavy on the equine units. From the Sheriffs posse to the many draft horses.  I mean really, you couldn’t properly establish a new settlement without the humble horse now could ya.

I’ll leave you now with pics from the day but WARNING!!!!  If you suffer from coulrophobia – the abnormal fear of clowns – STOP HERE!  The following pictures contain clown subject matter, including close-ups, that may be detrimental to those afflicted.  

Quit the monkey business.  Let's get this thing started.

Milling about before the parade

Utah Highway Patrol on BMWs

 

 

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Dept. Motor Unit on REAL motorcycles-Harleys

The Honorable Governor and Mrs. Gary Herbert

Mormons

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Mounted Posse

More Mormons

Salt Lake Community College

Show Off

Men in skirts

Goodbye everybody.  Thanks for coming.

Anna Kate

Hey Folks,

As I eluded to on our last post we had a baby announcement coming.  My oldest daughter, Cheryl, and her husband Chad, delivered on the promise with Cheryl quite literally delivering a healthy 7 pound, 11 ounce, 22 1/4 inch baby girl.   Meet Anna Kate.  Born Wednesday morning, July 23rd at 6:40. She single handedly put me in the grandfather club - a membership I have not had the pleasure of until now.

Anna Kate

All three are doing very well although a slight hitch presented itself; not real concerning though.  Anna's white blood count was a little high on the first check.  This indicated a possible infection or stress from the delivery - nearly 22 hours long - so she''ll have to stay a few extra days in the hospital for observation and antibiotics.  Mom will be discharged Friday but will stay in a spare hospital room with little Anna until they can take her home.

"Isn't she lovely..less than one minute old..."

Proud Papa

Congratulations to Cheryl and Chad.  We love you guys and know you'll make fantastic parents. We can't wait to take her on some adventures just like we did her Aunt Jenna a few weeks back but I think she'll be hanging out with Mom and Dad for a little while first.  Don't worry though, we'll get her initiated as a happy little camper soon enough.

Jenna

Hey Folks, 

Jenna

 Margo and I had a special treat this week.  Last Sunday my 20-year old daughter, Jenna, flew out from Florida for a week-long vacation.  We had not seen her for over a year so it was a very nice reunion.  The trip was in the planning stages for a few months.  We originally planned for me to take a few days off and we would all spend some time at Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. It’s the most awesome place within driving distance and I really wanted to impress.  She’s never been west of the Blue Ridge Mountains so seeing Zion would have been "da Bomb"– as the kids say.

Well, the day drew closer and the temperature in Zion started growing higher; into the 100`s then 110`s.  Plan B was contemplated and we decided instead to head over to Park City, on the other side of the Wasatch Mountains for a little high altitude cooling off.

I had to get through three days of chasing gas meters first though, so while I did that, Margo spent the first part of the week showing Jenna SLC.  It's history including the Mormon Temple, Temple Square as well as it's many downtown eccentricities.  They zoomed all over on the TRAX train.  In the evenings we all toured the east side mountain “benches” with their view of the valley.  And oh, of course the Great Salt Lake.  You can’t come here without seeing it so we headed over to the marina where Margo and I had gone a few months back.  

Great Salt Lake

On Thursday we hooked up LuLu and headed east about 45 miles to the Wasatch Mountain State Park.  It has an older campground with small sites but just large enough to fit our 25 footer, although I have to say it was the tightest spot I’ve ever had to back her into.  At 6000 feet it was nice and cool as well as rainy but it didn’t rain us out and we had a great time burning marshmallows (aka making S'Mores) and searching for Internet on “2G rock” (so named for it’s ability to acquire blazing 2G cell service).  This place is quite remote.  We could squeeze a text message out occasionally but that was about it.  Facebook had to take a break but this particular Gen Z’er handled it well. 

Wasatch Mountain State Park

Site MH53 - tight fit 'fer sure

2G rock -  "Can you hear me now?"

We took a drive down the road to the little town of Midway (population 4,000 or so).  Here we found the coolest coffee shop that Margo and I have come across since our journey began.  The Fill ‘er Up Coffee Station was definitely one to remember.  Afterward we took a ride to Park City.  It was here in 2002 that the Winter Olympics were held and they still have all of the ski runs and venues – waiting for another go of it, I hear. 

Midway Town Hall.  Settled by Swiss Mormons in the 1860's

Town Hall automated figurine door opening - think cuckoo clock

.... on a grand scale

Midway is on our short list for retirement

Our favorite coffee shop so far

Fill 'Er Up Coffee Station

Saturday found us back in the SLC valley at the KOA with plans to wrap things up for her Sunday morning return flight home. All in all she adapted well to living in 188 square feet.  She gave a thumbs up for comfort on LuLu's fold out couch and learned the "intricacies" of RV plumbing.

Bonding with DAD - #stinkyslinky

The TRAX station next to the KOA

Heading for the airport

The week went by in a flash – just like her first 20 years.  She’s a beautiful young woman now but will always be my little one.  I have been very fortunate in being blessed with 2 beautiful children -  the oldest of whom will be delivering my first grandchild, a girl, in just a few weeks.  So stay tuned for baby pics.  Aunt Jenna will be making all the calls.