Take the Stairs!

I have decided to start a new tradition on this here blog. Now first off I must confess that I have stolen this idea from a fellow blogger. She has a great blog and I enjoy it very much. She and her family are also some of my old Nevada friends.

I have followed her blog the last few weeks as she has been participating in "Smart Habits Saturday". To find out about "Smart Habits Saturday" you can go to the Beehive Academy and check out Montserrat's blog.

Now I have checked out how to join the group and get in on the fun, and have thought about it a time or two. The only problem I have had is that I noticed that the entire group is made up of women. Now don't get me wrong I like women. Heck I'm married to one. But anyway joining kinda felt like being the only man at a Tupperware party. It just didn't fit. My wife use to sell Mary Kay. I was dang good at finding things to do when she was having one of her "lets all get pretty" parties.

But I still think the idea is great! So each week I am going to try and start a new 'good' habit! Now to start, my habits are all aimed toward a goal. The goal is to improve my health. So each week I'll try to begin a new habit to help with my main goal.

This week my goal is to take the stairs. You see my office, at work, is on the 3rd mezzanine of the building. There is an elevator that I have been in the habit of taking to reach the floor of my office; however there are stairs! 72 of them! So my habit, which I started today, is to use the stairwell to get to and from my office. I made the trip up twice today. My knees hurt and I am out of breath by the time I hit the top. But if I keep the habit it should get much easier, and improve my health along the way. My job is sitting at a computer about 99% of the time, so I do not get much exercise at work.

Next week I'll will let you know how it's going, and hopefully start a new habit!

My office is the small middle window at the top right side of the building.

The Stairwell!

Photos taken: April 30, 2007

The Big Night! DANCING AROUND THE WORLD

April in Portugal

Jamie, Rio, Ruby, and Violo during their ballet of "April in Portugal".

April in Portugal

Rio and Ruby

African Dance

Egyptians

Heidi 'in the center' is a friend of Ruby's.

River Dance

Last night was the 'big show'. The program was titled Dancing Around the World. There were 13 different preformances featuring girls from 4 to 50! (Anyway I am not going to guess over 50 on some of those more mature preformers)!

This years production was very well staged, and kudos go out to Angie Muir who teaches the girls. She also choreographed the production. It was very fast paced and entertaining. Preston and Spencer sat and watched the entire show without being bored! WOW. That just doesn't happen very often!

Ruby is pictured above in her ballet of April in Portugal. She also preformed in a tap number Leipzig Polka. Dad didn't get very good pictures of the later. Dang it.

Photos taken: April 28, 2007

Through the Looking Glass

Preston Catch's a Bee

We caught a bee off of the window screen today. It was placed in one of mom's glasses and sat on the table. Preston is seen here, checking it out.

The bee's are out, and the dandelions are blooming! SPRING IS HERE!

Soon I will do a post on dandelions! Believe me, Star Valley is the dandelion capital of the world! I never seen anywhere that produces a crop of the yellow tops as this valley. If there was a market for the things we would all be rich!

Photo taken: April 28, 2007

Rugged Wyoming!

Death Canyon

Teton National Park, Wyoming

To see previous post of Teton Nation Park click here! and here!

Photo taken: April 17, 2007

Pretty Princess

Ruby in her tap dress

Ruby in her Ballot Dress

Ruby had dress rehearsal tonight, for her dance recitals, that are this Saturday. She has been practicing hard this year. This is her second year of dance, and she is becoming quite a little ballarina.

Mom took the bottom photo!

Both Photos taken: April 26, 2007

Turkeys I Work With

These turkeys strut their stuff in front of a silt fence.

Why did the Turkey Cross the Road?

These picture were taken on the mine site where I work. The pictures were taken by Bruce Weighall.

Snake River

Snake River

This part of the Snake River runs between Hoback Junction and Alpine Wyoming. It is a popular portion of the river for white water rafting. The water in this shot is rather calm, but there are some pretty decent rapids through the canyon!

A Moose on the Crow

This Moose was at the top of Crow Creek

Click on the HEADING of this post to see my favorite picture I have taken of a Cow and Calf Moose!

The Old Rock Church

The 'Old Rock Church' in Auburn is just down the road from our house. Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid use to attend social functions at this building. The Sundance Kid was arrested one time in Auburn. The pair use to hang out at the 'Old Davis Ranch' in Star Valley. My friend and Neighbor Bruce Davis lives just up the street from us. My sister married his nephew. Their family are long time Star Valley natives; however I am not sure that their is a connection there. I need to do a little investigating and find out.

The building is still used to this day, not only as a gathering place for the church, but for the entire community. There are picnic facilities that have been built next to the building. We have attended Trunk or Treat events and Candy Drops at the church. A Candy Drop is when the kids all gather in the park next to the church and a plane flys over and unloads its cash of candy. The kids then scramble to gather as much as they can.

The building was built in 1889 and was the only stone building in Star Valley until 1900. The building was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1985.

Click on the HEADING of this post to find out a little more!

A Day in History

It's Officail! The twins are now 5 years old! They share their birthday with Uncle Jared (Howes). They have two Uncle Jareds. Our family seems to have a knack for sharing names and birthdates.

Angela is looking forward to the boys starting kindergarten next fall. The school district here has switched to an all day kindergarten class. We have been very impressed with the school system in Star Valley. They have very good teachers and an excellent curriculum. But that should be for a future blog.

Spencer

Preston

The Neighborhood Gang!

The Cake

Who's the Turkey?

Above Justin Gentry poses with his dad Chad, and a fine Jake turkey he took today!




Justin shot this bird with a 20 gauge shotgun from a distance of 25 yards. He took this fine bird near Preston Idaho. This is his first turkey! Justin is only 1o years old!

Way to go Justin! Nice bird!

Post Edit: These photos were not taken by myself

Grand Tetons

The Tetons have to be one of, if not the most recognized mountain ranges in the country. They are very impressive indeed, and have been the backdrop for more than a few westerns. I am a fan of western movies, and one of my all time favorites is the 1952 movie Shane. To me Shane was a very good movie because much of it was filmed from the perspective of a small boy (about 7 years old I think). I remembering seeing the movie for the first time when I was quite young and was so impressed with the mountains that I had never forgotten them. I saw the Tetons for the first time on a trip that the family made to Yellowstone when Ruby was only 5 weeks old.

This picture has a jet liner in it (right center) that is approaching the Jackson airport for a landing. Many of these pictures, to me, are much better when seen at full size. You can click on the picture to expand it, but you need to hit the back button. I have not figured out how to open the pictures into their own window yet.

Fall Colors in Spring

This picture was taken on clear creek, which feeds into crow creek. I like the colors of the growth along the creek. Almost looks of fall rather than spring.

Family on the Fence

Uncle Jay, Preston, Tristin, Casetin, Spencer, Rachael, and Anglea. This picture was taken today just inside Teton National Park. You can not really tell in this picture, but the black spots on the hill just over Jays Right shoulder are buffalo.

Jay, Racheal and their family have been visiting the past couple of days.

Yesterday Jay and I went for a ride up Crow Creek. We saw several deer and elk. We also saw a nice moose.

It has been very nice to have some of the family here for a visit.

Handsome Boys! and a Pretty Sister!

The only time these boys are clean is right before church! Angela had planned for the kids to wear these fine duds last week for Easter Sunday; but as luck would have it Mom and Dad were sick. Angela was sure disappointed! But I told her they would look just as nice this week!

Sometime back Angela started to part the boys hair to the side. Then she would say to them "what handsome boys". Well Preston has decided that he doesn't want to be a handsome boy, or look sharp. He wants to look 'cool'. So as soon as I was finished talking the picture he was off to the mirror to comb his hair down straight.

A Throne in the Sky

This post if for my "Q" Buddies! I took this picture last wednesday. If you have ever traveled I-80 across Wyoming you may recognize this picture. This formation sits just south of the interstate between Green River and Rock Springs Wyoming.

The Draney Dairy

This old dairy was built in Tygee, Idaho in 1921 by the Draney family. I talked with Wendell Draney about the days this building was in use. He talked of a beautiful dairy that was painted green and white. He told me that it use to have 36 stalls in it, and of the great feed the silo provided.

Wendell was born in the house that he and his wife Joyce still live in today. Their house is located next to this old dairy. The Draney family are dairy farmers to this day.

A Divide of Drainages

Both of these photos were taken from the same location, the top of the Salt River Pass. The Locals call it the South End, because this pass is on US HWY 89 and is at the 'south end' of Star Valley. The upper photo is looking to the northeast back into Star Valley. This side of the pass drains into the Salt River drainage, which flows into the Snake River and then eventually to the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. The pass and the mountains in the top photo are the Salt River Range.

This photo is looking to the southwest. Salt Creek (not to be confused with Salt River), runs down this side of the range, eventually making its way to the Bear River and Bear Lake and then to the Great Salt Lake. So as strange as it may seem these pictures were taken on the literal edge of the Great Basin, and the lower picture is looking into the Great Basin. The mountain in the back ground of this picture is Raymond Mountain. Raymond Mountain is in Wyoming. The Idaho state line runs along the foot of the other side of the Mountain.

Honey of a Bear

This black bear was recently taken by 12 year old Jarrett Gentry, in Idaho. This is his first bear, and his father Chad tells me he shot it with a 270 from a distance of 242 yards.

Way to go Jarrett! A very nice bear indeed.

Post Edit: This Photo was not taken by ME.

Sandhill Cranes

I beleive these birds are Sandhill Cranes. If I am wrong feel free to correct me! I snuck up behind a stand of trees to get close enough for a decent picture. I captured this flock just south of Cokeville Wyoming. This picture is in Wyoming, but this area is very close to where Wyoming Idaho and Utah all join. The common point of all three states is in this valley and just to the left of the photograph.

The birds finally became wise to my presence and took to flight.

I have been sweet talking Angela lately. If I am lucky I just may get to purchase myself a better camera in the near future.

Snowy Pines

This is the view from my office window at work. My office is on the 3rd mezzanine, which is actually 4 stories up. The snow was blowing off of the pines and I tried to capture it with my photo, but it didn't do a very good job of it.

Elk and deer often graze just out from the tree line. This has been a dry year for parcipitation and the animals haven't moved in quite as thick as they normally do.

I still like the snow on the tree broughs all the same

What will the Robin do then Poor Thing?

The robins have begun to appear the last few days. They seem to be the first of the 'colorful' birds to arrive in early spring. Soon we should see the Rocky Mountain Blue bird and my favorite the Western Meadow Lark. Our yard should be full of all three varities in the next few weeks.

This picture was taken yesterday. The snow began to fly again today. I am sure begining to long for some warmer weather.

Lander Cut-Off

This sign sits on the Idaho - Wyoming boarder. I pass this sign each day I go to work. The Lander cut-off of the Oregan trail passed through the upper end of Star Valley, very near our house, and then followed Stump Creek Canyon - once known as Smoking Creek Canyon. Not to be confused with Smoky Canyon. Smoky Canyon and Smoky Creek feeds into Stump Creek. (By the way 'Smoky' is the correct spelling). The reason for the names of Smoking Creek and Smoky Creek, is that the canyons they occupy are often filled with fog, when the rest of the valley and area is clear. Thus giving them a smokey appearance.

Our house sits about 1 mile from the Wyoming - Idaho boarder. When you look out our front windows its all Wyoming. Out the back, you see Wyoming until you get near the top of the hill. From there its Idaho.

I am fairly certain this is the only picture I have ever taken while standing in two different states.

Whats Important?

Every so often something happens in life to remind you of how precious our time here on earth is. At such moments what is important to one's self becomes incredibly clear. Also the realization of just what isn't so important sets in.

Over the past few days I had a scare concerning my health. It started with a simple twitch in my left middle finger that just wouldn't go away. Soon thereafter other fingers began to twitch. My doctor let me know that I may have a brain tumor. The real possiblity that I may not be long for this mortal life tested me mentally and spiritualy, like nothing has in a very long time. I like to think of myself as a strong individual who can handle whatever lifes obstacles may throw my way, but ever so often the Lord humbles me, and I realize just how much I rely on him for guidance and understanding. I think he needs to set me in my place and let me know just how unimportant the material things in life are. And more importantly how much my family and their love does mean.

I have undergone a CAT scan, and a battery of other test. The results are back and I am fine. The twitching in my fingers have since stopped, and all looks to be well.

If I have learned anything from this latest experience, I would say that the focus of my life needs to be attending to my wife and children and their well being, both physically and spiritually. I need to spend less time trying to attain the material things in this life, which just don't matter. I can not even begin to express the love I have for my family. They are everything to me.

Star Valley Moon

A view of the Salt River Range. This picture was taken March 31st from just south of Afton.

That's NOT Nevada!

As part of my job; I sometimes visits mining prospects, that people are trying to peddle to the company, in order to make an evaluation. This past February I made such a trip to the Lemhi Range. Near the mouth of the canyon that we were in I found this old boundry survey marked on a rock. The date is 1925. When I first started out in mining for Kennecott at the Alligator Ridge Mine in Eastern Nevada my first job was as a surveyor. So when I come across old survey hubs and the like I find them interesting.

The Lemhi Range runs between Howe and Salmon Idaho. It was a bit surreal for me. The range seems out of place. It looks to be so much like basin and range from Nevada. If you were to show these pictures to my many friends in Nevada most of them would surely guess that they were taken somewhere in the state.

There are a few old structures that remain from a day long past. From my studies of the area most of the mining occurred in the 30's and 40's.

This rock formation was interesting to me because of the hole that passes through it near the top.

Moose on the Loose

In the Fall of 2005 Angela and I took the kids for a ride in the mountains. We went up Crow Creek from Star Valley. We drove over the top and all the way to Montpelier Idaho through the mountains. Near Montpelier Reservoir we came across 4 moose, two cows, and a yearling; that were being followed by a big bull. The picture above is of the cows and yearling.



The picture above is of the bull.

The cows and yearling were always in front of the bull by about 200 yards. If the cows would stop the bull would stop. If the cows moved the bull moved right along with them. We watched the group as they crossed from one side of the canyon across the road and creek in the bottom and up the other side into the timber. To see the pictures better you may need to click on them.