An Adventure Out West - Part 4: The Weekend

Saturday morning, Peter, Paul and Rex (their father) all wanted to go golfing. (Brent says the Cedar City golf course is a great place to get a hole in one because of all the prairie dog holes in it. Sure enough, Peter landed in one.)  Julie and Kylie wanted to go for a hike, but Kira didn't bring any hiking shoes. So Kira, Jessi and I decided to go over to Hatch for the morning. Dad was going over there to spend the week. We would go help him open up the house and visit for a while. Dad texted us that he was leaving at about 0845. We didn't get out until nearly 0910. We tried calling him to see if he was still getting groceries. The call rolled to voicemail, so we figured he was already on his way over the mountain and was in one of the several cell phone black holes. So we started over the mountain ourselves.  Even though the leaves were out in Cedar, we didn't get very far up the mountain to the point they were not. Up on top, at the meadows at the Cedar Breaks turn off, there was still a little snow. (A week later there would be a lot of snow with a storm that dumped about 4-5 inches on Cedar City while Kira was there.) We stopped to take a couple of pictures. (Temps in Cedar during the day were in the 80s)

Meadows on Cedar Mountain - Over 9000 feet elevation

We continued our drive to Hatch, noting that things were pretty dry.

When we got to Hatch, Dad wasn't there!  Jessi was bummed because she brought her cross stitch project to work on and forgot the pattern. So we drove over to the church where we could get a  wi-fi connection so she could download it to her tablet. Then we went back to the house, planning on taking a short walk to the river. About that time, Dad drove up. His cell phone had accidentally gotten turned off which is why we could not reach him. We took his stuff in, and helped turn on the water and get him settled in. Then we just sat around and listened to him tell stories about family and stuff. Jessi had the presence of mind to get her phone out and record part of that conversation. That changed the tone for the rest of the trip. Kira took a bunch of pictures of the inside of the house at Hatch. It is pretty much the way it was when Grandma lived there.

"TV" room

Kitchen

Kitchen

There is something familiar here!

Christmas ca.1958

May 3 2014

We had to leave Hatch in time to meet Peter, Rex and Julie (and company) for a BBQ in Cedar City. But Elijah made us make one stop on the way (Malachi 4:5-6). We stopped to take some pictures at the Cedar City Cemetery on the way out of town. (These pictures will or have already been added to familysearch.org)

Grandma and Grandpa Turek

Aunt Eileen and Uncle Vince

Aunt Kay

Cemetery view

Great-great Grandma and Grandpa Barnhurst

Great Aunt Lucille and Uncle Wiley

Kira plans on going back to Hatch to get some stories and histories from Grandpa as a project we came up with on this trip.

Meanwhile, back in Cedar, Peter's family was preparing a picnic for us all. We met them at the mouth of Cedar Canyon, at Canyon Park.

We ate hamburgers and hot dogs, and had a good time. We played bocce. Peter calls it Italian field curling. So I didn't know the proper terms, so I will make them up (then give you a web site where you can get the official version - mine is more entertaining.) One team take a small yellow ball I call the snitch and tosses it out a piece. Then they take the first of their larger balls (the quaffle) to see how close they can get to the snitch. Then the other team throws their first quaffle. Which ever team is not closest to the snitch continues to throw their quaffles until all are thrown. (You can use your quaffle as a bludger to knock the opposing teams balls away from the snitch.) The team closest to the snitch at the end scores points. (For real rules, go here.)

That evening we went (singing the soundtrack to Frozen at the top of our lungs) to Paul and Kylie's house for pizza, then went to our new favorite ice cream place, The Fix. The ice cream was really good, but the service was terrific. When we went in, Paul and Rex wanted banana cream ice cream, but they didn't have any out. When they asked, the manager said, "Let me look" and went back into the back. When we came out, he told us he had the stuff to make if and would whip up a batch for us. Everyone got what they wanted, but Kira didn't see a flavor that she wanted. When the manager saw everyone had ice cream except her he asked her what was wrong. She told him. He then asked what flavor she wanted so he would have it next time. She said peanut butter. He said, "Oh! We have that!" and went and got it for her AND DIDN'T CHARGE HER FOR IT! On the way out, I asked if by chance he carried pistachio (I was perfectly happy with the chocolate chip mint I had) and he said, "Sure" and went and brought me out a small cup of it.  So if you are in Cedar City and want ice cream, go to:

The Fix

1760 North Main

Again that evening we stayed up too late talking.

Sunday, we went to church at PB&J's ward. Even though it was fast Sunday, Jessi and Peter sang a special muscial number. I actually took the time to bare my testimony. We got to meet a couple that had just moved there from Greenville. After church and lunch of leftovers, it was time for Jessi and Peter to pack up to go to Salt Lake for the summer. Peter will be working as a manager trainee at Cafe Zupas, and Jessi is an intern at the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints data center. Rex and Julie took some of their stuff in their car, and we packed up the rest in the Accord. Mid afternoon, Kira and I were on our way back to Vegas, and PB&J were on their way to SLC. I was sad to go, but with everyone leaving there was no reason to stay, plus I don't think Renee would pay me for ever long if I stayed! 

On our way home, I took Kira down to Moapa Valley (Logandale and Overton, Nevada). We stopped at the cemetery where my Grandpa and Grandma Leavitt are buried. I don't think I had been to the cemetery since the mid-60s. The valley has grown so much that I was having a hard time finding it. We drove past the old high school and the house Mom, Mike, Sherri and I lived in while waiting to go to the Philippines to join Dad in 1970-71. We also drove past Grandma Leavitt's old house.

Grandma and Grandpa Leavitt

Aunt Verna and Uncle Grant
(Uncle Grant sealed JoAnne and me at St George Temple)

Monday, Kira went back to work and I hung out with Aunt Kelly. I joined Kira for lunch at Cafe Rio (last of my pick list of places to eat along with Cafe Zupas and All American Classic Diner). I picked her up after work and we went to Krispy Kreme for donuts. 

Kira's School

Tuesday morning about 0500, Kira dropped me off at the airport for my trip home. The trip was exactly like it was supposed to be, which was a nice change from the trip out. I was pre-checked with TSA so I didn't have to get computer out or take off shoes. Flights all left on time and arrived on time. USO was open in Houston so I didn't even have to buy anything to eat. Only remarkable thing on the trip home was the plane that took me from Houston to GSP, was one of Southwest's special livery airplanes - Maryland One.

Maryland One - my ride home

Arrived at GSP on time, picked up my bag, and the Passport and headed home. Only glitch was traffic on I-85 was a parking lot right at GSP, but it opened up after about 2 miles. (Have I ever mentioned I hate I-85?)

GSP from the air

Trip started off "not so good" but ended up great. Only regret was the JoAnne couldn't go with me. I really enjoyed my time with Peter and his family, and especially with my girls.

An Adventure Out West - Part 3: Graduation Day

Friday, 2 May was graduation day for Peter who was getting his bachelors degree in Economics and Psychology.  We had to get him on campus by 0830 for the (new) traditional processional under the clock tower to the Centrum (Colosseum). (The tradition is that new freshmen walk under the tower from west to east when they start at Southern Utah University (SUU) then avoid walking under the tower until they graduate - this time walking east to west.) After dropping off Peter, we went to Uncle Brent's house to pick up dad. He had his handicapped parking tag, so we didn't have problem getting a place to park. He went on in to find a seat while we waited for the processional. Led by the faculty and drums and bagpipes, the graduates walked down, by school, to the Centrum.

Faculty lines the walkway while pipes and drums play in background

Peter in processional

Peter, and his brother Paul (who was getting his masters degree in accounting) both participated. After they went by we all went into the Centrum Special Events Center for commencement. Ann Romney gave the commencement address. She gave a good speech  and made eight points:  "1) Your friends at Southern Utah University will last a lifetime; 2) If you want to get ahead, if you want to achieve success, do someone a favor; 3) Do your present job well; 4) Parenting is probably the most important thing you'll do in life and the hardest; 5) Don't judge other people, and don't judge yourself as the only one passing through problems; 6) Live a purpose driven life; 7) Do something you love every day; 8) The Bible works, so do what it says." (from SUU website)

Ann Romney
Photo from http://suualumni.blogspot.com/2014/05/commencement-2014.html

After commencement, we all went over to this mom-and-pop restaurant that PB&J (Peter Brunett and Jessi for the uninitiated!) found last semester called the All American Classic Diner. Food was great and portions ridiculously huge!

After lunch, we took dad back to Brent's house. At 1430 we were back at the Centrum for the School of Business Convocation, where both Peter and Paul walked to get their diploma (holders.) Real diplomas are actually mailed later. Jessi used all the good pictures of Convocation, so see them at Jessi's blog. Afterwards we went to the rotunda in the student center, then outside for pictures. Here are a couple that I took in addition to Jessi's. (Some are a little fuzzy.)

Jessi and Kira at convocation

Kira and Jessi in rotundra

Taking traditional pictures

The Diploma (holder)

Afterwards, we went to PB&J's apartment where Peter opened his graduation gifts. His big gift from Jessi, Peter's parents, and JoAnne and I, was a new hybrid laptop (can be used as a laptop or a tablet - runs Windows 8.1) We all went over to Chili's for supper. After supper, PB&J and Peter's family went back to the apartment to play an SUU version of Monopoly, while Kira and I went over to Brent and Lynn's house to visit with them and Dad. We heard lots of stories about the early days of BAC/SUSC/SUU and family, too. We went back to PB&J's apartment around 2100 just as Julie (Peter's mom) was finishing up beating Jessi at Monopoly (everyone else was already out of the game.) That night after everyone left, Jessi, Kira and I stayed up way too late just visiting.

An Adventure Out West - Part 2: Vegas

Wednesday night/Thursday morning sleep was pretty short. The time change helped a little. I went to bed at 0520 Eastern DT, but that was only 0220 Pacific time. Kira had offered to come bring me her car at lunch time so I could sleep in, but I knew my body wasn't going to fooled by a little airplane ride, and sure enough I was up before 0700 PDT. Thursday is still a little fuzzy on the details. I took Kira to work, then went to visit with Dad for about an hour. He was leaving at about 1000 to go to Cedar City by way of Washington Utah for the graduation. After the visit, I had to do a little shopping. I needed to get something for both Kira and Jessi. Jessi was easy (Chromecast device), but Kira was a little complicated. I was looking for a Sodastream machine. She had been using her mothers machine the week she was in Rock Hill with me and really liked it. It was to be an early birthday present. The machine was easy. Both Walmart and Target had them. I was having some problems finding the syrup flavors she liked. Also no one had the half-liter bottles, just the 1L ones. I decided to think about it.

At lunch time, I picked up Kira at her school and we went to the first restaurant on my "pick list", Cafe Zupas. I had what she had, a  TBA (turkey, bacon, and avacado sandwich) and a red raspberry spinach salad.

I took Kira back to work. (Now after Kira reads this there may be some minor corrections - see remark above about being fuzzy!) I went back to Mike and Kelly's place and crashed. Sometime that afternoon I went and picked up the SodaStream for Kira. Dad called me from Washington saying he had forgotten his temple bag and asked if we could pick it up for him. Not a problem. Kira had packed all of her stuff so I loaded her stuff and mine in the car and made sure we had a full tank of gas. At 1800 I picked her up at her school and off we went.

Because we had a late lunch we decided we would wait to eat when we got to Mesquite. We swung by Grandpa's house and picked up the bag, headed out Nellis and on to I-15. We did grab a hamberger in Mesquite. Only issue with the trip to Cedar City was construction on I-15 in the Virgin River Gorge. They were working on some of the bridges and had it down to one lane each direction. So we had a 2-3 mile stretch at about 35mph, but other than that no problems. We got to Cedar a little after 2200.

An Adventure Out West - Part 1: The Flight

Peter graduated from Southern Utah University on May 2nd, and I used it as an excuse to go out west to see +K Turek , Dad, and of course +Jessica B  and Peter.  +Joanne Turek  originally planned on going but state PASS testing was scheduled for that time so she could not get off from work. This would be a solo trip.

The Weather
I knew weather was going to be a problem. Turned out it was, but not in the way I expected. The forecast for South Carolina was for heavy rain (3-4 inches!) and thunderstorms. This is a problem for Greenville Spartanburg Internation Airport (aka GSP) because there is no covered walk ways from long term parking to the terminal, and no transportation. (I was flying out of GSP because the fare was cheaper, and yes, I hate flying out of CLT that much!) I waited too long to reserve a parking space close to the terminal so I was stuck with the long term parking lot. On Wednesday morning (30 April), the day of my flight, it became more and more obvious that the weatherman blew his forecast for the Carolinas. But the same system was producing problems on the northeast coast. Early in the day I started seeing major delays for Philadelphia. This was a problem for me as the plane that was taking me from Chicago Midway airport (MDW) to Las Vegas (LAS) went from Vegas to Denver to Chicago to PHILADELPHIA back to Chicago back to Vegas. Because of low ceilings and visibility, flights going into Philadelphia were being held at departure airfields for over two hours. I kept hoping it would clear up before I left, but no such luck. (The same weather pattern was disrupting flights to all the major airports from Washington DC to Boston.)

The Flight

Southwest 737-700 at GSP

I left the office at about 2:30 for the drive to GSP.  The weather was cloudy with a couple of sprinkles in Charlotte but not much else. I got my bags checked and into the waiting area with no problems. My flight, which was coming from Houston Hobby, was right on time. I saw my bag go up the baggage conveyor into the airplane. So far, so good.

The flight took off on time, but even as I left GSP the next leg was showing a two hour delay on Southwest's web site. Not good. Flight to MDW was uneventful.

Flight from GSP to MDW

When I landed, I found out my next airplane had just barely left for its legs to Philadelphia and back. Now looking at 2 hours plus delay. This was on top of a scheduled 2 hour layover even if everything was running okay. So I was looking at 4-5 hours of waiting! The terminal was packed as every plane that went through the northeast US was running form 1 - 3 hours late (that is a lot of airplanes!) The one bright spot in all of this was I found the Midway USO. There was at least a comfortable place to crash out, with soft sofas, free food and drinks, and a place to charge my phone and tablet. There was a very friendly lady with a pronounced Polish accent manning the USO. She was supposed to close at 2100 but stayed open and extra half hour for us. Long story short, it was about 0020 Chicago time (3 hours late) before we left (last plane out of Midway that night.)

I landed in LAS about 0138 Pacific time.  I texted Kira to come get me and headed toward baggage claim. I got about halfway there and discovered my wallet was missing. I sprinted back to the plane and with a little help from the cleaning crew we found it. It had worked its way out of my pocket while I was trying to sleep during the flight. I went back and picked up my already waiting bag, headed out to passenger pickup to my already waiting daughter and we took off for Mike and Kelly's house. I finally got into bed Thursday morning almost exactly 24 hours after I got up on Wednesday morning.