Spanish Fork Canyon Wind Turbines

Sally and I took a ride and ended up heading for the wind turbines at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon. They are very cool if you haven't driven past them when they are spinning. I wish I could view them when I am tired and want to fall asleep fast because they are mesmerizing and have a hypnotic effect on me, like the menu at Burger King! We weaved through the back roads around by the Hari Krisna Temple. It looked pretty stunning in the low light of evening, a lot like the golden arches at McDonalds! There was a great sunset that traced the clouds with a thread of golden light, I love it when you just happen to be in the right place at the right time and all you have is a phone camera. I guess they are good if you like big pixels in everything. I was definetely a little on the cool side so we headed to warmer air and came home. Bye for now.

Memory Lane

After having my usual at the Taco Shop, Sally and I decided to take a little cruise in the Spitfire. We made our way through town and ended up going to Provo canyon. The air started to cool a bit once we got in the canyon so Sally had to put on her hoody. I decided to tough it out and shiver all the way up and down. I found out it's not a good idea to have a large drink and then go for an extented ride in cool air. It has just the opposite effect of being asked for a sample at the doctors office.

Anyway, we stopped at Bridal Veil Falls for a while and just took it all in. The falls is really full right now and very spectacular. I don't think there could be a better setting for a falls than right there. The rock formations are amazing. It makes me want to see how those massive layers of granite were molded. What power could do that? Well I know, but I would like a geologist to try and explain it. We used to go up the all the time when the kids were young and the lodge was still there. When Sarah and Rachel were young we took them up the gondola to the top. this also has that same effect I mentioned earlier coupled with white knuckle fear of heights. We spent many Sunday afternoons feeding the fish in the river below. I would like to be the fish food vendor in those days, $.50 for a small handful of "trout chow"! What a rip-off! Sometimes we would bring our old stale bread, the heels that no one would eat. We continued further up the canyon to Vivian Park, named for Luciel Ball's side kick who fell in the river there during a filming of the "I Love Lucy" show. No, not really, I made that up, but it is better than what probably happened. Likely named for some over weight, middle aged blue hair that chain smoked and had her curlers in her hair until 3 in the afternoon everyday. We made our way up to South Fork to the camp sites and then came back down. It was nice to get back in the warm air of the valley. We stopped on Center street to watch some vultures come in but they were already up for the night, so we came home. See you next time.

Last Ride

 It was kind of bitter sweet. Yesterday afternoon I came home early from work so I could relax some before the big wedding day got started. I was a bit tired and thought of taking a nap with my ipod on, but it was a gorgeous day and I had time to fire up the Spitfire for an abbreviated ride. Sean was home, which is rare because he is usually at the gym when he has some extra time. This is why his body type and mine are a bit different! So I asked him if he wanted to take a ride in the Spitfire. To my surprise he said yes, "lets go get a drink", which is code for going to Maverik and getting a drink! I was a little taken back because he has never had an interest in going with me in the Spitfire. We climbed in and went to Maverik and got a soda, and a little gas because the fuel gauge on the Spitfire has mind of it's own, and it's better to be safe than sorry. We cruised out to 1860 south and then took the old road that goes to Springville. I pulled over after a short distance and asked Sean if he wanted to drive. He said yeah! I know this is out of character for me because this is like a  mom giving the newborn to a novice. I was a little nervous, but he did real good! He didn't kill it one time! I don't think I was that good on my first try, must be in the genes. We cruised along and then it dawned on me, we were taking our last ride together as father and single son. Later today he was becoming a man and taking on new responsibilities and challenges. He would not stay at my home tonight. I can't say good morning to him everyday, we can't have those spontaneous talks that spring up at odd times. I will miss not having him around. We had some private words back and forth about the future and then we steered for home again. He even pulled it all the way into the garage up the steep driveway. He's a natural. Later we made our way to the wedding. It was a perfect day in many ways. The weather was grand, the venue was awesome, the bride was beautiful, the groom was handsome, and we had the pleasant company of friends and relations. It could not have been better, and  I was so proud of my son, and feel so blessed to have Tiffany for my daughter in law. I know he will be a great husband and a father someday, and she a great wife and mother. I give them my love and wish them every success and happiness. A good time was had by all.

Date night food run!

Tonight is date night, so Sally and I made our weekly visit to the Taco Shop. It is not a place filled with romance and atmosphere but they sure have great Mexican food! Tonight was the first time in going there for years that the proprietor asked me if I was going to have my usual. I was surprised! I didn't think he was paying any attention. We wanted to drive the Spitfire which meant that Sally's dad would have to meet us there. He usually picks us up at our house and we go together, but tonight we wanted to drive around after. He is 80 years old now and it's fun to go with him and get his perspective on life on this big ol' planet earth. He is alone since his wife died unexpectedly 8 years ago. After we downed our food we said goodbye to Harold and putted around town for about a hour. We cruised the tree streets while admiring the architecture of those cool houses. Some are run down but most have a charm about them you don't find anywhere else in Provo. Some day it would be fun to live there but I don't think I could be happy among all those students again. We had enough of them at our old house. We made our way to campus and looped around lower campus. You have to be careful driving on campus because most of these kids are just a few years out of diapers and looking both ways before crossing the street is a concept that has not quite fully sunk in! This area will always have fond memories for me when I was a young kid at BYU. I think I flunked out of a class in everyone of those classy old buildings! Later we found our way down east center to have one last look at the Turkey vultures perched for the night in the Sycamore trees, being really careful not to drive right under them because that could completely ruin a fun night out. We then turned the Spitfire for home. Now for some British comedy before bedtime! I love Netflix!

First good drive

Today Sally and I just couldn't help it, we had to get out and enjoy the sun and take our first good drive of the summer season. We headed south towards Springville to get some supplies for Sally but when we got there  they were just turning the key to lock the door. It was one of those awkward moments when they don't want to see you because they are afraid you might ask them to open back up, so they walk away with their head turned and don't make any eye contact. That's ok, because we can use that as an excuse to come back on Monday on another drive! We then headed south and ended up west of Spanish Fork out in the farm country, by Lake Shore, Benjamin, and Palmyra. It's a great drive if you just want to take in the sights and smells of the country life! That area has special memories for me as it was the old stomping grounds of one of my best friends, Steve Davis. I found myself out there on countless occasions, helping with his house, building the barn, working on jobs together, or just to say howdy. We were inseparable for 27 years until he got colon cancer and passed away three years ago. I can't go in that area of the county without thinking about my old friend Steve. After our drive in the country we came home and I made my famous dish, "Saturday Night Special" for dinner. After we cleared up the dishes Sally had to mail a card to my nephew who is getting married, oh darn, we had to get in the car again because it was out! So we went on another hour drive out by the lake and the west side of Provo. Gas is cheap right, so why not? I was fun just being with Sally and taking in the cool night air. See you on our next ride.

"All tuned up"

I know you are thinking that I have been under the hood getting out the winter bugs and checking the oil and such, but you would be mistaken. I am playing on words! Yesterday I made a stop at "rip off Ralph's," as he is called, and purchased a new stereo for the Spitfire. I didn't want anything fancy, just to be able to listen to the radio or play my ipod as we roll down the road. That would be just great. I had a little problem because the person that owned the car before me cut a big hole for the stereo. Probably had a cassette player in it. This made it hard to get a smaller one to look good, and let's be honest, isn't looking good what this is all about? I had to insert a piece of wood to take up the extra room, this was a hassle to say the least. I had to remove the center console, not fun, and try and figure out the mess they did with the wiring under the dash. Needless to say I was 'til after dark getting everything hooked up, and at the big moment....... it didn't work! My first thought was "rip off Ralph" sold me a piece of junk, or I should have picked one from further down in the stack. You know when you go buy something and there are 20 to choose from and you bring home the one that is broken or doesn't work! So I took a deep breath and decided to go against my better judgement and look at the instructions! I know, I hate to have to admit this publicly but it happened ok and let this be the end of it. I found that I had a wire missing and as soon as I got that done, WOW!, the tunes came blasting out! I was so excited, and the "Bose" speakers I have I bought at a yard sale for $2.00! What a score! Well that's it really. So if you see a tiny little red car coming down the road with the music cranked, tell them to turn it down, unless it's me of course! See ya soon.