A Trip to the Mine after all these years - July 18 - July 26

Before Theron and I were married, he introduced me to the family mine (Ironmask 2) on Moseby Mountain located up Paradise Road in the Uintah Mountains outside of Tridell.  We took a trip to fish at Dry Fork and then rode the rough road to Blanchett Park.  Adrian was just not quite a year old when we took our first family trip over July 24th holiday.  This trip was sleeping and living in a tent.  Soon after, we bought a used tent trailer and used it every summer until they closed the mine (1990).

 Getting water from the spring.

The rzr turned into a four-seater - safety strap and all.

Curt and Marc spent their youth holidays sliding down the dump hill, hiking to the hole in the rock, trying to find the blowhole, walking to the sink hole, riding the quaking aspen horse and running all day.  Adrian did much the same, but she was usually saddled with things Katiann liked to do.  Still, it was a fun time each year.

Theron helped Kendall and Grandpa (Neal) Schaefermeyer muck out the mine blasts and hauling tools, chains, saws, dynamite and whatever they needed.  He pushed a lot of mine cars from the inside to the outside and back to the inside to be filled.

Grandpa Neal had hauled a small 10 foot by 12 foot cabin up for he and grandma to stay in.  They had dug an outhouse hole and even piped spring water down for us to have continuous running water.  Sometimes, they would drape a canvas around three trees and we would have a shower room.  Every night was a fire and stories or songs.

Because everyone was getting older and they hadn't found the vein of gold they were after, they closed the mine by dynamiting the front entrance closed.  That was in July 1990.  This year was the first time in five years that we have been back as our entire family which now includes spouses and grandchildren.  Curious people have dug a small entrance hole that you slide down to enter the mine and then you can walk back to the end.

Theron, Adrian and I left Henefer after Janeil's memorial service on Saturday and drove to logger's park.  We were there about a week; everyone else came up July 23 and stayed to July 26.  We explored the area and scoped out all the things to do.  It was really a quiet time.  We knew after everyone came, it would be noisy and it was - but what joyful noise it was with kids running, throwing rocks in the stream, and just having fun.

We all had trailers to stay in, Curt brought a quad and we had our rzr.  We stayed at logger's park at the top of the mine road entrance.  These were three great days remembering, recreating all the kids sliding down the mine dump and all the grandchildren.  Getting water from the spring.  Cutting a large pine tree down and chopping wood.  Hearing stories from Kendall and Carol.  (Kendall stayed two days and slept in the back of Aubrianna's pickup truck which Kati and Aubie and Cash slept in a small tent.)  Carol and John stayed in a hotel in Vernal and drove up everyday.

Adrian and I found some fool's gold in Roosevelt and so all the kids panned for gold in the stream and went home with a chunk of fool's gold.

 All our "he" men with computer hands got a few callouses from chopping wood and of course Curt dozed while Kendall talked on.

It's still quite a view from up on top!

Who knows when the next time will be that we "go to the mine" as a family.  We enjoyed every minute of this trip and hope our grandchildren learned a little about how their parents spent their childhood time.  Memories!!!

 It's not a Schaefermeyer outing to Roosevelt and Vernal without going to the Dinosaur Quarry where Great-grandpa William Schaefermeyer worked with Earl Douglas to mine dinosaur bones.  Note how we all have masks this year - the Covid plaque is still alive and well.

Janeil's Memorial Service - July 18, 2020

Janeil died on March 13, 2020, but because of Covid-19 and bad weather, we had to wait until July to properly bury her.  On this day, we gathered as family at the Henefer Cemetery, Henefer, Utah.

Lori had purchased an urn for her ashes and Marc made a very beautiful red oak box that is the vault for the urn.

Mom planned the ceremony with Dawain saying the opening prayer.  Lori gave the eulogy and did a very good job.  She included reference to all the family and told of Janeil's strengths and beliefs.  Theron, Curt, Marc, and Todd sang "In The Garden" and it was great.  Marc, Curt and Theron put the urn in the box and Kelsey's husband and Ashley's boyfriend lowered them into the grave.  Todd gave the dedicatory prayer which contained much comfort.

Dad had just gotten out of the hospital; he lasted about 15 minutes and had to sit in the car.  He said his shingles were burning in the hot sun.  It was a very wonderful family support to have Jimmy and Elizabeth and Carolyn there for mom.

There was hope there, but not a firm commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am so thankful for my testimony of the resurrection, restoration of all things, and Christ's atonement that extends mercy to all.

Janeil, rest in peace.  In many ways, you are more safe than any of us.  You are now with our ancestors and have been restored to a more perfect body.

Solar at Island Park

Theron and I stayed an extra week to help Rich and Wendy Poll install a solar system at their cabin in Island Park.  Theron had worked a lot last year deciding what to purchase for this system and sizing it for the purpose of providing continuous electricity at the cabin.

He is getting rather good at these systems and this one was particularly challenging to install.  Glen and Christy Davis came to help and we all pitched in to make it happen.

First was getting the long pole cemented into the ground. Then bringing the center beam of the 9 panel system up the hill.  Rich was able to borrow a skid loader for all our high construction needs.

The battery house was prepared and wired.  Solar energy is produced each day and then saved in the batteries - 2800 pounds of them.  Actually, the guys wired them first and they were fully charged and we were able to run the cabin for two days.

Then onward and upward, bolting, organizing, lifting and so forth to get the frame built and the panels installed.

 

 Walla, the finished system.  It does the trick, well, it makes power!

Family Reunion - Island Park June 16, 2020

Covid-19 has affected all aspects of our life - shopping, socializing, church and family.  However, it hasn't affected the beauty of the earth and our opportunities to get together.  Rich and Wendy Poll (long time friends) own several cabins in Island Park and allowed us to stay in one for a week for a family vacation/reunion.  All 17 of us in one place and lots of things to do.  I really looked forward to this trip; having family close is so important with the ever changing world in which we live. 

On June 16 - June 22, we started arriving.  Adrian and Taylor went up a day early with us and we carried all the food which was plenty.  I know no one went away hungry; at least I didn't.  Marc and Brittney arrived next followed the next day by Curt and Melanee and Todd and Cameron.  After we all got settled, the activities began - chopping wood, riding in side-by-sides, riding 4-wheelers, fishing, playing on the swing, dumping out Lincoln Logs and legos and then playing thousand piece pick up, and on and on. 

 It was absolutely delightful to have everyone so close and seeing how all the grandchildren began to play with each other.  Cameron and Taylor stayed in the 'man-cave' cabin and pulled Mason into the man-cave group.  Tyce and Jesse could be seen quite often holding hands with Tyce issuing advice on how things worked.

Kacy, Brookie and Lala, who are all the same age, played with each other, painted rocks with grandma and aunt Adrian and aunt Melanee and busied themselves with throwing rocks and twigs in the stream.

The weather wasn't the best, but it was tolerable.  It rained a few times and made the trails muddy, but who cares when you're outside and able to run and be free of all the worry in the world.

The whole family traveled to Yellowstone one day where we walked around Old Faithful and saw bison and antelope.  When Marc's family went back the next day, they saw a bear.

Ali and Mason learned how to use an eggbeater as we made French toast.

Did I mention riding.  We went to Mesa Falls in the side-by-sides on Sunday and drove through wind, rain, hail and mud.  It was plenty cold and some just couldn't stay awake on the ride back.  Cameron and Taylor had a great time jumping grandpa's rzr and pushing it fast along the trails.  Grandpa even learned how to ride a dirt bike.

 We had a family sacrament meeting and I felt a very special spirit.  We sang Families Can Be Together Forever, Mason, Taylor and Todd administered the sacrament and the triplets sang Miracle.  Nothing was more sacred than these moments.

Marc took the kids out fishing on the pond and everyone was successful.

What could be better than to have everyone you love so close, enjoying themselves and learning new skills.

With love to the family for a memorable mountain vacation/ reunion in 2020.