ST. GEORGE TRIP

FUN IN ST. GEORGE with CHARLOTTE, MARSHA AND KAYE STARR

Fun with three kindred spirits...do we look happy, or what! Here you see us dining royally at a St. George fancy cook-in-front-of-you Japanese restuarant. Lovely, tasty, and, oh, so divine! With Zions National Park in the background, Marsha and Charlotte enjoy the cool breeze.
We enjoyed an organic sandwich picnic at the mouth of the park before entering.
All aboard! Marsha gets set to enjoy the trolly ride excusion.
Charlotte remembers this ride as a recent fun time for her whole family.
The girls, both 37 years old, grow younger and more beautiful each year.
I try reflecting some of Marsha's beauty on to myself. Oh dear, does it work?
Charlotte and I sit serenely amonst these monumental and inspiring surroundings.

After Zion's, we headed on over to Tuacahn for a chuck wagon dinner amongst the red cliffs.
The yellow-jackets were not invited, but came anyway and dove into our food. Nevertheless, we didn't let anything spoil our fun, and it seems as though we never ran out of things to talk about. What fun!
The pre-show. Both Marsha and Charlotte offer their own glamour shots before the stage. Aren't they both so beautiful?The guy on stage played the bad guy in "Les Miserables," which we saw. It was tremendous, and the talent here is incredible!
We departed for St. George on Monday, August 11th, and arrived home Wednesday, August 13th. The trip was way to short! One of the highlights was visiting Kolob on the way home. It's inspirational! Marsha and Charlotte~cousins and kindred spirits~pose at Kolob.

We couldn't get over the grandeur of the mountains.
Marsha Hardman Binch, favorite cousin and niece.
Marsha, please come back real soon, ok?
One last hug.

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT WITH MARSHA

The girls greet a lucky mom and aunt (that's me!) out in front of the Cheesecake Factory in SLC.

Holly, Charlotte, Joyce, Laura and Marsha.

Joyce, Laura and Marsha smile right before dinner. Don't you love Marsha's sunglasses? Wow!
Wonderful cheesecake! Soooooooo good!
I just LOVE these girls!
There's a beautiful comradery amongst all six of us. Shirley, we miss you! You should be here!
Time to go! Bye, bye you beautiful girls!
With Laura at the wheel, they drive off into the sunset. See you later! I love you!

ERIN RICHEY'S WORKPLACE

July 17th we stopped off at Erin's workplace, Alpha Graphics, in Salt Lake City, where Erin is Office Manager. This is her office...and there she is! Erin's sister, Fara is their gifted graphics designer, who operates a separate office adjacent to Erin's. These sisters are great chums and workmates. They both are invaluable to the company.

There's her boss! I hear he's a great guy who really appreciates Erin's leadership.
Clark shows his ol' mom around. I am really impressed with their huge operation!
Clark and Erin make a great team...he, a computer guru, and her, an expert in printing and management. They're both outstanding!
Now we're off to see Glenn Beck. What fun! Dad and I have really enjoyed this double date.

Let's do this again!

THE MORMON PIONEER TRAIL

We had a real fun western outing! Dad and I put on Fay and Verla Hull's Children's Music (old-time cowboy-western and other favorites we loved as kids) and went for a ride in my new Honda Civic Hybrid! My car is cool and the music was perfect! Ah, nostalgia! After the ride, we came home and watched "The Man from Laramie," a perfect movie after a western outing.
Our western trip led us through Emigration Canyon to the East Canyon Reservoir, shown here. The Pioneers, Pony Express and others came through this area to get to the valley (behind us from this view). Down there is seen where "Willow Springs" was, where many camped after the descent from "Big Mountain."

"Little Mountain" was crossed after "Big Mountain, " heading down toward the valley behind us.

Click on the next two pictures and read about it.

This is a view of Parley's Canyon road (I-80) (seen from Emigration Canyon road) that leads to Park City, a few miles to the left.

Orson Pratt and company camped here. There is a very steep descent down to this grove.

"Quaking Asp Grove"

Coming down from "Big Mountain" was a harrowing experience for the pioneers and many others. Please click and read.

I'm sitting on the summit of "Big Mountain," looking toward the SL Valley. This is where Brigham Young raised himself up from his sickbed in the wagon, looked out toward the valley, and said, "This is the right place. Drive on!"

From that point it took many days and much effort to actually arrive in the valley. From my chair I can see a trailhead that the orginal travelers used.

At this time of year, the mountain flowers are in full bloom.
It's very warm and "buggy" outside. I have great appreciation for the pioneer legacy of sacrifice.
Brent stands by the trailhead sign. Darn! We've run out of sunlight. Time to make camp!
Our air-conditioned car takes us comfortably back home in 30 minutes. My mountain flowers tell us it's 80 degrees. I love this weather and can enjoy it because of the sacrifice of others who came before me.

We've enjoyed the scenery; we've enjoyed our cousins' country music all the way down the canyon. Now it's time to watch our western classic starring James Stewart. We've had a good time!

INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR THE HENINGER'S

Dad's old ward in Salt Lake City put on a grand-slam breakfast at Lindsey Park, and we were invited! Below you will see Bill Kimball, who was Dad's counselor in the Elder's Quorum Presidency in the Ensign 8th Ward (as it was called then) when you kids lived on Terrace Hills Drive. He still remembers how dad bought the first mobile phone...when nobody else in the state of Utah had them! Additionally, I was very pleased to hear many kind things said about your father from this old friend of 35 years ago. Bill Kimball is now Bishop of that ward.

Will Rogers, Dad, Bill Kimball

Dad stands with an old friend who is an emeritus member of the First Quorum of Seventy.

Brent Heninger, Ron Poelman and Will Rogers

Dad sits with his former bishop, whose ancestor is Davy Crockett. This good man, who's now 87, remembers many wonderful things about the family.
Dad and Bishop Paul Crockett

Our invitation to this Independence Day breakfast came from this man, who is the brother of Will Rogers. Amazingly, Dad worked with him in 1973 when Ed was the owner of Utah Title Company and Brent E. Heninger Real Estate was the third largest real estate company in Utah. Ironically, it was just two days ago that Dad woke up early and remembered that Will, who lives at Friendship Manor, has a brother, Ed, who used to be his business friend!

Ed Rogers and Brent E. Heninger

Famous Celebrities: Will Rogers, Kaye Starr, and Davy (oops, Paul) Crockett

More of Dad's friends and associates from that area. They're learning about my music.

We make another jaunt to Roger's Ranch and met another celebrity: Cactus Jack

Taylor Farr, the horse masseuse, Cactus Jack and Dad

Cactus Jack: the song "...And his old hat looked fitting as he stood his stance. His long hair and 'stache was part of the man who rides as far and as steep as he can."

Taylor, Cactus Jack and Dad

Cactus Jack is a modern-day mountain man and lives in the mountains during the winter. He rides thousands of miles on horse back, raising money for kids in need. He gives bird shows and other western fare. He's a national celebrity. "...So ride on, Cactus, Ol' cowboy, so strong. It's all for the kids. It won't take long..."

Taylor, Mom, Cactus Jack and Cindy Frazier (masseuse)

Cactus Jack has been invited to appear on the Jay Leno Show, Oprah Winfrey Show, and other TV spots. He says, "You come to my spot, and you can film me here." He refuses to go to the city for shows.

Cactus Jack, Dad with a falcon, and therapist.

Did the falcon take a chunk out of Dad's head? (No! The bird is wearing a leather blindfold.) Did you know that falcons can swoop down to catch its prey at 327 MPH? They've been clocked doing it.

After our trip, guess what? Dad still has work to do, and got up early to face reality.