Of course, all that snow leaves a lot of ice crystals loose in the air. This morning when the sun was still fairly low in the sky, we were able to observe a beautiful sundog. You can see the sun there in the middle with a large halo surrounding it.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sundogs and Snowfall
Last week we spent some time with palm trees and the land of perpetual summer. Before we left for California the weather here seemed like Spring was just around the corner. Now that we are back, winter seems to have returned with a vengeance. Last night we could hear the snow flying against our windows. This morning we awoke to snow covering everything.
Of course, all that snow leaves a lot of ice crystals loose in the air. This morning when the sun was still fairly low in the sky, we were able to observe a beautiful sundog. You can see the sun there in the middle with a large halo surrounding it.
Of course, all that snow leaves a lot of ice crystals loose in the air. This morning when the sun was still fairly low in the sky, we were able to observe a beautiful sundog. You can see the sun there in the middle with a large halo surrounding it.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Not in northern Utah anymore -- Palm trees!
One last post from our vacation in not so sunny southern California. In spite of the cool, rainy weather, the palm trees always let us know that the weather is not always like that. After a windstorm one day, we saw lots of palm fronds blown off the trees on the roads. Some are small....
and some are very tall....
Some of the most beautiful we saw were these that line a main road into the city of Fontana. What a lovely way to welcome visitors to the city!
Now we are back home where we have watched the snow gently falling all day long. It was nice to have a little break, even if it did feel like summer in Seward, Alaska when we were there.
and some are very tall....
Some of the most beautiful we saw were these that line a main road into the city of Fontana. What a lovely way to welcome visitors to the city!
Now we are back home where we have watched the snow gently falling all day long. It was nice to have a little break, even if it did feel like summer in Seward, Alaska when we were there.
Camp Pendleton-Las Flores
by the Woodworker
On our recent trip to California we happened to be passing Camp Pendleton, where I was stationed in 1969 with a USMC tank battalion. I just couldn't resist stopping in to see if anything had changed in the last 42 years. They had somewhat. Many more buildings were on the compound of Las Flores and many had been replaced. Here is a trip through memory lane where I walked as a tough 22 year old Marine.
Here is the modern compound of Las Flores.
Here I am in 1969. A little leaner and a little meaner than today. This was shortly before deploying to Vietnam.
During infantry training we had to climb these hills. Perhaps this doesn't sound too bad but we were wearing boots, helmets, field packs and carrying weapons. Probably between 60 and 80 lbs. There was no stopping to rest until the summit was reached. Apparently the Marines are still using these hills for the toughening up process. I wonder if I could do it today. Actually I don't wonder enough to try it.
Still more trails that we used to hike over. Some things never change.
No tanks are currently at Las Flores, however the tank trails still pass by. Tank trails are unbelievably dusty when you are hiking on them. The dust and sweat mixed together make a nice mud coating on your body. Sometimes only two wet eye sockets could be seen. Whew. It was a great way to earn $135 a month.
I lived in these barracks. It appears they are going to tear them down.
I lived on the upper floor just to the left of the stairwell.
With a little help from a friend I taught myself how to swim in this pool.
The old tank park. The picture of me with the tank at the beginning of this blog was taken here.
It was quite an experience to serve here in 1969 but once is enough. My memories suffice today.
On our recent trip to California we happened to be passing Camp Pendleton, where I was stationed in 1969 with a USMC tank battalion. I just couldn't resist stopping in to see if anything had changed in the last 42 years. They had somewhat. Many more buildings were on the compound of Las Flores and many had been replaced. Here is a trip through memory lane where I walked as a tough 22 year old Marine.
Here is the modern compound of Las Flores.
Here I am in 1969. A little leaner and a little meaner than today. This was shortly before deploying to Vietnam.
During infantry training we had to climb these hills. Perhaps this doesn't sound too bad but we were wearing boots, helmets, field packs and carrying weapons. Probably between 60 and 80 lbs. There was no stopping to rest until the summit was reached. Apparently the Marines are still using these hills for the toughening up process. I wonder if I could do it today. Actually I don't wonder enough to try it.
Still more trails that we used to hike over. Some things never change.
No tanks are currently at Las Flores, however the tank trails still pass by. Tank trails are unbelievably dusty when you are hiking on them. The dust and sweat mixed together make a nice mud coating on your body. Sometimes only two wet eye sockets could be seen. Whew. It was a great way to earn $135 a month.
I lived in these barracks. It appears they are going to tear them down.
I lived on the upper floor just to the left of the stairwell.
With a little help from a friend I taught myself how to swim in this pool.
The old tank park. The picture of me with the tank at the beginning of this blog was taken here.
It was quite an experience to serve here in 1969 but once is enough. My memories suffice today.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Grand Canyon
So, on our way home from California, we decided to go see the Grand Canyon because we have never been there. We have seen pictures of it...mostly looking very arid and very hot. The day before we saw the Grand Canyon, we had driven through the part of southern California that is below sea level. It never dawned on us that the Grand Canyon would be at such a high altitude. Boy were we in for a surprise. We left Phoenix that morning with palm trees and such around us. It was about the time we got to Flagstaff that we started to think that maybe we had some mistaken impressions of the area. Flagstaff was at a fairly high altitude...and just digging out from a fresh 15 inches of snow!
It was pretty icy and cold once we got to the canyon as well.
Almost everything there was covered with snow. This poor little plant reminded me of one of those spiky little dinosaurs hiding under the snow.
We knew we couldn't spend too much time there, so were feeling a little grumpy that the sign at the gate said the admission price was $25 a car. When we got up to the window to pay, the fellow there asked us where we were from and then how old we were. Then he announced that due to our advanced age, he wanted to give us a card for a mere $10 that would give us free admittance to the national park system...I think he said 1000 national parks! Naturally we took it.
It was pretty icy and cold once we got to the canyon as well.
Almost everything there was covered with snow. This poor little plant reminded me of one of those spiky little dinosaurs hiding under the snow.
We knew we couldn't spend too much time there, so were feeling a little grumpy that the sign at the gate said the admission price was $25 a car. When we got up to the window to pay, the fellow there asked us where we were from and then how old we were. Then he announced that due to our advanced age, he wanted to give us a card for a mere $10 that would give us free admittance to the national park system...I think he said 1000 national parks! Naturally we took it.
Cacti and other desert plants
I have never lived in an area where cacti were a native plant, so they were fascinating to see. Inadvertently, I think we must have been on vacation at a good time of year as so many of the varieties of cacti we saw were blooming and looking really plump and good. I have no idea what their names are, so if anyone can name any of them for me, I'd be really happy to know them. I'll just number them, so it is easy to give a name for a number without further confusion. Help please? (some have now been named)
1. Prickly Pear Cactus
2. Barrel Cactus
3. Organ Pipe Cactus
4.
5.
6. Agave?
7.
8. Saguaro Cactus
9.Teddy Bear Cholla
1. Prickly Pear Cactus
2. Barrel Cactus
3. Organ Pipe Cactus
4.
5.
6. Agave?
7.
8. Saguaro Cactus
9.Teddy Bear Cholla
The Star of India and other ships
There are so many things to do in San Diego, but we had only a short time there, so we each chose things to do. The woodworker REALLY wanted to go see the Star of India, so that is what we did. Star of India is an old sailing ship that is part of a maritime museum at the harbor in San Diego. It was built in 1863 and originally called Euterpe. It is a full-rigged iron windjammer. It is still sailed once a year or so.
It had a number of uses during its working years. One of those was taking emigrants to New Zealand. I thought the emigrant cabins looked pretty tiny...and those were for the well-to-do folks!
Being on that ship made me tired. I couldn't figure out what the problem was. Then I realized it was because I always felt off balance, so was always having to readjust how I was standing. Even tied up to the dock, the ship was moving just enough to need 'sea legs' I guess.
Nearby was another 'ship'...a Russian submarine! Apparently one recent visitor to the submarine was a former captain from when it was part of the Russian navy. I decided I could probably not live in a submarine. One requirement for visiting the sub was being able to go through round holes to get from one section to another. That was a challenge, but we made it!
All the signs were in Russian, so I've no idea what they said.
I don't know how they managed to cook for a whole crew in such a tiny galley!
There were no interior walls ...just the bare wires and pipes all over the place. I suppose they knew what all the little pieces and parts were for, but it just looked like confusion to me.
They used the hot bunk arrangement of sleeping, so 1/3 of the crew was sleeping at any given time. They apparently used disposable sheets as the bunks were occupied by someone 24 hours a day. These bunks were right out in a corridor, but I think I'd have preferred them to some of the ones jammed back between pieces of equipment.
I don't think I'd have made it in any navy.
It had a number of uses during its working years. One of those was taking emigrants to New Zealand. I thought the emigrant cabins looked pretty tiny...and those were for the well-to-do folks!
Being on that ship made me tired. I couldn't figure out what the problem was. Then I realized it was because I always felt off balance, so was always having to readjust how I was standing. Even tied up to the dock, the ship was moving just enough to need 'sea legs' I guess.
Nearby was another 'ship'...a Russian submarine! Apparently one recent visitor to the submarine was a former captain from when it was part of the Russian navy. I decided I could probably not live in a submarine. One requirement for visiting the sub was being able to go through round holes to get from one section to another. That was a challenge, but we made it!
All the signs were in Russian, so I've no idea what they said.
I don't know how they managed to cook for a whole crew in such a tiny galley!
There were no interior walls ...just the bare wires and pipes all over the place. I suppose they knew what all the little pieces and parts were for, but it just looked like confusion to me.
They used the hot bunk arrangement of sleeping, so 1/3 of the crew was sleeping at any given time. They apparently used disposable sheets as the bunks were occupied by someone 24 hours a day. These bunks were right out in a corridor, but I think I'd have preferred them to some of the ones jammed back between pieces of equipment.
I don't think I'd have made it in any navy.
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Mormon Battalion
When we visited San Diego recently, one of the places I wanted to visit was the Mormon Battalion Historical Site.
In July 1846 the Mormon Battalion was mustered in at Council Bluffs, Iowa, under the authority of Captain James Allen and with the encouragement of Brigham Young. This was shortly after Congress declared war on Mexico.
Two members of the Battalion were my great-great grandfather, Alexander Stephens, Jr.
and his cousin, James Stephens Brown.
The historic site was different than any I'd seen before. On the walls of the alcove where we were seated to await the tour were portraits of various people who were in the Battalion or interacted with it in some way. We thought nothing of it much, until suddenly the folks in the pictures started to talk and even argue with other. One of them even got up and left his picture frame. It reminded me of the pictures at Hogwarts! In any case, we soon were instructed to leave that room and enter another were our seats were logs and rocks. The story of the men enlisting in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was told in this room which really looked more like a camp site than a room. Many of the men didn't really want to enlist, but did it anyway, along with some women and children.
From Council Bluffs they were to march to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, to be outfitted, so we marched on into the next room which was fitted up as a sort of store where uniforms and equipment could be issued. Once that was done, we marched on to the next area were we sat on wooden boxes and rocks around a campfire during the presentation. Suddenly there was a loud thundering and shaking. The camp was being overrun by a herd of wild cattle!
It was actually an entertaining presentation. The last room contained various artifacts and information about the Battalion. Two computers were set up with information about each known member of the Battalion, so I looked up Alexander Stephens and started copying down information it had about him, when one of the guides pointed out that I need not copy anything down. At the bottom of the screen was the word 'email'. All you have to do is touch that word and enter your email address and all the information on the screen is emailed to you! By the time I looked at the computer later that night, I had emails about both Battalion relatives.
Of Alexander Stephens it said:
"July 16, 1847; Los Angeles. Traveled in the Hancock–Los Angeles Company to Sutter's Fort. Started traveling to the Salt Lake Valley in the Hancock-Hunt-Pace-Lytle Company but returned to the Sacramento Valley. Donated 10 dollars for purchase of two cannons from John Sutter. In 1848 traveled to the Salt Lake Valley in the Holmes–Thompson Company, arriving in October 1848."
When I turned around to look...there in the middle of the room was one of the cannons that he contributed money for.
Alexander later journeyed north from Los Angeles before going on to Utah. While there, he went to work for John Sutter, digging a millrace. While there, gold was discovered! Alexander's friend and coworker on the millrace, Henry Bigler, kept a journal which told of the discovery. A copy of a page from that journal is also on exhibit there:
They even had an "old-fashioned" camera there to take pictures....which of course could then be emailed wherever we wanted. Here we are...honorary Battalion members:
To finish up, all guests have an opportunity to try panning for gold.
We also took the opportunity to climb to the top of the little tower to see a nice view of the old town area of San Diego. The best part of that to me was the tiled stairway.
For further information about the gold discovery and Alexander Stephens, see:
gold rush
Alexander Stephens
In July 1846 the Mormon Battalion was mustered in at Council Bluffs, Iowa, under the authority of Captain James Allen and with the encouragement of Brigham Young. This was shortly after Congress declared war on Mexico.
Two members of the Battalion were my great-great grandfather, Alexander Stephens, Jr.
and his cousin, James Stephens Brown.
The historic site was different than any I'd seen before. On the walls of the alcove where we were seated to await the tour were portraits of various people who were in the Battalion or interacted with it in some way. We thought nothing of it much, until suddenly the folks in the pictures started to talk and even argue with other. One of them even got up and left his picture frame. It reminded me of the pictures at Hogwarts! In any case, we soon were instructed to leave that room and enter another were our seats were logs and rocks. The story of the men enlisting in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was told in this room which really looked more like a camp site than a room. Many of the men didn't really want to enlist, but did it anyway, along with some women and children.
From Council Bluffs they were to march to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, to be outfitted, so we marched on into the next room which was fitted up as a sort of store where uniforms and equipment could be issued. Once that was done, we marched on to the next area were we sat on wooden boxes and rocks around a campfire during the presentation. Suddenly there was a loud thundering and shaking. The camp was being overrun by a herd of wild cattle!
It was actually an entertaining presentation. The last room contained various artifacts and information about the Battalion. Two computers were set up with information about each known member of the Battalion, so I looked up Alexander Stephens and started copying down information it had about him, when one of the guides pointed out that I need not copy anything down. At the bottom of the screen was the word 'email'. All you have to do is touch that word and enter your email address and all the information on the screen is emailed to you! By the time I looked at the computer later that night, I had emails about both Battalion relatives.
Of Alexander Stephens it said:
"July 16, 1847; Los Angeles. Traveled in the Hancock–Los Angeles Company to Sutter's Fort. Started traveling to the Salt Lake Valley in the Hancock-Hunt-Pace-Lytle Company but returned to the Sacramento Valley. Donated 10 dollars for purchase of two cannons from John Sutter. In 1848 traveled to the Salt Lake Valley in the Holmes–Thompson Company, arriving in October 1848."
When I turned around to look...there in the middle of the room was one of the cannons that he contributed money for.
Alexander later journeyed north from Los Angeles before going on to Utah. While there, he went to work for John Sutter, digging a millrace. While there, gold was discovered! Alexander's friend and coworker on the millrace, Henry Bigler, kept a journal which told of the discovery. A copy of a page from that journal is also on exhibit there:
They even had an "old-fashioned" camera there to take pictures....which of course could then be emailed wherever we wanted. Here we are...honorary Battalion members:
To finish up, all guests have an opportunity to try panning for gold.
We also took the opportunity to climb to the top of the little tower to see a nice view of the old town area of San Diego. The best part of that to me was the tiled stairway.
For further information about the gold discovery and Alexander Stephens, see:
gold rush
Alexander Stephens
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Medieval Times
We like to dress up and play like we live in a different time. That's why the neighbors often see us heading off in our pioneer clothes, but the experience we had the other night was different even for us. Alas...we did not have medieval clothing, though that would have been fun. We DID get festive crowns to wear though.
We roamed around the castle for a goodly amount of time, looking at all the medieval bling to be had for mere money.
Some of the king's horses were also on display to be viewed by guests at the castle. Most of them were Andalusians, raised on a special ranch in Texas. They are the king's horses, but also the horses of kings.
Before the feast began, the heralds called everyone to witness a knighting ceremony.
At last it was time for all to be admitted to the great hall for the feast. Groups were called to their seats by the color of their hats. Blue, yellow, green, yellow and red, and black and white were all called...leaving red for last. We had been given our table assignment when we entered the castle, so when red was at last called, we found our way to our table where we met the serving wench who was to bring us our dinner. Each place was set with a pewter plate, a pewter mug and a pewter handled soup bowl. (Hot soup in a pewter bowl is difficult to drink, as not only is the soup hot, but it heats the metal of the bowl, which is NOT a happy thing for the lips!)
Eating utensils were nowhere to be found. Once the soup was poured into the bowls, the festivities began.
As we watched, the meal was served and we ate...with our fingers since nothing else was available. Our serving wench told us that one delicacy we were given was half of a baby dragon!
A story of perfidy quickly unfolded before our eyes as a 6 of the king's knights took part in contests of skill and daring. Each knight represented one of the colors of the hats. So for our part, we cheered madly whenever the brave red knight performed.
At the very end, when all seemed lost, our brave red knight saved the day!
We roamed around the castle for a goodly amount of time, looking at all the medieval bling to be had for mere money.
Some of the king's horses were also on display to be viewed by guests at the castle. Most of them were Andalusians, raised on a special ranch in Texas. They are the king's horses, but also the horses of kings.
Before the feast began, the heralds called everyone to witness a knighting ceremony.
At last it was time for all to be admitted to the great hall for the feast. Groups were called to their seats by the color of their hats. Blue, yellow, green, yellow and red, and black and white were all called...leaving red for last. We had been given our table assignment when we entered the castle, so when red was at last called, we found our way to our table where we met the serving wench who was to bring us our dinner. Each place was set with a pewter plate, a pewter mug and a pewter handled soup bowl. (Hot soup in a pewter bowl is difficult to drink, as not only is the soup hot, but it heats the metal of the bowl, which is NOT a happy thing for the lips!)
Eating utensils were nowhere to be found. Once the soup was poured into the bowls, the festivities began.
As we watched, the meal was served and we ate...with our fingers since nothing else was available. Our serving wench told us that one delicacy we were given was half of a baby dragon!
A story of perfidy quickly unfolded before our eyes as a 6 of the king's knights took part in contests of skill and daring. Each knight represented one of the colors of the hats. So for our part, we cheered madly whenever the brave red knight performed.
At the very end, when all seemed lost, our brave red knight saved the day!