An Otherwise Perfect Day

August 27, 2010.  That was the day we buried Jeff in the Morrison Cemetery, outside of Rudy, Arkansas, on Big Tree Road.  It was a beautiful day.  I am not sure why, but every other time we have been to this cemetery for a funeral or burial, a rainstorm has marred the day.  Not only was it not raining, it was not too hot.  That is something else for a day in late August in Arkansas.  I think it only got up to 85 degrees that day.  My son-in-law Chris conducted the dedication of the grave and Bob offered the dedicatory prayer.  They both did a lovely job.  Many of our family members in Arkansas came to be with us.   

My Aunt Lorene owns the pasture on the other side of the fence.  When her husband, my Uncle Gale, was buried in this cemetery about ten years ago Jeff played taps on his trumpet.  

After the burial we went to a Mexican restaurant in Van Buren.  It was a relief to be done with the formalities.  I remember that everyone at our table ordered chili rellenos.  Jeff loved Mexican food, and had he been with us, I am sure that he too would have ordered the same thing. He would have enjoyed hanging out with everyone in the family.  My Aunt Lorene and my father surprised us and paid for the meal for everyone who came.  We were so grateful to them for this kind gesture.   

After the meal we headed back to my father's ranch.  With a clear sky, somewhat cool weather, and an arsenal with plenty of ammo, we did what we always do after a funeral.  Some people shoot-up drugs to dull the pain.  We just go shooting.  This has got to be our weirdest family tradition.  But it sure puts everyone in a better mood. 

Of course Andrew had to be dressed up to pose for the picture.  Notice the overalls without a shirt and one of the straps undone so that he can fit in better with the Arkansas natives. He was asleep and the safety was on, so no one has to call CPS.  When the shooting started Andrew absolutely hated the noise and I had to take him back to the house, far away from the firing range, so that he could calm down.

We also went four wheeling.  I am pretty sure that some of the group went fishing too.  Do you see what I mean by an otherwise perfect day?    The only problem was that Jeff was not there to enjoy it with us.  We miss him still. 



The Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, New Mexico, August 2010

When Bob and I passed through Santa Rosa in June on our way back from Santa Fe we stopped by and looked at the Blue Hole.  It is on the south side of the freeway, near the Mc Donald's exit.  I decided at that time that I was not going to pass this spot by in future trips.  It would be a perfect spot to stop by in the summer for a refreshing dip and some wild excitement. 

Joe got in first.  The water is a chilly 55 degrees year-round. 

I got in one toe at a time.  Inch by inch I acclimated myself to the water.

Several people use the Blue Hole for Scuba diving and for Scuba diving lessons.  I was thinking about Jeff as we were here.  I thought it would be fun to go out here with him after he got his scuba certification.  I talked with him that day and that was the last time I talked to him.  We talked about school, about work, about the Blue Hole.  He didn't seem inclined to make a special trip out to New Mexico to go diving.  He was so busy and hoped to get a good job welding underwater. 

Joe was pretty brave.  He was the first to jump in from the low platform.

I have a fear of heights but I couldn't let Joe go and not go myself.  After all, it was the low platform.  I am not sure why it looked so scary from here.

Joe swimming to the steps.

Taking the plunge.

After mastering the low platform I decided that I could jump off the high rocks.  I got up there and it looked like I would be jumping off of a cliff.  I really tried.  I stood there for a long time and then I backed out.  I am semi-ashamed of myself for not taking the jump.  I guess I just need more people than Joe heckling me.  Where was John, Jeff, Megan, and Chris when I needed them?

Of course Joe jumped off about 10 times, no problem.  He had a great time and that was my main goal in taking him here.  I knew that we had a bout 10 hours left in the car before we got home to Dallas and he had his memories to keep him cool.

Joe would love to go again!  Who would like to join him?

Arches 2010

Continuing the National Park theme, we stopped at Arches National Park on or way back to Texas in August.

Joe trying to push balanced rock off its perch.

It started raining on one of our little hikes.  We ran back to the car and drove to the next trail.  By then the rain had ceased and we could enjoy more of the spectacular scenery.

It is fantastic to go out to some of the most beautiful spots God has put on this earth.  I was grateful that Joe was such a good traveling companion.  I just had to feed him regularly and make sure he got enough sleep and he was good to go.

Yellowstone

 After we wrapped up our trip to Washington State, Bob went back to Dallas on a plane.  Megan, Chris and Andrew headed down to California, and Joe and I packed up in the car for the drive back to Texas.  With a National Park Pass in my wallet, I just could not pass up a visit to Yellowstone.

We got some bikers to take our picture at this spot and we took a picture of them as a trade.  The bikers kind of reminded me of Jeff.  I had just recently spoken to him and he was telling me how happy he was with his new job and how they were going to work with him so that he could continue school.  I was really happy for him.  I was hopeful that this would work out well for him. 

We met up with my sister Deanna at Yellowstone.  We camped in the Morris Campground.  I never get really into camping at Yellowstone.  There are so many rules that the experience is oppressive.  I know the rules are there to prevent bear-human interactions.  But the rules seem designed to keep the humans so miserable that they won't want to come back. 

The good news is that after almost the whole park burned to the ground in 1988,  the snags (standing burned trees) are starting to fall down.  This makes the regrowth look bigger.  Maybe in another 20 years the snags will turn to mulch and the park won't seem so desolate. 

Joe and Kathleen in front of Old Faithful. 

Deanna, Kathleen, and Joe.

Me and Joe at the Yellowstone River.

Deanna borrowed my glasses to read a guide.  I don't know why she looks so bad in them.  I, of course, look kind of cute in them.  Although, Bob has asked me not to wear them to bed.

We saw several buffalo up close.  Yes, we stayed in our cars.

Old Faithful never disappoints.

While at Yellowstone we went to the Playmill and saw the musical Beauty and the Beast.  We had a wonderful time.  I love the sights of Yellowstone.