Mt Rushmore, Nauvoo & More..

Three weeks have passed by quickly! 
 
While Tom & Sarah were in Nauvoo, Rick & I went on a road trip of our own to South Dakota to visit Mt Rushmore.  This is a six hour drive from Littleton and I have to say, it was great!!  Driving at our own pace, on our own, passing such varied countryside which was all green, listening to K-Love (Christian Rock) and country music, and then from time to time, talk back.  We stopped when we needed to and eventually the farmlands, or rather cattle country (I only saw one flock of sheep), became rolling hill country and then we were in a little town called Custer in South Dakota where we stopped for lunch at Subway.  Replenished, we made our way into the Black Hills of South Dakota to Mt Rushmore and enjoyed that amazing rush of seeing this famous landmark!  It's very memorable.  We were impressed with a wonderful tour given by 'Ranger Jake' about the politics and history surrounding the sculpting of Mt Rushmore.  Fantastic, I still can't believe we got to see this!

  

The Black Hills of South Dakota with huge outcrops of Granite.
The Black Hills were given this name by the Sioux Indians due to the dark Ponderosa Pines,
 which cover the mountains for miles!!



Can you believe this?  Here we are at the base of Mt Rushmore which show the faces of
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

The camp ground where we 'roughed it'.  This is the sun at about 6am. 
A very beautiful spot amongst the Ponderosa Pines.

 We stayed overnight at a camp ground on the outskirts of Rapid City, amongst the Ponderosa Pines and then the next day drove out to explore the Badlands which is a huge area about an hour from Rapid City with amazingly unique rock formations.  This area is so large, it's a National Park.  The formations of rock are sedimentary not granite, and so subject to enormous erosion.  The area itself is a grassy plateau surrounded by these unusual uplifts of rock.  We drove the Loop Road and stopped at most vantage points and climbed one trail.  A great day!

The Badlands is a vast area of sedimentary outcrop.  The pioneers who first settled this area described it as harsh, hence Badlands, unlike the Indians who loved the rich pasturelands and animals that live here.



Now, this is a scary sign!



We stopped at a trail and decided a climb was in order, but I did keep a sharp eye on all those holes and dark cavities after seeing that sign!!  Don't want to disturb anything!
The sedimentary layers give evidence of an inland sea at some point in history.  Quite remarkable..

This ended up being quite a steep, strenuous climb, but the view was very rewarding at the top.

This was taken at another 'overlook'

Driving back to Rapid City, the green, rolling countryside was very peaceful.
 This shack on the hillside reminded me of a screensaver photo..

Later that evening, we drove back to Mt Rushmore via the town of Keystone, where we killed some time, to see Mt Rushmore lit up at night.  This was a very patriotic presentation and very stirring for those present especially from the United States.  Overseas visitors were not acknowledge though, despite the objective of the monument being to attract visitors from overseas, as well as from all over the country.  When the MC was getting people to cheer when he called out different parts of the States, this women a couple of rows in front of us yelled out in her British accent, "What about England?" I was amused by that since we are from Australia and were sitting next to people from China. So that was the only critique, we have found Americans very friendly and helpful, but sometimes a bit ignorant and arrogant when it comes to people or knowledge outside of their own country.  It makes me wonder how foreigners perceive Aussies in Australia??  Something to consider..  Anyway, once again it was wonderful to experience Mt Rushmore.  It's an amazing sculpture.

A fine view of George Washington through some Granite.

The overcast skies cleared for a very pretty sunset. 
After the presentation, cloud covered the whole mountain. We were very lucky!

The ampitheatre where a movie presentation is presented nightly.
 A very interesting and patriotic event!

The faces lit up after the presentation, but after about 10 minutes was very quickly covered by misty cloud.  Quite a sight!

The next morning we made our way to Custer State Park which is directly next to Mt Rushmore.  It took us about 3 1/2 hours to drive around this park beginning with Sylvan Lake and The Needles Highway, which twists and bends its narrow way around the mountainside.  The scenery is truely beautiful, with the towering needle like forms of granite giving it's name.  We stopped a few times and explored a little, then again took a Loop Road and drove and drove until we came across the Burros, which belong to the donkey family.  They are so tame, and were looking for food.  Chloe and Zayla would have loved this stop!!  Driving on and on (this is a huge park), we saw a herd of Buffalo, they were over the opposite side of the road in a gully, however there were some at the top of the ridge next to the road and obligingly crossed the road in front of us, which greatly satisfied Rick!  They are very powerful looking animals!  This is a really beautiful park.  You could easily camp here for a week and really relax, but keep busy with things to do and see.

Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park



The highway forms a single land between these rock formations!!


This is one of five tunnels on the Needles Highway.  The single lane is pretty narrow, I'm sure some of the big vehicles we see on the roads would not fit through here!

We stopped by a creek and wandered and climbed the trail for a bit..



The pines are amazing and so is the smell!!

The Burros.  Very tame and keen for any tidbits on offer!

They didn't seem to mind a crowd, so long as there was food!

The elusive Buffalo.  But actally very obliging for us tourists!

Another beautiful lake, a final stop regrettably, before leaving the park.

We next made our way to the Jewel National Monument aka the Jewel Caves.   They were on the route back to Denver so we took the opportunity.  The tour took about 90 minutes, and at first took us three stories down in an elevator then we wound and twisted our way up and down and around a further seven stories down!! The caves are an amazing display of crystals, stalagtites, stalagmites and other formations formed by water mostly dripping through limestone.  It was excellent!! Quite something to see!

A bit dark, but you can see the steps and tour group moving through the caves.

Our drive home was very relaxing, sometimes a bit too relaxing as the country cowboy songs got very slow and drony! But what a great getaway, we were very glad we went..

"Oh, give me a home, where the Buffalo roam..."

Back in Colorado, near the top of the State for a beautiful sunset.

The kids arrived back home very tired, but very excited on Saturday night.  Tom got me to cut his hair a few hours later, and hadn't stop talking about their journeyings the whole time!  They had some amazing experiences visiting the Nauvoo Temple, Carthage Jail, Adam-Ondi-Ahmen, the grave site of Joseph and Hyrum and Liberty Jail.  How grateful I am that they got to experience these places and the wonderful spirit that is there, and especially thankful for our ward who fundraised and organised, so this was all possible.  Sometimes, I am so overwhelmed by the good fortune and blessings that have come to us.

Tom & Sarah outside the Nauvoo Temple, rebuilt in exactness to the original that was destroyed by fire in the mid 1840's.  Tom & Sarah were able to do baptisms for their Nana's family, the Schenck's.

At Adam-Ondi-Ahmen. They both said the Spirit felt at this sacred place was like that of an outdoor Temple.

In front of a monument of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.

Liberty Jail. Terrible conditions were endured here by the Prophet and his companions during the cold of winter.

Inside the room of Carthage Jail where Joseph and Hyrum lost their lives.
 The original door with a bullet hole also remains.

The following week was not surprisingly a lot quieter.  Tom & Sarah were really worn out after their journeyings, and Rick & I were happy just to stay put.  We did however, spend quite some time organising and finalising our roadtrip to California and our trip to New York!  I can't believe we get to go to these places!!  Accomodation is the hardest and most expensive part, but we are finally happy with our itinery and need to just sit back now and let it happen.  We leave for California on the 15th August stopping first near the Grand Canyon, then Las Vegas then on to Southern California.

I have also been spending quite a bit of time researching some Family History.  Something that started with me finding some names for the kids to take to Nauvoo, but I confess, I have the bug. I have always said there is a time and season, so I guess while I have some time this is my season!!  I am currently finding out about the BENNALLACK family and have discovered some really interesting information about the lives of these hardworking people from the mines and villages of Cornwall thanks to the online parish records and Census Records.  It is so nice to know where our family came from, and a little about the lives they lived.

The kids meanwhile have been enjoying the warmth too, taking advantage of the local swimming pool which is only about 4 houses away.  They seem to find something to do and manage to keep busy! 

I have also been dabbling in watercolours and experimenting with different techniques or elements that make up a piece of work.  There is lots to learn, and it all takes time, patience and lots of practice, but I really  enjoy the challenge.

A study on reflections

A monochromatic study.  One colour to learn depth and light.

Shape painting. Using negative shapes to create depth.

The last week of June, began with organising the house and keeping things in order.  Chani Bramford, Sarah's 'bestie' from Adelaide arrived on Wednesday the 29th!  I have never seen two girls more excited to see each other! (That was one way to get a room clean!).   It proved to be a busy day, starting with us all going out with Bishop Smith and his wife on their boat on Chatfield Lake.  We left very early and it was so beautiful out on the lake early in the morning.  Bishop and DeAnne were both very good on their skiis, as was their good friend Kiersten.  Tom had snow boarded a few times now, and mastered the wake board very quickly and had some great rides.  It was also the first time for the rest of us, and Sarah impressed us by getting up on the board and staying there for a while, Rick & I however were a sad story.  We couldn't master it at all!  It seems I have absolutely no upper body strength, but did some spectacular face plants into the water!  Rick has since said that if I can do 10 push-ups he'll buy me a new dress!! (I can do 3!)  After the fun on the lake however, I had sore muscles all over for a few days!!

Sarah looking like she belongs there!  The calm before the action!!!

Sarah's first experience on a boat and wade boarding.  I think she is a champion!

Tom, looking very good!

DeAnne and Bishop Alan Smith

Bishop doing his best to dislodge Tom from the biscuit.
 (Now this was something Rick & I did have success on! Great fun!)

In the afternoon, Tom went with Kelland and his Dad, Dana on a hike to the summit of Mt Evans which is just one of the 54 '14er's' here in Colorado.  This translated means there is 54 mountains over 14,000 ft.  They drove most of the way and hiked the last couple of hours.  Afternoon storm clouds came across while they were fairly high, and both boys felt 'stings' on the tops of their heads, and all their hairs were standing up on their heads.  Recognising they were in a bit of danger from lightening, they scrambled to shelter under an outcrop about 200m above them, and sure enough they watched rain and lightening around them until it passed.   Quite the adventure, but they were very lucky they weren't used as a lightening rod..  This would have been the same storm system that caused Chani's plane to be delayed for over an hour, circling until it was able land.

Looking at America through Chani's eyes has been very nice, and makes us realise how settled and familiar we are with our surrounds now.  We have had fun showing her around, sharing our favourite take away and even shopping at Costco's.  I think going to the supermarket here for the first time is especially fun! Three tacos for $1 at Taco Bell's and $1 DVD movie from a Red Box, which is a movie dispenser found at Maccas, or the supermarket.  You just have to love some things in America!!

On Saturday morning, Tom left for EFY in Provo, catching a ride with the Mercer's and then the girls left on Sunday with the Hansen's.  They are in for a great week, and Rick and I find ourselves once again' empty nesters'!  Yay!

A Visitor and a birthday!

What a wonderful experience it was to assist Connie as she went to the Temple for the first time.  There are some moments in our mortal existence that are truely choice, and are defined above others.  This was one of them!  I am very blessed in the friendships I have been able to make while living here in Denver. Rick & I were able to go again with Connie on Tuesday.

Monday, 6th June brought some exciting news from France.  Elder Bennallack has been transferred to Tulon, which is on the Mediterrean coast in the southeast of France between Marseille and Cannes.  It's about 8hrs from the little country town of Periguex where he was in the west.  He is sad to leave behind the people he has met and did not have time to say goodbye, but is excited with the new challenge and the new area.  He is already impressed with his new companion and is ready to learn from him, (although omitted to tell us his name or where he came from!!)

Elder Jonathon Bennallack with his new district in Tulon.

Lucy also arrived on Monday, a little weary after her journey from Virginia where her sister is.  However, despite this, we all went bowling Monday night.  (Tom has been going for several weeks now with Kelland, and has been waiting to show his skills off to us!)  The shoe hire is $4.00 and each game is $1.00.  So this is a very affordable family activity!  I personally haven't bowled for some time (years) and was very pleased with my first game, especially bowling a spare and a strike and beating Rick.  However, that was my only moment of glory and bowled dismally for the next game.  It was such fun though, especially watching Tom bowl incredibly well!  He bowled 5 strikes in a row, then a spare, then another 3 strikes to finish with a spare.  His personal best score of 235.  We were all very impressed!!!  Nice job Tom!!

Somehow, the ball curves around to make a strike, then another...

In the afternoon, Tom, Sarah and Lucy went to Waterworld, which is comparable to Wet 'n Wild on the Gold Coast, QLD.  They have a season pass each now, so will take advantage of that!!  They came home very tired, but very happy!  A very good day..

Wednesday was my birthday! And if you are wondering, I am now 47!! (which sounds very weird to me).  I am a winter baby, and actually enjoy the rain!  I love to hear it on our tin roof and be cosy inside with a good book or movie, and a big pot of soup on the stove.  Yes, I love the puddles too!  However, this is my first summer birthday, and the gorgeous weather has been warm to very warm, which my birthday has been at odds with!  However, would you know it?  Tuesday night, big thunderstorm warnings flashed across the TV screen, warning about severe weather conditions, including hail the size of 'a half dollar'.  Well, I just had to laugh!  Doesn't it usually rain on my birthday after all?  Wednesday, however bought cloudy, overcast conditions only, and it was warm!  I wanted to go hiking, and explore one of the many, many trails around Colorado, and I found on the internet, a few that included a waterfall.  If I could take some pictures, I would love to paint a waterfall I had actually seen!  However, the one we picked out near Evergreen in the foothills, we were unable to find the trailhead which was disappointing.  However, we did have a good look at the Red Rocks Ampitheatre which is a very impressive local venue not far from here, made from natural rock formations.  It's a popular open air venue for concerts with natural accoustics and very fine views.

On our way to Evergreen in search of the trailhead, we had a look at a trail by Bear Creek called 'Lair of the Bear'.  It's a very pretty and easy walk, following Bear Creek for some distance.  We passed by a couple bird watching and stumbled upon a man fly fishing in the middle of the creek.  I thought this would be a great picture to paint.  This is a very peaceful place.

 Evergreen, is an area about 40 minutes from our home in the 'foothills'.  The mountain sides are covered in pine forests, thick forest areas that go for miles.  It's very scenic.  At one point in our drive, I am admiring the scenery with a comment such as: 'This is so lovely' to which Rick added, 'this is beautiful bitumen!'  The kids roared with laughter, here I am looking up at the scenery and Rick is admiring the road!!  It was funny, but in actuality, we haven't seen too many stretches of road with brand new bitumen.  The winters are harsh to the road surfaces and many are in need of constant repair, and given he was driving at the time, we will allow him the luxury of admiring the roads!! 

Dirty windscreen, but 'beautiful road!'

In the afternoon, I finished a painting of our back yard.  I haven't painted as much, but hopefully will be able to over the summer.  I enjoy this very much, but still find pines challenging..  We have a very busy looking yard, and yes it's very green at the moment!

In the evening, we went to dinner in the city at the Cheesecake Factory which, as mentioned previously has such an extensive menu, it's presented as a spiral bound book!  I thought I would just have a salad, however, when it was served, I was astounded at the size.  This 'Santa Fe' Salad would feed my whole family!!  However, it was immensley enjoyable to be out in the city having dinner.  I was serenaded by my family (and Lucy) and two waiters when dessert came.  My cheesecake has copious amounts of cream on with a candle!  Very nice..

'Santa Fe Salad'.  I only made the tiniest dent in this, it filled TWO boxes to go!! (one of which we gave to a street beggar)

There's some delicious cheescake somewhere under all that cream!!

I was also treated to lunch twice this week for my birthday.  First by my good friend Donna Mercer.  We went to Chili's and stayed for a good two hours.  This was so nice, thank you Donna.  Then on Friday, Dixie and Kenna took me to Applebees.  Another excellent liesurely lunch.  This is the life!!  Many thanks Dixie and Kenna.  Two wonderful friends who have helped me alot while I have been here in Denver.  I will always remember these special people..

I ended the day on Thursday skyping with my three sisters who are together in Perth for the long weekend.  It was so good to chat with them, despite finishing the call after 1.30am and having to get up for the gym in the morning!!  Fun, Fun!!  I just love my sisters!  We got to chat again last night (Sunday), before they flew back to Adelaide.  However, there has been a huge volcano eruption in Chili spewing ash over NZ and Australia and their flight was first delayed and then cancelled until Wednesday. 

A skype photo of JJ, Brigid & Deb

Being the mother of teenagers (boys in particular), I should be accustomed to their antics and have to suppress my humour to look disapprovingly at some of their actions.  I don't know if I succeeded in this one, when the car came home looking like this:

Who eventually cleaned it?  Why Dad of course, after Tom left for Nauvoo!!

Friday we played three rounds of mini golf.  Now has become one of our favourite things to do.  The girls play one round, but Rick, Tom and I went through the whole course, each round of 18 holes.  The first game, from my point of view was ok, not great.  The second game, I putted dismally but the third was intense.  I made a great come back to lead for a few holes.  (Can you tell I'm very pleased about this!) The males in my home are immensely competitive, so I love it when I beat them!!  In the end, Tom & I came in with top score and Rick was only one point behind.  Now that was fun!!

Too easy!

Lucy and Sarah proved to be very worthy competitors!!



This is very serious business!

 On Saturday morning we all got up early to spend some time in the baptistry at the Denver Temple.  It was the first time all three had been there.  It was really nice to spend time together in the Temple, followed of course, by breakfast at Maccas!

Also on the weekend,  Christchurch NZ experienced two more major earthquakes. A 5.5 and 6.0.  The city is really suffering after still trying to recover from the biggie back in February that killed 181.

This morning, Tom & Sarah left for Nauvoo, Illinois via Omaha with the church youth.  All from our ward, there were over 50 youth that went.  They will have a wonderful time as they visit not only Nauvoo, but also Winter Quarters, Adam-Ondi Ahman, Liberty and Independence.  They all had to leave their phones behind, so this will be an interesting week as they go without texting and Facebook!  So Rick and I will be on our own after we take Lucy to the airport.  In a couple of days we are going to drive up to have a look at Mt Rushmore.  It's about 6 1/2hrs drive from here.

All aboard 'Coach America'.  Have fun, see you Saturday!

This morning Jonathon sent some photo's with his weekly email.  This is the first photo's we have seen since the MTC and it is exciting to have a tiny peek at France and at his life as a missionary!

Rick has been loving the NBA Basketball.  He has been following the Dallas Maverick's, and would you know it, after some very exciting, intense games, they have just won the championship for the first time!!  Yay Rick! Nice work, you backed a winner! 

Today, is my mother's birthday.  Happy Birthday Mum, I hope you do something special to celebrate!

My Parents while I was in Adelaide in February this year

School is 'out' and Summer is 'in'

Our backyard as seen from the house. 
Gone is the snow, the grass is green and the trees are leafy. 
Our yard backs onto a public walkway, a very pretty path.

Yay!! School is 'done' (it seems that no-one here uses the word 'finished'), and finally we have a decent break!  It seemed like we went from one school year straight into the next and so it's been really nice the past few days to just relax, and unwind.  Hmm.. what am I talking about? That's what I have been doing since I got here!! My daily routine is so very different!  However, my days have been starting very early, 5.00am the alarm has been going off, so it's very nice not to have to get up until a couple of hours later..

The last week of school was relatively quiet compared to what I usually experience trying to meet deadlines and get as much done at school before we can all relax, however that also was a rather loose term, because then usually the Christmas hat goes on!  It sure feels different with school winding up, summer coming on and along with that, the holidays, but it's not Christmas!!  That's something to look forward to, and it also makes this time very relaxing.

The past week included tumbling for Sarah, a cub-scout pack meeting for me (cubs is 'done' now until after summer), and graduation parties for Tom.  Graduation is a very serious milestone here.  The actual Graduation for Columbine HS took place last Saturday morning, but the weekend was crammed with parties.  Tom  went to so many.  In the shops, there are displays for cakes, banners, cards and invites.  So it's a big part of the calendar.

We have also been spending quite large amounts of time on the internet exploring venues to go to.  We have a plan mapped out for the holiday period, but alot of this depends on accomodation which is expensive.  However, it is very exciting that we have this opportunity to see this vast country and are really looking forward to our road trip to California and a week in the big apple, New York City.  There are times when I still cannot believe we are having this experience.

Last Monday was a public holiday for Memorial Day, which is very similar to ANZAC Day.  The people here are very patriotic with most homes displaying the American flag. However, supermarkets and some other shops were still open, so we found that a bit odd.  Rick and I were invited to dinner at one of his colleagues and enjoyed home made smoked meat and 'grill' (aka BBQ).  It's nice meeting other people, it seems everyone loves to hear about Australia.  However, I am amused at some questions we get asked such as: 'what grows there?' Answer: "Pretty much the same things that grow here!!'  I am often surprised at the amount of people that seem to have very little knowledge about the other side of the world..

This week the local community pool opened.  So, as local residents we went and got ourselves a season pass!  We live in Governor's Ranch.  In times gone by, it was actually a Ranch along with several others around us, so most people in Littleton live on some Ranch or other.  They are all locally governed and have a Ranch House or community hall.  For us, this is located just around the bend in our street, about 5 houses away. At Governer's Hall, which is a club house that can be rented for functions, there is a community pool and tennis courts.  It's been a wet, overcast and mild spring, but true to form, summer arrived along with the 1st of June! The weather is so lovely and warm this week.  For us, it is especially good to feel the warmth in the air especially after back to back winters.  Yesterday, it actually hit 90F (about 30C)!!  There is a rhythmn in the seasons, and it's so right experiencing them in order.  I guess we'll have another oddity again when we return and have back to back summers! 

The Aspen tree..  (an upcoming painting I think!)

I have been going to the gym about three mornings a week with Cheryl, my neighbour two doors down, and this has been really good.  I can actually run 2K's fairly easily now, then I walk for another 2 to cool down. (I think it's helping to offset some of the rubbish I have been eating!!)

This morning after the gym, I spent some time in the back yard pulling weeds that have popped up between the stones in the garden.  Our back yard is open as mentioned, according to the 'covenants' of Governor's Ranch.  So there are no fences as we know them in back yards, just  wooden posts and railings, with a walk way which has quite alot of pedestrian traffic.  This means, there is not a lot of privacy in the back yards, and also means I should make sure the gardens are kept tidy!!
And so this morning I was enjoying the warm air, and actually the weeding too.  I do miss my own garden in Magill. I could hear the sound of a lawn mower, birds singing and some children playing on a swing. Then a bagpipe started playing.  It sounded so nice, and immediately reminded me of my brother John who plays the pipes, but then that reminded me of the last time I heard him play, which was at my younger brother Andrew's funeral.  But that was ok too, I remember good things about Andrew, with my most favourite memories of him being on our trip to New Zealand in 2004.  I cherish that time we had together with Deb & Ross & Charlotte.

In the bottom corner of the garden is a sectioned off area.  I watched as what looked like 'weeds' popped up.  So a few days ago, decided I should tackle them, as it was really looking untidy. I had barely begun when an older lady walked passed, stopped and said 'Oh, you like gardening, you are from Australia, right?'  which started a conversation about who I was and about my garden.  It seems like alot of people know about us!  And it also appeared that there were only a few weeds, and it was a flower garden with catnip, columbines, roses (I recognised those!) and poppies.  (The poppies truely did look like thistle bushes).  There are others too, that I don't remember the name of, and haven't seen before.  In the garden every morning I see at least one 'bunny' and often two.  The squirrels still chase each other around and there are robins hopping about too.  I am truely in a different part of the world, but am enjoying seeing these new and different things that usually I only hear about in story books. And as winter has fallen on Australia, I will enjoy being here in the warmth seeing these new scenes.

What do you know?  I am growing Columbine's!!

...and Poppies!

This is a climber, but don't know what it's called?  Does anyone know?

.. or the name of this?  It looks like some variety of Loopin.

..
This evening, my friend Connie is going to the Temple for the first time, and has asked me to go with her so that will be a lovely experience.

On Monday, Lucy Kuhn (from Adelaide) arrives for a week's visit.  Tom and Sarah are looking forward to her coming and showing her some of the local attractions.  They have already signed up for a season pass at Waterworld (equivalent to that on the Gold Coast), so they can take Lucy, and Deegan and Chani when they come.  They have a list of things to do, so next week will not be quiet like this one.  Our summer has begun!