July 25, 2017

           It was fun to have Cheryl and Mitchell Cowgill and their two children, soon to be three, up for a visit. They currently live in North Logan, UT, having moved there from the northwest this past year. Cheryl is the daughter of Craig and Elaine Larsen, grandparents happy to have these grandbabies a little closer.

          During the summer months traffic varies on our main street, Highway 36, according to the activities at Camp Bartlett, just through our canyons, over the mountains into Bear Lake County. When ever a group of Boy Scouts finish up a campout and head home the southwest flow of vehicles increases. As a new group is due to arrive the northeast flow with loaded trailers and vans head up the canyons. Some outfits even stop at our homes with questions, making sure they are on the right route to their destination.

            The first Bob and Claudia Erickson Family Reunion was held this month at their home in Mink Creek. For this year, the Claudine and LaMar McKague family of Vancouver, WA, and the Laural and Jody Janke family of Richfield, UT, were the organizers. Other families attending were those of Danalee and Gene Abernethy, Alpine, UT; Carla and Mark Nielsen, American Fork, UT, Drew and Hilary Erickson, Tempe, AZ; and Shannon and Jeremy Armstrong, Provo, UT. The three day event was made up of good food, fun events and games with one night of song and talents and a morning devoted to the water slide.

           The Mink Creek Ward trekkers of the Martin Cove reenactment came home tired, a bit dusty, and very pleased with their experience, appreciating 'home' a little more than before. We had four couples who trekked in the role of “Ma and Pa” couples: Trevor and April Rasmussen, Jeff and Jennifer Seamons, Miles and Jasmine Erickson, and Kerry and Melinda Jepsen. Sherrie and Shane Corbett were an important part of the Chuck Wagon crew that eased the burdens of the trek company.

         A welcome sound in the hours of darkness is that of the county mosquito crew. They come and spray as they go, to lessen the mosquito threat throughout the area. For me, this is a happy sound and so improves my outside evening time.

           Maria and Devin Flake and their son Jude have been up from Saratoga Springs, UT. They give some good grandparent time to Lana and Ivan McCracken.

          This is it---Rodeo Week in Preston. There will be class reunions, family reunions, etc. all scheduled to match up with these three days of rodeo, parades, and carnival fun.