Reunion

The last of our vacation was the Bright Family Reunion. We love this reunion. We've been camping every year for 25-30 years now. We are usually at Willow Flats near Preston, Idaho, or Malibu Campground in Logan Canyon. Lately, we have been in Logan canyon to make it easier for the older generation.

Each of the original families used to cycle through and take a turn planning the reunion. In the last 5 years or so my generation has been doing it more. My Wiser cousins have been doing it for the last 3-4 years and we always look forward to their Dutch oven cooking. This year it was decided that my parents will book the campsite every year, the Wiser boys will cook the community meal, the rest of us will add potluck items for that meal and take turns mailing out info about the reunion. Everyone was happy that way. They like to cook and the rest of us like to eat.

Three of the Wiser boys...Sherwin, Doug and Anthony

This was the main cook this year...Darrel Wiser

There are 9 Wiser boys and they have 2 sisters. Love them all.

Here's a couple recipes:

Meat marinade

1 1/2 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce

2 tsp dry mustard

2 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 1/2 tsp parsley

2 cloves garlic, crushed

Combine all ingredients. Let meat marinade at least 2 hours. Good also for fresh vegetable shish-kabobs. Cook meat on the grill.

Dutch oven potatoes

1 pound bacon or sausage

1 onion, chopped

1 can cream of chicken soup

3-4 pounds potatoes

Brown meat in 12 inch dutch oven. Remove meat and some of the grease if it is too much. Saute onion in the remaining grease. Add meat, soup and potatoes. Stir. My cousin didn't mention adding water, but now that I've tried it I would recommend adding some. Cover with dutch oven lid and bake for about 45 minutes depending on amount of heat. When the potatoes are almost done sprinkle with 2 cups grated cheddar cheese, cover again and finish baking.

Apple Chop Suey

This recipe was made by the Wiser boys' mother (my aunt). She baked it in a 9 x 13 pan in the oven. They have started doing it in the Dutch oven every Sunday after breakfast as the reunion ends.

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 egg

4-6 granny smith apples, cored and sliced

Mix all ingredients together and pour in Dutch oven. Bake until done. Serve with whip cream.

Saturday we spent hiking some more and going to Bear Lake. I have wanted to hike to the wind caves for several years now, but didn't think I was in shape enough before now. This year was my year to reach that goal. It was a 4 mile round trip and quite steep. It raised 900 feet in 1.3 miles.

James and Hannah at the start

Tom on the trail

James, Arie, Garrison, Hannah and me

The wind cave!

James

A very impressive view

This one is cool, too.

The neatest thing happened while we were in the wind cave. We had been hiking in the vicinity of a young Hispanic family. All the way up they would pass us and then we would pass them along the trail. Finally, after exploring the cave a bit I sat down near them and started talking to them. I asked, "Where are you from?"

They said, "Honduras."

I told them I had lived in Honduras for 16 months. Then I asked what part of Honduras they were from.

"Catacamas...It's in Olancho."

Me: "I lived in Catacamas!"

I told them how long I had lived there and when. They asked why I had been there and who some of the people were that I remembered. I told them I had been a missionary.

The father said, "My uncle is Mormon. Did you know Antonio Caceres?"

"Yes! I did know them. They had a daughter named Martha, right?"

The world is so small. There we were sitting on the mountain in Logan canyon talking to the nephew of someone I knew while on my mission in Honduras. Wild!

At Bear Lake

Total miles hiked during our vacation--15!

Btw! Look at the picture of me and the kids on the hike. Notice the shirt I'm wearing. Then look at the pictures in our slide show. Same shirt...sure fits differently now!

The Quest

Here's the bunch that tried to hike Mount Timpanogus. They decided after five miles that the snow was too dangerous so they didn't make it all the way. They had a great time, though, and are looking forward to another attempt later. Early September was always the best time when Tom and I hiked it before.

James, Tom, Hannah, Aseana, Sean and Roscoe

After camping with the Grubers we met a friend of mine from Junior High and had lunch. Then we visited Tom's sister in Salt Lake City for a night. Tom's mom is living with his sister and it was good to spend some time with them.

More hiking...

Did I say I like hiking?

Monday we hiked to see Timpanogus Cave. I've done that three times as an adult. The first time I carried a 2 month old Johnathan up that trail and didn't think it was too bad. The next time was in 2004, I was at or near my highest weight and very out of shape. About 3/4 the way I wanted to quit and go back down, but I didn't and finally made it.

This time, 60 pounds lighter and in better shape, it still took me the entire time allowed, but I didn't want to quit at any point on the trail. I thought that was progress.

Here are a few of our favorite photos.

I can't believe how big Hannah has gotten. She's taller than me even on flat ground.

Shellece, Ann and Carol about 1/4 the way

Carol and me

the mountain goats ran off ahead...see the little spot of red?

Shellece, me and Hannah

Hannah resting...she's so cute.

Hannah's "J" tree

The heart

An underground lake

We made it through!

Front: Shellece, Gordon, Aseana, Cora, Hannah

Middle: James, me, Carol, Tom

Back: Jonathan the guide and Sean

Tuesday Shellece and I went for a short hike with the youngest two kids while the men and older kids went on a quest...the quest to conquer Mount Timp. I'll start with that next time.

Camping song

A camping we go.

A camping we go.

Hi ho the camp site, oh,

A camping we go.

We're so excited for some much deserved R&R. We're going camping with the Grubers in the Mount Timp area until Wednesday. Then we'll hit the Bright Reunion in Logan Canyon on the way home.

Break out those hiking shoes, everyone! We'll be putting some miles in!