Making the Best of a Sad Situation

June 20-23, 2018

Ogden, Ut - Idaho Falls, ID

Wednesday morning I sleep late. As I'm making my coffee Bill says his cousin Cindy texted him that cousin Penny in Ogden sent me a message last night and wants to be sure we got it. Okay? We're on our way to see her and the rest of the Utah family this morning so they probably want to know when we'll get there.....

I read the message and can't read it to Bill. I think I'm in shock. Handing him my phone to read, all I can think of is Aunt Nancy and how devastated she must be.

Last year when we were here we missed seeing cousin Trish and her family because they were moving her mother, Aunt Nancy, from Roswell to Ogden. I've only met her and the family once at the reunion four years ago. Bill doesn't know the "kids" well, only seeing them at previous reunions. We do know Aunt Nancy well, and love her dearly. We also know how close she is to Trish's oldest, and her first grandson, Nathan.

The message explains that Nathan was killed in a tragic, freak gun accident on Tuesday night.  We're both speechless. We were hours from visiting and getting to know him and the others better. 

I let Penny know we got the message, that they should not worry about us at all, and offer any help we might be. I never know what to say when a loved one is lost. When my late partner, Jeff's dad, passed away it was exhausting navigating other people's grief and good intentions. We don't want to be those other people. 

It's a very quiet drive to Ogden where we set up at Wasatch View Estates. We've stayed in many places with "view" in their name, which is almost always wishful thinking. Here, it's accurate. Beautiful view of the Wasatch mountains out our window. Now the "estates" part is definitely a stretch! The sites are cracked concrete and grass that isn't well maintained. No WiFi away from the clubhouse. But it's fine for the few nights we'll be here. 

Penny and I connect on Thursday and she and daughter Katie want to see us. She'll let us know later where and when. After a slow start, I suggest we spend the day at nearby Antelope Island State Park. Another place I've read about in our friends' blogs that I think we'll like.

It's the perfect place to get re-centered. 

The Utah we've seen is filled with bold, acrylic paint, colors. The island is a new world of hushed watercolor vistas.

The small visitors' center is nicely done and we have the viewing room to ourselves for the movie. Not as informative as we'd like, but it does give us a good summary. It definitely shows how beautiful this place is.

The largest of eight protected islands in the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island is 28,000 acres and 15 miles long. The Garr family owned and ranched the island until it was sold to the state in 1982 and the park was established. Public visitation was limited and completely stopped in 1983 when flooding destroyed the southern causeway and only land access. It was not restored until 1993 when visitation resumed.

A haven for birds, the large number of insects being a draw for feeding thousands of migrating flocks. The same insects that often send humans running for the mainland! Although there is a sign at the entrance warning that the biting gnats have hatched, we don't see or feel any during our visit.

The bugs have their own section in the VC!

Birdhouse with a view.

Miles of beaches.

The muted colors are very calming. We speak in quiet voices.

The mountains in the center of the island are surprising. The highest point is Frary Point at 6, 589 feet.

Validation that the hill we just drove up was really steep.

A small bison herd was brought here by the ranchers, and included in the purchase of the island. With no natural predators, the herd has grown to over 500. An annual sale is required to manage the growth. The namesake antelope continue to populate the island, although we only see a couple in the distance. Big Horn Sheep were brought here as a protected "nursery program". Once they reach a certain age they are relocated to areas where their numbers have fallen. Bobcat, coyotes, badgers, ground squirrels, chipmunks, and lizards also call the island home. And of course the millions of insects and all the birds!

A good size herd grazing along the salty beach.

 

Most of the herd hangs out by the old ranch.

What??

So glad we came here.

I have a new found appreciation of the beauty of the Great Salt Lake.

Bill wants to see Aunt Nancy, as do I. Fortunately as we're leaving the park, Penny calls to say she's bringing her mom to dinner. 

It's wonderful to see them both. We're relieved to see that Aunt Nancy is doing okay. Clearly the loss is taking it's toll, but these are strong women who have survived previous loss. It's good to get caught up and even have a few laughs together. 

Thursday we do home stuff and get the grocery shopping done. In the evening we meet Penny and her son-in-law, Jesse for a delicious Asian fusion dinner. Daughter Katie has stayed home with her little boy Desmond who isn't feeling well. We touch on the tragedy of Nathan's death and how he will be missed. The civil service office where he worked closed for two days after his death. 400+ are expected at his memorial service. Such a loss to so many :-(  Even with the sadness, we enjoy another great visit. 

Penny and Bill

Saturday morning we're back on the road. Prairie on the west and mountains on the east, it's another pretty drive into Idaho. Thunder storms in the forecast, we can see the dark clouds heading toward Idaho Falls. The rain starts right before we pull into Snake River RV Park. The thunder is aMAzing! It rolls non-stop for nearly an hour. It's wonderful to be back in the rain. I can't remember the last time.

The park is nearly full on this post Memorial Day Saturday, but we have a nice pull-through site with 50 amp FHU. It's a clean park with dirt roads and sites and lots of tall trees. WiFi works okay and our satellite connects. 

This is a fun one night stop just because we were last here with good friends Jim and Diana (ExploRVistas) At the time we were both trying to escape all the terrible smoke. Rain is much better!

We treat ourselves to a nice dinner at Sand Piper Restaurant on the Snake River. The last of the storm is moving through and we sleep well with the fresh, cool air coming through the windows.

Nathan's death will leave scars on the whole family, as the senseless loss of loved ones always does. Even though Bill didn't know him well, it was especially difficult because we were hours from seeing him. 

We've recommitted to living our dream, and making sure our family knows how much we love them. 

Every day is a gift.