Kim Tullis

Monthly Archives: August 2019

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A New Mode of Transportation….

After having stayed in a few less desirable places now that we have a dog, I decided to get us the type of transportation that would allow us to sleep wherever we like. We love it!

I bought the Neenamobile in Las Vegas and drove her back to Park City, stopping for a few days to visit friends, Kris and Kathy in Leeds, Utah. I found the Neenamobile was easy to drive, park, and camp in.

Kathy and I hiked….
shopped and ate at Kayenta…
and played golfed in a hurricane at Hurricane, Utah.

Once back in Park City, I busied myself with watching the biggest steam engine go by at the Golden Spike 150th celebration.

Emma, Abby, and I continued our tradition by seeing the play, The Wizard of Oz,

and I supported Andy, Jana, and Emma in the annual Running for Ed.

Meanwhile, poor Bill was dealing with horrible renters who really created havoc on his properties in Calgary. He spent all spring evicting the renters and cleaning up the houses to sell.

He also spent time opening his cabin at Little Bow, enjoying Russo and the view.

And he hosted a 70th birthday party at Little Bow for his great friend, Robert Clark.

Can’t believe we have a friend who would wear a MAGA hat!!!

In the meantime, Andy, his girls, and I decided to go try out the van while Jana was in Boston. We had both heard of some interesting places near Wendover, Utah. So we packed up the Neenamobile and his truck, which we loaded with kayaks and a paddleboard and headed west.

Our first stop was the Sun Tunnels, northwest of Wendover. These tunnels consist of four large concrete cylinders, arranged on the desert floor in a cross pattern, that align with the sunrise and sunset on the summer and winter solstices.

In addition to this perfect solar framing, each of the cylinders is pierced with smaller holes representing the stars of four constellations: Draco, Perseus, Columba, and Capricorn. Perfect viewing when it gets dark.

After viewing these incredible tunnels and camping nearby,

we rose and headed to Blue Lake, south of Wendover. This is a large geothermal pond. We really enjoyed our day there.

Lewis and Clark

One the way home the next day, we stopped at the Bonneville Salt Flats. How could it be that I had never been there, even though I was born and raised 100 miles away?

The lake is very high this year, so not a lot of exposed salt.

One highlight of my summer was having lunch with several ladies who were dear friends of my mother’s and have always been in my life. They have all been inspirations to me and I cherished that 2-hour luncheon.

Don’t they look fabulous at 90+ (Except K.C. and me, ha-ha)

Just a side note: If you ever get a chance to wander, walk or bike around Park City, you will be lucky enough to see some of the beautiful artwork that is scattered around.

The best part of the summer though, was having my whole family together in Brighton, Utah for the 4th of July!

My 4 sweeties!!!!
Being part of the parade.

The 4th of July was also celebrated with extended family and friends.

My sister-in-law, Robin and Stevie Lou
How many adults does it take to open a stroller?

I was even able to get Bill into the 4th of July spirit!

Throughout the weekend, we wined and dined,

4th generation to sit at this beautiful table painted by my mother

we went fishing, at least some of us fished,

we went hiking to Twin Lakes and to Lake Solitude,

and I introduced everyone to Pickleball.

At the end of that fantastic weekend, Bill and I loaded up the Neenamobile and headed north. Our first stop was Sand Point, Idaho to visit my dear friend Karen and Cliff.

Reintroducing Glazers after 20 years in retirement. They shoot water!

Once back at Canmore, life settled into our normal summer routine, traveling between Canmore and Little Bow. It has been a chilly summer but we have still enjoyed taking Russo to the Canmore Dog Park.

We were invited to a BBB Bonspiel. Don’t know what a Bonspiel is, I didn’t either. It is a curling term for tournament. So we packed up the Neenamobile and headed to Tofield, Alberta to take part in the Bocce Ball, Backgammon and Billards Tournament. Brenda and Robert hosted 44 people for this really fun afternoon.

If your name was Dave, you were team captain. There were 6 Daves.
When your name was drawn, you were given a colored lei to designate which team you were on.
Darren and Treva competing.
Sadly, neither Bill nor I won this glorious trophy

We also had the opportunity to play golf at the beautiful Coal Creek Golf course. It is a reclaimed coal mine owned by good friends. Thank you Dana for a great day!

The sand traps are black from the copper tailings.
Robert, Treva, Dave, Brenda, Dana, me, and Bill

While we were up north, we took the opportunity to see Ron and Bonnie on their farm in Vegreville. Ron and Bill go back 50 years and have been really good friends to each other.

On our way home, we detoured to Forestburg, Alberta to see Dennis and Donna on their farm. We met them sailing and it is so fun to see all our sailing friends off the water.

Earlier this summer, Kirk and Mary from SV Interlude dropped by the cabin in Brighton to say hi,

Lance and Jen braved getting into Little Bow in their motorhome,

and Jim and Diane from SV Prairie Oyster stopped by in Canmore.

Sorry Jimmy for cutting off half your face.

We so cherish all the wonderful people in our lives and hope that you have all had a great summer, if not a little warmer.