Recreation – Page 14

Days Inn Makes My Day

November 19, 2008 by rickety Leave a Comment

Today I read about Logitech replacing an out of warranty remote for free. This Logitech remote was purchased from an Amazon reseller and the buyer had no warranty of any kind. When it broke Logitech was contacted and they replaced it for free.

Reservation Mix Up

This story reminded me of a recent experience I had with Days Inn. Regular readers will recall my Utah Temples Tour that required an overnight stay in Monticello. On October 5 I booked two rooms for five people at the Days Inn in Monticello for the night of October 15. The evening before our departure I printed my confirmation email and noticed the following:

Thank you. Your room reservation has been confirmed. A confirmation has also been sent to rickety@youbigdope.com. If you need to cancel, you must do so by 6:00 PM local hotel time on October 8, 2008 or your credit card will be charged for one night’s stay.

October 8! I had booked for the Wednesday prior to October 15. I checked my bank account and saw that I hadn’t been charged yet for the $147.52. I booked two rooms at the Best Western Wayside Motor Inn in Monticello. I didn’t want to risk making reservations with Days Inn again in case they figured I would be a no show once more.

Happy Ending

Arriving home from my trip I checked my bank account and found that there was still no charge. I always thought the charge was automatic if you failed to show up. I have had many pleasant stays at Days Inn and I get a discount as a federal employee. This incident has left me with an even more favorable view of Days Inn. Is this common practice to forgive the charges for a no show or was Days Inn just giving exceptional service? One thing is for sure, next time I will have my wife make the reservations.

Real Salt Lake v. New York Red Bulls

November 16, 2008 by rickety Leave a Comment

Obstacle Course

Yesterday evening Jake and I left the car in a Jordan School District parking lot west of I-15. We walked instead of taking the provided shuttle. As we neared the stadium we followed ten other people as they cut through a private parking lot. We walked along a dirt trail and came to a stream. It looked like we might have to try to jump over it but it turned out to be dry. We clambered down the bank in the dark and up the other side. Before us now was a eight foot high rickety chain link fence with barbed wire on top. I asked Jake if we were following the right people. Fans were ducking through a large hole in the fence only to be held up by another fence equally as high but with no barbed wire. This one we had to climb and then drop down the other side. All that was left to do was scramble up a hill to the road outside the stadium.

[Read more…]

Pot Luck Dinner and The Beaux’ Stratagem

November 2, 2008 by rickety Leave a Comment

The Potluck Dinner

Trent and Michelle, good friends of ours, invited us to a potluck dinner at their home on Saturday. Now potlucks can be a little rickety — you never know what food is going to turn up. But Michelle orchestrated the dishes so that the meal came together wonderfully. We were joined by five other couples and had a pleasant time learning about their backgrounds over Michelle’s tasty lasagna. But soon we were scurrying off to Weber State University to watch our play.

The Play

The Beaux’ Stratagem was being presented at the Allred Theater in the Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts. And yes, you are right, Val Browning was the noted Utah industrialist, philanthropist, and third generation gun innovator.

Larry Dooley, director of The Beaux’ Stratagem, wrote:

I waited a long time to direct this play. The time period, the early 1700s, is a particular interest of mine for many reasons, not the least of which is the central position of the theater in London society. People attended plays regularly. They were not just the higher-status audience members of the Restoration period; they were the middle-class merchants as well. People knew the plays and they knew the actors and playwrights. The crowd was vocal and knowledgeable. Old favorite pieces were brought back time and again, but new playwrights were also welcomed. George Farquhar, an Irishman by birth, was one such playwright. (The Beaux’ Stratagem program)

The Beaux’ Stratagem is a comedy by George Farquhar, first produced at the Haymarket Theatre, London, in March 1707. The play begins at a country inn with the arrival of Mr. Aimwell from London and his friend Archer masquerading as his servant. They plan to travel through small towns and entrap young heiresses so they can repair their fortunes. In the first town, Lichfield, they set their sights on the beautiful Dorinda. Aimwell falls truly in love with her while Archer strikes up an extremely worldly friendship with Dorinda’s sister-in-law — Mrs Sullen is trapped in a loveless marriage to a man she despises. The play is lively, entertaining and, as the saying is, a romp in every sense of the word. But be assured that love will win out in the end with the help of a little disguise and trickery.

Epilogue

I really enjoyed the evening’s activities. I would never have thought to have a potluck dinner before the play. That went over very well and when you think about it, who wants to watch a play on an empty stomach? This was the first play I have attended that had sign language available — via two young ladies to the right of the stage. The whole cast was dressed in white, I’m not sure why — maybe to assist those who are color blind? Anyway, a big thank you to Trent and Michelle for inviting us to their home and organizing our attendance at The Beaux’ Stratagem.

Cyrano de Bergerac
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Othello

Utah Temples Tour: Manti and St George

October 17, 2008 by rickety 5 Comments

Manti Temple

With eleven temples visited during Day1, Day 2, and Day 3 it is time to visit the two remaining temples. Day 4 of the Utah Temples Tour began, as you may have guessed, at a rickety 4am. We left the Wayside Motor Inn in Monticello at 4:50am bound for Manti but hunting for breakfast on the way.

The Manti Temple

Manti Temple tower

We traveled all the way to Manti before we found breakfast. We passed up the 8:30am session so as to eat and then we just managed to catch the 9:30am session. This is an awesome temple. Every room is big. The celestial room is the largest of all the Utah temples. This is a real pioneer structure with ornate ceilings and wooden bench seating. A temple worker showed us the sealing rooms. Very beautiful. Daniel and Spencer hung back and were shown the spiral staircase that goes to the top of the tower. This is a temple built on hill. Walking around the grounds meant some steep climbs to get some great photographs. If I were to choose two Utah temples to visit, other than the Salt Lake temple, it would be the Vernal and Manti temples.

The St. George Temple

Leaving Manti we drove to St. George and took some photographs in the temple grounds before attending the 4pm session. The temple is the first completed by the Church after the Nauvoo exodus and is similar in its design to the Nauvoo Temple. It is the oldest LDS temple still actively used by the members of the Church. There are three ordinance rooms and 18 sealing rooms, and a total floor area of 110,000 feet. In the 1970s the temple was closed and underwent extensive remodeling. The temple has an all white exterior and quiet grounds with some very old trees. When we left we ate at Subway before leaving St. George and arriving home at 10:45pm.

Reflections

On this tour I have enjoyed seeing the interior of eleven Utah temples and working for the dead in all of them. Eight of those temples I have never entered before. Jake and Daniel saw nine new temples. Paul seven new temples. Spencer six new temples. And of course we also visited the construction sites of two temples. But most importantly we have helped to provide saving ordinances for the dead.

A thank you to Andrew for joining us for a day and kisses to Jill for providing the snacks and participating with us at the Ogden temple. What I will remember most is the time spent traveling and being in the temples with three of my sons.

St. George Temple

Utah Temples Tour: Vernal, Monticello

October 15, 2008 by rickety 6 Comments

Vernal Temple

After a successful Day 1 and Day 2, Day 3 of the Utah Temples Tour began at the usual 4am. Some of us are a little rickety at this hour but we had roads to drive and temples to see.

Daniel outside the Vernal Temple

The Vernal Temple

We left Kaysville at 5:15am arriving in Vernal in time for the 8:30am session. Like the Logan temple we moved to a terrestrial room half way through the session. The celestial room was beautiful. It was quite large, bigger than Ogden. It had a high ceiling and a large painting of Jesus Christ — what one would expect in a celestial room. There was a comfortable feeling about the temple. Beautiful brown woods communicated warmth and added to the “You’re at home” effect. Originally, the building served as the Uintah Stake Tabernacle for eastern Utah. The building was built with donated labor and was dedicated on August 24, 1907 by LDS Church President Joseph F. Smith. Smith reportedly said he would not be surprised if a temple was built there some day.

The Monticello Temple

In Vernal we ate at Subway before leaving for Monticello. We arrived in time to take all our photographs and then attended the 5pm session. As with Vernal, half way through the session we relocated to a terrestrial room. The celestial room was smaller than the one at Vernal but still very beautiful and peaceful. A temple worker showed us one of the sealing rooms. It was about the same size as the Bountiful sealing rooms that I have attended for weddings. She said there was another sealing room and just one endowment room if you don’t count the terrestrial room. The temple has few buildings around it and a local told us that a herd of deer will sometimes come through on the land across the street from the temple. This was a very friendly temple with the temple workers shaking our hands, asking where we were from, and insisting that we come back again.

Tomorrow will bring Day 4 of the tour and the remaining temples: St. George and Manti.

Monticello Temple

Utah Temples Tour: Jordan River, Oquirrh Mountain, Draper, Timpanogos, Provo

October 14, 2008 by rickety 4 Comments

Jordan River Temple

On Saturday we visited Utah’s four most northern temples. Today on Day 2 of the Utah Temples Tour, with the rickety weather behind us, was the turn of five more temples. Rising at 4am and leaving at 5am we had an addition to our number with Andrew, a friend of the family.

The Jordan River Temple

The Jordan River temple is so close to the Oquirrh Mountain temple that I got them crossed in Google Maps. After we figured out that a darkened, half built temple with scaffolding was not the Jordan River temple we looked around for a lit temple. Spencer texted Google and we got the address. We were in time for the 6:40am session. The inside of the temple seemed to me to be a super-sized Ogden temple. The celestial room was smaller compared to the cathedral-like Bountiful celestial room. Spencer ran into his aunt who was working on the temple grounds pulling out flowers that were hit with the frost.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Temples Under Construction

Upon leaving the Jordan River temple we went back to the Oquirrh Mountain temple for some photographs in daylight. The temple sits prominently on a hill and will been seen across the countryside when it opens. Being right off an exit of Bangerter Highway will give patrons easy access.

We headed over to the Draper temple for some more photographs. The Draper temple is half way up the mountain so it too will be visible for miles. This temple is closer to completion and will be dedicated Friday, March 20, 2009.

The Mount Timpanogos Temple

After one session at the Jordan River temple the boys were hungry so we ate in the Mount Timpanogos temple cafeteria before catching the 11:30am session. This temple is almost a carbon copy of the Bountiful temple. Only the patron entrances were different with Bountiful facing north and Timpanogos facing west. There are some second floor differences and the Timpanogos cafeteria didn’t allow substitutions. :)

The Provo Temple

A short drive took us to a 3pm session at the Provo temple. Another carbon copy, this time of the Ogden temple. We knew where this temple was with three returned missionaries in the vehicle (it is by the MTC). The temple really looks majestic with the mountains as a backdrop. A great photo taking opportunity. It was time to feed at the fast food trough so we stopped by Wendys. Once the bellies were topped up we drove for home.

Tomorrow will find us at Vernal and Monticello for Day 3 of the Utah Temples Tour.

Provo Temple: Spencer, Dan, Rick, Andrew, Paul, Jake

Utah Temples Tour: Logan, Ogden, Bountiful, Salt Lake

October 11, 2008 by rickety 7 Comments

Spencer, Jake, and Daniel relaxing on the way to the Ogden Temple

Logan Temple

After a lot of talk and a little bit of planning the Utah Temples Tour actually got underway today. I rose at 4am, showered, and then awoke Paul, Jake, and Daniel. We stopped by to get Spencer a few minutes after 5am and headed for the Logan Temple. Now the neat thing about an early morning session is that you can’t miss the temple in the dark. It is on a hill and well lit. Which is just as well because we went past our turn. But no worries, we knew right away. We entered the waiting room just as the 6:30am session was due to start. When we left the temple I took photographs around the temple grounds. There was a cold wind blowing as a storm moved in. The boys are hungry after a session — this is a really curious phenomenon — even though they are sitting 98% of the time. We were going to eat at Burger King but Paul complained, “They don’t have sausage egg McMuffins!” We ended up at McDonald’s.

The angel Moroni atop the Ogden Temple

Ogden Temple

We headed out to the Ogden Temple to catch the 10:40am session. Jill called to say she would meet us there. Jill being with me at the temple reminded me of over 28 years ago when we were married for time and eternity in the Ogden Temple. The ceremony was short and simple but the result was very powerful. Knowing that you are bound to each other forever makes you try a little harder in your marriage. You are also more likely to be open to be guided by correct principles. Anyway, back to today. Either our session started early or the session that we ran into started late. As we neared the end of our session we had to wait ten minutes for another session to finish. That must have really made the boys hungry.

Bountiful Temple

Next it was the Bountiful Temple for the five of us. Jill left to take care of the grocery shopping — it is nice to have someone responsible in the family. We hoped to get some photographs but by the time of our 2pm session it was snowing. After the session of course it was time to eat. We ate at the temple cafeteria and finalized our plan to push on to the Salt Lake Temple.

Salt Lake Temple

We took our photographs of the Salt Lake Temple before going into the 6pm session. Fortunately there was a lull in the storm though it was quite cold. This session made four in all which is a record for me for one day. When I used to travel overnight to the London Temple the members of the stake I was with used to do three sessions in a row. Over the years since then all I ever did was one session. That was because the temple was just down the road so I could go more often. Today we got home at 8:30pm after a successful start to our Utah Temples Tour. By taking in the Salt Lake Temple we jumped one temple ahead so that on Tuesday we will go straight to to the Jordan River Temple.

The Salt Lake Temple at night

Update

The Utah Temples Tour continues on Tuesday.
Rickety signature.

Utah Temples Tour Update

October 7, 2008 by rickety 2 Comments

The Tour

I am finalizing the Utah Temples Tour. We begin on Saturday 11th. October. I will be blogging via Rickety for each of the four days if you care to follow the tour online. Those definitely going are my sons Paul, Jake, and Dan, Dan’s friend Spencer, and myself. That makes five so we have room for two more in the minivan. My wife is staying behind to help Sarah with Bryson. I have the gas budgeted and two rooms in Monticello taken care of. So there you go, most of the cost is taken care of but you will be expected to buy your own souvenirs. :)

The Details

You can get an idea of the tour by reading the posts from August and September. However there are changes that are reflected in the table below. We will visit 13 temples in 4 days, completing sessions in 11, and traveling 1,526 miles. As a bonus the Sullivan family have requested we take some of their family names with us. On checking the session times it was interesting to find that Provo and Vernal have Monday sessions. Monticello I had to call and they have sessions during the week at 10am, 12 noon, 5pm, and 7pm. What’s the deal here, do they take really long lunches? They also have no clothing rental or cafeteria so it can’t be that they are doing the laundry or cooking the food. I’m getting spoiled living by all these large temples. Anyway, it prompted Jake to go and acquire temple clothes of his own.

Utah Temples Tour
Date	Temples	Start	Finish	Miles	Map	Notes
Oct 11	3	Kaysville	Kaysville	154	Map
Oct 14	5	Kaysville	Kaysville	125	Map
Oct 15	3	Kaysville	Monticello	499	Map	Stay over
Oct 16	2	Monticello	Kaysville	748	Map

Thanksgiving In September

September 28, 2008 by rickety 2 Comments

Peeling the Potatoes

Daniel is leaving for the MTC in October and from there to Mongolia for two years. Jill decided to have a Thanksgiving meal for Daniel today because he won’t be with us in November. He’ll probably end up eating some unappetizing rickety meal on Thanksgiving Day.

My assignment in getting the meal ready was to peel the potatoes. Because I was in the Army my children naturally think that I should be good at peeling potatoes. It turns out that I am but I didn’t learn the skill from my time in the Army. My family in England ate a lot of potatoes and that is where I acquired my spud abilities. Anyway I got away light because I went to help with some church membership duties.

Thanksgiving Meal

Daniel’s married siblings and their spouses joined in the feast. In the photograph above we have (left to right) Sarah, who is due in a week, Derek, Steven, Adelaide, Paul, Jake, Daniel, Rick, and Jill. All four of Daniel’s siblings were present. The meal was really good and the turkey was just right. Later in the evening we had a choice of pumpkin pie or cheesecake for dessert. I mentioned to Sarah that now that we have had Thanksgiving we don’t need to celebrate in November. She said, “O no, this is just for practice.” I want to point out here that I always ask that the potatoes be left whole but every time someone brutally mashes them. What do my readers think. Mashed or unmashed?

We Will Miss Daniel

We will miss Daniel. He is always cheerful and runs like the wind. He carried a few trophies home from his track events to the delight of his parents. He was elected Student Body Officer and made this great video for his election campaign. He diligently attends to his priesthood duties. He went out and got himself a leadership scholarship at the University of Utah. This type of behavior is a favorite with me because it potentially saves me a lot of money. But most of all he will be missed because for the last five years he has done the dishes and mowed the lawn!