Lots weather!

Trees in our front yard, from our 6 inch snow

It’s been quite the week.  There’s been snow many of the days with little to no accumulation.  Wednesday we got 3 inches, and it was wet snow instead of the usual powdery stuff.  It made for some rough roads.  We were indoors that night, but found out there were some bad accidents and they closed the by-pass.  Most of the roads that head out of town here have a barrier that can go down (similar to a railroad crossing guard) to close it off for bad weather.  It only happened once while we were here last year.  I think this year will be quite a different story.  Today, it started snowing about 2 pm and the prediction was up to 2 inches.  So far we have 6 inches.  We did have a teaching appointment this afternoon and just went anyway.  We’ve got to get our snow driving skills going.  It was only 1 1/2 inches then but gained an additional inch by the time we were done.  Glad to be home for the night.   

Our front yard

A good picture of showing the amount of snow

To finish up the weather report, the temperatures have been all over the place.  We’ve had days of up to 67 (yesterday) and tonight it will be a low of -4.  It’s currently 12 degrees and feels like -3.  So not sure what  -4 is going to feel like.  We’re super happy that there is no school tomorrow (Veteran’s Day) and thus no seminary.  I am sure it will be very very cold at 6:30 am.  

We try to take advantage of every day when the weather is sunny and above 45 degrees.  Grab them while we can.

Many of our plans changed during this week.  We had an appointment with the Smiths on Tuesday, but she got shingles and suggested we reschedule.  This is the 4th time she has had shingles.  We didn’t end up visiting them at all this week.  Very Sad.  Things should work out fine this week.  

We ended up going to Devil’s tower because the weather was going to be nice.  We went there the first time back in March.  It was supposed to be nice weather that day too.  We ended up in a blizzard. Things worked out much better this time.  It was a little chilly but sunny and beautiful.  On the way back, we saw a KOA campground and in the back were three TeePees.  I wonder if that is where you get to stay if you are Native American and want to camp there.  They were pretty cool looking.  I’m really glad we got to go and the weather stayed nice.

Devil's Tower

Our first good view/picture of a prairie dog.  Not a friend to ranchers

A falling down house where we found good wood for Walt to build a stable for our Nativity

Beautiful Sunset on the way home

The teepees

During our service at the Senior Center Lunch, Walt and I got to be in charge of cleaning up the kitchen.  We usually take care of the dining area, but Keisha and her niece wanted that job instead.  It’s a lot easier and more socialization.  We did our best and I think it turned out fine.  Walt worked the hardest.  He scrubbed all the pans.  That’s a tough job when there is chicken fried steak served.  Then he ended up mopping as well.  Bless his heart.  I think we’re glad we only volunteer once a week.  The center does love us coming and helping out.

Thursday was our weekly trip to Gillette for District Council.  We usually run a few errands while we are there since they have way more stores than Newcastle.  It usually takes the majority of the day for that. 

These trees are white because of frozen fog.

At Dollar Tree - Walt wanted me to try on the antlers

 Friday was very nice weather.  Not as nice as Saturday, but pretty decent.  We decided to take a little walk in the neighborhood.  We found out there is a huge cemetery at the corner.  It might be the only one in town.  It might sound creepy, but I like to walk around and read the headstones.  It’s always sad to see ones for a child; especially the young ones.  At this cemetery there are plaques about well know people in the community’s history; about their contributions to the town and their lives.  I also saw a little stone plaque on one grave that I really loved.  Then we realized we were across from the Anna Miller Museum.  She is a local woman that loved history and preserving it.  There is a lot of history from this area and artifacts.  We’d love to go back.  So our little walk ended up lasting 3 hours.  Great exercise.

This is the stone I liked at the cemetery.  It is so true.

Leading the music in Seminary.  An especially good turn out for our class that early.

Since they weren't at a table, I gave them little orange chairs for their hot chocolate and notebooks.  We're doing Doctrinal Mastery scriptures that day.

One of the rooms at the Anna Miller Museum

That evening we had an appointment with Sis Dumbrill.  She is 92 yrs old and lives in the house directly up the hill from us.  She is so smart, accomplished and sweet.  She got her masters degree in Math from the University of Wyoming.  That is something for that era - the 1940’s.  She has been gone most of the summer and we needed to catch up.  She is the one with the player piano.  It was a delightful visit.  I brought some cookies (she had some as well), we set up her nativity, played on the player piano and sang some Christmas songs, and just had fun talking.  It’s nice to have her back.  Over the summer, I read some books about this area and she was mentioned in three of them.  One was written by her uncle-in-law, about this experience homesteading in Wyoming.  Sis Dumbrill’s family still owns that ranch.  

Sis Dumbrill's nativity.  She made it herself many years ago

Saturday was the best day - weather wise.  We try to look ahead at weather to plan things.  I had an order to pick up from Kohls.  Rapid City SD is the closest.  Along the way, we stopped at Hell’s Canyon.  In 2000, there was the biggest fire in the history of the Black Hills there.  It burned 85,000 acres.  Planned burns in forest areas are healthy for the forest.  They burn shorter and not as hot, and therefore, the forest grows back quicker.  This fire burned for 16 days.  You can still see the scarring and emptiness.  There are pretty rocks there and a trail.  We stopped to check it out and it didn’t take long for me to realize Walt would want to climb to the top.  I walked the trail a bit; which was pretty muddy.  It’s that “Snow or Mud” season.  Then I just waited in the car and worked on my talk for Sunday.  He had a wonderful time.  I call him my mountain goat.  

Hell's canyon from the very top of the rocks

Rocks that Walt climbed at Hell's canyon

View from the bottom.  Walt is in the middle somewhere

After Kohls, and a thrift shop stop, we had dinner at the Olive Garden.  Walt can’t resist.  Then we headed home.  I hate that it gets dark so early now.  Driving around here at night can be sketchy with the wildlife.  We made it home just fine.

  

Emma had sent us a picture with this sloth at her Kohls.  We saw it and thought we'd do the same and send it to her.

Sunday was an interesting day.  Gary was supposed to be coming to church.  I lined up the Smith kids to ride with me since I’m not supposed to ride with the opposite sex alone.  5 minutes before I got there, Gary called to say he wasn’t coming.  At least the trip to Upton wasn’t in vain, since I was picking up the Smith kids anyway.  I had the assignment to speak in Sacrament meeting and my talk went quite well.   Since we would be going to the Smith’s, we just waited for Walt to be done and all go together to take the kids home.  I did run home after church and get some sandwich fixings so the children wouldn’t starve.  

Drive home from Upton on Sunday.

Snow was coming around 2 pm in Newcastle.  Upton usually gets snow before we do and in larger quantities.  It was already snowing by the time we got to Upton, and had been for a while.  They had about an inch already.  Our visit was short, and didn’t get to see Renee.  She was napping.  By the time we got home, the snow had started at our place.  I checked many times, and they were only calling for up to 2 inches.  I grabbed a quick nap, and then we were off to teach at 4 pm.  The roads weren’t too bad.  We’re getting pretty good at snow driving.   This family got 2 new kittens several days ago.  I guess they are maybe 6 weeks old.  They love climbing the Christmas tree that is in progress of getting set up.  They are adorable.  Although one loves to just jump at you with all her claws out, and they are sharp.  We might have some war wounds on our ankles.

New kitten for the family we teach.  Salt - loves to climb the Christmas tree

We take turn entertaining the children while teachings.  Walt brought home a souvenir sticker

That’s it for now.  It was a slow week.  It never is dull but some weeks are slower than others; especially when plans change at the last minute.  We are missing our family more and more with the approaching holidays.  We would love some cards or letters.  It doesn’t have to be lengthy.  Any and all of you are welcome to join in.!!!

Wild turkeys are everywhere here - at least for now

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