MissionUtah.org » Home Page

This will be the last post from Logan, Utah. We're packing up to return to Pennsylvania already. The time has gone by fast. We accomplished alot while we've been here. We've met some great folks, got reaquainted with folks we haven't seen for awhile and got to experience retirement.

It's different planning a meal for two. We took most of our breakfast and lunch meals on the porch. Evening meals were inside only because it was still in the 90's at dinner time. Plenty of sun, plenty. I've got the back yard looking good. The remaining three fish are happy I think. So our chores have gone well. I bought a 63 Chevy Pickup which will stay here in Utah until we return.

I made contact with the director of Mission Utah. Feel free to checkout their web link.

MissionUtah.org » Home Page

I'm not sure we'll be able to get all our stuff in the Jeep. We may end up shipping a box home.

We're going home by way of Montrose Colorado to see college friends. Thanks for tuning in this summer, it's been fun and we appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

If we get a chance to write on the road we will.

Signing off from Logan

Rob and Deb

The Heat is Off

Hello everyone,

It has been one hot summer here in Logan, Utah. When the temperature approaches 100 we tend to plan our outdoor activites in the morning or late evening. We finally had a pretty good rain last week. First rain in over a month.

Deb finished her class and my history class finished up last week. We've been enjoying the access to campus and the library. I've been doing a lot of family research and formulating a plan for writing about my life. One of the courses I took this summer is memoir writing which was a great class. Good writing, I've found is not easy. On Friday August 3, 2007, I recorded my life review for

Story Corp and NPR. That was fun, if not brief.

The truck in the picture is "Rusty" my new 63 Chevy pickup. I'm having trouble getting it to pass a safety inspection, surprise. But it's a fun project.

The other two images are of a fire which was nearby. I tried to catch the aerial retardant drop which is the red to the right of the fire. We could watch that from our back porch.

The other image is of Teton Dam which collapsed June 5, 1976. That was the day I graduated from Utah State and was supposed to begin a career as an industrial forester in the town of Rexburg which is about 8 miles from the dam. So this event changed my life's course from forestry to air traffic. Amazing isn't it. The river is flowing through the part of the dam that collapsed. There are dramatic images online if you google it.

Deb and I visited a place called Utah House which is part of USU extension. It is an environmentally friendly house with landscaping which requires very little water. We really enjoyed it.

Roasting in Zion

Hello All,

We are still in Logan, Utah setting temperature and lack of moisture records.

Last Sunday afternoon we spent most of the day down at the property in Avon. We got to meet the couple who are building across from us. She is from Logan and he is from long Island and retired from Verizon (It was probably Bell Tell when he started.)

The mule deer in the picture was grazing not far from our land. The couple across the way said they have deer and turkey in the yard all the time. They've seen mountain lion tracks around their house. Oh Boy, Big Cats. The picture with Deb and I is at Tony Grove which is above 8000 feet and an alpine lake. The wild flowers were just beautiful. Quite a difference from the burnt valley floor .

We have been going to church regularly at First Presbyterian in Logan. The church owns a cute little bugalow next door and the church is fixing it up to use as an office and fellowship center.

Deb and I were down there today scraping and painting. Today is Pioneer Day which is a state holiday in Utah. The Days of '47 celebrate the mormon settlement of Utah. State and local offices were closed and most communites had some celebratory function going on today. We had breakfast at the local park.

There was a fire started by lightning yesterday down by our property. The Forest Service called in a tanker and helicopter to help battle the blaze. Some people were evacuated. By this morning things were pretty quiet. for those curiosity seekers, if you type www.nifc.gov you should be directed to a website that tracks everything that has to do with fighting wildfires, names, types, fire behavior,acreage, smokejumpers,aircraft,percent contained, well you get the drift.

I had the pleasure of working in the Fine Arts Center up on campus after an absence of 31 years. I was learning about light sets and programming the light board. It was fun. I worked there when I attended Utah State.

Finally, the internet at home

Well, it finally happened, we got Internet here. OMV Audio, Utah Division is open for business.

Monday-Friday I will be attending one of my classes on Memoir Writing. I've had to do some reading in preparation for the class. Most of you reading this blog are safe from any appearances in my writing. I'll focus on the early years.

I did finalize our first disk so I'm anxious to show you some pictures. The first 2 pictures are the house where we're staying. The back yard is about 2 acres of pasture which I have to mow.

The VP's are in the next picture seen here in the house Isaac and Jessica will be living in the Fall. The next is one of thousands of barns in Iowa. The lift is used for various grains which are stored in the barn. The last picture is a new friend we made in Wyoming.

Thanks for tuning in. There is a lot going on this week. I'll keep you posted.

We're Not Burning

Hello from Logan, Utah. Yes there is a large chunk of Utah burning and it's terribly hot here but Logan is secure for now. We've been without rain for 37 days thus far. The forecast is for the same, mid nineties no rain.
I've been busy on campus, at the library, fine arts center and Mountain West Center. I'm taking a class on memoir writing which begins next week and have a lot of reading to do in preparation.
I visited the fine arts center where I did work study back in the 70's. Corporately, I have an assignment to learn about theatrical lighting sets. I made contact with the FAC manager and Technical Director and will be helping to setup for the Bellamy Brothers coming 7/27.
The Mountain West Center is an interesting place. The director is Elaine Thatcher whom I have corresponded with in the past as it concerns personal histories. As many know I have an interest in personal histories. For those of you who are friends and family she encouraged me to do an interview with Herb... soon. So I will do that when I get back east.
We are keeping in touch with our girls via phone and emails. Thanks to those who are keeping an eye out.

Debbie went quilt shopping today with one of the gals from church and the pastor's wife. She had a nice time and good fellowship. The pastor and family just relocated from Long Branch NJ in March.

I just tried to access my camera images and can't until I finalize so I'll finish this disk over the weekend and have pictures on the blog next week.

Easy Does IT

We are retired, I have to keep reciting this. We arrived in Logan on Tuesday afternoon. By Tuesday night I had jumped on the riding mower and started mowing the 2 acres of pasture out back.

It has been very hot here, 100 degrees and so our activities are predicated on inside or outside.

If they are outside, morning is the only time.

We worshipped at First Presbyterian Church PC/USA yesterday. It was warm even at 8:45 AM. The choice of churches is limited here in the valley. First Pres has a male pastor and preached on Luke 10 yesterday. After church Deb and I took a picnic lunch up to an alpine lake about 45 minutes from the house.

I will blog more frequently after Thursday. We do not have Internet at the house yet but should by Thursday. We'll start posting pictures also. Just hard to cart everything up to the library on campus. Mike and Linda Hooks are coming out for a visit Aug2-8. If anyone else we know would like to visit please feel free. We have a lot of room and welcome your company.

Logan, Utah

We have arrived at our destination. Sunny, 90 degrees. Looks like that's the weather forcast for the next week. I'll try to get some pictures up later in the week.
Deb did most of the driving, she enjoys driving so ...
House is very nice. We're about 5 blocks from main campus. 5 bedroom and the property is about 2 acres. We'll sit out in the back yard tonight and watch the fireworks being held at the football stadium.
There was a 3 page in-briefing from the owner about what to do about chores etc. The gardener will handle the irrigation and weeds.
I'm trying to get internet service at the house. Right now I have to use the library's computer.
We drove past Bear Lake and through the Logan Canyon. It is a beautiful ride. Always liked Logan Canyon. Lot's of memories.
Have a great 4th. We'll be back on Thursday.

Mountian Time Zone

We're in Rawlings, WY tonight. The drive from VP's was much more enjoyable with Deb driving and XM radio. We drove about 750 miles today. We're going to be able to drive to our destination Tuesday. We need to research the forest fire location in Utah. We were caught in a forest fire a few years ago in Northern California. It was pretty disruptive to our travel plans.

The high temperature today was 101 degrees. There are alot of wind mills out here. Lot's of wind.

Heart of America

Good evening from historic Fort Dodge Iowa. We drove 794 miles today. We're about 160 miles from the VP's. We're planning on attending worship with them in the morning. Iowa is beautiful with the farms and corn, lots of corn. The air is clean and the skies are blue today. I was hoping to capture an image. I started reading my assignment book for the classes I'll be taking next month: Memoir writing.

We're Heading West

Today we leave for points West.

Westward Ho!

One day to go and I'm still clearing off my desk of things that need to get done. The pile is getting smaller. I should have time to pack tommorrow. It's hard deciding what to take when you're the office manager and you're moving the office in order to conduct business.

The image I chose is from our mission trip to Colorado in 2000. One of the classes I'm taking this summer is memoir writing. Should be interesting. For those who are our prayer partners please remember us. We do have serious decisions to make on this trip and can use your support.

Wrapping Up

Well, we 're leaving on vacation soon Lord Willing and there's a ton of stuff to do. I find myself making lists to try to capture everything we need to do before we depart.
I'm on horse duty this week while Chrissy and Dave are on their honeymoon. The boys are fine but Max Factor is a pig when it comes to food. I have to shoo him away so Lassaro can eat.
Well, can't stay long gotta keep moving so I can get everything done including emailing Michelle so everyone knows hoe to keep track of us.

Getting Ready

Well Christa and Dave's wedding has past and was a lot of fun. It was held on the
Dave Anderson farm 377 Echo Valley Rd, New Galilee, PA June 22,2007 at 6PM.
Now Deb and I must get ready for our sabbatical in Logan, Utah. There is much to be done so I'll end here.