July 6, 1992

4th of July, 1992

The second of July and the cabin population so far is: Jim, Barbara (no Ashley, she is in London working at the “Leathern Bottle” as a waitperson (waitperson is the politically correct term I believe). She has been at Cambridge University for a year – No Joshua either, we left him at the M.T.C. to prepare for his mission to Ecuador, only two Aikens this time.

Uncle Rol and Auntie Nell. No Jim, he is still in Japan. However, the count-down on the second year began yesterday. Jennie, just back from a cultural exchange in Washington D.C. Jodi, reading her book (of course) and Jana helping her daddy put up an environmentally correct swing, a really major swing. Expected tonight late – The Bish and Trish, Dan & Matt, no Sarah, she is a wage slave at Lynn’s Market and cannot come. Jonathan, however, is coming down after work at Andelins – if there are no fines – we are looking to have a grand old time, many great meals are planned and a hike down in to the Park has old Uncle Jim quivering with anticipation.

Jim Aikens

4th July 1992 (July 2-6, 1992)

2nd Day. We just got back from an awesome hike down Echo Canyon to Weeping Rock. Rob & Trish left their truck at the bottom so we could get back today. We all went, even Barbara and Nellie and we all made it, although it took a number Motrin pills to ease all the pain. No injuries except Nellie’s butt is sore from a discreet landing, and Barbara’s ankle is a little sore from doing the “twist” partway down the switchbacks. I think the neatest part was going through “The Keyhole”, a deep, narrow, shadowed chasm just before the Hidden Canyon. We spent a lot of time there before the final descent into Weeping Rock.

Rob & Trish were kind enough to prepare a neat lunch with ice cold pop at the journey’s end. All in all a great day.

We made a new 30ft swing yesterday with an oak seat compliment of Jonathan. Later today we’ll start a major project to re-roof the main cabin, which was severely damaged by a storm this spring. It’ll be great to have all this help to get it done.

We have a little “skunk smell” in the little cabin and sprayed some de-skunker but its not helping much.

New things:
— Jon made a bug bird house which we brought.
— Nellie made new blue curtains and pillows for the big cabin. Aunt Kathy made red/white/blue pillows for the teen cabin.
— Uncle Jim donated a propane barbecue grill which we used last night for gourmet spaghetti.
— Nellie made a new quilt in sage green for the honeymoon cabin.
— Rope swing, even bigger than the last one.
— New 5 gallon shower
— New roof on main cabin

Roland Lee

Entertainment extravaganza.
We are all too tired from the hike to do anything so Uncle Rol and Robert with assistance from Jon, Matt & Dan played ukelele’s for hours. It was fun as we were invited to haronize on various choruses!
-Barbara Aikens

We arrived well after dark last evening and saw a sight by the “Fly-in-LD”. Which we will always remember. As we rounded the bend pastthe motocross course, we caught a glimpse of something moving in the road. It was tan and seemed to wriggle like a snake. As we passed the spot, we saw a full grown COUGAR pause before entering the weeds on the side of the road. He looked over his shoulder in total distain as we motored on up the highway. Although we have seen tracks in the area before, this is our first “Cat” sighting.
– Robert Eves

July 3rd 1992

This cabin trip has been really fun so far. We arrived yesterday afternoon. The Eves arrived last night. Dad (Roland) & I (Jana) made an awesome swing. Dad did most of it though. Matt, Dan & I have been having a good time on it. This morning we went on a hike to Weeping Rock. The hike was beautiful!!! When we got back we just lounged about. We still are. Matt & I went on a lizard hunt. We saw some didn’t catch any. I slept in the kids cabin for the first time in my life last night. It was fun. Never a dull moment! This cabin is rad. I wish I could just live here. Oh well! Good bye! Happy 4th tomorrow!
-Jana Lee

5 July 1992

I like the cabin because there are so many animals and I live nature. When at the cabin I always entertain myself by trying to trap and lure squirrels and chipmunks. This weekend I made a platform extending from the roof on which I put peanuts and corn chips, so that we could watch the chipmunks and squirrels at close range. It worked! And then I sneaked up on a squirrel who let me come within three feet of him before he noticed me. Then we fed him corn chips and watched him eat them up. I recently made a bird hotel for the cabin deck and a seat for out new swing
-Jon Lee

5 July 1992

Jimmy Britten taught us a new game called the “African Rock Game”. In Dad’s words “we have been playing it incessantly for the past 3 days!” It is quite fun though. We are having out championships right now. So tootaloo!
-Jana Lee

[ Picture – Jana Lee, Roland Lee, Christine Britten & Friend, Daniel Eves, playing “African Rock Game”]