30 June 2004
This is Elder and Sister Lee (Nellie and Roland) back from our 18 month mission to Central California. We loved our mission but we dreamed almost daily about coming once again to this lovely oasis. Our memories must be dimming, because it is not just lovely, it is fabulous! The weather has been ideal and the flying creatures have been minimal. As we arrived yesterday the sky was turbulent with soaring thundercloud and we unloaded the truck to a delightful and refreshing rainstorm. The air stayed cool and breezy into the evening and we enjoyed a big bright moon to light our way to the potty before bed. It just doesn’t get any better than this.
We appreciate all those who have taken care of the cabin, and we enjoyed reading all the journal entries. The only thing more fun than enjoying the cabin ourselves is to know that others love it too! Special thanks to Uncle Jim for his copious and loquatious essays in his cabin exploits. However, I think his comments on “toxic pee”, “foraging for faggots” and tales of grizzly bears and mountain lions may be the products of an aging (70??) mind – or maybe just too much Cerveza. I’m quite old myself and have been visiting the cabin for years and have NEVER seen a bear, or a mountain lion. However, I have been stuck in the snow and mud a few times. That part is true!
The cabins are in wonderful shape. Just a few major projects remain such as finishing the stair rails in the “kids cabin”. By the way, Nellie and I had new signs made for all the cabins which we installed last night. Since we no longer have teens, we renamed the teen cabin “The Kids Cabin”.
We also repaired both outhouse doors – one of which had blown off its hinges. I don’t know if it was the winter wind or the result of Uncle Jim’s chili! Anyway, it’s good to go! Jim Lee had framed up some topo maps and an aerial photo of the Ponderosa, which are now hung in the main cabin. You will also find a new “sky chair” hanging under the Pinion Tree at the main cabin. That is also a delightful and relaxing gift from Jimmie. We repaired the old picnic table and re-stacked the rocks around Jodi and Kyle’s firepit. Nellie raked and swept everywhere and cleaned up all the cabins. We’re hoping our kids will come back with us this weekend for the 4th of July. I think last year on our mission was the first 4th of July in many years that we didn’t spend at the cabin.
A few notes on flora and fauna. We have lots of wildflowers all over. We were pleased to even see some poppies which were the result of seeds we scattered before our mission. The scrub oaks look lush and green, but the Ponderosas seem a little anemic. The pesky squirrel is still trying to get in for a treat. We know why, now that we find that Uncle Jim leaves a cube of butter and chips sitting on the table when he leaves. Duh! Lots of lizards, but no snakes. No bear or lions (of course) either…and no bear tracks! So LuAnne and Jennie can come back now. There was a small lightning fire yesterday in Jolley’s Gulch. We reported it at the lodge but they had already called it in. Well, Nellie is reading, reading, reading and I’m dozing off. So till next time…
Nellie & Roland