SWIM BIKE and RUN

Last Saturday was a first for our family..........Michone and Ashley did a youth only triathlon! Tara and I were so proud of them! It was split into 3 age groups. Michone did a 100 yard swim, a 3 mile bike ride and a 1.5 mile run. Ashley did a 75 yard swim, 1.5 mile bike ride and a 1 mile run. There were approximately 180 children participants. It was an untimed event but we are sure that both of our daughters were #1.

After they are finished - I love how Michone "encourages" Ashley to hold up her hand.

This is the pond they swam across. Michone's age group is to the right and Ashley's is to the left. They swam across this and came out just to the bottom left of the photo.

Michone getting ready to start her swim. They only let 10 swimmers go at a time to make sure there was enough adults to adequately watch them. Once all ten were out the adults would swim back and start the next ten.

Michone in the water - she is the one with the yellow cap.

Michone does not like this picture but I think it shows beautiful form.

Michone in transition. Unfortunately, we did not get any more pictures of Michone as Tara and I were a little excited. Actually, not too long after this picture was taken, the announcer on the loud speaker (who had been reminding parents to keep track of their children and keep them out of the water) reported that a little boy had been lost. He had a grey Florida t-shirt with Mickey Mouse on it. Yep - that was Ryan. The announcer also moonlights as a dentist who I go to. I wonder if he will ask me next time if we still have all our children.

Here is Ashley doing the backstroke. She was a great swimmer and the first one out of the water for her group. She did the first 30 yards or so in a breaststroke and then flipped to a back stroke.

Ashley coming out of the water.

Ashley in transition to the bike.

Start of the bike ride.
The event was held at River Rock Estates which is a development with a nice road and pond but not much else. This was a great place to hold it as there were no cars and it was safe for the children.

Ashley coming in. She was borrowing a neighbors bike and was not familiar with it - particularily the hand brakes. Shortly after this picture she needed to stop. She tried to reverse her legs and to her surprise she did not slow down. I was able to catch her right before she plowed into some parked bikes.

Ashley nearing the end of the run.

Ashley about finishing. She passed the two in front of her. There is also a Dad cheering her on!

A great finish!

Kalli, Landon, Ashley and Michone after it was done.

Tara's Dream Fulfilled

Ever since Tara was a child, she has wanted to go to Nebraska. On our way to Martin's Cove after leaving Mt. Rushmore, we were able to dip down and hit the corner of this most beautiful state. Tara said it was worth the wait and definitely better than what she had heard about the state. Granted, we only hit one small part, but it was quite pretty.

Our Future "Cabin"

We stayed in Casper Wyoming before going to Martin's Cove. We stayed at a place called "C'mon Inn". I was a little leary but it looked nice so we tried it. From the pictures below you can tell it was very nice. Tara and I like log work so it was neat to see the inside of this place. It appeared to be all hand peeled. There were several small hot tubs and we had a great time. Plus, the continental breakfast was nice. So, we recommend the "C'mon Inn" if you get the chance.

This is the swimming pool.


And one of the hot tubs.

In the middle there was this neat looking waterfall with a black bear on top. I think they had a mountain lion on the other side. There were 4 hot tubs around this.

This is looking from the middle (right above the waterfall and bear). It was a very nice place. The bedrooms were nice as well with flat screen tvs and pillowtop mattresses. It was a neat place to spend our last night. The next day we went to Martin's cove and then drove home that night.

Martin's Cove

by Clark Kelly Price

On our way back from South Dakota, we decided to go to Martin's Cove. The road follows and crosses the Oregon and Mormon trail for several miles. It was a neat experience for me to see the country these people went through. The painting above is in stark contrast to the warm temperatures that we felt in the middle of July. But the country is rough and rocky and it is easy to imagine how it could turn into such a brutal nightmare! This is a place you should visit if the opportunity arises. (Ashley's comments in italics)


This is "Rattlesnake Pass", located just a few miles from Martin's Cove near Devils Gate. The pioneers crossed right through this little pass.

Three cute pioneers!


The actual site of Martin's Cove is owned by the BLM and is a few miles from the Church owned property where you park. We were able to get a covered handcart and start our walk to Martin's Cove.
boys pushing so hard

After a mile or so you leave the handcart and enter BLM ground. Here is a sign indicating we are at the lower cove (there were two main areas where they holed up to wait out the storm).
lucky Landon!



This is the main cove . It was not fun crosing it!

It was very hot!

Some missionaries were at this spot and would tell you stories if you requested it. The area behind us and to the left is where most of the immigrants were.

Some antelope we saw while on BLM ground.

After leaving BLM ground you can go the long way back which requires crossing the Sweetwater River - either by bridge or wading. This was enjoyable in 80 degrees but would be about unthinkable if it were freezing and you were doing it on a piece of bread a day!

Tara was not sure but thought this could have been a relative.

On our way back.




The Cove is about a mile back behind Tara's head.

looking for.......

Dinner!

The immigrants first tried to hole up in an old fort. But most people were left out on the windswept praire so they had to move to the cove for protection.

The fort later burned down and has been rebuilt to scale.

"We did not do it"


ewww....gross!

These last two are inside the fort and commemorate those from the rescue parties who stayed through the winter at the fort to guard the provisions left behind. It was a misserable winter!!

Berlin Germany

This post is for you Emily and Justin. We have not yet made it to Germany, but at least we got to see part of the Berlin Wall. (Tara says this is her way to travel). I do not for sure why, but there was a park in Rapid City that had two sections of the actual Berlin wall, along with two "tank traps". Here are a few pictures of that area. Some of the stories accompanying the pictures are very humbling. Freedom should not be taken for granted!