Melon tours California Desert

Hundreds of commercial aircraft litter the California desert. If they don't fly they don't need parts. Do you see the pink flower among the desert sunflowers?

Melon worshipping before Red Cathedral in Golden Canyon

In the Devil's Cornfield we actually found...

This is nice to know but would be even nicer to know if the sea were close by!

March 19 birthdays

The following March 19 story involves these two ladies (and Grandpa and Dad too).On March 19, 1945 my Grandmother Dalton --later Luke made her "Great" -- gave birth to Uncle Steve. He is pictured below on the left eyeing what looks to be some sort of cigarette (probably not). Sorry I don't have a more timely photo -- I'm sure at the time he looked more like the infant that Alison is holding (his?)...Then in 1952 mom married dad. Mom tells the story that while celebrating the 8th birthday of Uncle Steve and on March 19, 1953 she had to leave Steve's 8th birthday cake uneaten in order to go to the hospital and have Jeff, her firstborn. He is pictured below (the one with the glasses). Again, the photo is somewhat postpartum.

Fast forward two years to March 19, 1955. Uncle Steve is having another birthday party at Grandma's house celebrating his 10th birthday, and, of course, Jeff is having his 2nd birthday party when mom has to leave the cakes (again) to go let Linc out (he likes cake). Sorry once again for the late photo -- he didn't have a hat in 55'.

On March 19, 1957 she stayed for all three cakes and did not have another baby (on that day). Happy birthdays boys!

Work Work Work

It was the United Way Dixie Mini Indy Fund Raiser Again this past week. Wencor put another team together and it was exhausting as usual. Here some of us are working at the Samurai 21. Since budgets are tight we recycled one of our old kart bodies from a couple of years ago and threw it in the back of my truck...

Since it was a little dinged up from racing two years ago, we did some rubbing and touching up with candy apple red finger nail polish...

We forwent new uniforms in favor of Wencor tees from the warehouse to dress up the team -- Nate, Ted, Dustin, Chris, and Greg...

The event still attracted close to 40 teams (that's my Wencor Wave on candy apple red with subtle flames)...

We tore up the pit stops (changing tire and driver) on our way to another Winston Cup first place finish!

Pulling some maintenance between heat races...

We were very surprised that our car took 2nd place for best paint job. It hadn't even done that 2 years ago. But, it deserved it. I layed out the scheme and Troy's Custom did the painting.

A Weekend at Melon's

Clint brought his girlfriend -- Cassi (sp?) -- for a tour of Utah's Dixie this past weekend. I think the original intent was Dan Dalton's homecoming. Cassi had not spent any time in So. Utah so after visiting on Friday we set out Saturday for some hiking in the popcorn lava, among the creosote, sage, prickley pear, and red rock. We re-discoverd Johnson's Arch and discovered the Scout Cave. We also checked out the sights, as you can see...

But, the open house at the Bloomington Hill's Daltons was the highlight of the day. Some of Linc's "obreros" grilled up "carne asado, pollo al limon, tamales, tortillas de maiz" and more! And a good time was had by all.
Here's a shot of the returned Dan Dalton from Leon, Mexico with his cousin Clint. On Sunday Dan Dalton spoke. From Melon's journal...

Sunday we arose earlier than usual to head down to hear Dan Dalton give his homecoming talk. He did well. This naturally reserved and introspective missionary gave a talk on service using his own experiences with this virtue. Most poignant was a story he told of a visit he and his companion made to a humble home. While conversing, the man of the house disappeared without explanation only to return with a small tin in hand. This thoughtful man opened the tin only to reveal a brush and some shoe wax. He then proceeded to clean and polish the Elder’s shoes. Dan explained that it was difficult to proceed with the discussion and the room fell into silence. As Dan tried to continue teaching, all he could think of was The Lord washing his disciple’s feet – it was difficult not to be moved by Dan’s words.