Joy and Tom Olson

Panama Canal

2010-04-15T11:51:00.001-07:00

We are arriving with our friends Karen and Kent Hugh and we are anxious and ready for a fun time on the Celebrity Constellation Cruise ship. Our destination is the Panama Canal with a few stops on the way to view the beautiful countryside of Mexico, Costa Rica, and Columbia.

Cabo San Lucas has some interesting beaches. The problem was the language. Even though our guides spoke English they were difficult to understand, but the water is blue, the fish are exquisite, and the food and water was to be avoided.

Beautiful Acapulco is crowded with tourist. We happened to visit during the Easter Holiday when many of the Mexican people leave their homes and run to the beaches. Of course, our interest was watching the cliff divers and we weren't disappointed. They are brave and fearless! The youngest was 15 and there was even one girl diving. They are organized into a union believe it or not. The actress Hedy Lamar organized the divers way back when she was famous and lived in Acapulco. There has never been a death, but some broken ribs and arms have happened to the divers. You'd never catch me jumping from their high cliff, but our Lake Powell jumpers where just as impressive and maybe just as high!

After the divers we were treated to their local dancing. It was nothing like Dancing with the Stars, but still beautiful and even mesmerizing.

Our arrival at Huatulco, Mexico was smooth as silk. We encountered one day of rough water when Joy's stomach could have used a calming potion. None of the rest of our foursome needed anything but the rich food which was all over the ship. Our French chef was superior with the dessert, excellent with the meats, and the vegetables and fruits were glamorous. We ate until we couldn't eat anymore. There is a profound pleasure associated with well prepared food.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Again we were warned not to drink the water and eat their food. This jungle river was ugly with mud, but the trees were fantastic.

The alligators were quiet and we didn't get close enough to cause them to become active. We just wanted a quick look.

As were were entering the Panama Canal we could see the Latter-day Saint temple high on the hill. It was 6:00 in the morning and still dark, but the lights on the temple were visible until about 6:30. Awesome!

There is work in progress for new, bigger, wider, locks to be completed in 2014. The 100 year celebration of the completion of the Panama Canal. 1914.

Scenes from the area; the countryside and the dam.

The 'mule' railroad car is attached by cables and pulls the ships through the locks.

The blue water is being transferred past the 'gate' by gravity and looks murky. When it fills to the top of the gate it will swing open and let a ship pass through. Really amazing!

This huge lock (gate) is about to open.

Container ships were also going through the canal.

This cargo ship is going through the lock at our side. The locks are designed for two ships to pass through at the same time. Spectacular!

Leaving the Panama Canal with the lush countryside!

Cartagena, Columbia was our last port to visit. The modern city is where the big money is, but there are poverty areas as well. The street vendors were everywhere and obnoxious.

I ran to this colorful native for a quick camara shot of her unique heardress filled with fresh fruit. She then insisted we pay $2.00 for taking her picture. I wonder if we could make a living doing something similar in America?

Cartagena, Columbia which is surrounded by a ring of massive fortress walls built by the Spanish starting in 1586. View from the enormous Fortress of San Felipe.

The approximate 150 years of the Spanish Inquisition spread to this area as well. Torture was done in many horrible ways until the victim would confess their disbelief in other religions or die. The sad thing is after a confession the victim was killed anyway. These pictures and information was included only because of our interest in how widespread and cruel the Inquisition was.

Local color

Shops full of emeralds were enticing and because this precious gem is Joy's birthstone a tiny beautiful ring was purchased.

Family Party

2009-10-13T14:55:00.001-07:00

Thanks again to Camille for being the gracious host of the family gathering. Her home affords us lots of room for visiting, eating, and watching football games. Mike favors Alabama while Tom's allegiance is BYU. The bantering is healthy especially if both teams win.

Connor was the reason for the party. He was to receive the Aaronic Priesthood the next day and asked Grandpa Tom to ordain him. This was a choice blessing for us to be there. Thanks for the invitation.

Heather is having to be a nursemaid to Ryan.

He looks happy about it.

He has a badly injured knee and still smiles

even though the pain is full of barbs.

Heather and Jase will be taking care of Ryan.

The surgery to repair the torn parts will be very soon

and then Ryan's smile will be genuine.

Lincoln found some interesting equipment for the night

and surprised everyone. It is always a treat to visit with the firefighter,Clayton.

He is having some interesting experiences.

Morgan is enjoying her first year of high school.

Wow! Where has the time gone? She is all grown up.

Daxton is a darling baby, sweet, and seldom cries.

He already sleeps through the night.

He's contented and cares very little about who holds him

until he gets hungry. Everyone smothered him with kisses and hugs.

What is there about a new baby that makes grownups so silly?

He is our newest family member

and we are also celebrating his name and blessing day.

Two wonderful events happening the same Sunday.

Melynda is happy her baby boy is healthy and happy

and shares him with everyone, especially her sister, McKensie.

Pauli now has three grandsons.

We would welcome a little baby girl at any time

if one of these young gals would make it their goal for the coming year.

The noise level is pretty high when all the boys get together.

Steve is always helpful especially when the little people need a hug.

Adam and Mason are interested in the pumpkins and orange lights. What a wonderful party!

2009-09-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

How do we look for being old? We have a few extra pounds that we keep thinking will melt away because we are working out and eating less, but the fat just keeps clinging on. The wrinkles aren't to visable in the picture, thank goodness, and our thinning hair, well, we try to avoid that. We thought we would be the oldest looking couple at our 50th Class Reunion, but we looked like everyone else. We were in our comfort zone.

If you look closely at Tom you can see he has shingles on his right cheek. The pain is terrible, the redness persists, but the blisters are gone and the swelling has almost disappeared. He is a fighter and for this past five weeks he has been quietly battling this cursed afliction. How long will it continue? Who knows? Treatments have helped some, but it just won't go away! We've been homebound and are anxious to get back to enjoying life.

2009-09-07T08:51:00.000-07:00

Everyone should go to their 50th Class Reunion. Such a treat to renew friendships and hear about everyone's success with vocations and family. Thank goodness for name tags, there were changes in our faces, bodies, thinning hair and color, but what fun and what beautiful people. Thanks to the committee for a perfect job! Can't hardly wait for those precious pictures to show up.

Living in St. George has afforded us opportunities to enjoy the magnificent creations of nature. Which season is the most beautiful? Hard to decided!

Revolutionary War Sites and more

2009-06-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

We spent a relaxing week with out friends, Kent & Karen Hugh. The places we visited added to our memories of exciting travel sites from the past. Our American heritage is interesting and should be visited often. Our thanks goes to Kent for being our guide and getting us everywhere we wanted to go. He was our map specialist and directed our paths. We spent some of our evenings just relaxing with some popcorn and a game of cards. There was a pool, hot tub, and sauna just down the path so we dawned our suits and spent a few minutes in the water. We aren't bathing beauties anymore and there might even have been a snicker or two from others around the pool, but who cares? When you're on vacation you need to do what you want, eat all you can, sleep little, and enjoy the trip, which we did. We even took a trip down the Alpine Slide which is a challenge for old ladies.

Yes, we visited Lake Placid. If snow had blanketed the area we could have gotten the nostalgic feelings that surround the Winter Olympics, but there was still plenty to peek our imaginations even without snow.

Lake George, what a beautiful city and of course the lake was the real treat. Everyday we ate ice cream to go with the mood. It was overcast and rained on a few days, but we weren't cold. Shorts and a jacket were quite enough.

TICONDEROGA

In the background Fort Ticonderoga can be seen.

Here we are entering this awesome place where the French, the British, and the new United States fought for possession. It was a strategic inlet and all owners lost many men, but if you could keep possession of it you had a definite advantage in the battle.

These cannons were heavy and moving them required many men.

The men lived pretty primitive even though they had a roof overhead.

The cannons were every few feet around the top of the Fort.

Ready? Fire!

A gorgeous old stone house close to the Fort.

Kent & Tom are standing on the French fighting field. A long trench is still visible, but now it is covered with grass. You can almost visualize the men in their colorful uniforms nervously waiting for the enemy to approach. Awesome place!

HANCOCK SHAKER VILLAGE

The Shaker's no longer have members. Their belief in celibacy has made their faith extinct. Converts were needed to keep their organization going, but it just didn't happen. Without a family unit and children how can a religion grow? The men and women were to stay three feet apart at all times and never be alone. In the beginning it worked, but their ending story is rather sad.

Have you ever seen a round barn?
The inside stalls for the animals are round too. Interesting!

The Quarkers used every modern technology available, but this is a machine shop using water to power the machines.

WESTPOINT

This cannon shot is heard each morning and every evening. It is close to the cadet's quarters and not far from the parade grounds.

The cadets are drilling, practicing, or exercising for physical fitness and it is raining. No one seems to care that the weather is bad. Thunder caused us to hurry to the tour bus, but the Army wasn't giving any attention to the weather.

Way to go cadets!

Westpoint is huge. Can you imagine feeding 4,000 cadets at the same time? It is an amazing place and made us proud of our American patriots like George Washington, General Patton, & President Eisenhower who walked these grounds and learned how to defend our country. The Army has our respect and admiration.

The entrance to Westpoint Visitor's Center.
Fenced for security and a tank for ambiance!

NORMAN ROCKWELL

As we looked at his art the stories unfolded and we were amazed at his dedication and talent! He had a wonderful sense of humor and life in his art was exciting and even sad at times. His detailed pictures were the cover page for The Saturday Evening Post, Boys Life, and other magazines.

Our vacation with Karen & Kent Hugh was a time to renew our friendship and enjoy the time together. We have known each other for several years, but employment took the Hughs to Cedar City while we remained in Price. Many years with just Christmas cards exchanged has kept us in touch. This trip was a wonderful opportunity for long visits, good laughs, and story telling of our pasts. We loved it!

Thanksgiving Holiday 2008

2009-03-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

How wonderful to have the entire family be together. Ryan, Jonna, Darin, Pauli, and Camille surrounding us. We are in a secluded camping area just as the sun is setting.

Family Thanksgiving Party at Sante Fe in St. George

2009-03-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

There were 32 of us. WOW! What a gathering. We didn't run out of food either. Danielle decorated the cute tables and we enjoyed the delicious food. We missed the homemade rolls though. Maybe next time!

2009-03-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

Kyle, Tana, Jonna, Brandon. How much fun is it to be together and enjoy talking, laughing and playing. Tana and Eric arrived by air late on Wed. Yeah! We would have missed them. Kyle just made it back from boot camp. We appreciated the Army getting finished with his initial training in time for our family gathering.

2009-03-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

Danielle and Jonna, mother and daughter enjoying a moment to visit.

2009-03-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Danielle, Pauli, and Joy doing a bit of cleaning up. We are full and happy.

2009-03-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

Some of us had fun playing pool. Brayden wanted to play, but Grandma said, "no way!"

2009-03-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

Ryan was a good sport and went swimming with Brayden and Cooper. Mitch and Connor were there to cause water fights with the noodles until they got tired which was about 30 minutes long. No one got hurt badly, but their skin looked pretty red. Brooke was there too, but she avoided the boys.

2009-03-23T08:23:00.001-07:00

Here they are just waiting for something to happen, like when will dinner be ready?
Morgan, McKensie, Connor, and Mitch just four of the fourteen grandchildren.

2008-07-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

2008-07-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

Martin's Cove where the Handcart Pioneers were caught in the cold winter in November. The bitter wind and snow prevented them from continuing their trek. Many died before they were rescued by men from Salt Lake sent by Brigham Young.

2008-05-24T15:54:00.000-07:00

These are some of the fun photos we took on Mother's Day.

2008-05-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

2008-05-24T15:41:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day in St. George was warm until the wind blew. This group of our family came for two reasons. The first was for Pauli, Steve, and Camille to participate in a triathlon. The second was to be together and enjoy Mother's Day as family.
The wind caused Pauli and Camille's swim to be cancelled, but Steve did it. He said he drank a lot of lake water, but hey, he finished which was the reward in doing this crazy kind of thing anyway.
We enjoyed meeting our newest great grandbaby, Mason. He hardly made any fuss. What a good baby! Lincoln is about to walk and we loved seeing him and his parents, Mel and Adam. We wanted more time with all of them, but they had to go home to their own lives. We hope they miss the warm weather and the good company here in St. George.

2008-05-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

2008-05-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

Morgan, Brooke, and Cooper spent a little time in the pool at the clubhouse. They are great swimmers and seem to love the water.

2008-05-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

2008-05-24T14:59:00.000-07:00