Around the World adventure

Floyd and I wanted to take a trip around the world in one direction. After flying to Atlanta, we pulled out our laptop and started checking the flights to destinations that would get us there. We were able to make this around the world trip and visit two places that we've never been.

We flew on Delta for 15.5 hours from Atlanta to Cape Town, South Africa. We stayed at the Best Western for 3 nights. I liked South Africa. The Rand was about 7.70 per dollar, so everything was in our budget.

While there, we rode the cable care up to the top of Table Mountain. When we came down, we drove around Cape Point, the Southwestern tip of Africa. We saw wild baboons daring somone to stop and play. They're smart too. The road signs warned cars to stay in the cars and lock the doors. Apparently, the Baboons know how to open doors. We had to stop several times for ostriches to cross the roads too. We went to a penguin colony. Most of them were younger penguins just trying to figure out how to get in the ocean against the current.

Another day we went on a tour of their wine country. There are over 100 wineries, mostly family owned. The country was beautiful. Our tour guide was so impressed with the Tomboy Tools that I sell, that she is now trying to set up a franchise to get them there. We had a pretty long lay-over in Johannasberg on our way to Sydney, but didn't leave the airport because we heard that it's very dangerous there.

We flew Quantas Airways (the Australian airline) from Joberg to Sydney. It was the first time that I ever had to fly across the ocean in Coach. It wasn't too bad, even though it was a 12.5 hour flight. We stayed at the Marriott Circular Quay hotel for 3 more nights. This hotel is just a couple blocks from the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour. The Australian Dollar is 1.19 per American dollar, but prices were much higher there. Everything in Sydney seemed very expensive, especially compared to South Africa.

While in Sydey, we went on a tour of the Blue Mountains and learned that there is a bluish haze around that area because of the oils that are generated by the Eucalyptus Trees. It was pretty, but not as beautiful and majestic as the Rocky Mountains. We also went to a wildlife refuge where we were able to hold the koala bears and play with the Kangaroos, which was the best part of the day. We went to the oldest brewery in Sydney, which opened in the late 1800's. While there, we met a really neat Australian couple that we got to know. We're planning a trip to go back to visit them in their fall, so maybe May. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped to enjoy a Kangaroo Pizza. It was surprisingly good. It kind of tasted like Elk. Our friends said they eat Kangaroo at least once a week.

Another day we went on another tour of the Hunter Valley wine country, about 2 hours outside of Sydney. There are over 250 wineries there and the country was really pretty. We stopped by the Stinky Cheese Factory, where they sold some unique, but yummy, cheeses and stuff. I was a couple minutes late coming back to the tour bus, so I had to sing the National Anthem. Floyd helped me though, so it wasn't as embarrassing. When we returned to the Sydney we went over to the Sydney Aquarium, which made us regret not taking our scuba equipment. We will go back to Australia for sure so we can dive at the Great Barrier Reef.

Property in Fruitland

It's finally a done deal - we are the proud owners of 6 1/2 acres of sagebrush and cedar bushes in Fruitland. The property does have a small (very small) stream that runs through it year round and a small (very small) cabin on it. We had them flatten out a space to park trailers or pitch tents so if anyone is up that way and needs a place to stop you are welcome. The cabin is padlocked but we can get you a key if you need the cabin. If you go to Heber City and just keep going along Highway 40 (about 40 miles) past Strawberry and into Fruitland. You will pass the Fruitland store on the right side of the road then go about 2 miles (just before you reach mile post 64) and turn LEFT off highway 40 onto a dirt road (there is a white wooden sign that says something about 'cabins on the creek'). Follow that road for about 3/4 mile and our little cabin will be on your right. We are property #20 and the only one with a cabin. We are going up today to seal the cabin so if you're not busy come on up. The first picture is looking down at the meadow area from the top of the mountain the other is the cabin (and our new red truck) with our mountain in the background.

Heather's Blog

Hi all!

I was going to share some pictures from our vacation last week on here, but decided it would be better to post a link to my blog. Then I won't have to upload the pictures twice! :)

www.baerbits.blogspot.com

Heather

Trip to Maryland

Michelle, Zoey, and I just got back from a trip to Andrea's. After landing in Baltimor, Zoey was talking with the pilot and he invited her to sit in the pilots seat of the aaircraft. and the copilot was showing her all the controls. Well anyway she was excited to be in there and wanted me to take her picture.

While we were at Andrea's we took a trip over to Gettysberg, Pa. which is about 60 miles from Ann's house. We took a driving tour of the battle grounds which took most of the day, then we parked in the town of Gettysberg and and walked through some of the shops. It was a really nice day, and something to see if you are ever in that area.

Hi everyone I just bearly got this figured out at least I hope i did. what a fun thing it was cool reading about your memories. when I went to elementry school I was in kindergarten and they split the schools about half way thru so I went to stansbury for just a short time then we movered to hillsdale elem. Its kinda kool rich works just down the street from there and that little store front is still stsnding. of course its not a store. and my favorite candy from there was those little dots of sugar on a strip of paper and those long flat taffy. not to long ago I was in roberts craft and the cashier was telling that she liked the old store better (the old safeways) because it was closer to where she lives. I told her that I had lived by behind the old one too a long time ago on Hogan st. she said that that was the street that she lived on so I told her that my adress had been 3365 hogan and she said that weird cause that is my address now and that she had been there for about 18 years. How strange is that. We had a lot of fun at the reunion and as soon as i find my camera i"ll see about getting some pictures on this.

Granger Memories

The first elementary school I went to was Granger Elementary (I think) it was where the new Costco is now just south of the Valley Fair Mall. I also remember walking to school - I think Mom did drive us a few times but I remember they had to put a light bulb under the hood of that old green Pontiac (?) so that it would start in the morning. I can remember going split sessions to Granger and school would start at 6:30 or 7:00 AM. Bob and I would walk down that long, desolute, dark road (where the mall is now) and to make it less boring I liked to zig-zag across the street from one light pole to the next. Now that I think about it, that probably made the way to school about twice as long. After that I went to Hillsdale and Stansbury (I think, boy my memory is faded). Do you remember that little store across the street from one of those schools where they sold penny candy? They had these big wrapped suckers you could buy and sometimes they had a coupon inside for a free sucker. I won lots of free suckers. Speaking of candy, do you remember going to the Safeway store on 35th South and buying candy bars for 5 cents or 6 for $.25? I also remember being sent on apple fritter runs - we would buy several and bring them home and share them. I still like apple fritters.

Some if what I remember of the time we lived in Granger (West Valley) The address we lived was 3365 Hogan street about a block from 3500 south and we could run the whole neighborhood including 3500 south. (would you let your kids play on 3500 south now?) Or we could ride our bikes over to Aunt Themas house which was about 4300 south and 4500 west. or ride our bikes to Grandma Brinkerhoffs house over on 6100 south and 1st west. Walking to school everyday, I can't ever remember getting a ride to school. Hillsdale grade school was about 7 or 8 blocks away. and then Stansbery elementry was a little closer 4 or 5 blocks. And I remember Grandpa Magnuson loading us kids in the back of his old truck one day and taking us down to Harmon City Grocery store where he bought bunches of bananas for us and we sat in the back of the truck and ate bananas. and the day Grandpa Magnuson came by the house and showed us how someone had covered the tail lights of his truck with tar. When I told him I'd go get something to clean it off. he said No. He wanted to leave it there because he had other people to show it to.

Do You Remember?

Does anyone remember...Those wonderful aluminum drinking glasses in pastel colors that Mom would fill with Kool-aid and put on a big round aluminum tray...the tray stacked high with sandwiches and then she would bring it outside for us during the summer. Or the tents that she helped us make with army blankets (where did those come from anyway?) clothes pinned to the fence and bricks or big rocks to hold them out. We spent a lot of time in those tents eating sandwiches and drinking kool-aid.

I also remember sleep outs in the garage and the yummy oatmeal Mom would make that tasted almost like rice pudding - it had raisins and cinnamon and sugar...ummmm.

How about ice skating on Decker Lake or roller skating at the S&H (?) Rink on Redwood Rd with Dad or going to the Redwood Drive In.

So many good memories... What are some of your favorites?

REUNION 2009 A GREAT SUCCESS

HELLO FAMILY: IT WAS THE BEST REUNION EVER!!! I GUESS IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS WITH THE ONES CLOSEST TO MY HEART.I AM SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU AND LOVE YOU ALL DEARLY.

Filled Raisin Cookie Recipe

2 eggs
1 c sugar
1 c shortening
1 c sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 t salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
3 1/2 c flour or more
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 t cinnamon
Cream shortening and sugar, add eggs and beat well. Add vanilla, sour cream and sifted dry ingredients. Roll out and cut with cookie cutter. Put a scant teaspoonful of filling in middle of cookie and place another cookie on top. Press down around edge. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

Filling:
1 c chopped raisins
1 T flour
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c water
1/2 c chopped nuts
1 tsp lemon flavoring
Mix sugar and flour, add raisins, nuts and water. Stir and cook until thick. Cool before using.

A few more pictures - enjoy!

Just a few random pictures from the reunion. We sure had a good time. Looking forward to doing it again.

"What Went Wrong" performing FRIDAY- Be There!

hey everybody i just wanted to let you all know that Chad is in his own band and they have just finished recording their first album. the name of his band is "What went wrong" they are going to have an album release party at the "outer rim" at 996 So Redwood road 7:00 p.m. this Friday night the 17th of July if anybody can make it if not tell all your family and friends we need to get as big of turn out as possible the cost is $10.00 to get in and if you want a cd you can purchase one that night for $8.00 or they can be purchased afterwards for $12.00. these 3 boys have worked very hard to get this far. so we as his parents wish them great success.

Just returned from the family reunion at Clover Springs. We had a great turnout. With people coming and going, it was hard to get an exact count, but we believe there were between 60 and 65 people. We had a great visit, and great food, (although way too much food) I believe all seven families were represented. With Mom there, (she even spent the night). Bob, Elsie and family, Our family, Kim's daughters and grandkids, Cindy's family, Becky's family, and Tyson (Kelly's son). I'll post a few of the pictures we took. Hope to do this again next year the weekend after Dads birthday. Love ya all, Garth

Thanks for the invite to the blog. Michelle and I are looking forward to the reunion this coming weekend at Clover Springs. hope to see you all there. just a note about our grandson Taylors graduation. He has finished high school, Michelle and Zoey flew back to Maryland for the graduation. I'll post a picture in this blog.

Add Your Children to the Authors List

I didn't have e-mail addresses for my nieces and nephews (except Jacy) so if you want to add your children to be authors on this blog it's pretty easy: In the upper right hand corner of the screen select the 'Customize' link, then choose 'permissions' and type their e-mail address in the box then hit 'add author'. Now they can post what's going on in their lives, post pictures etc.

If you want to post a message just select the 'new post' tab in the upper right hand corner, type your message and then hit the 'Publish Post' tab at the bottom of the post window. Hope to hear from you soon.

Welcome Everyone

Welcome to the newly created Brinkerhoff family blog. I'm not very good at this kind of thing (creating blogs) but, I'm sure you younger, smarter kids can help us out as the blog progresses. I hope this will be a fun thing for our family and a way to keep in touch with family members who are far from Utah - and those still in Utah. It seems to get harder and harder to find the time to get together with everyone and a place that's big enough to hold us all. I think Mom said there are over 100 of us now. This is a place that we can post the latest news, pictures of those new babies, pets, missing teeth or your last vacation. We can share recipes, stories, rememberances, hopes and dreams. Hopefully, it will be a place that we can all stay in touch and watch our children and grandchildren grow. So Post! It's easy, it's fun and it's only open to members of the Lyman & Elda Brinkerhoff Family.