A visit to Jackson

I have opportunity to travel around the country as a part of my work. I've seen many places that I probably would otherwise never get to see. One of the perks of state-service, at least for me. When I travel, I usually don't have time to see much more than what I can take in during the evenings. Every now and then, I'll have a free afternoon to venture more than a few blocks from the hotel. In either case, I'm grateful for the experience and opportunities to see places that most folks only hear or read about.

Such is the case with Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I spent three days there in early October for a conference. This was the second time I've been to this beautiful spot for a meeting. Stayed at the Snow King resort on the edge of town. It's a small town, which is convenient for the traveler, especially if most of your free time happens to be evenings. It's convenient to hit the downtown area after meeting hours, walk along the boardwalks on either side of the main drag and pop in and out of the shops, looking for something unique.

I love this town and the area that surrounds it. Beautiful country. This trip, due to airline schedules, etc., I ended up with an afternoon free. What's more, I had a rental car, so I took a drive north toward Yellowstone National Park. I didn't go that far north, since there was much to see along the way and I wanted to be back to the hotel before dark.

I found a great little trail to hike about 25 miles north of Jackson. The trail leads to a large cliff face for rock climbers. There weren't any climbers out, so I hiked around the back side and up on top of the rock and out to the edge where it overlooks the valley with the Tetons in the background. It was a great spot for a photo, so I set up the camera, put it on the timer and took a shot of myself. I wanted a second one, without the ridiculous pose, so I sent the camera up again, hurried back to the edge to sit down and waited. Just before the second photo was taken, a gust of wind came up and blew the camera off it's perch. It fell about 4 feet to a small ledge, bounced once, then fell another 10-15 feet into some dirt and rocks. I was able to get a few more pictures out of it after that, but in the end the camera died.

I love looking at the Tetons. I love to anticipate the day when I'll take a full week off of work with my boys and spend the whole week hiking, camping and fishing in and around those mountains.

I was looking for some wildlife, but wasn't finding any. I took a detour off onto a side road and after a couple miles drive, found upwards of 200 to 300 buffalo. Beautiful sight. It almost seems like one could walk right up to one of these beasts, climb aboard and go for a ride.

If I had an extra million lying around...

Black River

Our annual Black River trip took place a couple of weeks ago. Dallas and I were accompanied by two of my brothers, Michael and Russell, two of Michael's boys, Matt and Mason, my dad, a friend, Reuben, and two of his brothers.

The trip was great, as usual. We didn't have as much success in the fishing department as we've had in the past, but we caught enough to have fish for dinner one night. The other night, we cooked up a dutch oven full of potatoes, onions, carrots and hunks of steak.

Mind you, we went to a fair amount of trouble for this meal. We camp at the river's edge, down in the bottom of the canyon. In terms of wilderness, it doesn't get much more remote than this in Arizona. This is "backpack all your stuff in" country, so getting the dutch oven, potatoes, steaks, etc. in means the addition of a lot of extra weight to already heavy packs. But, it's worth it, as you can see from the photos.

The area down in the canyon is beautiful. Very green. Very quite. We rarely see anyone else in the canyon as was the case this trip, so we had the whole thing to ourselves.

Wild turkeys are plentiful, antelope, bighorn sheep, elk, deer... if only we could shoot one and have it for dinner! Now that would be some good eatin'!

Looking forward to 2009!

A brother-in-law's cling to hope.

My brother in law, who shall remain unnamed, but whose initials are K.E.N.T. H.U.R.S.T., frequently (as frequently as he can living 600 miles from Phoenix) attempts to poke fun at the fact that I have lost practically all of the hair on the top of my head.

Now, those of you who know me well, know that I would only be too pleased to loose what few remaining threads of hair I have left. When it comes to hair care, quite simply, I am lazy. If it is long enough that it needs to be combed, then it is time to get it cut. "Wash and wear." That's my motto. So, if what remains were to all fall out during the night, well, after cleaning up the mess on my pillow, I'd be a happy camper.

A couple of weeks ago, as we spent time together enjoying my in-law's 50th wedding anniversary celebration, the futile taunts began again. We were breaking lunchtime bread together in the Lion House, one of Brigham Young's former homes in Salt Lake City, now a restaurant. The food was excellent by the way. If you ever go, be sure to get yourself some of them rolls and slather on a bunch of the honey butter. Matter of fact, just shove a roll into your pocket for an afternoon snack and spoon all the butter into your mouth before someone else gets it. Now that's good eatin'.

Anyway, we're enjoying this lunch together and I am taking a couple of photos from different locations in the room. You know, for posterity and all. As I head back to my seat, I snap this photo of the top of Kent's head. Notice the reflection on top from the light. Notice as well the classic "male pattern" loss of hair from the entire top of his head.



Tonight, I had my wife take a photo of the top of my head. Never mind the stylish pajama bottoms; you know you like them. Focus your attention on the near-perfect shape of the top of my head. Since I don't often see myself from this angle, I wasn't aware that it is as perfect as it is. Amazing. Notice the reflection from the light.

Now, take a look again at my brother-in-law's head and imagine that the few stragglers that he chooses to grow long are removed. Seriously, is there any difference? I think not. I've tried to tell him this for many years now, but he refuses to believe me and continues to cling to this mistaken belief that he is not as bald as I am. Remove the comb-overs and, well, the proof is in the photos.

KENT: LET IT GO! It's ok! When we are restored to our perfect frames, you and I will have something more to look forward to than those who've lost nothing.

Bald is the best.

A new sister-in-law

Let me start by saying that I love my sisters-in-law. They've been great for my brothers, and for my brothers-in-law. Having said that, I'm very excited about the addition of another one. Yes, Russ is finally getting married! A tender mercy on all of us if there ever was one! An answer to many prayers. A wonderful moment in the history of the Perkins family.

What of the bride to be, Jennifer Eagar? I think I can safely speak for the entire family when I say that we are quite thrilled that Russ has followed the example set by his brothers and is "marrying up." Jen is wonderful. Need I say more? Her grace, beauty, spirituality, intellect and other fine traits will more than compensate for the veritable plethora of areas in which Russ falls short.

Russ, you know I love you, too, but this is about Jen.

Jen, we love you already and we welcome you to the family.

My kids

I'm really proud of my kids. Yes, they can be challenging at times, but I suppose that is fair, since I'm sure that as a father, I can be challenging to them at times.

Sometimes I wonder where time has gone. Dallas, Dylan and Kamryn will be turning 18, 15, and 8 respectively this November, Kelsey will be 12 not long after that. Hard to believe.

They each have their own talents and each make me smile and make me proud for many reasons.

Here is one of many. http://youtube.com/watch?v=JAuQUYXxgjc