A plug for agency and the Word of Wisdom

Carey and I went hiking this morning; something of a habit for us on Saturdays or holidays. More often than not, we'll go out to Thunderbird Park in north Glendale. Such was the case today.

We got out there around 9:00 this morning and entered the park via 59th Ave. We parked in a little lot at the far west end, then hiked up to the main trail that goes around the northern hill, and started heading to the east. As we approached the main entrance to the trail, close to the 59th Ave. entrance to the park, we heard a brief squeal of tires and looked up to see a truck making a quick turn from the inner park road onto the short entrance road, just behind a white SUV. I didn't think much of it and assumed it was some punk showing off in his truck. I turned my attention back to the trail.

A few seconds later, I heard the familiar crunch of metal. I looked up and saw that this truck had pulled out onto 59th Ave. and slammed into the front right panel of the white SUV, which must have pulled onto 59th Ave. just a split second earlier. The truck pushed the white SUV to the east, onto the median, causing the SUV to run over and flatten a metal post and sign in the median.

All of this must have caused the idiot in the truck to loose control because he next swerved sharply to the west, went off the road and down the embankment and back into the park, except this time he was not on the road, but was driving through the rock, brush, cactus, etc. He was driving as fast as he could in that terrain, too. From our vantage point, we could easily hear the truck as he gunned the engine and it bounced over rock and brush. He was clearly trying to escape the situation he was in.

About this time, I noticed a guy in a yellow shirt, a fellow hiker, I presume. He was running along the inner park road, about 100 yards from the truck, yelling profanities at the guy in the truck. My first thought was that this guy had stolen his truck. About that same time, the truck made it to the edge of the desert, about two feet from the asphalt road, and was stuck. I could hear the engine screaming as the guy floored the gas pedal, and the tires digging into the dirt, but he wasn't going anywhere. The man in yellow was still running toward the truck.

Of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity for some excitement. I told Carey I'd be back and I ran off down the short trail toward the road in pursuit of the man in yellow and the truck. The man in yellow made it to the truck not more than 10 seconds before I did and as I continued running, I watched as he opened the truck door, grabbed the guy inside, yanked him out of the truck and threw him on the ground. That's about the time I arrived, just behind a second gentleman.

The idiot from the truck was struggling, trying to get away, but there was no way he was getting away from me and the man in yellow after we pounced on him (the other guy had stood off to the side). It didn't take long to realize that the idiot was either drunk, under the influence of drugs, or both.

A few moments later, a detective from Phoenix's finest arrived. He happened to be at the park exercising. A crowd began to gather and Glendale's finest were summoned. Prior to their arrival, the idiot entertained us with comments such as "those drugs really knocked me down" and "why are all these people here" and "we don't need to get the police involved. You can take my truck and I'll just walk home" and "I have more lawyers in my family than there are police officers in the whole city" and (looking at the man in yellow) "you don't have any hair." (The man in yellow was as bald as bald can get). I admit that I laughed out loud at a couple of those.

Glendale's finest arrived, we all gave our statements, and Carey and I continued on our hike around the hill. By the time we finished our hike, the tow truck had just hoisted the idiot's truck onto the flatbed and was getting ready to leave. Oh, the idiot had high-centered the front of his truck on a HUGE boulder lining the roadway. I'm not exagerating when I say that there was a good eight inches of air between the ground and the bottom of the front tires. That guy was going nowhere real fast! Completely messed up the underside of his truck, but he seemed to be more concerned with the fact that the little door to the gas cap was dented inward.

I'm grateful for a Church that teaches that our bodies are temples, that teaches the importance of staying away from substances that can harm us physically, emotionally and spiriturally. I'm grateful for agency and the freedom to make those choices. Too bad others cannot learn the simple truth that our freedom, our ability to choose, increases when we make correct choices. Conversely, when we make incorrect decisions, we loose that freedom. Sometimes in dramatic fashion.

A wedding

My youngest brother, Russell, got married yesterday. What a great occasion. It was a privilege to be in the temple with him, his lovely bride, Jennifer; my own wife; my other brothers and their wives; my parents; Jen's parents, siblings and spouses; other family members; and some dear friends. The ceremony provided opportunity to be reminded of things that are most important, namely the relationships that we have with family. That is the one great cornerstone to our Heavenly Father's plan. It is the reason we exist. It is the reason for the gospel - to bring families together in eternal units. Russell and Jen are the latest in that unit and I'm grateful to have been in attendance.

Likewise, I'm glad they had such a great reception last night. It was a reunion in many ways. A family reunion, a ward reunion, and a reunion with friends. The night was about Russ and Jen, but some of the rest of us benefited greatly, too.

Hmmmm. As I ponder the subject, I hope that death is somewhat like a wedding reception, with the newly deceased standing in the center of the room, maybe with a couple of previously deceased relatives by his side, and many, many other family and friends filing through in a line to greet him and congratulate him on his achievement. Heck, I hope that there are also chicken salad sandwiches, meatballs, and an Italian ice/syrup bar, catered by Belnap & Company. Now that would be a sweet homecoming.

Taming the wild beast

Last month, I shared a few thoughts about a recent trip to Jackson, Wyoming. Here is a photo from a trip to the same area a few years ago. I'm not sure what came over me. Clearly I was a little younger and a little more invincible. At the time this photo was taken, I don't think I had yet seen the signs warning tourists to keep away from the wildlife.

This guy didn't seem to be too concerned. Oh, and they're not as soft as they look from a distance.

Anticipating June

Our next Havasupai trip is scheduled for June 2009. In honor of our last trip in June 2008, I've put together a little Photo Story compilation. If you like Boston, turn up the volume. Enjoy.

Another four years...

Like most people, I voted this past Tuesday. Actually, I voted several days before that because I voted by mail. Much easier and it avoids the lines.

After arriving home that evening, I spent a few minutes watching the news reports. In addition to the presidential race, I was interested in the marriage propositions in California, Arizona and Florida. I say I spent a few minutes because, frankly, I can't take much more than that.

As I sat watching one particular news program, the "talking head" was looking at a large screen that had the data from one particular state. As they typically do, the "head" was attempting to project the winner for this state based upon the information then available. After several attempts to try and decide who the winner might be in the state, he finally stated that it was "still too early to call." I found that statement particularly idiotic, since the bottom of the large screen he was looking at, underneath the outline of the state, clearly said "0% of precincts reporting."

I yelled at the TV. "You think? You think it might be just a little too early with only 0% of the precincts reporting?" Idiots.

Carey is always more perceptive than I am. She commented that she didn't understand why I was watching the reports since they were just making me mad. I turned the TV off.

I did, however, turn it back on from time to time to check the progress of things. Unfortunately, not everything went the way I thought it should, but I guess I'm not surprised by that. I was happy to see that all three marriage propositions passed. Not that I believe the 'war' is now over. A battle has been won, but the war, unfortunately, will go on.

I worry for our country. More particularly, I worry for my children and for their children. I still believe we live in the greatest country and their remains much that is good. I will watch with interest how our new president conducts business. He has his work cut out for him. I hope he doesn't go it alone.