July's Summer Activities

With three of our four kids and their families in Texas, the summer months provide lots of opportunities for small family gatherings.  In July of 2021, we enjoyed several spontaneous small gatherings.  For starters, we went bowling with the Johnsons.

 Later in the month, while Chelsea and kids were visiting, we took Holly and Knox to Tanner's family birthday celebration at Benihana's.  The kids were all fascinated with the cook's acrobatic cooking style. After lunch, we took a ride around The Woodlands on the trolley.

A few days later, I tagged along with the Johnsons to the Children's Museum in Houston, where we met up with Michael's family.  Everyone, including adults, had a blast.

In between all this fun, Bob and I flew to Utah for a week to spend some time with family there. When we arrived the evening of July 16, 2021, we drove straight to the Oquirrh LDS Temple, where some of the Hill Family had gathered with my nephew, Tyler, in preparation for his mission service. The sunset behind the temple was gorgeous.  Naturally, frozen custard was a fitting end to the evening.

  In Murray, we played games with Elly, and Max at the Nickelmania. We enjoyed Bobby's grilling - yum . . . chicken, peaches and asparagus!

We always enjoy visiting my Aunt Linda and Uncle Dell, who stay forever young!  And it was fun to catch up with our "Woodlands" friend, Jane and see her beautiful new home.

On our final day in Utah, Bob and I took the grandkids to the "This is the Place" Heritage Park in Salt Lake City.  The location of the park is where, on July 24, 1847, Brigham Young first saw the Salt Lake Valley and declared it to be the place he had been shown in a vision that the Saints should settle, and eventually establish the headquarters of  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There were all kinds of festivities going on to commemorate the July 24th Pioneer Day celebration. Panning for minerals and gemstones in the creek was our favorite activity. We had a great time with Linley, Max, and Elly!

With gratitude for all the sacrifices made by our pioneer ancestors, we give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy.  Our generations of family (that includes friends) in Utah, and the diverse beauty of this state are among some of our most cherished gifts!

Keep reading to see our big July adventure in southern Utah for a few days.  The fun will be memorialized in the next post.

Virginia is for Explorers

Virginia is not only for lovers, and for the Goodman Family, but is for explorers and adventure seekers.  While we were there, June 13-16, 2021, Bob and I enjoyed fun and thrills on and around the James River. A hike around Belle Isle, an island in the middle of the James River in downtown Richmond was a must-do activity. It has been the site of many manufacturing facilities over the years including a nail factory and mill from 1814, and later and iron works company.  During the Civil War, it became a military prison, housing some 10,00 Union soldiers in tents for only 3,000. A granite quarry and remains of a stone crushing plant as well as the skeleton of an early 20th century hydroelectric power plant are found here.  With numerous biking and hiking trails, it is a fun place to explore. Access to the park is easy via a foot path underneath a bridge crossing the river. Upon returning to our car, Bob was "run over" by a train!

The following day, we booked a river-rafting tour down the James River and had a blast!  They divided us into two groups, which put Bob and I in a raft alone with our guide.  The river is so beautiful, and this was the best way to see it!

That afternoon, we set out to hike along the "Pipeline Trail".  This is actually a trail along the James River in which you walk along the sewer pipes underneath the train tracks.  We were disappointed that we couldn't go far due to the high water levels.  But it looked like a fun way to hike along the river and see plenty of wildlife.

We explored a few other sites while in Richmond.  It was a hot day, but we still enjoyed wandering around Maymont - a 100-acre Victorian estate and public park.  It contains Maymont Mansion, now a historic house museum, an arboretum, formal gardens, a carriage collection, native wildlife exhibits, a nature center, and Children's Farm. We did not opt to see everything, but the gardens were beautiful!

A visit to Richmond would not be complete without exploring the Civil War Museum.  We visited the museum housed in the historic Tredegar Iron Works Factory in downtown Richmond. One of my favorite displays was of the little trinkets which prisoners of war made to sell.

On our way out of town, as we headed back toward Raleigh Airport, we stopped at a Civil War Battle Park.  We were quite hurried, so we only took in part of the display at the Battle of Brewry's Bluff, but it was interesting nonetheless.

However, the best part of our visit to Virginia was getting together with my brother, Mark, and his wife, Sarah, and their daughters, Sophie and Norah!  Mark treated us to dinner at the beautiful Boathouse Restaurant at Sunday Park where we were able to get some great photos near Swift Creek Reservoir.  And another night we enjoyed delicious pizza together at "Bottom's Up" under the railroad tracks near the James River. (I forgot to take photos.) I don't think we could have received more welcoming smiles and hugs from the whole family!  It really was a special treat to spend a little time together with them in Virginia!