Green Canyon, Old Canyon, Dead-To-Me Canyon

Sometimes you learn that an old memory you used to hold dear is really not so cool after all. Kind of like when I grew up thinking the "Dark Crystal" was one of the best movies ever created.

That movie had it all! Weird lurching creatures, swamps, a quest! It was only after reaching maturity that I watched it again and was shocked to see the reality of the situation. A non-macho elf-like puppet did some things with other puppet creatures in a puppet swamp. That's it. Bad puppets, in a poorly created puppet swamp, with a plot as creative as a sock puppet. That diversion leads me to Green Canyon, Idaho.

It's not a city but a "resort" destination east of Rexburg, as you head into the black hills. I've gone there throughout my life, and after reading up on it a little more, I found it's been there over fifty years.

Let me get to my point. Over fifty years have passed and this natural hot-springs swimming pool resort has changed in about 3 ways.

1) The original three or four mile dirt road was paved around ten or fifteen years ago. Congratulations. I don't have to wash and re-align my car after the drive.

2) The original pool had the addition of an attached, exterior, hot-tub. The water in the pool was always warm but I do like to get in some nice scalding natural water just to mix things up.

3) They took down the circus like metal swing that hung down from the rafters. You had to leap from the water, without aid of touching the bottom, and grab a knotted rope, which if you had the strength, would aid your quest to the most coveted view of Green Canyon. Someone was probably paralyzed by using it, or killed, so it's gone.

Those are the changes over the years. Everything else is roughly the same. I think they spend money on new lightbulbs and employees (I love how the lifeguards can't be troubled to throw on a swimming suit but instead sit there in jeans and flip-flops), but everything else is the exact same as when they filled the pool the first time. Faded green paint on concrete is the floor. Wood paneling circa 1960 adorns the walls while green picnic benches fill the outer pool area.

I didn't plan on writing a whole essay, so I'll again cut to the chase. How is it this place eludes any type of building codes? They must be out of any jurisdiction just on the basis of the mens bathroom. The toilet sits surrounded by changing stalls clearly inspired by Korean war shower stalls (thanks Mash). I'm not sure it works but by the smell I feel it sort of flushes, sort of doesn't. Probably has a hand-written sign asking you to please be considerate and hold off doing number 2 until you get somewhere closer to 1970's plumming technology.

This is getting too long. I'll finish my rant later. I'll cover the clothing bags, standing water, body types, and my pledge to never go back.

Brothers Idaho mug.

Watching a movie. My brother made me hot-chocalate in this awesome mug.

Chilling in Rexburg

Already having a great time at the park by my parents.

Creepiest Santa Ever

Santa can be a pretty creepy guy, but the folks at Palm have found a new way to scare children and their parents. Is this a dude santa or dudette? And if it's a chick, why the beard? How can a large company be sold on this marketing campaign? This is probably the type of santa you'll find in IKEA.

Rexburbia 034 - Mandy, Jon, Dallan, and Random

Great show this morning where Jon, Mandy, and I talked about a bunch of stuff. Not a lot of interesting stuff happened in Rexburg, but I'll do better show prep for the next one. I've already found a great story about something awesome leaking in a Rexburg eatery. I'll save it for next week.

I'm not going to document this week, but we talk of football, junior miss, facebook, getting a baby from craigslist and other random things. Enjoy.

P.S. Thank you Jenna for the comment. We did talk about the assassination story, but I failed to mention it here. Rexburg doesn't come into the national spotlight that often, but when they do they go all the way.

Rexburbia 033 - Chubbuck... Get your mind out of the Gutter.

We're back! I've been busy at nights with my new baby daughter and Mandy's been busy moving across the country. I've felt bad about letting so much time lapse between podcasting, but now I'm repenting and moving forward.

We talk about many things but as usual the Craigslist comments seem the most interesting. I'm not going to list everything that happens in our conversation, but I promise that if you play it in the background while you cruise the internet you'll be a better person for it. Things like wedding dresses and selling plasma are part of the conversation.

iPhone Link Here


Here's a fantastic pair of chairs you'll hear us discuss. Check out Craigslist if they match your trailer decor.










Should have called this lady about her unused wedding dress, but didn't.

I guess I am starting to just write everything that we discussed. One of my favorite parts of the podcast is when I talk about buying half-a-cow and how excited I am. I can't think of anything better than a freezer full of cow.

Matthew, the Fro M&m

Linda Curley Christensen

On the 17th and 18th of October I took my family to Linda Curley's gallery up in Wallsburg, Utah. What a beautiful fall day it was and what a pleasant atmosphere in which to view art. Linda and her husband Greg have a honey farm, along with multiple farm animals sprinkled around giving it a rural look, feel, and nostalgic atmosphere that's like coming home for a farm boy like myself (honest, I worked on my grandpa's farm in Canada and my aunt's in Utah).

The Prickly Rock Studios gallery is completely full of Linda's art, and various friends like Brent Flory round out Linda's landscapes with bronzes and western paintings. Along with original works of art being for sale there were giclée prints, posters, and even honey for sale at very reasonable prices. By the end of the visit my wife was excited to learn more about Linda's art and her life story, the kids were happy to have looked at the animals and tried the honey, and I was ready to sell our house and move to Wallsburg.

Next time you're driving up Provo canyon to Heber, or down from Heber, make sure to glance over at the Wallsburg turnoff and pay attention for a sign declaring an art show. If you see that sign out, take the opportunity tovisit a wonderful small town and an accomplished artist and her friends.

God, Moon and Oceans

I remember high school (MHS) and college (Rick’s and BYU) with Dallan. We had many English/writing classes together (I'll have to post our paper on Nixon some time). I was always jealous of Dallan's creative ability to articulate thoughts in unique and colorful fashions. I don't mind being second fiddle, still, as I pontificate a bit.

I was standing on the beach not that long ago, watching the waves as they rhythmically crashed onto the sandy beaches at the Copacabana in Brazil. The beach was empty as the rain had just subsided and it was barely over 60 degrees. The tide must have been coming in because the waves kept getting bigger and bigger and passing more and more energy to the sand around my feet.

At the time I was attending an aircraft finance conference and the cost of fuel was a huge topic of concern. I watched the ocean and began to think about man's constant need for more energy; then thought about the incredible move God made so many years ago to create the moon.

Think of this: God created the moon. Yes it was a pretty amazing feat, and I'm sure it was not easy, as far as human standards measure, but by the act of creating a very large object which does nothing but remain in geosynchronous orbit around the earth, God created tides. Tides in turn create waves and weather patterns. Weather patterns create wind, rain, storms and allow life to exist on the majority of planet earth. Waves and weather patterns create more renewable energy than man has ever been able to replicate, harness or extract from Terra Firma. This energy, created by the moon, has no harmful byproducts (by this I mean carbon monoxide, pollution, strip mining affects, etc. I am by no means diminishing the tragedies that do occur because of natural "disasters" when this energy presents itself in the form of hurricanes, tornados, etc.).

I am simply amazed at the wisdom and abilities of God, on this very mundane topic. God created on inanimate object, and that object creates energy and causes life to be possible across the world. Our greatest minds, throughout the history of civilization have not been able to create a fraction of the daily energy God was able to do by creating one object.

I often am so very amazed at how insignificant I am and how great and wise our God is. Just some neat stuff I learned on a cold, quiet beach in Brazil.

Little Work

Did a little work at the Springville museum of art. This was a fun one
to shoot and will make a beautiful print.

Awesome family home evening

Assets

This is a great comparison chart I just came across. I don't think it
means one would lead better than the other... but it's fun.

South Mountain

Golfing ip at Soith Mountain. Great view... bit of rain.

J. Kirk Richards

Went to the Springville Miseum of Art on Friday and viewed this awsome
painting by J. Kirk Richards. I think it's called "Every Knee Shall
Bend." The show is epic and you'll be much better off if you stop by
for a visit.

http://www.smoa.org

Pro Keds

This is my cool piece of art of the day. My friend Chris Young drew
this in college. It sits above my desk at work. By the way, the guy
is watching Old Faithful.

The things you learn

Isn't this interesting? Rexburg continues to be an outstanding place.

Rexburg plane wreck

Matthew's Fish

Matthew caught this fish all by himself! Nobody knew he had done it
until he pulled it out of the water. He loved it.

Lily in my lap.

Notice the hairy legs.

Daddys Girl

Natalie here... Dallans been doing such a great job posting pictures I
thought I would try posting from his iPhone. Here he is with Lily who
is already such a Daddys girl. She definately prefers him
in the rocking chair! We are all doing really well and looking forward
to coming home in a day or two. Thank you for all your calls, post
comments,and visits. We sure appreciate everyones love and support! We
will post more pictures when we get home.

Thanks!

I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who's left kind comments. We've really appreciated the support and it does make a difference knowing there are people helping us. It all seems to be going well right now and we look forward to the day we have Lily at home.

Thanks,

The Wrights

Lily

Our concluding photo for the day? Unless I get a great photo taken
with her.

They finaly get to hang out.

Washed and Clean

She's been washed and now has her bow. I take it as a sign she's doing
better. Lily's skin has a much better color as well.

What we wanted

Nat really wanted a little girl with dark hair. She received her wish.
This is a better close up shot.

Chillin

Lily's lungs aren't totally happy yet so they have to put a little
extra work into her. She's sure stricking a pose here.

Health update

Lily is downstairs right now and I imagine we'll move down in an hour
or so. I went down to check on her and they have her on a bit of
oxygen and there's some fluid in her lungs. They should have a better
picture in an hour.

Here's the details.

Lily Ann was born at 7:59am, was 8lbs 15oz, 19.5 inches, dark but
short hair, and a healthy cry. Will post more through the day.