IVERSON REUNION WEST #16 WAS HELD ON MAY
27, 28, 29, AND
30th 1994 at the A-Z RANCH, MOHAVE CO. ARIZONA
This
is the way it was as seen through my eyes; or told to my ears!
I
arrived at the ranch Saturday the 28th around 11a.m.I was
supposed to be in front of Garn and Barb just in case I had trouble, but
some how they beat me to the pass and were already at the ranch when I
arrived. I was told that Max;s, and Jamie and kids, and maybe others had
gotten there on the 27th, so they already had a head start on
the festivities. The wind wasn’t too bad but it was a bit on the warm side.
Around
mid-afternoon I noticed that a few people and vehicles were missing. After
a bit of Sherlock Holmes work I was dismayed to find that they had gone to
Mt. Delenbaugh, via Parashaunt—and didn’t take me with them!
When they returned, believe me I whined so much that Boyd promised
to take me some time in the spring, summer, or fall; but he didn’t say
of what year. Anyway I really wanted to go, oh well.
While they were over there, they had lost track of Jamie, so Cyle
and his group decided to turn back. Boyd, Bob and Nicki went on toward
Delenbaugh, but didn’t reach the top before they too turned back.
Evidently you need to get an early start and lunch to make this trip
properly!
Saturday
evening there was an auction and dance, and a really spectacular bonfire.
I believe Rod was responsible for that. He had done a lot of grader work
around the house, he made more camp spots and it looked good. They also
got new chairs, which have been needed for some years now.
Duard’s
family won the tee shirt contest; their design was very innovative and
cute. Stella and her children did a tribute to,
“ Levi, Dad, Grandpa,” as a commemoration of the anniversary of
his 100th birthday. It was very touching, and brought a tear to more than
one eye. They did a very good job. The crowd also gave Mary a round of
applause (although she wasn’t there at the time) for all the work,
frustration, sweat, and tears, that went into the making of the, I
REMEMBER LEVI, book.
Boyd
and his kids decided to go to town for the night, so after some
negotiation, he gave me the use of his trailer at Camp Ohno for the night.
He has it fixed up pretty nifty, with a fenced yard which encompasses a
juniper tree. He has an outside cook stove an inside cook stove and
outside chairs to sit in the shade of the tree. Paul, Anita, and baby
Taylor (Willard) also had their camp up there. Boyd and Paul had their own
company flag flying high over the camp. Jamie also had a flag (confederate
I think) flying down at his camp; but after those guys lost him on the
road to Delenbaugh, they lowered it to half-staff when they returned!
I
had forgotten how gorgeous the stars are out there on a clear night. As I
lay in bed, using Boyd’s unique pillow system, I could see them by the
millions out the window. Their twinkling splendor quickly lulled me to
sleep.
THE
GOLF GAME, AND THE SEARCHERS…Sunday morning as I was wandering about the yard, Jamie and 7 kids
pulled up beside me in his truck. He said they were going back toward Mt.
Delenbaugh once more in search of, “the caves!” It briefly crossed my
mind to ask to go along, but I instantly thought better of the idea. Jamie
gave me compass directions to pass on to Bob just in case I saw him. Bob
and Nicki did come a little later, however I didn’t see them. But they
picked up Brad and off they went in search of the searchers! I’ll give
that group one thing, they sure “ain’t” pikers!
After
the adventures were on their way, I saw Stacey, Cyle, Kevin, Rod, Max and
Justin along with a buddy of his on their way to the annual A-Z Masters.
Having never swung a golf club in my life, I eagerly asked if I could
join. I was warmly welcomed. Stacey had made some real professional flags,
and had just returned from setting out the course.
The
golf course covered the southwest quarter section of the original
homestead. We teed off from the cistern hill going west for hole one, and
continued in a westerly direction for hole two. Hole three was very near
the corner post of the fence around Boyd’s trailer.
Well
here we go hole#1. Max teed my ball up for me, balancing it on top of a
spent shotgun shell, and gave me a club. “Hit it, he says, and knock it
over to that red flag—that’s all you gotta do.”
So I wiggle my feet around a bit, and got into my best Lee Trevino
stance (I watch the sports channel) and took a mighty swing. Did I see the
ball fly westward as I had so hopefully anticipated? No way! I had missed
it so far that it didn’t even tremble from a close call. It just sat
there on top of that spent shotgun shell. Having watched the golf Masters
only a few times, I was sure I had lost my turn—to say nothing of the
humiliation of it all! But someone immediately yelled “overs,” and
then they were kind and helpful-and began giving me advice on just how to
get the ball off the top of that imaginative tee.
“Pretend
it’s a gopher sticking its head up in your garden,” suggests Max.
“No, it’s just like a weed in your garden, says Stacey, hit a little
lower so it will fly up in the air.” Now with this knowledge digested I
settled in and took another, you got it, another miss! But the rules of
this tournament are a bit loose. Someone said something about not loosing
your turn until you had at least scared the ball—and I believe I heard
someone mutter, “just hit the dumb thing!”
So I did, and it rolled about three feet. Yea yea, they all say, look at that, you hit it straight
toward the flag! What a drive!
Now
the rest of them teed off. Some balls go west, some southwest, and some
slightly northwest, but they all flew a long way off that hill. I was
feeling really bad because I didn’t know how long it would take me to hit my
ball down as far as they were. Then they explained another rule to me,
which I though was wonderful. I could pick up my ball and carry it to
where the player whose ball was in the best position had come to rest.
What a deal! I thought that was a dandy rule. I walked three feet picked
up my ball and strolled down the hill. Meanwhile some of the others were
searching here and there for their ball. Every one had marked balls so
they can tell when they’ve found the right one. Well on we struggled—ever
westward, and Stacey won the first hole. Right on Stace!
Stacey and me were the only girls, and her triumph encouraged me so
much, guess who won the second hole. That’s right, me! Me! Me! Either
Cyle or Max (I can’t remember which) decided I had putted well enough,
that I could be designated putter for the rest of the game…har, har!
Now
hole three looms up, looking even closer than ever to Boyd’s camp. It
was kind of agreed on that if anyone could knock out one of Boyd's windows
from where we teed off, they would become the automatic winner; of course
if Boyd happened to be in residence at the time they would become
automatic loser! When the dust settled it was declared that Max had made a
hole in one, and the trailer windows didn’t even rattle-so on we went to
the south. The two young kids had dropped out way back down the hill, it
was just too much excitement for them I guess.
I
tell you that after I thoroughly understood the rules of the game, I never
ever had to spend any time looking for my ball!
Tina brought Seth out about the fifth hole, and he was designated
putter for that hole. Well, he got it there and he is only three—way to
go Seth!
After
his success Tina decided she had had enough fun so she took him and left.
But on we went hole after hole, flag after flag! Some two hours after that
it was by mutual agreement that we skip a hole or two and head for water
and shade. It was a lot of fun and I certainly intend to play every year
from now on.
I
think Kevin was the overall winner of the golf game and got to wear the
green jacket. (Yeah we’ve really got one)
And speaking of Kevin, when he first saw Garn this year, he mistook
him for the lead singer of The Rolling Stones! How could Kevin make such a
grievous mistake?
Easy—Garn
was sporting a long curly ponytail. Hey folks, what can I say, this is the
nineties!
Now
this is how it went with the searchers. I heard they found the cave. I ask
one of the participants how it was and he said,
“horrible, we walked for five hours and got lost!” On the way
back they overshot where they had left the truck, so had to double back.
“I thought you had a compass,” I said.
“We did,” he said, “ but it didn’t know where the truck was
either!” The second group also had a little problem in the thick cedars,
with directions. They found the first groups truck all right, but never
did find the cave or any of the first group. I don’t know what time Bob,
Nicki, and Brad (who were second group) got back to the ranch, but heard
Bob and Nicki got back to town around 10pm, just as Boyd was getting ready
to go back looking for them!
Now
group one (Jamie and kids) having found both the cave, and finally their
truck again, arrived back at Max’s camp at the ranch at about this same
hour of the night. I think Max's group were the only ones left at the ranch at
that time: anyway him and Nita kicked some life back into their campfire
and gave aid and comfort, along with food and drink to the weary ones!
After their refreshment stop, this group of searchers made their exhausted
way on to town. Max's stayed over until
Monday.
There
weren’t too many at the reunion this year. About 47 I think we counted
Saturday. But enjoyed seeing the ones that was there. That’s the way it
was folks, honest!!
PS
Since our Round Robin letter has somehow gone under ground, I though I’d
put in what little family news I know. We really should have a treasure
hunt with a big prize for whom ever can locate the last roosting place of
the RR letter.
SINCE
LAST REUNION: Lee’s family. He and Marge made another trip to Chile.
Steve and Susan made them deliriously happy by giving them a beautiful
first grandson. His name is Bill. Lee Alan is home from South America for
a few months.
Duard's
family: I tried to get in tough with Glenna, and didn’t have any luck,
but I think all remains about the same with them. I did hear that
Ramona’s oldest girl got married; also heard that Duard fell off his
earth machine and broke a rib or two-- ouch—he looked OK at the reunion
though.
Carla’s
family All about the same as last year, except Paige is now single and in
the Navy for five years, where she will finish college, and go into
medical training. Kurt is in college full time now.
Harley’s
family: Merna left her job in the bridal shop of many years, had surgery,
and is doing better. Pamela, Alan and baby went to Hong Kong. Jeff and
Peggy are moving to St; George. Shamane and Brett had a baby girl named
Baylee.
Garn’s
family: Hal, Terrie, and Alec moved to Provo where Hal is getting his
masters in engineering at BYU. Stacey is still in nursing school and
college.
Boyds
family: About the same. I hear that Bob and Nicki are about to become
homeowners. Tom is still in Vegas. We missed you at the reunion Tom.
Mary’s
family: The same with Jamie’s and Dicks families. Shawn graduated from
SUU with a teaching degree. He left for Spain on the 6th of
June. We know not when he plans to return
Max’s
family: Tina, Kevin and two sons still live in Mesa. Mike and Debbie and
two daughters are still living in Las Vegas. Chrissie, Brad and two sons
live in Cedar City where Brad attends SUU.
If
I knew any more I would tell you, but since I don’t so long until next
year, when it is Garn and Boyds turn to do the reunion.
Love Carla
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