Ten Minute from Home Tour

The IN-N-Out Burger finally came to our area last fall. Two hour waits to get your order were common the first month or two. There are now four in the Wasatch Front area, providing service to more people in more places. I think we visited an In N Out while in Las Vegas a decade ago.

Their menu is simple with basically three items to choose from. The Hamburger is $1.75, cheeseburger $2.05 & the Double Double for $3.05. Fries are $1.35 and drinks small $1.25, med $1.35, large $1.55 & exlarge $1.75. Combos $4.75, 5.75 & 6.75. How nice to have the menu so easy on your eyes and mind. It eliminates fussing over 100 menu choices & laying awake nights if you made a mistake. No more taking too long deciding while your hubby mumbles to hussle it up or those behind you hoover to help you decide. It's easy to memorize for future visits.

Eye appealing is the end result when your chubby burgers are delivered dressed in cute half wrappers bulging with lettuce, tomatoes & onion. The taste is terrifically fresh, as you bite into the soft puffy, bursting full bun.

The red and white eatery's interior is also smart but simple. No upselling of the hottest movie rif-raff, larger than life bozo shapes plastered on the walls or other distractions to complicate the meal. Instead enjoy a simple tasty time with friends & family void of bombarding visuals.

Try the IN-N-Out Burger near you. Ask for the 'animal style' burger & you'll never visit another fast food franchise again. Go early & avoid the lunch or dinner hour rush. They will be opening one in Riverton this summer.

Ten Minute from Home Tour Tuesday

Remember the old tressle bridge on the Jordan River Parkway that is between 6400 & 7800 South? It was probably built in the early 1900's and barely kept up the tracks. With a new TRAX line going out to West Jordan, the tressle has been replaced with a sleek new version.

This row of trucks with side dumps enters the railroad tracks next to the WJ cemetery, goes across the overpass on 7800 South heading north from Gardiner Village to dump their load along the way. They continue across the new bridge (pictured) and east past the huge new apartment complex called San Moritz (can be seen above the tressle in photo) built on the old tailings in Midvale (featured next week).

The construction has interrupted traffic on Redwood Road for several months and shut it down completely this weekend to add the new tracks. We'll keep you posted on the progress of TRAX and where its stops will be.

Take Your Own Trip Tour

Our Victoria Island trip was axed. That was (my)the plan for Memorial week. We would stay with Jed & Breann one night, Jenn & Mike the next night then speed over to Vancouver, British Columbia. A short ferry ride to Victoria Island and Buschart Gardens taking in views to die for. The alternate was Portland then Astoria, Oregon and the coast.

They were bumped for the Schmidt Shoot Out on June 5-6th with the bros. You are all invited. In its second year, the skeet shooting, barbeque and general rough housing takes priority. Dad's nightime noisy sleep habits were the talk of the gang last year. This gave credence to my years of complaining.

With six days vacation I decided to do the grandchild tour. May 24 & 25 I spent watching Brayle & Hunter play ball, both doing exceptionally well. Each got runs in, caught fly balls & kept the team going. May 28th I headed for Twin Falls, spending the night with Breann & Jed. We enjoyed a down home breakfast at the Depot, a real live cafe. The average customer age was 45-55.

With a desire to see the grand children before they grow up, I headed north to Washinhgton arriving Saturday about 6pm. Emma at six months is changing by the minute with her curious eyes discoverying the world. Jacob speaks in complete sentences. Kade, the contractor is a super handyman. Noah has learned alot in first grade this year and ready for the summer break. Here are a few photos of things grandparents miss when they can't be around their posterity or sons-in-law.

Next stop, a cross country motor cycle ride to Jersey or bust!! That is after I buy a Harley & learn how to drive it.

Tours on Tuesday

I take a 87 year old childless widow, who is the last survivor in her immediate family on outings most Mondays. These weekly rides in the car help her see something more than her 12x12 care center room. Talk about major 'shut-in-a-tosis'. Although it would be nice to drive all over Salt Lake, I try to keep close to home. There is more to see than you would think.

Tuesdays, I'll show you what we have discovered on our Ten Minutes from Home Tour. The Rio Tinto soccer stadium in Sandy is bigger & fancier than I originally invisioned. Notice the fancy illusion the colored seats make with the letters R, S & L (Real Salt Lake). The vertical lines announcing the venue's name on the front door entrance pull your eyes skyward.

Paul McCartney is scheduled to perform there on July 12th. To think, I could sit on the side of the freeway in my car with a fake flat tire & hear this famous icon's voice for free. Or perhaps I'll ride the city bus over that way for my daily walk.

When you are in town, come ride with us for an amazing 'Ten Minute from Home Tour'.

In the Interim

I met Margaret a few years ago when I was trying to get to know all of the women on my Relief Society list. Many I had never heard and did not want any contact with the Church. Margaret didn't live in our ward boundaries, but was listed as living at her sister's home near me. With her care center address, I started to see this single little, lady on a monthly basis.

We became friends due to Margaret's loving nature. She was moved from one care center to another, until an apartment opened up at Legacy House Care Center nearby. Befriending her with consistent visits was easy.

Luck would have it when Allan & I were assigned as home teachers to some residents of Legacy, Margaret was one of the families we were given. With most of our grandchildren living out of state & extra time on our hands, we were able to accept this church calling.

How fun it is to go beyond that stiff feeling with meeting strangers to holding a special place in your heart for them. We continue to find ways to be friends.

Serving others always makes us feel better. If you are feeling lonely, climb out of your shell and go find a person that needs a friend. It's not as hard as it seems & twice as rewarding as chocolate or ice cream.

We Went to Women's Conference

Breann & two of her sisters in law came from Idaho to go to Women's Conference at BYU. Alicia, the think ahead girl, asked if I would like her to buy me a ticket to the event for Mother's Day. I said, sure, so she did.

It was fun to spend time with Breann, racing across campus, Jay-walking every where, fighting for a seat and so on. She spent both Thursday & Friday in classes, at the concert and watching the crazy ladies using every possible second working on the Humanitarian projects. With only Friday to attend, I took in all the sights, sounds & wisdom of the wise (& a few dumb) speakers.

After getting an ice cream cone at the Creamery we stopped at Jory & Sarah's new home for a look around. Dad had Wok King waiting for us at home. All in all it was a great day.

Duck Date Deeded to Dadhood

A devy of drakes found my roof as a date night drop-off point as they wooed this lovely female duck. A few weeks later I discovered her in my neighbor's flower beds next to the porch. She is sitting on close to a dozen eggs. The patient mother to be spends her days in the garden while the dad paddles in the stream out back of my house. Defensive is she, when I go nosing around taking photos & checking to see if the delivery date has arrived.

It won't be long now, until the happy couple are parents and daffy like the rest of us.