Rubber Ducky Races

After twenty nonconsecutive years of living in the valley, I decided to attend the annual Rubber Ducky Event held at Riverside Park in Kernville.  ducky day and thompsons move 033 I took my favorite niece Elle, my sister Kelly, and cousin Taryn for a fun day in the sun.  As the pictures of shiny red faces attest, it was HOT.  Leah and Roger Callahan were in town for the event and we visited briefly. Leah gave Elle a ticket to fish for a ducky. I purchased an "Odd Duck"  for a hundred dollars because that was all that was left.  Lunch was hectic with the three girls.  I should have just skipped lunch and bought them all snow cones.  They loved them!  Taryn played in the bounce house but Elle was too scared.   ducky day and thompsons move 003

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Taryn didn't hesitate to have her face painted with a rose.  Krissy, Dylan, Kent, Harley, and the twins joined us for the last hour.  With her mother's reassurance, Elle let them paint a ladybug on her thigh.  As soon as the woman was done, she became preoccupied with it.  We didn't stay around long enough to even see who won because the races weren't that exciting and it was over a hundred degrees.  ducky day and thompsons move 010 ducky day and thompsons move 007

IRN BRU Taste Test

Our last and final day in Scotland was filled with a diverse array of sights from a Hollywood film sight, to viewing highland cows, and a lovely dinner overlooking Loch Lomond.  british isles 410 We started the day early so we could get in as much as possible but paid for it later.  Our final stop in Edinburgh was to see the infamous Greyfriars Bobby Skye terrier statue.  This dog was so devoted that he stood watch over his masters grave for 14 years until his own demise.  

Since we weren't able to visit the "highlands," Rik took us to a location were we could see a highland cow.  They are sure ugly!

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Attention DaVinci Code lovers;  we visited Rosslyn Chapel where the final chapters in the book take place and where Tom Hanks walked the aisles during Hollywood's version of the book.  Many assertions in the book were fictionalized and Hollywood added to the interior architecture for the movie.  The docent gave us a history on the chapel and pointed out interesting architectural details.british isles 421   The publishing of Dan Brown's book is noted as a miracle for the chapel increasing visitors by more than 100 percent.  The revenues are helping to restore the chapel's ceiling which was deteriorating rapidly due to water damage.   

 

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Despite the long detour, driving through the countryside was beautiful.  We arrived at New Lanark just around lunchtime but decided to visit the "New Millennium Experience" first.  The "ride" was supposed to be wheelchair accessible but Kelly's wheelchair was too big.  Go figure!  We didn't let that stop us. On the ride we learned about the revolution that occurred in the milling industry in the british isles 425 1800's in New Lanark.  Robert Owen was an extremely successful entrepreneur but more importantly he helped reform child labor laws, opened schools, started an employee sick fund, and made sure the workers lived under favorable conditions. He is considered one of the founders of the Co-operative movement and utopian socialism.  We toured the school rooms that were along the banks of the River Clyde. 

 

Back in the taxi, we began the drive to the industrialized city of Glasgow. Rik took us to see the Burrell Collection which is housed in a museum in Pollok County Park.  The museum contains 9,000 works of art that the city acquired from one single person, Sir William Burrell.  We were only interested in the impressionist art of Manet, Cezanne, and Degas.  The Islamic and ancient Chinese art didn't appeal to us in the least bit making it the shortest visit to a museum ever.

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In talking with Rik, we learned that IRN BRU is the drink of choice in Scotland.   They sell more of it than either Coke or Pepsi.  We couldn't pass up the opportunity to try it so we stopped at the nearest convenient store to buy some.   It is orange in color and tastes like a sicky sweet bubble gum.  Kelly enjoyed it while Jenny and Mom downed a Diet Coke.

Loch Lomond, the second biggest loch in Scotland, was our final destination.   Due to the record high temperatures, the british isles 432 Trossachs National Park was filled with sunbathers and a few braving the cold waters.  We walked along the loch's edge and enjoyed the cool breezes.  Dinner was served on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond at Duck Bay Restaurant.  The views were gorgeous and the food was some of the best on the entire trip.

 

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The whole Glasgow airport experience, the short flight back to Dublin, and the accommodations near the Dublin airport for our last night were disastrous. The long flight home was exactly that...long!  

Encounter with the Loch Ness Monster

The wake up call we were expecting, turned out to be Rick our driver saying he was waiting downstairs.  Oops.  After throwing on some clothes and stopping by Starbucks for juice and muffins, we were off to see the Scottish borders.  One of the most modern sights, the Falkirk Wheel was our first destination.  british isles 357 Built to commemorate the Millennium, it connects the Union Canal and the Forth & Clyde Canal which were originally connected by a series of 11 locks.  It is the worlds first and only rotating boat lift.  The project cost 84.6 million pounds which in dollars would be double that figure.  Since its completion in 2002, it has become quite the tourist attraction.  We boarded a "gondola" and took a 45 minute ride that took us from one canal to the other and back again. The grounds are completely accessible to the wheelchair but we didn't take the time to explore. 

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Six hundred years earlier, Stirling Castle was built atop a volcanic crag near the Forth River.  Theories speculate that the legend of Camelot is based on a castle here during King Arthur's conquest of parts of Scotland in the 6th Century.  british isles 390

There weren't any roundtables in sight, but we managed to find a picnic table to sit and enjoy lunch.  Kelly's meal was the best!  Jenny was even jealous and tried to sneak a few bites....OK more than a few.  british isles 365 The castle wasn't completely accessible but every effort was made to make our visit enjoyable.  A courtesy van, wheelchair accessible and all, took us to the main square atop Castle Hill. The main Palace was closed got refurbishment but we visited the Royal Chapel and the Great Hall.   In the gardens, we met high school students trying to dress the part of 18th century castle life.  They were thrilled to have their picture taken with Kelly.

 

 

 

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Rik dropped us off a few blocks up the Royal Mile from our hotel so we could catch a glimpse at the inside of St. Giles Cathedral.  This site was involved with John Knox's Calvinist reformation in the late 16th century abolishing Catholism.british isles 407   Mom's interest was wavering at this point so we decided it was time to eat.

We went to Wannaburger for burgers and shakes.  I know we can be picky eaters but the meat had a strange taste and the milkshakes didn't taste anything like at home.  Following dinner, we walked the Royal Mile looking for the perfect souvenir at a reasonable price.  We bought absolutely nothing!  Mom was much more interested in getting outside to be entertained by street performers preparing for the big Fringe festival.  Being in Loch Ness country, we decided to attend the "3D experience" and we were completely disappointed.  Just like the legend it was a big waste of time. 

Relax, Rejuvenate, and Revitalize

As the Enrichment Counselor, I was in charge of a Relief Societretreat 010y Retreat today held in my home.  Fairly well attended, we enjoyed hearing from a nurse practitioner, trying out homemade facials, a summer book exchange, lunch and time to just visit.  It didn't go as well as I hoped and I certainly didn't have a chance to relax but I guess that is to be expected when you are overseeing an event. My best supporters, my mom and sisters were the first to put on homemade facials. Green: avocado and honey, subtle orange: eye yolks, and white: yogurt and yeast. Special thanks to all who attended and helped out in any way. 

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The Forbidden Fruit Tastes the Sweetest: Breaking Dawn Concert Series

For Kelly's birthday, I promised to take her to one of Stephenie Meyer's book signings.  She got her book Sunday after church and completed it the night before the concert. Busy with work, I wasn't as fortunate. After working only half day Thursday, we left for UCLA.  We enjoyed dinner at my favorite stop along the way, Claim Jumper.  Yes, it would have been appropriate to let Kelly choose the restaurant but I'm not that nice.   Kelly loved the clam chowder in a bread bowl and strawberry lemonade so I think it was a good choice.   The actual event was a concert, discussion, and signing.  Surrounded by "Twilight" groupies, Kelly has decided that there are many women much more obsessed than she.   Royce Hall was sold out to 1800 crazies.  The music was performed by Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October.  I personally enjoyed the song "Hate Me."  We had an enjoyable evening but weren't so thrilled with the organization of the signing.  Luckily a few girls from Georgia took pity on us and we only had to wait in line two hours.  It was midnight before we were back to the Hyatt in Valencia.

 

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Look at me! Look at me!

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Visit from Connors Family

Shortly after returning from our big trip, an old friend from BYU, Anne Connors came to visit.  She brought her four children; Joel, Adam, Emma, and Anna.   It was their first visit to Lake Isabella and HOPEFULLY not the last.  Nicole and I had a great time visiting with Anne and were entertained by her active children.  She is a treasured friend and I wish it was easier to keep in touch.  Anne is an amazing mother and I hope someday to call her for parenting advice.   Thanks Anne for the visit...it meant a lot to both Nicole and myself.   Come again anytime!

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Sick of Castles or Just Plain Sick

We were picked up by our driver/guide Rick.  It turned out to be a semi-accessible taxi and an Edinburgh veteran.  He began the morning by driving us to the Queen's Park.  Swans were in the middle of the road and if you accidentally hit one of the Queen's swans, you would land yourself in prison.  He drove us by the new Parliament Building whibritish isles 294ch opened in 2004 and was designed by Enric Miralles.  Unlike the rest if this medieval city, the design was very modern and abstract.  It seemed out of place next to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Our driver timed it perfectly to drop us off right outside Edinburgh castle before it opened.  To access the castle entrance, we walked through the temporary grandstands where the annual Military Tattoo is held.  Once inside, we loaded Kelly into a vehicle to transport her to the crown square at the top of the hill.   We visited the first floor of the Royal Palace british isles 301 Building which houses the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone Of Destiny.  We were treated to some traditional Scottish dancing in the main square. We entered the oldest building in the castle, St Margaret's Chapel dating back to the 12th century and weren't all that impressed. The Mons Meg, a great fifteenth-century siege british isles 309 british isles 320 gun, pointed directly north and from that point the views of Edinburgh were beautiful.  A quick phone call to the driver and we were back on the Royal Mile headed to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which it the Queen's home when she visits Scotland.  Lunch was first on the agenda and we dined on tatties(potatoes) british isles 324 and soup.  Luckily the queen's visit had ended the week prior to our arrival, so we were able to tour the palace.   It served as the primary residence of the Kings and Queens of Scotland since the 15th century.  Inside we learned more about the infamous Mary Queen of Scots who resided in the palace.  We were intrigued by her life story and are now looking to read more about it.  Any suggestions?

british isles 327 british isles 329 Outside we walked through the Queen's Gardens and through the remains of the Augustinian Abbey which date back to 1128. 

Next, we boarded the royal yacht Britannia which has traveled the world all over.  Before retiring to the port in Leith, the yacht was home to 20 officers and 220 yachtsmen.  Charles and Diana honeymooned aboard it.  Supposedly, Hillary and Bill Clinton stayed over in a double bed while visiting the Queen. british isles 344 In the dining hall, the audio tour informed us that it took 3 hours to set the tables for dinner.  They used rulers to exact the distance between each piece in the table setting.  Talk about ridiculous!

Rick had a few things he wanted to show us on the drive back but Kelly wasn't interested.  All day she had been feeling lousy and decided it was time to spew.  My mom tried to catch most of it but there was more to come.  Poor Kelly!   Needless to say, we couldn't get back to the hotel quick enough.  Luckily Rick was semi-prepared for an incidence of this kind from years of driving drunks home on Friday and Saturday nights.  

Once settled back at the hotel, Kelly spent the evening recuperating, Mom planning the next day out, and Jenny was off to do laundry.  british isles 346