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Today was a great day for a hike up Ice House Canyon to the saddle. As for the hike, it is not that far in miles. However, in the 3.6 miles there is an elevation gain of 2,660 feet. The hike is a nice hike as the start of it is next to a stream.
In places there is water weeping out of the sides of the canyon so there is more vegetation. The photo below is also a rare photo of Jacob as he is difficult to capture in pixels.
We stopped at the 2 mile mark to have lunch. It was a nice break before starting up the switchbacks to get to the saddle. Once to the top we looked for the geocache that was near the saddle. It was a downhill walk to the location. Once walking back up to the saddle, Jacob and I decided that we would head back rather than puting in a couple of more miles. We had someone take our picture. It appears that Jacob is more likely to stay in a picture if someone else is taking it.
From the trail on the way down we could see Mt. San Antonio or Mt. Baldy in the distance.
As we continued our way down we took more time and grabbed several geocaches on the way. Some were simple and a couple took a little more though. Overall it was a good day to go on a day hike and grab some geocaches.
As the sun started to rise in the east, it was time to get up. In order to get to the top of Mt. San Gorgonio by 10 AM we needed to leave by 6:30 AM. A quick breakfast and we were on our way.
Within about a half mile we had a view of Dry Lake. It looks a like there is less water in the lake than last year. As for the trees, in the past ten or more years, it has been dry and lots of trees have perished due to the lack of moisture.
We arrived at the top about 10:00. We were able to send a mirror flash to Mt. San Jacinto and Mt. San Antonio as well as receive mirror flashes from them as well. No pictures of the flash, but a picture of Mt. San Jacinto.
We used our ham radios to talk to each other and coordinate signaling. It does not do those sending out mirror flashes any good if no one is looking. Calling on the radio to alert the other peak that you will be signaling lets them know to look. We had a couple of people ask us what we were doing on the radio. One was the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. They could hear us on the radio from Mt. San Gorgonio, however, there was no way to flash them through the haze.
We had some problems with the clouds as the day went on. No sun and no flash. About noon we started back to Fish Creek Saddle to get camp picked up. We then made out way down the trail to the trail head. Then there was the 7 mile dirt road that takes about a half our before you can get on the highway to head home. Made it home safely, after stopping at A&W for a large root beer float. It was a great trip.
Backpacked in to Fish Creek Saddle this afternoon. Setup camp and headed out on a mile or so hike up to Grinnell Peak at 10,284 feet in elevation. Mt. San Gorgonio, elevation 11,502 is seen towards the south in the picture below.
Taking in the beauty while sitting on a rock and eating dinner. Tomorrow morning it is off on a day hike to get to the top of Mt. San Gorgonio. Now it is just me and the sunset.
Added one more picture of the sunset and one more with the orange light filtering through the trees and Mt. San Gorgonio in the background. – 7/22/2012
 Mt. San Gorgonio from Grinnell Mountain top
One of my brothers called to let me know that one of my other brothers asked their daughters what they wanted to do when they went to Utah. Their answer – shooting. Our nieces had never shot a gun before and that is what they wanted to do.
As a side story, my three brothers and I went on vacation to Utah as children. One of our highlights is when out grandfather took us shooting. I remember visiting the Elsinore dump on several occasions, which was a target rich environment. There were cans, bottles, old appliances and a whole host of things to be lined up and filled with holes.
On one occasion, grandpa was watching us shoot. Then all of a sudden he dropped his paints and started dancing. unbeknownst to us he had unknowingly stood on a red ant hill and got ants in his paints. We thought it was funny watching him jump around slapping at his legs.
As for today, we had planned to meet at 8:00 and go go to the Richfield rifle range. When I woke up, there was a light drizzle. Rain should not keep a new shooter from experiencing the sport. I met two of my brothers at their hotel and we drove out to the range. We set up targets in the light drizzle and gave instructions. I asked what rule one was. One of my brothers proclaimed, “Keep your booger hook off the bang switch.” Our young nieces looked at us like, what is a booger hook? We then started off with the standard safety rules and explained that it was important for them to follow them.
 Haley shooting in the rain on the other side of Preston and Wayne There was a lot of 22 shot out of single shot bolt action guns by Ruby and Lucy. Haley used a Ruger 10/22 for her time at the range. Preston won a .308 rifle at a NRA dinner and he wanted to try that out. It is a lot of gun for a young kid, but he shot it several times. Also shot was a pump action rifle in .357, an AR style in .223.
So the question is, how many rounds did Haley, Ruby and Lucy throw downrange? As many as it took for them to be soaked and start shivering. They then retreated to the car where the heater was running. As for me, I brought my rain shell and could have stayed longer. However, there was a lot of maintenance that needed to be done on the firearms.
Wayne and I went back to grandpas house and disassembled all the firearms, dried them off, used an aerosol gun scrubber to blast any water out of actions and trigger groups. Then an aerosol lubricant and rust prevented was sprayed into the actions and trigger groups. any other parts had an oily patch run through them or over the outside. We spent more time oiling and protecting the firearms from moisture than shooting. On the other hand, it was more important to introduce youngsters to shooting, even if it meant shooting in the rain.
The parade in Richfield is an ongoing tradition for us. We do not make it every year, sometime there are several years between. However, we have been getting better at staking our spot. Usually the day before someone goes to the parade route and sets up chairs. I stopped by a couple of hours before the parade to drop off more chairs.
The parade is a fun and has everything from tractors, basic floats, a could of bands as well as the big gun. Can you think of a better ride for your wife and child?
Of course, there are other guns. Written on the side of the pickup truck, “Buy this truck, get a free gun.” What kind of gun? We asked, it is a Weatherby in your choice of caliber.
I snapped a couple of other pictures to give a little flavor of the parade.
 Tractors The parade also has some groups that dance. Wayne has made it a tradition to go out on the parade route and dance as well. This year included a few of the nieces and nephews. No pictures as I was too busy laughing.
After the parade we went to the Central Valley Forth of July BBQ and games. They have relay races and sack races for all. In the 35 to 50 category I was beat by my younger brother Eric and was fortunant to beat my other two younger brothers Alan and Wayne. I raced again in the over 50 category. Alan wanted a rematch so he stepped up to the line as well. As before, he beet me off the line. However, as explained by Wayne, once I got my fat in motion, there was no hope for Alan. It was a great time for all.
We started out our day heading towards Zion National Park. We decided to ride the shuttle bus from the visitors center up Zion Canyon. Janet had never been to Zion National Park. Our final destination on the bus was Temple of Sinawava where the Riverside Walk trail started.
The last time I was on the Riverside Walk trail was about two years ago where I was making my way downstream after starting a hike 16 miles upstream at the Camberlainn’s Ranch trailhead. The next day we were moving downstream against all the people going upstream.
As we walked up the canyon I noticed things that I really did not look at before. Part of it may have been because I had been looking at canyon wall for a long time. Of course there was a swamp area in the canyon because of water working its way out of the canyon walls.
 Janet standing in front of the swamp in Zion Canyon  Plants and moisture on canyon wall We continued our journey further up the trail. I could have taken more pictures, however Janet and I were enjoying the scenery. We saw several deer and a couple of deer with their fawns.
We stopped to eat lunch and there were several friends that wanted lunch as well. In addition to looking at nature there were signs all over the place that said, “Do not feed wildlife – $100 Penalty – Please report visitors.”
 Wildlife looking for food We continued to the end of the Riverside Trail, the start of the narrows.
 Janet at the end of the Riverside Walk trail and the beginning of the narrows As I spent a lot of time in the river a couple of years ago and it was hot I took some time to cool off.
We made our way back down the trail on back to the shuttle bus. Soon enough we were in the car and headed out of Zion National Park. We wanted to get to a cooler place as it was in the low 100’s today.
As a family and close friends we met at the Kanosh cemetery, the final resting place of Willard George Rogers. His wife Norma was brought over from the Richfield cemetery to be placed by his side. The legacy of will continue with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In southern Utah for grandpa’s funeral
Grandpa Willard George Rogers was born the 2nd of June, 1912 in Kanosh Utah. He had his 100th birthday earlier this month. He passed away today and soon will be laid to rest in Kanosh. Just some quick pictures of Grandpa with his great grandchildren.
 Emily with Grandpa and Grandma Rogers in 1990  Grandpa looking at a book of dinosaurs with Emily, Scott and Eric in 1995  Grandpa and Grandma Rogers with Emily, Lisa, Scott, Eric and Jacob in 1996  Uncle Alan, Grandpa, Scott, Eric and Jacob in 2008  Eric, Jacob and myself Great-grandpa Rogers in 2010. Back in February of 1998 Scott was askid to write about one of his ancestors for a project at school. Scott wrote:
An important ancestor of mine is Willard George Rogers, my great grand father. He was born June 2, 1912 in Kanosh Utah. He is a little bit smaller than my dad and he is thin. He is 85 years old. My grandpa has a big house on a farm in Central Valley Utah. He grows tomatoes, carrots, onions, peas, beans, potatoes, lettuce and many other vegetables. We play hide and go seek on his farm. They give us lots of goodies and sugar and my grandpa plays Frisbee with me.
We will all miss Grandpa Rogers.
Another year has passed and another Fathers Day is already here. Father’s day always brings memories of dad. He passed away a few days after father’s day three years ago. This year thoughts are also turned to Grandpa Rogers, who turned 100 this month. Unfortunately, he took a sudden turn for the worse and is now in a care facility. Times change and we all grow older. However, this next year will bring a different change. Emily Ann, our oldest daughter is pregnant with the first grandchild. Next father’s day I will be a grandpa. As we continue to move through life, there is always change. Now for a few pictures.
One of my favorite pictures of dad.
And now some pictures and words from last years Fathers Day post:
In 2000 Scott was visiting his Great-grandfather Rogers and had a Christmas morning surprise, snow. He thought it would be fun to shovel a little snow.
In 2004 Scott was celebrating his November birthday with his Grandpa Shumway who was also born in November.
In 2004 Eric and Jacob get hugs from Grandpa Brown.
In 2005 Scott and I backpacked into John’s Meadow.
In 2006 Jacob and I went on a fishing trip to the headwaters of the Santa Ana River.
In 2008 Eric, Jacob and I took a little ride on horses in Southern Utah.
In 2009 Jacob and I were out Geocaching and I tried to get a picture of us. After a few tries I got Jacob to smile.
In 2010 Emily and I spent some time shooting air guns.
In 2010 Eric, Jacob and I visited Great-grandpa Rogers.
In 2011 Emily, Jacob and I took a hike up the San Bernardino trail in the San Bernardino Mountains.
The remainder of 2011 had lots of activities. Jacob and I hiked the tree tallest peaks in southern California and went to Philmont Scout Ranch for a 10 day trek in the Rocky Mountains in northern New Mexico. Have lots of pictures, and few of the two of us. Here is one on top of the Tooth of Time at Philmont.
It looks like I need to get into a picture with my children. I take pictures of them and they take pictures of me, we just need to find someone to take pictures of us. That is a goal for this next year. More on that next Fathers Day.
Emily and I went for a walk this evening. We made it from the house partway up Mt. Rubidoux and back home. It was about three miles, a trip that I was told was just a little too far away from a bathroom. Go figure. Then again, I do not have someone hanging out on my bladder.
I took the opportunity to go to the range today for their monthly Bullseye shoot. The last time I shot the bullseye shoot was about two years ago I was using a Glock 35. Everyone else was using a .22 caliber hand gun. I must have spent 10 times what they did on ammunition.
A couple of months ago I picked up a Ruger MKIII Hunter. I made the decision to show up with a .22 caliber hand gun for the Bullseye shoot. When I showed up, everyone had a .22 caliber handgun except for the guy with the .357 who was shooting his own special hand loads. As a matter to note, everyone had a spotting scope as well. I was not sure if it was due to the average age of the participants or what. At 25 feet I could see the holes in the paper target. At 50 feet I could not. At 50 yards, there was no chance of seeing the holes in the target.
I did a lot better this time. I was in the top ten rather than the bottom two. As for the Ruger MKIII Hunter, it performed great. The long barrel helped in keeping the sights on target. It was a pleasure to shoot. It was also nice to see that there was always something in the 10 ring, if not one or two at the long distance, several at the shorter distances.
I have been busy gardening and not hiking this spring. Or should I say, only getting in a couple of five mile hikes a week in town up Mt Rubidoux. The mild 500 foot elevation gain is not much. As for some gains in elevation, I took a couple of pictures on April seventh and then again today. The peas and beans are up to six feet. The latest batch of peas is still about 18 inches and the few really hot days cooked them a bit. Then there is the zucchini which is growing like crazy.
I also built a new garden box for the tomatoes. Of course, the new garden box need to be added to the drip irrigation system. That was about 30 feet of new underground sprinkler pipe and moving a couple of sprinklers 10 feet. I water the tomatoes by hand about once a week. The carrots, onions and lettuce get water on the regular drip system about every other day. The tomatoes are doing a lot better this year.
It was a nice Sunday evening and I asked Jacob if he wanted to go for a walk. He said yes, when he finished a level on Roller-coaster Tycoon. Soon enough we were off to the base of Mt. Rubidoux. We got out of the car and walked towards the gate. Jacob put his ear buds on and he was off. He was at least 100 yards a head of me when we got to the bridge. He was kind enough to wait.
So much for me thinking we would have a leisurely walk. I let him know that I was three times his age. He let me know that it was my problem that I was that old. We continued on, or should I say, I continued on chasing youth. The sun was setting in the west as we were headed down. We both stopped to take a few pictures. Towards the bottom he slowed down and we actually talked. It turned out to be a nice walk.
 Sunset from Mt. Rubidoux
I have mowed the back lawn off and on for almost 20 years. I have mowed around in a rectangle shape or diagonally across. I have never used the crop circle approach. It is good to use a different path as not to create tire ruts from repetition. Perhaps on my next day out to mow the lawn I will try the crop circle approach.
After the circles came the chipping. The stump that Eric chipped away at was aching to be chipped up a bit more. Of course Jacob likes getting his picture taken. Then again, what was I thinking taking a picture of Jacob with an axe in his hands?
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