Water Garden Park in Fort Worth

Charlene holding up the old guy (as usual)

We had a super trip as we visited Dallin and Paula and kids in Fort Worth over the weekend. We visited the Kennedy museum in Dallas and the old time stockyards in Fort Worth. It was a great trip for all of us.

2009 Deer Hunt Trophies

Colten with his 32" 3X4, Megan with her 26" 4X5 and Lee with his 26" 4X4. All nice trophy bucks from the October hunt in southwest Utah. Rand got a nice buck in Nevada, Lee got a nice Elk at Indian Peak, and Ian got a nice big horn in Oregon. Overall the family confirmed that we are expert hunters.

Deer Hunt

This was definitely a team effort as Charlene and I got this nice 26" 4 pt buck this morning. We took the gun, license, ammo, and knives as an after thought as we were headed to Hamblin Valley, but not really to hunt. When the deer appeared along the fence and roadway near the farm on our property, Charlene scrambled over the seat to get the gun from the zippered case and the bullets from the back pack while I tried to keep him from crossing the road. Forward - backward - fast - slow - for at least 5 minutes and more than a half mile before we were ready and let him jump the fence less than 50 ft away. I shot him with one shot at less than 50 yrds. It was a hilarious memorable experience.

Elk Hunt

This picture represents the conclusion to weeks of planning, scouting, and lots of hard work. The bull is a 7X10 with some unusual characteristics on his right beam and scores about 350. He was taken near Jackson Wash on the Indian Peak limited entry elk hunt which is a "once in a lifetime" hunt.

This is a picture of the family members who were present for the kill. It was a vigorous and demanding hunt that left us all pretty elated but exhausted. Rand's friend Dave Heath from Mesquite was a valuable resource and contributed greatly to the success of our hunt. Someone told me "the success of your hunt is not measured by the points your bull scores". I found this to be very true. Having family around me during one of the most exciting experiences of my life made it that much more special.

John Deere 8410T

IMG00039.jpg, originally uploaded by Lee Bracken.

I thought all of you tractor buffs would enjoy this picture. This big 230HP John Deere is currently in use at the farm as a rental / demo. It is huge and powerful and is used to prepare a field for new hay.

Beaver Mountain ATV Ride

On Saturday Rulon and Shirley Jones, Ron and Elaine Terry, Howard and Rose Alen Bracken, joined Charlene and I on an all day ATV ride over the Beaver mountains to Big Rock Candy Mountain, Marysvale, and back to Beaver. We saw some beautiful country, nearly 100 mountain goats, and a small herd of deer that have apparently become rather domestic. Enjoy the pictures.

Our four wheelers on the summit looking south towards Mt Delano. This is the home and habitat for a large herd of Rocky Mountain Goats. They could be seen on several different mountains from here.
A rest stop at the Big Rock Candy Mountain resort on Hwy 89.

This is and old mining cabin on the top of the mountain. Near this spot we ran into a group of hunters with their dogs who were hunting bear.

This is a shot of about 50 goats grazing on a hillside. They were quite an attraction and we were not alone in watching and photographing them.

When we learned of a herd of deer that had come into a neighborhood in Beaver, we decided to check it out. I am trying to take a photo and lure a big buck in for a closeup. It wasn't hard.

They liked apples, but they loved eating grain from your hand. I think I will try this during the upcoming deer hunt. I never knew it could be so easy. We have always made it so hard.

Charlene had this big 3 point eating from her hand.

4 Wheeler Ride

IMG00008.jpg, originally uploaded by Lee Bracken.

We went for a 4 machine ATV ride up Ox Valley this evening. It was fun for the kids as we saw lots of deer with fawns and even a snake to torment. Rand, Shemri, Jake, and Braden in this photo. Lara and Gunner was on another, and Colten and Megan on the third one. I rode the fourth one. It was a beautiful ride.

IMG00012.jpg, originally uploaded by Lee Bracken.

Flat Top Summit

IMG00002.jpg, originally uploaded by Lee Bracken.

Saturday evening after work Charlene and I hopped on the 4 wheeler and rode up to Flat Top. We decided to hike to the top of the highest peak, and this is a cell phone photo shot from the very top. The hike was through a lot of short heavy oak and lava rock and we took some comfort believing that rattlesnakes don't normally live at this high altitude. After hiking back to our ATV, we only went a short distance before seeing two rattlesnakes, one of which was pretty big. Good thing we saw them "after" the climb and not before or you would not be seeing this picture.

Rome

At the huge Colliseum of Rome. Capable of seating nearly 70,000 people to enjoy a variety of gladiator games for their entertainment.


In front of the amazing Pantheon. This building has been in continuous use for nearly 2,000 years. It remains an engineering and architectural marvel. The outside seems plain, but the inside is stunning.


Inside the Pantheon.


In front of the Vatican and St Peters Square with the imposing St Peters Basilica in the background. The location for the filming of parts of "Angels and Demons".

Venice

The Grand Canal in Venice. No roads and no cars ! The only way to get around is in a boat or gondola or on foot through the maze of narrow walkways and alleys.


Charlene seems to be pondering the fact that she really is in Venice!

Switzerland

Another view of Mt Eiger from a lower level near the village of Murren.


Charlene and Lee at the top of Mt Schilthorn with the imposing alp peaks behind us. Mt Eiger and its famous "North Face" is on the left.

Nineteen friends and family gathered at Hoover Dam for an overnight canoe trip down the Black Canyon portion of the Colorado River. We had excellent weather and had a wonderful trip as we paddled 13 miles to Willow Beach, Arizona. We hiked several slot canyons and explored some hot springs.


Mical, Diana, and Trevor flying our pirate flag as we paddled down the mighty Colorado.

CMA Concert

IMG00042.jpg, originally uploaded by Lee Bracken.

Charlene and I attended a concert in Las Vegas Monday evening at the MGM Grand. It was an Academy of Country Music Awards tribute to legendary entertainer George Strait in honoring him as entertainer of the decade. A number of talented artists either sang their version of a George Strait song, or sang a tribute to a former recipient of the award. Those tributes included: Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, Alabama, and Garth Brooks. Those performing included: Sugarland, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Faith Hill, Loretta Lambert, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Jamie Fox, Martina McBride, Brooks & Dunn, Jamie Johnson, LeAnn Womack, Alan Jackson, LeAnn Rimes, Montgomery Gentry, Garth Brooks, and of course George Strait. The concert was exceptional and will be broadcast on CBS on May 27th.

Dylan Crawford Bull Rider !

IMG00028.jpg, originally uploaded by Lee Bracken.

This is Dylan on the Utah National Guard electonic bull at the annual Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife Banquet held Saturday March 7, 2009. Dylans expert skill won him several nice prizes at the dart throw including a laser guided air soft pistol and a large fountain drink mug. We had a nice dinner and a fun time.

ATV Ride Near Motoqua

We had to cross several fairly large and deep streams on our trip. This is Colten and Megan crossing one of the more shallow streams near Motoqua. Fortunately no one floated away.


A group of us went on an all day ATV ride on Saturday. We left from Utah Hill and went west into the Beaver Dam Wash (north of Littlefield, AZ) and then back over to Motoqua, before completing the 65 mile loop. Ron and Elaine Terry were the tour leaders and those in the group were: Rulon & Shirley Jones, Mike & Dori Singleton,
Kendall & Ilene Simkins, Harold & Myrtle Singleton, Brent & Whitney Simkins, Colten & Megan Bracken, Sheldon & Elaine Banks, Lee & Charlene Bracken, and two friends of Rons from St. George.

Snow Sculpture for FHE

Snow sculpture FHE, originally uploaded by Lee Bracken.

The snow today was wet and just the right texture to build snowmen or other snow creations. For FHE we all worked from a bucket of snow on a cookie sheet to make our favorite sculpture.

Library Dedication

Sister Patricia T Holland joins with her husband Elder Jeffrey R Holland at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new county library facility in Enterprise. The ribbon cutting followed a nice program and formal dedication that took place at the Enterprise High School Auditorium. It was a fun event to be part of and a historic day for our little community.

Utah State Capitol

State Capitol, originally uploaded by Lee Bracken.

This has become a familiar meeting place for me. I spent all day here today meeting with Homeland officials regarding some FEMA matters affecting the City and with State water leaders to review pending legislation. I got a special treat today with a tour or the State Emergency Operations center and the Governors adjacent control room. It was an interesting day.

One of my Little Buddies

I have been doing a lot of experimenting with several websites, many of which share data or cross post information and photos. You may have noticed different older photos or posts somewhat out of context. All of the recent activity has been part of a learning process. Among the sites I have been exploring and testing besides blogger are: facebook, multiply, flickr, and youtube along with some expanded Blackberry functionality. Most of them baffle my aging mind and things aren't as intuitive as they used to be but I am starting to find some advantages and usefulness to several of them. I intend to narrow my use and try to post more frequently once I find comfort in the various options. Right now I am liking MULTIPLY. See my page at: www.leebracken.multiply.com

Ashlee and Amelia

Two cute kids sharing some chocolate cake

Family at New Years

The whole family came home on New Years Eve. It was a great weekend as there was lots of good food, games to play, some went snowboarding, others went golfing, still others went shopping. It was a great time for all of the cousins to get reacquainted.