1 Oct 2004

We made it back and this time we will be joined by the Cherry Family and the Maestri Family. We intend to fix doors, re-roof the outhouse, haul away some garbage — just small chores this time because we are here to enjoy the beauty and peacefulness and to listen to General Conference. It’s a little chilly at night but amazingly beautiful all day long. We are grateful for the blessing of this cabin.

Rol & Nel

Early Oct. 2004
Now that the weather has cooled off, we have come back to the cabin. Wahoo! What a perfect place to come to hear conference. Hearing the word of the Lord in such a beautiful place really is something special. Like being in the temple.
This has been such a great weekend. The weather was beautiful & the kids had a fantastic time. A beautiful storm is threatening and we don’t want to leave. Alas, however, we must go.

– Jason, Jennie & Emma Maestri

25 Sept 2004
We came to the cabin to put a new metal roof on the Honeymoon cabin. It was a great experience in team work. Roland worked up on the roof and I handed him the sheets of metal. We ran out of battery power just as we ran out of energy so all worked out well. We’ll try to get back here next week to finish up a few more projects.

We love it here,
Roland and Nellie

9/6/04

Hey, Hey, Hey! This is Lacey Rogers (daughter of Ed and Kathy Rogers), it has been a long time since I have been here ar the cabin. The last time I was here I was 8, now I am 13. We are having a Rogers family reunion. Today I went 4 wheeling and I crashed twice but one of the crashes is supposed to be a secret so I can’t tell anyone about it (except for the people there). All I will tell you is that I ALMOST died. Well, I’m thinking its time for another four-wheeling drive! See ya next year!
Love Lacey Rogers
(Drawing with caption – I had to drive down something like this!!!

9/6/04

Dear Journal,
My name is Kaden Rogers, son of Ben and Michele Rogers. The last time I was here was when I was 10, and now I’m 13. Today “w/Lacey” we went 4 wheeling . Our other cousin Rosy Terry was the one who almost killed her and Lacey. The went down the hill “imaged below and to the left” and then flipped it over. Us people @ the top of the hill thought they were dead. The same 4 wheeler ran out of gas, so we left them there to die! Me, Danny (our other cousin) and my sister Bree (and Kurtis) went back to camp howlin up and down the hills in 4th gear goin 30 mph. Well, I’m leavin w/ Lacey now to get in some more wreck! I’ll write back next year @ the next family reunion.
Yesterday night, the whole family got together and talked about Grandpa, and their memories here. It was great to hear true stories!

9/6/04

Dear Journal,
I almost got killed going 30mph over hills (steep) hills going up and with a passenger on the back. Me, my cousins (Curtis, Bree, Lacey, Kaden) all went on a trail and almost died. Rosie and Lacey crashed and then we flipped them over but when we flipped the quad over it was out of gas. The we left them Me Bree and Kaden and Kurtis left Lacey and Rose. And we went back to camp. We found Jake’s 4 wheeler in a tree and his helmet was under the 4 wheeler. We though he was dead but he came walking through a clearing. Then we drove away and made it to camp safe.

Sincerely
Daniel Walter

(illustration)

9/6/04
Two years ago I brough my wife and kids back to the cabin. It was my kids first trip, my oldest was 11. It had been 12 years since I had been there at that point. I realized then how many memories I have been missing out on not taking advantage of the cabin. The memories I could reflect back on and the memories I can make for my own kids. Mom & Ned came up with us two years ago and it was nice to have here there. I miss having my dad and grandpa around at the cabin. The many trips we made to help remodel the main cabin and build the teen cabin. It is so easy to find peace here and to find a place to stand in awe of the beauty of this land and the brilliant colors. Thank you Uncle Roland & Aunt Nellie for allowing us to renew the memories. This weekend was the first time our whole family has been here in at least 15 years. We had a testimony meeting on Sunday and the spirit was intense. We knew our past members felt of our love for them. I hope we can now continue with this experience, renew ourselves, and return again. I hope we can be included in some Ben F Rogers reunions, if anything that we can do to help keep up the place, just ask!

Ben Rogers & Family
Michele, Kaden, Bree, Josh, Tia, Kolby

September 6, 04

Journal,
What an experience! I saw cousins that I haven’t seen for years. It was awesome. I missed not being here with my Dad, but it was still a great time. Me and Lacey were having a fun time on the four wheeler until we crashed (not) I wrote that just because I wanted to feel cool! Ha! Ha! ☺ I stayed in a ten and I stunk everyone out. Thanks for the wonderful stay!

Love,
Rose Terry

Saturday, August 28th
Alyssa Lee came to the cabin with Grandma and Grandpa, Jodi & Kyle and Kade-o. My mom, my dad, and my “brotha” and Hannah.

This is a picture of my friend Katarina. I like when she plays at my house and has a tea party.

(kid drawings)
My first adventure Tuesday, August 17, 2004 on the swing

-Katarina?

(more kid drawings)

I set the table and Buddie helped me and his name is Eric
(More Kid drawings)

-Katarina?

6-7 August 2004

Came to relax and enjoy the beauty of the cabin. While we were here we fixed the stove, and the shower, painted miscellaneous items and Roland repainted the trim on the Honeymoon cabin. But mostly we just enjoyed being here.

Until next time
Roland & Nellie

4 July 2004

Everyone else was busy and had other plans – but we couldn’t resist – we came back to the cabin and enjoyed a glorious 4th. We roasted hotdogs and steak. We had cabin breakfast and we even went to church in Long Valley.

This is the BEST place!

Roland & Nellie

I am a happy man here!! Roland

A couple of notes: (1) Check out Nellie’s decorating in the honeymoon cabin – especially the new curtains. (2) You’ll find a new blue couch in the front room. (3) We made an attempt to fix the oven door on the woodstove. It seems like it’s working okay now. But go easy on it. (4) Also remember to empty the ash box on the stove. It was filled to the brim and spilling out. Have fun!!
No bears or lions.
Roland

30 June 2004

This is Elder and Sister Lee (Nellie and Roland) back from our 18 month mission to Central California. We loved our mission but we dreamed almost daily about coming once again to this lovely oasis. Our memories must be dimming, because it is not just lovely, it is fabulous! The weather has been ideal and the flying creatures have been minimal. As we arrived yesterday the sky was turbulent with soaring thundercloud and we unloaded the truck to a delightful and refreshing rainstorm. The air stayed cool and breezy into the evening and we enjoyed a big bright moon to light our way to the potty before bed. It just doesn’t get any better than this.

We appreciate all those who have taken care of the cabin, and we enjoyed reading all the journal entries. The only thing more fun than enjoying the cabin ourselves is to know that others love it too! Special thanks to Uncle Jim for his copious and loquatious essays in his cabin exploits. However, I think his comments on “toxic pee”, “foraging for faggots” and tales of grizzly bears and mountain lions may be the products of an aging (70??) mind – or maybe just too much Cerveza. I’m quite old myself and have been visiting the cabin for years and have NEVER seen a bear, or a mountain lion. However, I have been stuck in the snow and mud a few times. That part is true!

The cabins are in wonderful shape. Just a few major projects remain such as finishing the stair rails in the “kids cabin”. By the way, Nellie and I had new signs made for all the cabins which we installed last night. Since we no longer have teens, we renamed the teen cabin “The Kids Cabin”.

We also repaired both outhouse doors – one of which had blown off its hinges. I don’t know if it was the winter wind or the result of Uncle Jim’s chili! Anyway, it’s good to go! Jim Lee had framed up some topo maps and an aerial photo of the Ponderosa, which are now hung in the main cabin. You will also find a new “sky chair” hanging under the Pinion Tree at the main cabin. That is also a delightful and relaxing gift from Jimmie. We repaired the old picnic table and re-stacked the rocks around Jodi and Kyle’s firepit. Nellie raked and swept everywhere and cleaned up all the cabins. We’re hoping our kids will come back with us this weekend for the 4th of July. I think last year on our mission was the first 4th of July in many years that we didn’t spend at the cabin.

A few notes on flora and fauna. We have lots of wildflowers all over. We were pleased to even see some poppies which were the result of seeds we scattered before our mission. The scrub oaks look lush and green, but the Ponderosas seem a little anemic. The pesky squirrel is still trying to get in for a treat. We know why, now that we find that Uncle Jim leaves a cube of butter and chips sitting on the table when he leaves. Duh! Lots of lizards, but no snakes. No bear or lions (of course) either…and no bear tracks! So LuAnne and Jennie can come back now. There was a small lightning fire yesterday in Jolley’s Gulch. We reported it at the lodge but they had already called it in. Well, Nellie is reading, reading, reading and I’m dozing off. So till next time…
Nellie & Roland

May 30, 2004
Well, we’re all packed up and ready to go home. Boo! Michael and I have had a great time here the last two nights. We came on Friday may 28th. Michael had been itching to get his telescope up here since he got it for Christmas. He gets frustrated with the street lights at home, interfering with his good view. Unfortunately, clouds came in Friday and made it hard. Even Thursday night was a little disappointing due to the moon being so bright. However, as Michael said, “we have a lot more visits ahead of us”. So I guess that secures the thought of many years ahead enjoying this place. Everything looks so great! The hard work on the cabin has definitely paid off. We appreciate it so much. Thankyou all. The teen cabin is so cool. Looks like a little house. Very comfortable! The deck, railings, fire pit, fresh paint, high ceiling in main cabin – everything looks so new and fresh – your Grandpa Rogers would be so proud! The main cabin looks so warm with the red, white & blue décor. I love the bedspreads, pillows, and wonderful wall hanging above the kitchen table and all the knickknacks. Even the hooks behind the door were appreciated. But the toy chest takes the prize. What fun it was to walk in the door and see it bursting with toys. So much life has been lived here.
I guess I was in a nostalgic mood, because I sat down and read this journal front to back. Loved every minute…except…I’m with Jennie… some information is just too much. I’m speaking primarily of the bear stories! The thought of bears visiting in the night kept me awake more than I wanted to be. However Jennie’s warning prompted me to make sure I wouldn’t have to visit the outhouse in the night. Thanks Jennie. No thanks Jim. Could have done without the references to lions too. By the way Jim, about the wild beast you courageously slew? Does he have a brother?
Michael found a book “Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars” in the cupboard. It added to the fun. I brough a box of pictures and memorabilia from the last year and we scrapbooked – a fitting activity for our 1 year anniversary. May 24, 2003 to May 24, 2004. No flies, no bees, no bears, no lions – just beautiful breezes and wonderful wonderful silence!

Aunt LuAnne

“That which does not kill us, only makes us strong”
Run that by me again.
“That which does not kill us, only makes us strong.”

As we speak I am teetering between towering strength and death. I pulled into the Rocking R 3 days ago with my little car boiling and smoking. Something is dreadfully wrong.

I unpacked, read my books, wrote some things, had a couple of really gourmet dinners, walked around a little, had some really nice naps and now must face reality. I can’t make it home without my car burning up. I am many miles from help. I just checked my AAA card and it expired July 1, 2003. Everything I know about automotive repair would fit in your ear. Is this the time when living a blameless life and believing in a merciful God pays off? We’ll find out won’t we. “Oooh Boy”

-Uncle Jim