Fathers Day Project
June 23 2001

What a wonderful Fathers Day gift from my kids!! My dear children wanted to help me fix up the cabin and came up with a wonderful present. They all pitched in and gave me a check for $1650 and a solid day’s labor. I about cried because it really opened the door to getting a lot done this year.

We decided to invite all the cabin lovers to join us for a work day, and had the most wonderful experience together. Nellie and I went up Friday and me the delivery truck from Kanab which was loaded with sheetrock & insulation to finish both the main cbain and the teen cabin. My truck was loaded from a trip to the rental store with a generator, scaffolding, and a sheetrock hoist.

Saturday morning we got started before 7am, waking everyone up for the long day’s work! Kyle and Jodi, Jennie, Tim, and Jana all pitched in to start pinning up insulation. I had already finished the framing work on Friday so we set right in. Daniel was our human calculator.

Soon Jon arrived, then Jim, Aunt Barb and Joshua. Everyone worked their hearts out all day long and I was beaming with euphoria all day. In the spirit of an old “barn raising” we got so much done I couldn’t believe it. When the day ended, we had completely insulated both cabins, and had most of the sheetrock screwed to the walls and ceilings. Uncle Jim headed up the painting crew and completely finished the main cabin so it shined with its new coat of fresh red paint.

Nellie & I went back up Monday and worked for a couple more days finishing the windows and details work on the sheetrocking.

I am a HAPPY MAN!
-Roland

Our good friends Joe & Evy Braun from New Jersey visited the cabin along with their son Joe B. and his girlfriend Michelle. Avid Zion lovers, they had planned a hike to Deer Trap Mountain. They met us at the Ponderosa Resort that morning and we had a good visit, along with a tour of the cabins before they left on their hike.

We took them to the trailhead at the park boundary and sent them off for their day’s adventure and we drove them down to Orderville to church. Afterwards Nellie & I enjoyed a peaceful quiet afternoon resting at the cabin. We met them later that night at the hotel in Springdale for a wonderful dinner and a couple of hours “catching up” on the news and sharing some good laughs.

It’s a wonderful time to be able to share the gift of the cabin with our good friends as well as so many family members.

-Roland

5 June 2001
This is not the first cabin trip of the season. I came in late April and the fami-lee came and painted. This journal was misplaced and only recently surfaced. I pulled in at about 4:00. The air was warm & still. I unpacked my stuff, tidied up. I put the chairs outside, cut wood for a breakfast fire, filled the shower and now I am on the deck looking out across Cedar Breaks.

The clouds are backlit and stately and white.
Sailing from blue day to
Star spangled night
Conquistadors ships bearing
Rich Inca treasures
To decadent kings
With decadent pleasures

Since I have been inducted into the “pretty nearly dead poets society of St. George Utah” I have been thinking in metaphor. It is interesting and more fun than “really pretty” and “awesome”. These poets are old. I’m pushing 70 and they call me Gen X. I sat on the deck for a long time like Madame Butterfly behind the screen, waiting, watching. No sight no sound of beating wings no gobbles or chirps. Dark, darker, darkest nothing. Went to bed unhappy.

6th of June – A day of infamy:
I cannot believe that I did it again: I am calmer now and collected and ready to speak. This A.M. for my walk I steered away from the havoc of the machines of incredible destruction. The rape and pillage of my beloved forest made me cry. I took the high road. Up the Pacific Coast Highway where the earth as God made it.

Going along I saw a track that made me leap backwards. I thought it was Tyrannosaurus Rex. (Remember Jurassic Park) but upon closer scrutiny it turned out to be a turkey track, a big one, really big. It was near a little family enclave with rocking houses and play houses a place with children. Anyway, I saw a movemenet out of the corner of my eye so I crept down the drive. I didn’t see anything at first, but old Uncle has learned turkey ways. I saw him hunkered down in the brush. I tippy-toed a little closer, but I forgot the bells on my shoes. That bad boy burst out flapping and thrashing he flew straight over my head. He was so huge that he blanked out the sun for two minutes. All the birds began to to go to sleep. He could hard haul his massive self up and he glided down the gully and out of sight. That pumped me up and I hustled right along. Soon I came to the Observation Point gate. I looked around and then came out heading home. I went back as far as the “Nuckles” sign. Then I had to go the bathroom (this is news?) and I could see an empty tootie-wah in a camp just down the road. I knew the people wouldn’t care if I availed myself of the facilities. It was a cool place. It looked like a dutch windmill, eight sides with blue shingles and and windows on all sides. And toilet paper. I came back out to fir road. I knew fir road, it came out near coes so I went down past Nuckles. There were a lot of Nuckles. 4 trailers and 5th wheels and pickups. A clothesline and an accursed generator. No one was in sight. They were all in air conditioned comfort watching (probably unsuitable) television. A pox on this trailer trash. Why don’t they stay home and watch tv. We come here to hear the wendigo walk on whispering moccasins through the treetops, not NNNNNNNNNNNN of generators.

I kept on walking and there was much to see. A whole field of yellow tulip-like flowers that I had never seen before, yellow daisies and tons of blue lupin, this was a good road through beautiful country, a black and white snake sleeping in the dusty road, but I began to get this itchy feeling, there were no signs, no cabins, no nothing. But it was a good road going somewhere so I kept on. I was getting a little tired and thirsty.

After a l o n g time I came over a hill and saw something that I had never seen before. This place looks pretty much like this place all over the place so it is hard to know if you have been here before. Well, I knew that I had never been here. It was a large building fallen to ruin. It was made of wood, sawn wood, the big thick kind of boards from a long time ago. It had fallen in upon itself but I went down to look closely. The nails were square, all around the place were old rusty tin cans, and broken bottles, I brought a bottle home. I had never been here before I could not guess what the building had been used for. Now I am alarmed. I had started out at 8:00 according to my boy scout clock it was now 12:00 by my boy scout clock and I was thirsty and my feet hurt and I was LOST. I had not gone through the fence, I never had left the road. I had no idea where I was. However, this was a good road with tire tracks it must go somewhere, so I kept on for a while longer. The you can never guess what I saw, can you? No. A round-about. That is correct, a round-about. It went down the hill, around a very large ponderosa and right back up the road that I had just come down. My heart sank. I walked out through the trees away s and came to a huge, red cliff, which dropped about a hundred feet. There is no place like this near the Rocking R.

I had to go back up this road. I was very hot. No shirt, thirsty, no water and delusional. No drugs (that is another story). I thought Mother Nature mistook me for the jerk with the generator and led me out here to die. If I die, the generator dies, BIG WRONG MOM. Then I thought, if I die and the wild beasts drag my bones away I will still be identifiable because of my titanium steel knee which will survive until the galaxies flicker out and grow cold. Archealogists in the year 2525 will be perplexed by me. The prospect of immortality did not cheer me up. I was practically hysterical. Then I saw something that cleared my head. Turkey tracks. Big turkeys and all around and all over little turkey tracks. A family outing going down the road ahead of me. I knew I could go on. I was watching my own tracks in the dust so as not to wander off some dangerous byway. I looked up and there was Observation Point sign. I went the way from there that seemed entirely wrong to me and I ended up on the Pacific Coast highway.

I can do up and down, left and right are hard but I can figure them out. North, South, East and West are impossible. I got home at last. I drank all the water in the house, took off my heavy, sweaty boots, and everything else, drank more water, fell on the bed and slept until just now.

Some time has passed. I have now had a warm soapy shower and a cool rinse in the fabled shower with a view. I washed my hair and cleaned my teeth and I have a fresh clean lava lava. I am presently preparing my dinner. Food is a big item at the cabin.

Mi sie tonight we have sausage and cheese omelettes with catsup garnish and sourdough toast points (with the crusts cut off*). For dessert, cantaloupe chunks with peanut butter, honey and chocolate dipping sauce and a large flagon of cold milk.

“I have received of the Lord, that which I also delivered.” (Corinthians 11:23). I was lost and now I’m found. I’m well aware that my excellent life and the fact that I endure is due to the grace of God. I am eternally grateful.

I also know that due to circumstances I am also the weakest link.

Goodbye

*the four major food groups in real time are:
sugar
salt
chocolate
and grease
I’m gonna live forever!

Uncle Jim

May 29 2001 – Nell’s Birthday & Work Project
Work force included: Nellie, Roland, Jim & Barbie, Jennie, Jodi & Jana and Kyle. Jodi and Kyle started painting the honeymoon cabin, soon joined by Jennie, Jana & Roland.

Jimmie replaced some boards in the deck and made some major repairs. Kayson and Christian (and their cool hats) helpted the grounds crew pickup pine cones. When the honeymoon cabin had its fresh new shiny red coat on, we turned our attention to the main cabin. With the paint left, we worked on the front, with Barbie at the top of the big ladder painting the gables. She was the only one brave enough, and fit enough to make the climb.

While all that was going on, Kyle got out his professional window cleaning gear and gave the cabin a complete overhaul inside and out. When he was done, we had the cleanest windows that cabin had EVER seen! After a long and tiring day, we celebrated Nellie’s birthday and opened presents.

On Sunday, we all took showers at the Lodge then drove in to Orderville to go to church. The weather was beautiful and the cabins were wonderful.

-Roland

May 2001
This summer is turning out to be our best year yet at the cabin. We’ve spent more time there and fixed the cabins up more than ever before.

Roland

October 14, 2000

Back to the cabin for possibly the last visit of the year. I (Matthew) and the two ‘Fros (Nellie and Trisha). I don’t know how I got roped into coming with these two birds but here I am. I think after the first couple hours I became numb to their comments about how cold it was. Trisha has donned her polar coat and I a instantly reminded of the scene from “A Christmas Story” when Randy gets all bundled up and can’t put his arms down. It has been a real thrill to be up here. The two party animals who brought me spend their time reading, talking about scrapbooks, and planning Dutch Christmas. I also brought a book so I’m not completely bored. On our way up to the cabin we stopped at the Switchback Restaurant for dessert at about 12:30 in the afternoon. I had a turkey sandwich, Aunt Trisha had something truly decadent and Aunt Nellie had something that I can’t spell, but it rhymes with hip-hip-hooray. For the most part, the cabin is the same place. Although, I must give Kudos for the new outhouse – it’s the bomb-diggity. The sun is shining, the full moon has finally set and I’m pleased to say that I’m finished writing in the book. I was forced.

Matt Eves

Oct 8, 2000
A big group of us from the BYU 41st ward (et. al) came up for the conference weekend. Most arrived Friday evening, but a load of us came on Friday night. We arrived at the Ponderosa at about 1am, with Jennie’s map in hand. We took it a little too literally, and got horribly lost. Jason just got a new SUV, so he felt good about driving over low bushes and small trees. I don’t think we ever saw a road for about 45 minutes. Finally, after a prayer, we went back to the main road and started again. After two minutes, we pulled up to the cabin circa 2am. Janelle came out to meet us and help us get settled. I suspect that Jason got lost on purpose to try out his new wheels. Can’t say I blame him; I had fun driving it too. P.S. To the old man of the mountain: keep up the entries; they’re the best thing I’ve read in ages. May the squirrels be cooperative and the wild turkeys be plentiful.
Annalee Tyler – friend of Jennie

Oct 8, 2000
Few things compare to staying at the Lee(etc) family cabin. I am happy to have shared this experience with so many pleasant people and trees. That is all I can say at this time.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
S. Cory Harmon

Oct 8, 2000
Tim Zeidner (Pal o’ Jennie for the sake of casativity)

2nd trip down to the cabin. I’m devising ways to become an actual part of the Lee Family so that I can assure myself of future opportunities. 1st trip was glorious (with the exception of some incredibly painful chaffing provoked by a long, wet Narrow’s hike. Side note: someone lent me some lotion, but failed to tell me it had alcohol in it. I screamed like a little girl) back to the story. Silly me decided to jump off the waterfall in the narrows and messed up my ankles. Mentality switched from pleasure to survival. And I did, as evidenced by me writing in this. I was, however, rendered an old man from the hike. A sight that would have, no doubt, been hilarious had it not been me.

Trip two brings us down for conference weekend (noted by Annalee) Few places on this Earth compare to this opportunity. (There is a little spot in Gooseberry, up Fairview Canyon, but that’s another story) Wonderful food (the women were primarily the cooks – constantly chasing me out of their “kitchen”) Now I’m rambling.

Now that I’ve somehow connived my way into two visits, next object is to actually meet the whole Lee clan (including Uncle Jim, especially Uncle Jim) Met Jodi. A delight. And, of course, Jennie. An absolute treasure. Few people compare and none are even nearly alike. Kudos to having been a part of shaping this beautiful, wonderful friend. (Maybe that’ll get me an invite to the Lee family gathering).

Well, I’ve said my piece (and then some, but I’m known as a talker) ‘Til the next time save a spot with a nice view for me.
Tim Zeidner

Friday, October 5, 2000
It’s a beautiful, sunny but cool fall day here at the cabin. Nellie and I have enjoyed a glorious and peaceful morning here by ourselves, taking a breather after our move from Ivins to a condo in St. George. As things are ever changing in our lives, the cabin seems to remain as a constant familiar place full of memories and happy events.

We looked through the cabin scrapbook together and had lots of laughs as wee looked at the photos and remembered the events surrounding 4 generations of experiences at the Ponderosa. The cabin certainly has gone through as many cosmetic and structured changes as all of us have! What really stuck us as was the number of people who have enjoyed the cabin over the years – both in and out of the family. Tomorrow is Grandpa Rogers’ birthday and we thought he and grandma would be pleased at the joy the cabin has brought to so many people. It has truly become a safe haven for us all in a world of turmoil. What a wonderful blessing from our Heavenly Father!

Nellie and I “ran away from home” yesterday and took a long drive to enjoy the fall colors. I am working on a commission painting of a beautiful old brick home in Panguitch and had to go up there to study the house and get some photos. That was the catalyst for our adventure.

After a stop in Cedar City to see Jodi and Trisha, we headed up Cedar Mountain for a picnic. Of course I came armed with 8 rolls of color film as we stopped about every mile to take pictures. The brilliant golds of the aspens against the dark green spruces creates a visual contrast that is truly breathtaking. A few rain clouds added drama to the blue sky and we soaked it all in like water on a dry sponge.

We stopped at Navajo Lake and picnicked at Duck Creek where Nellie collected some gorgeous autumn leaves (which she pressed in my day planner).

After a few peaceful hours on the mountain, we drove on up to Panguitch to get our pictures of the house. Coming back down Hwy 89 we decided to make a side trip to Bryce Canyon. I hadn’t been back there for about 20 years and it was more like 30 years for Nellie. The canyon was as pretty as ever, but found the main road under massive reconstruction and found ourselves in a California-style traffic jam which dampened our enthusiasm, along with the exhorbitant $20 entrance fee. The sunlight also went away as the clouds rolled in so we headed out again for the cabin.

We enjoyed the ride down 89 with the cottonwoods in their yellow glory and the late afternoon sun dancing across the oak-covered hills.

We arrived at the cabin just after dark and discovered we didn’t bring a flashlight so we retired immediately to the Honeymoon Cabin where we knew we had a battery lamp. It was only 8:30pm but we were so tired from all our driving we decided to go straight to bed. Barbara and Jim had brought up a new bed and we found it to fit the bill nicely. Another peaceful and fabuous escape to the cabin.
Roland

Labor Day Weekend 2000
Ashley and Ruskin invited me up to the cabin with Jim and Barbara, Josh and Julie and Katerina. The highlight of the weekend was a day long hiking trip through the narrows. Jim dropped off Ashley, Ruskin, Josh and me at the Chamberlain Ranch at the crack of dawn on Sunday. And off we went.

The hike was the experience of a lifetime. Unbelievable vistas, challenging river hiking, unexpected beauty all around every corner. Luckily, we had rented river gear (footwear and walking sticks) which made the hiking much easier. Although it did not prevent poor Ruskin from falling into an unexpected hole in the river. He had a lovely swim and Josh had a large belly laugh as he (safe on a sand bank) watched as Ruskin slipped in. I must admit that I had the most falls of the day (2) But only Ruskin took a full dive!

The first part of the hike was relatively smooth. When we hit the narrows, the challenge increased. Hiking through rushing cloudy brown water over slick rock is an experience to be had. A mental and physical challenge made worth it by the awesome colors and angles of the canyon. We finished the hike in 12 hours and took the shuttle to the visitors center where Julie, Barbara and Katerina had left Josh and Julie’s car for us. What a treat it was to put on dry clothes!

We arrived back to the cabin well after dark to find that Barbara and Julie had procured pizza for us. After a day of Luna Bars and trail mix, twas a welcome repast.

The day before the Narrows, we all took a hike to Observation Point and had a picnic. We all ate bagel sandwiches and created a safe place for Katerina to stretch her legs away from the edge while Jim took a lovely cat nap overlooking the vista. After lunch, Ruskin, Ashley & I continued down the canyon while the rest of the crew headed back up to the cabin. We all met in Springdale for dinner at the Bit & Spur – finished off with soe scrumptious fresh peach pie!

Now we are off to see the petroglyphs. Thanks for this fabulous experience at the cabin!
Beth

P.S. I almost forgot, the night we arrived we played a rousing game of Beyond Balderdash, a hilarious romp through word definitions and initial identification. Although Ruskin won the game (in typical Hartley fashion) Barbara was the real star with her definition of oomphalogiligis (or something like that) “A person who sings the oomphas in the chorus” We all doubled over with laughter.

It should also be noted that Josh took the weekend horseshoe contest over Ruskin with a score of 21-18. A rematch has been scheduled.

Aug 13-16
I have put off writing in the record until leaving. Being mental I am afraid I will give too much away. Some lo-life trailer trash have moved in across the gully. They have a generator which they play all day and all night. They also have a child, I could not see him very well but I am sure he is very ugly. This child has a hand ax and crawled all over the hillside whacking at the trees.

I walked out to Cable Mountain. The fire damage is not too bad, confined to about 100 yards of the trail. The fire fighters came up while I was there. (Note) If I didn’t know better I would think that these were movie star firefighters. They all had dirty yellow overalls and hard hats and axes and shovels in their backpacks. There were also 22 years old and very beautiful. Four women and one man. The man was the prettiest. They knew what they were doing. The fire was only controlled. They were there to check for hot spots and call it OUT.

The cable frame was wrapped in large quilted tin foil sheets. One of the women told me that they carried those sheets in their pack to wrap around themselves if the fire rolled over them…Spooky.

They had cleared the brush down the trail for quite a ways in order to make a fire break to protect the cable, but the fire turned and it was not needed. Its not too bad and will grow back.

The visible damage is quite small. The fire went down the very steep cliff and no one could get to it. That should be visible from Observation Point.

I don’t know if there are that many turkeys or if the gully is just the best place to roost or if you all think I am a liar?

Last night, the fabled beating of wings. I was just returning from a walk down Beaver Road at just before dark. One big old turkey landed in the big snag at the edge of Oden and hopped around and got comfortable. I watched until it got too dark to see.

I tried out the new fangled hi-teck coffee/wash water heater. It burned all the hair off my chest. (Just kidding). I love it here.
Uncle Jim

24 July, 2000
The Lee family gathered here for a weeknd of good times. Jennie, Jim & Barb planned our menu and made the assignements. Jim and Barb brought a cook stove as a gift to the cabin. It makes cooking for a crowd faster. The meals were yummy. Christian, Kayson, and Travis spent their days getting acquainted with the rocks and sticks.

We have always believed that “many hands make light work” and we proved again that it was true as we dug a new outhouse hole and moved and landscaped a new one. Home again!
Nellie