July 21,22,23 2002
Important things first.
There was a whole heard of Bighorn Sheept strolling down the wash next to the road in the park. One big daddy, some mothers with small kids and a few teenagers. I got out and sat on the edge of the wash and watched them mooch along eating some nasty looking dry grass. For some reason the people in cars on the road couldn’t see them, so I had them all to myself.

There are a gazillion people at the resort but no one at all in the outback, just me and the lizards (so far).

I hiked down the draw to Lemon Springs and saw a remodel job near where you go through the fence in to the park. That raggedy old place looks almost as cool as the Rockin R. There is an outhouse not to be believed, a flush toilet, sink, shower and a really cool deck. But no water that I could see.

I went into the park (not to worry, I had bread crumbs this time). I got as far as the sawmill and it was so sad that I turned back, “Sic Transit Gloria.” The umpteenth re-incarnation of the cabin is really great, good for another 30 years at least. The only problem I had was that I needed grandma gear to pull out of the rock pile out front. Without 4 wheel drive I would have been doomed.

Day II
To whom it may concern:
This next observation comes under the heading “Aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?”
The last time the silverware drawers were cleaned out (in the early 90’s I think), they were cleaned out by me. At that time and under a different roof, mousepoop was a compelling entity. Everything was taken out and washed and fresh newspaper was fitted into the drawers. I do not wish to suggest that the drawer cleaner is un-hygenic but I do wish to complain that the person has no sense of history. What is more exiciting or compelling that reading 15 year old newspapers in the bottom of the forks? I am well aware that the information age is swirling all around me, and that machinery is where its at. And that the new yuppiescan see in only one direction – forwardd. It may be that you are missing something. I feel free in making this grumpy observation because I have known all of you since birth (spouses not included) And I know that you have been raised to respect your elders, no matter how annoying. You know that Uncle Jim loves you and will continue to love you although you behave in strange and incomprehensible ways.
-uncle jim

Wow! Holy Cow! Oh my gosh! I think I’m gonnna cry!
Came up to the cabin late last night because Jon called and said he’d left Dad up here and I needed to come get him. I didn’t even know they’d gone to the cabin.

What an incredible surprise to find the cabin chores from the 20 years Done! I mean everything was done! The drywall was taped and painted in both cabins, there was a stone firepit built in the backyard. A new deck built! Gravel in the driveways. A cover on the couch. The drawers in the kitchen cleaned out and re-organized. Cute new red, white and blue bed spreads in the main cabin, a new Barbeque, the toybox painted and loaded with toys. New pillows on the couch and even new moulding up in the honeymoon cabin. The carpet laid down in the teen cabin! A new king size bed, sand in the horseshoe pit and a new step by the back door signed by Travis! Did I miss anything? Gosh thanks everybody. I know you all care about the cabin, but it means a lot to us that you care enough to do something about it.

Love ya,
Mom and Dad

May 21, 22,23 and perhaps forever (see notes)
My car broke down and was towed away to Orderville. I have not seen it since. The wind has blown for three days it has rained one day and it has been cold ALL days. There was no wood in the wood box. There was no wood anywhere. Roald Admonsen had it better. The door fell off the oven, the wind destroyed the shower, the naughty squirrel ate my last piece of candy. I am a bitter old man.

Uncle Jim

4/7/02

Here writes engaged couple number 3 in attendance at the cabin this weekend. Jana & Phil, Jennie, Jason, Annalee, Tim & our fearless chaperones, Nellie & Roland are here this weekend enjoying sunshine & the good word as we listen to conference. We have been treated to fabulous food as usual, but the funnest treat was having Jim, Barbara, Kayson, Christian, and Keanon join us for the weekend. Saturday afternoon, we payed our dues by doing a work project… moving rocks to spruce up the driveway. Saturday night the boys left for Springdale to attend the Priesthood session and be treated to dinner at the Switchback. We women had ladies night in and played Frisbee, Pass the Pig, discussed more wedding details and then all konked out on the couch waiting for our boys to return. Wild Bunch! Oh! One forgotten event. Friday night dance festival in the big cabin, accompanied by Dad on his guitar. We were favored with the Roland and Nellie Cha Cha and the Rockin R Waltz and a Toe-stomping (literally) attempt at line dancing by Jennie, Jason, Jana and Phile. I think Phil had a good initiation to cabin life and craziness, complete with pictures on the swing. Jason too.

Jana Lee

November 5th, 2001

I have been here for 3 days. I brought my painting clothes to finish the deck. I didn’t.

It is very peaceful here. There is nobody anywhere. – Not exactly true. I went to the resort to get water and there was a car parked in front. Later I was mooching down the Pacific Coast Highway and the resort bus came up. The man had taken hikers out to Observation Point.

He was very nice, he said that he was the whole winter staff and if I needed anything or any help he lived down by the horse corral and I could find him there. I guess I looked a little elderly and feeble to be wandering around alone.

What I saw!—
A ton of deer. When I came out the door this morning, a spike buck was coming down the road. I have seen many does and fawns. I am thinking that it may be because all the leaves have fallen. They may have been going by all around but the thickets around the cabin are very deep. Two things I saw that were strange. Walking down towards the park entrance for Cable Mountain, I saw three turkeys, except one of the looked very different. The same general shape, a long neck and a small head. The same size as the turkeys but a much lighter color. I thought at first it was a mutant, but it was too different. And I didn’t get that good a look. After while it came to me. I think it was a pea hen. I made up this romantic story about how the beautiful pea hen fell in love with a macho tom turkey and ran away from her family at the Fly-in Ranch into the wilds with her lover. It was a sweet story. Something else that I saw was not so sweet. Last night at about one hour after dark (I have no clock so I don’t know time) But it gets dark early in November. In the east (I guess) sky before the moon rose the sky was bright red. Like a huge pool of red light, the sky shimmered and waved. The color faded and came back, the stars shone through it. It got very large then faded slowly away. By moon rise it was gone. Spooky things like blood red skies make a powerful impression if you are alone in the forest and nobody within miles around. But I am not such a scaredy cat. So what if I went to bed early and pulled the covers up over my head.
Uncle Jim (Aikens)

October 27, 2001
Today we celebrated the first annual Roland Lee Family reunion. We all arrived Friday evening and had a yummy fajita dinner provided by Jodi & Kyle (Simmons) & Jennie. Jon, Jolynn, Travis, and Alyssa slept in the newly fixed up teen cabin. Grandpa Roland & Gramma Nellie in the honeymoon cabin, and Jim, Barb, Christian, Kayson, Jodi, Kyle, Jennie & Jana slept in the main cabin. Saturday morning we woke up to a great cabin breakfast and the smell of bacon provided by Jon and Jolynn. Jana made a huge “Lee Family Reunion” banner and we all put our handprints on it and signed our names. Then we hung it up along the east side of the main cabin and took family photos. Gramma was in charge of the fun and games. We played penny-toss, neckin’ apples, life saver pass, egg-spoon relay, hanging donut chow, and a special festive torch relay. We also did a “pledge allegiance” to the flag. The kids had fun eating treats, playing in the back of grandpa’s truck, swinging on the swing & playing in the hammock. Then we had lunch provided by Jim & Barb & then Jon & Jolynn had to head home to get ready for the rest of our festivities there. Tonight’s plans include Travis’ birthday party, pumpkin carving, and a BYU football game.

Other events of great significance: We had a rummy tournament Friday night and the winners were: 1st game – Gramma Nellie, 2nd game: Jon – this is the first time anyone can remember Jon winning a rummy game, so we felt it needed to be recorded.

Jim Lee

October 2001

We (The Lee Family and Friends) have been here several times this month – not to relax and enjoy – but to repair and renew. Let me list for you the things we done this month:
1. Trimmed windows and soffitt on teen cabin (Jon and Roland did that one Monday afternoon)
2. Put in threshold and seal up door on teen cabin
3. Add furring strips and finish up trim
4. Spackle and seal trim joints – (that was taken care of by Jodi, Jennie, Jana and friend Jason)
5. PUT NEW GREEN METAL ROOF ON TEEN CABIN (Hooray for Roland, Kyle, Jon, Jason, Jennie, Jana and Jodi)
6. Replace facia on Honeymoon Cabin
7. Added trim to seal up inside Honeymoon Cabin
8. Leveling, raking, wall building, and general beautification of entrance (Nellie, Jana, Jolynn & Travis)
9. Fixed door on outhouse – covered with plywood.
10. While we had the generator here, we took the opportunity to vacuum everywhere

Now, other than a few paint jobs, we feel confident that the cabins are ready to stand another winter. Next time we come to the cabin, we can relax and enjoy!

Nellie 10/23/01

I Kyle Simmons with my partner Jodi Simmons witnessed a family of four wild turkeys migrating eastward through camp on the 17th day of August, 2001. I tried to approach them for a more thorough inspection but was unable to catch them.

Kyle Simmons

10 July 2001

When you come to the end of a perfect day. I got here last night at about 6 o’clock. Unloaded. Ate a cheese sand. Laid the fire and went to bed.

11 July. I woke up at daybreak and went about my assigned duties. I got water from the resort & washed my face. Got the paint and roller and brush and dived in. I surfaced several hours later, sweaty, painty, and triumphant. The deck was painted (almost) 3 gallons didn’t quite make it. Sorry Rol. Freshly showered and rested (I took a long nap). Dinner is coming up. Wild rice salad from Katarina’s birthday party, grilled chicken breast, rye toast, Pot a fu and milk.
*of special interest to Analee: My wildlife buddy. Today a turkey family crossed the road ahead of me. The babies are getting big but still look like gangly teenagers. A large grey raptor that I did not recognize came barreling across the yard about a foot from the ground. He could have been chasing something. I don’t know, but he pulled up in a Ponderosa close to the gully and sat for a while. When he flew off he made a sound like Kreeeee. Grey with a black tail, white breast, and white under his wings.

I had set the table for my dinner. On the table was bread and butter. I had gone back around to see how the chicken was coming on the charcoal cooker. When I returned that bad boy squirrel who ate the candy and made the mess was scarfing down the butter in huge mouthfuls, He loved it so much I practically had to swat him off the table. He is way tame and very brave.

It was almost dark I could hardly see the page. I just happened to look up. There was a turkey family. Mom & Dad and two teenagers ambling down the road under the swing and down the gully. Cool as you please.

The milky way is dazzling. There is no moon at all but I can almost see by the astounding starlight. I got up several times last night to view the stars, and other reasons best left undisclosed.

Having completed my tasks I moved a few rocks and read “P is for Peril” which was exciting and scary and as usual, I didn’t guess who dunnit. I also have a biography of Hitler. It is a daunting 115 pages. If I get my nerve up I might go for a walk tomorrow if I can round up enough white pebbles. It’s still scary our there.

I walked to the corner of Cedar and Oden that was far enough. I took the wheelbarrow with me and picked up fire wood. The new configuration of the cabin is…austere.

The new rock entry is fabulous! The taper didn’t make it I’m sorry we were on a roll there. I hope it doesn’t hold things up too much.

Note. At least 1 more gallon of paint for the deck and many many for the bunkhouse.

Love Uncle Jim

4 July 2001
To continue our family tradition of spending July 4th at the cabin, Roland, Nellie, Jon, Jolynn, Travis, and Alyssa packed up and headed up the mountain. With flags taped to his toy tractor, Travis led Alyssa in a little parade around the cabin. We also had a great “cabin breakfast.”

Jon and Roland turned their day of peace and relaxation into one of sweat and hard work. The made major progress moving big rocks at the entrance, and building a rock wall. It was amazing to see the big rocks they could move with a tow rope and a truck. Thanks guys – way to go!

-Nellie