Yay for not going to jail! 2-29-2024

 

Ok, here's a story for ya....

We made an offer on a lot, and it got accepted.  We wanted to get another 4 wheeler, and head down to the lot to take some measurements. 

So found a Honda 4-wheeler that we liked, and headed up to Layton to buy it on Wednesday evening.  It looked like just what we wanted, so signed a bill of sale, got the title, loaded up the 4 wheeler, and headed back home.

Thursday morning, we were loaded and ready to head to the lot, but first we needed to register the newly purchased machine.  There was a hiccup with the title, so Dean had to go into the DMV in person, we couldn't register it online.

Dean went to the DMV, and I searched for the VIN number.  I was just going to text it to Dean, so he could hurry and get on his way.  Well, there was an after market winch on the 4 wheeler, and it is bolted to the crossbar that has the VIN number on it, so I couldn't get a photo of it.

  Meanwhile, Dean was at the DMV, and the lady behind the counter noticed something strange about the title, so asked Dean to sit down and wait.  A few minutes later, Draper Police showed up to question Dean because the 4 wheeler was stolen and the title certificate forged.

Against the police's advice, Dean went back to the seller returned the machine and got his money back  So after a lot of drama, we got our money back and didn't get arrested,  But we still don't have a second ATV.

So Dean, Erika and Glendon had to share one machine when we visited the cabin property later that day.

Pine Creek Ranch 2/19-29/24

 Dean NEEDS a project!  

We decided we wanted to build another cabin in Utah. 

We checked into buying/building/remodeling the family property up in the Uintah's, but that isn't a possibility, so we started looking down in Mount Pleasant where we had our last cabin.

There were several lots we are interested in.

It is so beautiful down there!

Our friend Barry, who lives in Pine Creek Ranch full time, offered to drive us around to see the lots available in the development.  He showed us some great lots!  He suggested we by the one right next to his, we could be next door neighbors!  That one is the only one that is for sale, but not the most desirable one.

Dean called the owners of some of the ones not for sale, and asked if they were interested in selling.  Our favorite lot, #63 said they would be!  Dean wrote up a formal offer, and started drawing up floor plans!

....well, they never responded after that.

After the offer expired, the owners said they werent interested in selling at this time.

So back down to Pine Creek we go....

This time Dean and I rode around on our 4-wheeler.  It was able to  make it up to the area that we are interested in.

This is lot #61

No, it's not for sale, but that's ok.  Dean just needs to let them know they want to sell it to us!

We also went and looked at lots in Skyline Mountain Resort.  They were awesome lots, but way to far to go on dirt roads.

We came home and Dean contacted the owner of lot #61.  He said he would be interested in selling.  He asked Dean what Dean thought the lot was worth, Dean told him, and he said that sounds good!  We made a formal offer, and both sides have signed it.  Currently we are waiting for the title company to tell us when closing will be, hopefully in the next couple of days.

Now that we are under contract on lot #61, we decided to drive down there one more time to take measurements so we can start planning.

We decided we needed another 4-wheeler, so the night before we were going down, and showing the lot to our friend Glendon, we went and bought a stolen 4-wheeler. (Click HERE for that story!)

With only one 4-wheeler, us 3 adults went back down to see the lot.

Lot #61

All 3 of us on one 4-wheeler!

Dean's driving, I'm riding on the front rack, and Glendon on the back!  Plenty of room!

We are super excited about this next adventure!  Hopefully we close on this lot soon!

...and Dean is back to drawing up floor plans!

Feb 15-19, 2024 Kanab balloon festival

 Friday,  February 16 

 One of our favorite traditions is going to the Kanab balloon festival.  It was a little chilly.  We are lucky enough to have a condo right on the spot that they launch the hot air balloons!  The kids can stay inside and watch from the bedroom.  How cool is that!

When it warms up, watching the balloons from the deck is amazing!  They guy flying the purple balloon brought it down low enough to talk to the kids!  He told them he was doing this for them.

It is amazing to wonder around the balloons while they are taking off.  The colorsl of the balloons against the red rocks make for awesome pictures!

Jeff and Julie had some electrical projects for Dean to do while we were down there.  He added can lights to the eating area that made a huge difference.

We all went to the "Belly of the Dragon".  Braden wanted to drive his side-by-side the whole way there.  We went in our car.  Good thing we did, his side by side had a belt blow up on the way to the hike.  We all loaded in our car, and continued onto "the Belly", and would worry about the side by side later.

Lucy leading the way in the Belly of the Dragon

Braden's kids decided that the other end of the Belly of the Dragon must the the "butt of the Dragon", so we had to get a picture there!

While Braden was working on his side by side,  Jeff and Julie took us to some pretty cool places around Kanab.

First stop was Glass Eye

Then to Inchworm Arch.

Then to see petrographs.

Back to the Condo to watch the lantern launch.  We could see all the lanterns from sitting in the hot tub.  Pretty sweet set up!

Finish off the day by relaxing and watching TV.

Livy and Lucy

Saturday, February 17!  Happy Anniversary to us!

Saturday morning was a no-go.  The winds were ok on the ground, but when they put the test balloon up, the winds were to strong up higher.  Most of the balloons inflated, but didn't leave the ground.  Only one was brave enough, or stupid enough, to launch.

Jeff and Julie had the condo next door.  Sadly, Cristian and Savanah come over for the Saturday launch, and that was the only morning that the balloons didn't lift off.

Some of us decided to hike the "K" trail.

Cristian and Curtis

Savanah and Nolan

(Julie also hiked with us, but had to run home for a minute.)

Dean, Livy, and Erika.  

Livy was the only one from the Braden family that wanted to hike.

4-wheeling to the TV towers.

The trail up Hog Canyon is one of our favorites.

Lucy loves her grandpa!

Dean and Braden worked hard on the electrical in #250.  What should have been an hour long project, turned out to be quite the ordeal, and in the end, it was figured out that they had a defective fixture.  Good news is it kept the boys busy!

 Curtis needed a cookie with his name on it.  We were in "Jeep cookie" mode, so it worked out great!

Sunday, February 18.  Another beautiful day for a balloon launch!

I was nervously watching this black and white balloon.  It appeared as if the wind took it up against the cliff.

Happy to report it made it up and over the cliff.

Another amazing balloon festival!  

Thanks Jeff and Julie!