Hello From Marylyn

Dear Family,

 
 

Well, I can't let Allison and Neil be the only ones in the family to respond to Allison's request for family articles for the Murray Family Blog, and besides, I think it is my turn as Jerry wrote last.

 
 

Happy 2010 to everyone!  In most ways, 2009 was a good year for our family, but hopefully 2010 will be even better. We wish you all good health and much happiness.

 
 

 Jerry and I are looking forward to a week in Maui, HI for a Murray brother/sister reunion.  We will be staying at our timeshare in Maui during the week of April 24th to May 1st.  We hope to introduce them to the beauties of that island and just relax and soak in the warmth of the climate and people.

 
 

We have already made our flight reservations for the Murray extended family reunion in Nauvoo and are looking forward to a week of visiting Church history sites and spending family time with those of you who are also coming.  Our family will be represented by Susannah, Kevin, Allison, Kyra (Lisa's daughter), Jerry and me.  We hope to see many of you there!  Thank you, Travis, for making this reunion possible!

 
 

Jerry has been in Provo for the last week and a half getting our basement there ready to pass inspection - which, as of this morning, has passed.  Jerry is such a wonderful handyman, and his family surely do appreciate his many talents and his ability to work hard and long.  Susannah and Kevin have made sure that I haven't been too lonely while he has been gone.

 
 

Lyle, Jean and family have moved into their home in Suisun City, CA.  It was a lot of work as it was a real fixer-upper, but due to the efforts of many, it is now very livable and is perfect for them right now.  A new little puppy joined their family for Christmas.

 
 

It was nice to have Allison here with us for Christmas.  She even stayed longer than usual.  Allison is the one who talked us into renting the two basement bedrooms in the Provo house out to two of her friends.  I'm already looking forward to spending September and October in all the beautiful fall colors of the mountains and canyons.

 
 

Susannah and Jenn both passed the classes they were taking last semester and so are both one step closer to getting into new programs and eventually new occupations.  We congratulate them!

 
 

Love to you all,

Marylyn

MIA

Hello Family Members!

I've been a little MIA lately, sorry for that! I went to Italy at the end of October through the start of November, and then headed to Colorado and after that was Southern California. Then headed home to Northern California for Christmas. I've also been helping a couple friends move into the basement of mom and dad's house out here in Provo. Hopefully 2010 will be a little less hectic!

I'm really looking forward to going to Nauvoo this summer and seeing all of you there!

From Neil

Dear Family,

As another year comes to an end I must say that, in spite of all that is going on in this old world of our, I'm indeed grateful for my many blessings.  We had a great many events leading up to Christmas and many following.  With the exceptions of a few of our family members who were many miles away from us, our family spent two nights at the Aspen Grove Lodge again this year.  This year, however, we had what one would call deluxe accommodations.  The layout was similar to what we used to have at Snowshoe Lodge where we could be all together under the same roof.  It was nice and like I told our family members, they are a bunch of hams.  Reed and Kerry always bring up several games, which they did again this year.  One was called "You Can't Trust a Pirate"  They were not satisfied with just playing the game...they had to make like pirates.  I think that was Melissa's idea.  They had us all in stitches.  Of course there were other games that were just as much fun.  Neil J brought his Wii.  Before the day was over they had all mastered the ski jump.  From time to time they also found time to play in the snow.  All in all we had great time.  It was a little hairy coming home in the snow storm but with common sense and careful driving everyone got home O.K.   The next day Reed called to say that Nathan and Nicole's daughter arrived about 1:30 that morning.  She is Katie Linn and weighed 8 lbs 3.5 oz. and was 21 inches long.  Good sized baby.  Mother, father and child are doing well.

 
 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their gifts of goodies and especially the gift of Love.

 
 

Do take care.  Love,

 Neil

 
 

 
 

Story Time: Lost

 
 

During the days that followed I would guess that LaVora and I had time to explore the area within limits, while Mother was cooking and Dad was at work.  On this one day I remember LaVora and I were out walking.  LaVora had a ring that she was kind enough to let me wear.  I'm not sure where she got the ring, probably in a box of Cracker Jacks.  There used to be prizes in Cracker Jacks.  At any rate as we walked, we were going along the shore of what seemed to me at the time to be a big lake.  I think LaVora's timing was a little off...just a little...for as we walked along the lake shore she decided that she wanted me to return the ring.  I must have thought the ring was pretty nice and wanted to wear it a little longer.  LaVora, however thought I had worn it long enough and insisted, probably physically that I return it.  The result was that I threw the ring as far as I could out into that big lake.  This did not make LaVora any too happy, as she immediately thumped me, turned and left for camp.  Now, since I had been deprived of the ring and had been disciplined by my big sister, my protector, I was crying, feeling bad, and was left alone on the shore or dam of the big lake.

 
 

I guess after a while, maybe a few seconds, crying, and for obvious reasons not wanting to get too close to LaVora, I went on what I thought was my way back to camp.  Only problem was, I went the wrong way.  I soon found myself surrounded by big tall pine trees.  I'm not sure how long I wandered, but it must have been for quite a while.  As I recall the sun began to set, for I got back to where I could see the sun shining on one of the streams we had crossed when we came into the area.  Needless to say I was pretty scared and was crying in earnest by this time.

 
 

In the mean time LaVora had returned to camp.  I guess, from what Mother said, she said nothing and was just playing around camp doing her own thing without a small brother in tow.  Mother said she asked LaVora "Where is Neil?" To which LaVora said, "I don't know. Didn't he come back to camp?" Well, needless to say this started a small boy search.  That was one time that I really brought the wheels of progress to a halt.  I guess it was not long before all the work on the dam had stopped and everyone was looking for Neil.

 
 

As I mentioned, I was crying and still walking away from camp when I heard Mother call me.  Of course being a very lonely little boy and wanting in the worst way my Mother, I answered her.  I'm sure my crying alone would have led them to me.  I can remember to this day these two men coming around in front of me.  One of them picked me up.  It was then that Mother cam on the scene.  The man who was holding me handed me to Mother.  I can never remember it feeling so good to be in my Mother's arms.

 
 

The rest of the summer there was rather uneventful except for one or two other items that are still a part of my memory.

 
 

I can remember this one day they were setting off a charge of dynamite.  It runs in my mind that we had been told to stay back beyond a certain place.  Uncle Lee and I were standing beyond that location and I can still see this other man standing up several feet in front of us.  When the blast went off it blew rocks into the air striking the man in front of us on the head.  There were some small pieces of rocks that rolled up almost to our feet.

Journal

From Anna and Wilmer Murray's Journal

Thursday, November 15, 1979

We went to Relief Society this morning. I was going to the Social Relations but got stuck in the Mother's Education. The class leader was well prepared but I can't believe they have as many children problems as they brought out. Dewey is making little cradles for the Bazaar. They are really cute. He also worked on the house.

In the evening they went to Errika's School Concert. We stayed here, tried to crochet but went to sleep. So we were just going to bed when they come home. Dewey came up and visited for a while. I called Ruth this morning.

Friday, November 16, 1979

Here we are awake again at 4:00 A. M. Dad is back to sleep and I'm writing. Wish we would stay asleep for another couple of hours. It sounds like it is raining. We haven't seen the sun since we came here. No storm, just overcast all the time. I guess I had better write Neil. We made little covers for the cradles Dewey made for the Bazaar. I crocheted one.

Saturday, November 17, 1979

We got the letter off to Neil and Ella. We all went to the Bazaar. It did rain all night. Beverly sold the dolls and two cradles. We had noodles for dinner. Erricka didn't like hers so I ate mine and hers. They were made by the Chinese friends where we went when Dewey Wilmer graduated. I made another afghan for the cradles. Finally we were home again. We were sleepy at six but did stay up to listen to Lawrence Welk. I'm making a dress for another doll. I'll have to wait until I can get another head before picking a doll for the dress. I figured out how to start the pattern Erricka is making her shawl like. We had a letter from Ella telling that Sharon lost her baby on the 14^th.

Where is this and who is in the picture?

Where is this?

This is a sand stone stream bed - What do you see in this picture?

From Neil

Dear Family

It seems that interest in the news letter has dropped off, but since I have put the second part of my story together I thought I would send a copy. We had a good Thanksgiving, day and meal. By the time the day was over most of the family had been here. The 24^th of November we had an addition to our family. Sharon and Brian's son, Brandon's wife gave birth to girl. She weighed six pounds and was nineteen inches long. Mother, daughter and Father are doing well. For now most of the family seems to be well. Me, I guess, like everyone else this time of the year, I'm working on getting ready for Christmas. It seems like we go along thinking it is a long way off but then all of a sudden here it is upon us. Then we run like mad to catch up. I understand LaVora had an enjoyable time in Arizona. At lest, for a while, she was where it was warm, but then all we need to do is wait a few months and it will be warm here too. Do take care and we will be in touch.

Love, Neil

Story Time - Water Storage

The farmers found that by selecting some of these larger lakes they could cut down into the natural dam, install a head gate and an outlet pipe and then by building the dam higher they had themselves a water storage area. Water stored in these lakes was held back for summer release.

My father, as I understand it, was the Foreman over the construction of one of these dams in what is known as the Timothy Basin. I also recall that Dad was what they called a power man. (This of course is another story) This area was known to me all of my life as the Timothy Lakes. I'm not sure how many summers, by this time; these men had been working on this dam. I can only assume that it was more than one. As mentioned earlier the lakes are within the wilderness area and there were no roads in the wilderness area so all of the equipment and supplies were taken in by pack horse. (Wrong! When riding with Uncle Boyd, to the Altonah Cemetery in 1998, he told me tales of himself driving a loaded wagon into the Timothy Basin, Anyhow -)

This one summer Father decided to take Mother and us kids with him. The kids at that time consisted of LaVora and me. It is unclear in my mind as to how long we were there but I would think that it was more than a month. When we left our place in Altonah we were on saddle horses and of course were leading some pack horses. I rode with Dad on his horse, old Herb. Dad had placed a pillow over the saddle horn and I sat in front of Dad on that pillow. LaVora, I assume, rode with mother. Where she was a little older she probably rode behind mother. At any rate this was our transportation to the Timothy Lakes, where we would make our home for the next while. I don't remember too much about the trip, only I do recall crossing some streams as we rode along. My folks tell me that by the time we got to our camp site I had worn a hole in the pillow where it had been rubbing against the saddle horn.

I have often wondered about Dad and Mother's farm. Like, who took care of it while we were gone? I can only guess that Grandfather, Grandmother and some of my Uncles and Aunts inherited the job. I can remember that Uncle Leland was at the camp with us. The farmers who owned a share of the water that was to come from the lake, furnished labor, equipment, horses etc. to pay their share of dam construction cost. I assume that this was one of the reasons why Dad, Lee and Boyd were there. Dad was working off his assessment and Lee and Boyd were working off Grandfathers assessment.

I can remember that while Mother was there she cooked for the crew of men that worked on the dam. She used what we called a camp stove. The stove was made of a light gage steel and its dimensions were some thing like 16 inches deep by 24 inches long and 12 inches high. It had a fire box and an oven. The stove was in the tent and the chimney went through, a metal support, in the top of the tent. Mother, among other things, would bake pies in the oven. We have a picture where the men are sitting in a circle eating their evening meal. I'm sitting at the right of my uncle Lee and LaVora is on his left. Dad is sitting across from us. I assume that mother is taking the picture. (Next month – Lost)

The Dam in 1943

Building The Dam in 1932

Dinner Time At Camp 1932

Journal

From Anna and Wilmer Murray's Journal

Tuesday, October 13, 1981
Cool but nice day. No frost and no rain. (Deward's 57^th birthday if he had lived) I was reading in the Ensign this morning when the phone rang. It was Neil, he and Ella were ready to go to the Temple. He told us he was released, Sunday, October 11 from his Bishop assignment after 10 years and nine months. (9 years and nine months) He is now on the High Council and assigned to the Stake Farm. Dad ask him what they raised on the farm and he said milk, sour cherries and apples. Neither he nor Ella are too happy with the change. He has been a good Bishop and keeps close to his Heavenly Father.

It is too wet and muddy to do anything outside. We went for the mail, listened to the 12:00 o' clock news and were going to watch Big Money Movie but I remembered I had put ammonia in the oven so I could clean it. So Dad watched off and on and told me what was going on. Just before I finished the oven Ruth called to see if I wanted to go to the Institute class. We hadn't had dinner as Dad only wanted an apple and a glass of juice. I hurried to fix a little to eat and get ready. Sadie came just as we were ready to eat. So I grabbed a sandwich and we were on our way.

The class was good, especially the film on the Washington D.C. Temple. The subject was on early missionaries of the church in 1829 and 1830. Katherine Richens gave a report on Orson Hyde. When she told of the bag of gold given Orson when he was sent to dedicate the Holy Land, I ask if they wanted to know the name of the man who gave the money to Orson. I told them it was Joseph Ellison Beck Wilmer's great Grandfather. Then she told of the Blessing Orson ask for the man who gave the money. He blessed him that his posterity would not be rich but would never want and would never leave the church.

We were home by eight o'clock. Dad and I watched the show "Callie and his Son" and the news then off to bed.

Do you know any of these Men?

Do you know what this is? Extra points if you know where it is?

Where is this?

This is one horse power. Moab Utah

From Neil

October 27, 2009

Dear Family
This past month has gone every bit as fast as the others and like the others it has been both a good month and a challenging month. The good part was the time we were able to spend with family and the challenging part was due illness in the family.

It has been great having Jerry and Marylyn here for the past two months and for LaVora's short visit. We were able to spend time with each other at three temples, Chuck A Rama, Myton, Jerry and Marylyn watching "Miss Potter" and eating their good food and a number of pleasant drives. While at Myton we did a lot of work, as usual, and after a nice lunch at the Frontier Café we even got to spend some time with Uncle Clyde and yes we did get to relax just a little. The temples we visited were the Provo, Draper and Oquirrh. Thanks for a pleasant and fun time, LaVora, Jerry and Marylyn

On the other side of the coin we had some anxious days as Nicole and Abby were ill. Nicole spent several days in the hospital with some painful problem that the doctors were never able to diagnose. She is home now feeling much better for which we are thankful. Our Abby had a bout with viral meningitis. She was a very sick girl for a while. Reed told me that she was able to return to school Monday.

Except for the fact that his mail seems to be getting lost, things seem to be going well for our missionary, Joshua, who is serving in Florida. He tells us, he think the reason he is not getting his mail is because the government is confiscating it for grandpa's jelly.

Love, Neil

Story Time

The High Uinta's

This bit of history took place at a time when the horseless carriage was really coming into its own. Yet there were areas of the country where there were no roads. As a matter of fact, where this event took place (I say this with tongue in cheek) there are no roads to this day. That's because now, as then, the area known as the High Uinta's has and was set aside as a Wilderness area.

When the homesteaders came to the Uintah Basin they found an area similar in appearance to what the Salt Lake Valley area must have been to the pioneers when they first entered that valley. (Grandmother Atta Armelia Murray said "All you could see was sage brush and Indian Tepees") They found the soil, where they planned to farm, in and around the Altonah area quite sallow and very rocky. The water supply for the area depended entirely on snow melt from the snow pack that accumulated, during the winter, in the Uinta Mountains. The amount of water that a settler would receive depended on their decreed water right. It simply amounted to the fact that "first in time, first in right." Since the Indians were in the area first they owned the first water right. This meant that the settlers could only file on what was known as flood or high water. On a good water year the water in the stream would stay at high water stage into August. On bad water year when the snow pack was light the high stream flows would dwindle until the homesteader's water right was either nonexistent or gone by the last of June. This would mean that even in a good year they probably only got one good cutting of alfalfa hay, a light yield of grain and as a rule no corn.

As the settlers could only use a small part of the flood or the high water that ran off in the spring the bulk of the water ran on down stream and in time ended up in the Ocean and later in Lake Mead. So the settlers in an effort to make their water right more nearly meet their crop growing period looked for ways to store some of the flood and high water so they could hold it back and then release water from the storage areas when needed.

In the Uinta Mountains there were and are many lakes. Many of these lakes were formed by glacier activity. The glaciers as they grew would push ahead of them, depending on their size, mounds of rock, silt, sand and other materials. Then at that time when the area where the glaciers were, began to warm (global warming I guess) and the ice began to melt, the glacier would recede. As it did the glacier left the mound of rock and soil it was pushing. This would form a terminal moraine or sort of a dam. These areas or terminal moraines became many of the lakes of the Uinta Mountains. (Next month – Water storage)

A view from King's Peak

Lake Atwood - Uinta Mountains - on way to Kings Peak