Cream, Mmmmm

A couple days ago, I started my morning by stirring a thick, nearly solid spoonful of cream into my coffee. Jack spread the rest of this heavenly stuff on toast with jam. Does life get better than this? Most of our milk, cream, and other dairy products come from the udders of Ruth and Lilith and the daily labor of the dairy boys who milk at 4 am and 4 pm. The dairy boys let us come and watch Thursday afternoon, as they dished up some grain, added more hay to the feeding area, topped off the water trough, then cleaned the bovine ladies, and milked them. Frothy, fresh milk poured out for the dairy boys whose calloused hands worked with enviable efficiency. I managed a single, small pitcher, as Binbin looked on. He also watched the separator produced two streams of cream and milk. When Ruth and Lilith were done, the boys checked in on the leffies (Ruth and Lilith’s most recent progeny), Boyd and Oliver. Then, we headed back to the Boardinghouse with the afternoon’s goods.

Deep Springs

After spending a couple of days camping at Bryce Canyon National Park, we arrived at Deep Springs last Saturday afternoon. I can hardly convey what an amazing place this is. Here is what is it to drive in.

We came in from the east, crossing from Nevada into California through a mountain pass, probably on the order of 6000 feet above sea level. The approach to the college took us down easy switchbacks, and what we saw was a valley floor, dusty and brown desert, with a single green patch, as if we were in a massive sand trap aiming for a tiny green. The ranch entrance isn't marked like your typical elite college or university with highly visible signage. There is a dusty (of course) gate, a box for a missing visitors' log book, then a row of stout trees lining the dirt road between alfalfa fields. The road leads to a circle, populated with soccer goals, balls, and frisbees. Several buildings sit around the circle, most notably the main building, with library, offices, guest quarters, and a living room.

We settled in the boarding house, or BH, which includes the kitchen, dining hall, our apartment, and meat hanger. Yes, meat hanger. On Monday (I think it was), we took a detour from our trip into the Bishop, the local metropolis, to watch a cow being butchered. Binbin was fascinated, as were we. Four guys with knives and the traces of blood and entrails staining their clothes, removed the insides into a bucket loader and then proceeded to separate the hide from the carcass. After the hide was completely separated (about an hour or so), we headed into town for some shopping. We are still close to that creature, as it ages beneath our apartment, which now buzzes with the operations of the cooler.

We have learned so much in our days here that it's hard to get it all out. I had meant to write about the dairy boys, yesterday's 4 pm milking, and the delicious raw milk and cream that Ruth and Lilith provide. I'll get that in soon.

Another day is dawning in the valley, the cool breezes will soon cede to the mighty sun here.

crazy landscape

Quick update:
We drove through Rocky Mountain National Park yesterday morning. Highest elevation was over 12,000 feet, and boy did we all feel it. Even Binbin complained of a tummy ache and tired out quickly. The views were spectacular, and the air a cool 55 degrees. A storm blew through and by lunchtime we were picnicking under the sunshine.

The afternoon was hot and dry and hot as we drove along the headwaters of the mighty Colorado River. Our evening destination, just minutes before the park closed was the campground of Colorado National Monument. Here's a photo from our hike this morning along the Canyon RIm.



We're now cleaning ourselves up in Cedar City, Utah. We're heading out to Bryce tomorrow morning. We hope you all are enjoying the summer, and we'll post again soon.

Into the wild

We are about get back on the road for a few days, for this of you who have been waiting for new news of our cross coutry drive. We left Rcokford last Friday. Morning in the wee hours. Binbin noted the amber moon hung low in the western sky before falling back to sleep around 4:30 am or so. sunrise came at 6:17 in the Iowa sky, rolling hills of corn beside us, and news of the Republican candidates banter.

we pulled into Grand Island, Nebraska mid afternoon. ...More on that later...

We need to get the food packed, Jack informs. We will be camping in Colorado Ntional Monument and Bryce Canyon Ntional Park these next several days. We hope to pull into Deep Springs on the 19th, and have Internet access again then.

In the midwest

We're about 1/3 of the way across the country, and we've stopped in to visit Yeye and Nainai in Rockford, Ill. The weather has cooled off considerably, making it very pleasant for local outings.

Here with Yeye at the Boone County Fair:



Then with Nainai at the Anderson Japanese-style gardens:

Got Moxie?

Last weekend, Lisbon put on its annual Moxie festival, celebrating the state's favorite soft drink. Saturday morning started bright and early with the kids fun run! At 7 am, the race began. Here we are milling around at the start.



And, they're off! Binbin a blur of Moxie orange.



He's into the home stretch...



Finishing at a blistering pace. 3:11

wee weekend warrior

This weekend, we had our annual Moxie party, celebrating along with our little town the soft drink that tastes like root beer with an edge. That means, as I can hardly believe, that 2011 is already half over! Where does the time go?

Yeye and Nainai are visiting, and while Moxie isn't their favorite beverage (a nice Pinot or a sauvignon blank from Marlborough is preferable), they joined the fun. This morning, Jack and Jack and Binbin paddled down the mighty Androscoggin in the annual chief Worumbo canoe and kayak race. We had excellent weather with a nice downriver breeze. They finished the 6 mile course in 67:10, which we hoped would be good enough to take 3rd in the 100+ category (ages of the folks in the boat added together is greater than 100), but it seems that there are many spry couples in their 50s, and a trio in their 40s make better time, too. Still, we all had a good time.

Three generations of Klines in a boat:



Crossing the finish line:



Binbin has started swim lessons at the Y. With much enthusiastic encouragement from friend Coco, he was lured away from the wall. Here, the two take oodles of noodles to make a makeshift floatie:



Way back in the merry month of May, we marked Mother's Day with a day with the local minor league team, the Seadogs. Afterwards, kids were invited to run the bases. Binbin waits with pal Cam for their turn:



Way, way back in the depths of winter, Binbin picked up some B-ball skills. Not the best photo, but that's him with back to the camera.