DAY FOUR: Scotland’s St. Andrew, Scone Palace and Whiskey Tasting

Our first side trip on today’s itinerary was a visit to the town of St. Andrews, better known as the birthplace of golf!  Needless to say, Ed was “over the moon” to be on what he considers hallowed ground … the closest place to heaven on earth for golfers.  As we were nearing St. Andrews, our adorable guide Jaime was giving us a running storyline of information.  When she stopped to take a breath, Ed jumped in with a question.  “When is my tee time?” to which she explained quite matter-of-factly, there would be two “tea times” today.  Her innocent response got delighted laughter from our bus mates.

Along our way, we crossed over the newest of three bridges at the Firth of Forth.  When the 3^rdbridge was nearing completion, a contest was held to determine an official name for the structure. The favorite submission – but not the winner - was the “Third Firth of Forth.”

We spent the early afternoon at Scone (pronounced Scoon) Palace, known as the crowning place for Scottish kings until King Edward I, who chose to be coronated at Westminster Abbey.  The palace is part tourist attraction and part private home of the 8^th(or 9^th) Earl and Duchess of Mansfield.  The 1^stEarl of Mansfield received this 32,000 acres as a gift for saving the life of one of the Scottish kings and it continues to belong to his descendants … and to which every reigning monarch has visited since.

Our last stop of the day (before our arrival at the Hilton Cuylumbridge) was at the Dalwinnie Distillery – one of 120 such businesses in Scotland.  We were guided through the operation by a very enthusiastic young man who could barely contain himself about the lucky circumstance of his employment as he talked about the number of his co-workers he considered “functioning alcoholics.”  Not him, of course!  At the end of the tour we were each given a “wee dram” of the house specialty.

On that note, we have concluded whiskey (translated from the Gaelic as “water of life”) is the Diet Coke of Scotland.  Whiskey – and wine – is served at all hours of the day and night, at every occasion and is on sale in every shop and market.  And, if you order Highland porridge (what we know as oatmeal) for breakfast, it comes with a pinch of salt and whiskey-to-taste!

Tonight, we stayed at the Hilton Hotel in the Cairngorms National Park, 1 of Scotland’s 15 national parks – all combined representing about 6% of Scotland’s land mass in the largest arctic landscape in the UK.

Day Three in Scotland

Warm up? It didn’t … not by a long shot!  In fact, taking into consideration a steady – though thankfully not drenching – rain, it felt even colder than yesterday despite the weatherman’s promise of a comfortable 52 degrees.

This morning we had a city tour of historic downtown Edinbura(not Edinburg or Edinboro).  Our bus route, including a delightful and very knowledgeable guide, took us past the Scottish Parliament, along the Royal Mile, Princes Street, and other interesting sights. Edinburgh is a city of great contrasts, including amazing numbers of buildings from the 13^th, 14^thand 15^thcenturies, still in use but filled today with shops, offices and pubs.  Unquestionably, Scotland has a booming tourism industry as evidenced by tour busses everywhere carrying tourists from everywhere.  

We spent much of the morning and early afternoon exploring Edinburgh Castle, including the Crown Room, Royal Palace, St. Margaret’s Chapel, all which, at one time, was inhabited by Mary, Queen of Scots.  The castle and its grounds have been beautifully preserved through the centuries so it was fun, and interesting to visit.

In the afternoon, we ventured out with two other couples. Around the corner from our hotel, we enjoyed a light lunch at a local cafe and found more fascinating photo ops. 

The evening of Day Three was spent at a traditional Scottish dinner and show.  Delightful, but the most fun was posing for a picture I’m calling “how many Utahns can you fit in a Scottish phone booth?”  We had to make those on the bus wait for a minute and a half, but what a great way to end a great day!

Day One (and Two) Getting to Scotland

Our trip to Scotland and Ireland began with a trip to Salt Lake City.  We didn’t have to be to the airport until 1 p.m. when Gary drove us from Ogden to catch our 3 p.m. flight.  We made our way to the D3 gate where we would wait for the plane to carry us to our first stop in Amsterdam and ran into Royce and Jill Jones also heading for Amsterdam.  Small world!

We left SLC in broad daylight, flew 8 ½ hours (much of it in the dark), then landed in Amsterdam - again in broad daylight - at about 9 am, followed by a 3-hour wait for a one-hour flight to Scotland … arriving 27 hours after Gary dropped us at the curb in SLC.

Once in Edinburgh (pronounced by the locals as Edinbura), our cab driver was a nice Scottish man with a very thick and hard-to-understand accent, though much more lyrical than the heavily guttural speech of the Dutch!  Of course, we can’t count Amsterdam among the places we’ve seen in our travels – because we didn’t get out of the airport – but Scotland promises to be delightful!  We can hardly wait to enjoy it after about 12 hours of sleep. 

2 of 3: Trip to Anaconda

We enjoyed two WIM reunions on our way home from Montana.  President and Sister Mehr’s was held in Highland from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, March 30 and President and Sister Gamiette’s was held from 7 – 9 p.m.  We didn’t know many of those present at the Mehr event – other than Bob and Katie Beecher, who gave us a comfortable overnight stay and breakfast; Doug and Margie Horne, our long-ago neighbors originally from Thousand Oaks, CA; Dick and Hazie Brown (he was a mission auditor) from Washington, DC and then-Elder Kaylin, who served in the mission office as one of President Gamiette’s AP’s.

President Gamiette’s reunion was much more enthusiastic with LOTS of former Elders and Sisters who brought along fiancés or spouses and bunches of infants and toddlers.  But there were also several couples with whom we had served either in Trinidad / Tobago or Guyana.  We were greeted warmly by Ralph and Paulette Childs, Bob and Raelene Bush, and Brent and Marilyn Rasmussen (Twin Falls, ID). Simeon and Steph stopped by, too, after her mission reunion (his was in Bountiful … too far to travel).

It was fun to have President Gamiette with us.  He has served for the past five years as an Area Authority Seventy and we all expected he would be released at General Conference (March 31 - April 1, 2018) but wasn't, so we'll probably see him again next year.  Sister Gamiette stayed behind in Guadeloupe with the kids and 15 horses, though she joined us by Skype.  It was a fun evening.  So glad we could make it fit with our travel plans.

1 of 3: Trip to Anaconda

We drove to Montana for Kaytee and Josh’s kids’ Spring Break.  We didn’t do anything particularly exciting but it was fun to spend time with 10-year-old Adyn, 7-year-old Skylar and Thoryn, who just turned 3.  Kaytee’s “family circus” makes her alternately laugh and cry while trying to maintain order but she is a wonderful mother – far better than she gives herself credit for!  We had a picnic in the park with some inquisitive – and hungry – deer; read about half of “Charlotte’s Web;” went shopping and had lunch in Butte – where we also visited Uptown Butte (the historic part of town where several big mansions demonstrated the area’s wealth from mining); and spent a few minutes at the Anaconda Stack State Park.  It’s always fun to see them!

A Weekend in Sonoma

It was a quick trip to Sonoma, CA this weekend to see Kris and her family.  She was unable to take time off work so we scheduled our arrival at 5:30 on the afternoon of Friday, March 10 and our departure for home on Monday, March 12 so we could spend as much time as possible with her.  We spent two days putting puzzles together (ask any of us about that “cheater Jaeson”), reminiscing through Grandpa’s pictorial history of Cuz’N Camps gone by, and just catching up on family news. There was lots of laughter and chit chat which is the best way to spend time together.

We also got some happy news on this trip.  Memo is going to get a baby brother – or sister – on or about October 1. This precious little baby will be our 5^th great grandchild. We love our family!

Til We Meet Again, Coral Henion Nyland

Coral Velora Henion Nyland – my father’s last surviving sibling – passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the home of her daughter Coyia Nyland Keables. The 4^th daughter, and 5^th of eight children in the family of Harry Dexter and Else Marie Werner Henion, was born in Alexandria, Minnesota on 18 March 1920, passing into eternity just 10 days short of her 98th birthday.

Coral and her family moved to Randle, WA when she was 9 years old.  She moved to Tacoma for her senior year in high school where she also worked as a nanny for the children in a family with whom she lived.  Sometime after graduation she met Harry Nyland at a dance and they were married on September 1, 1940.  As their three children - Coyia, Bruce and Mark - grew to adulthood, she worked as a lab technician and later as a clerk in the City of Tacoma County Assessor's Office. In her leisure time, she also enjoyed gardening and golf, as well as being a talented seamstress. 

Harry preceded Coral in death in 1993. Coral leaves behind 2 adult children, Coyia (Dan) Keables, and Mark Nyland. Bruce (Mary) Nyland preceded Coral in death in 2010. Coral also leaves behind 3 grandchildren, Piper Lee, Noah Keables, and Caleb Nyland, and 5 great-grandchildren Stephen, Barnabas, Miriam, Naomi, and Nathanael Keables.

I only have a few memories of my aunt, but the most important was created just last summer when Ed and I made our “circuit” vacation, traveling 3500 miles through seven states to visit friends and family over 3 weeks.  Gratefully, my cousin Coyia willingly organized her annual Henion cousins’ luncheon so it coincided with our time in Washington State.  Larry traveled down from Seattle and Coyia brought her still-beautiful, but frail mother.  My brother and I had a wonderful conversation with our aunt as I shared family pictures on my computer – some she had never seen; and, she expressed her love and admiration for my father – five years her senior – her brother she called “my hero”. I was also pleased to snap a wonderful photo of her.  Although I didn’t know her well, her passing is a loss to me and our family.

Rest in peace, dear Aunt Coral and enjoy your reunion with loved ones on the other side of the veil.

Call Me Dr. Bob!

Tiffany Sappington Nelson’s husband and Charlene’s favorite son-in-law - the amazing Bob Nelson - was officially recognized as Dr. Robert Nelson on Thursday, March 8 after successfully defending his doctoral dissertation at the University of Southern California (USC).

His milestone accomplishment coincided with our visit in Fresno on our way to see Kris in Sonoma, so together with Charlene, Tiffany, Tyson, their spouses and children – a total of 14 family members – we enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Fresno’s Olive Garden ... which kept the servers busy and made the company accountant smile!!!

Thinking back over Bob’s life, we wonder if he sees what we see? He has accomplished so much in his nearly 5 decades and has experienced so many amazing changes in his life to bring him to this point in time, including:

* For more than a decade, Bob and Tiff had only 3 sons (Ben, Josh and Phillip).  Now they have 7 kids since adopting Destinie (5), Abby (almost 4), Ashton and Sawyer (Abby's identical 2-year-old twin brothers) in quick succession over a period of about 3 years.
* When Bob and Tiffany first met, he was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but luckily she saw his potential – as a husband, father and Church leader. They have now been sealed in the temple as a couple and recently Abby and her twin brothers were adopted, joining Destinie, and all have now knelt across the temple alter to become members of the Nelson “forever” family.
* Bob started as an elementary school teacher making “peanuts” and over not-so-many-years his career has brought him to the position of Superintendent of the Fresno School District (with a big paycheck) – the 4^th largest school district in California and second poorest in the nation (only schools in Appalachia are poorer).

Dr. Bob … you are incredible and one-of-a-kind and we have enjoyed watching as your life unfolded. Who, I wonder, will play you in the movie?

Sappington Family's "Top Fourteen" List

2017 has been a fun and extremely busy year in which we had many happy events … and at least one really unnerving one!  Here is what most of our family considers our “2017 Top Ten list" (well, actually Top 14 this year) of Sappington family stories:

1.    Michael Sappington and Jessica Lenford were married on August 1.  Such a happy day!

2.    Kris and Erin Schnabel, Tylre, Jaeson and Memo Gonzales survive “the costliest fire in California history” including the loss of Erin’s high school in Sonoma, CA.

3.    Simeon Lovell and Stephanie Shipley were married on August 5.  Another wonderfully happy day!

4.    Nash Beaumont – our 4^th “great” is born on December 21 to Allysa and Josh.

5.    Kole Sappington is the 3^rd Eagle Scout at David and Jan’L’s Denver home

6.    Kaler Sappington is now a graduate of Prairie View High School

7.    Josh Postma is learning to deal with a diagnosis of renal failure and high blood pressure

8.    Gary Yocum finds his family!!!

9.    Taisley Welch makes the Dixie High School cheer squad on her first tryout.

10.  Mom is named Southern Utah Rotary’s “Woman of the Year” with a unanimous vote of the leadership of all 5 Washington County clubs.

11.   Bob Nelson is named Superintendent of the Fresno School District - California's 4th largest

12.  Mom and Dad travel thousands of miles by car to visit family, cousins and friends in 7 western states

13.  Tylre and Jaeson are finally all grown up with a 4-year-old and their own apartment
14.  We got a cat ... adopting Michael's cat Charles when he and Jessica got married 

We can hardly wait to see what wonderful blessings our Heavenly Father has in store for us in 2018.  Happy New Year one and all!

It's Another Sappington Family Christmas

The 2017 holiday season was lovely, bookended by visits from our son Michael and his family, followed by holiday fun with my brother Larry from Seattle and our daughter Kelly and her husband Gary.  We also welcomed a 4^th great-grandson, attended 8 Christmas parties, took part in a couple of service projects, saw more than a few movies and “Fairy Tale Christmas, a play at Tuacahn; and ate our weight in delicious goodies delivered to our front door almost daily by neighbors and friends.

Kelly and Gary had been with us at Thanksgiving but wanted to come back to spend time with her Uncle Larry.  They arrived on Thursday evening, Dec. 21 then Kelly and I drove to Las Vegas to pick Larry up at the airport on Friday morning.  Poor Larry … he comes to St. George annually for a “sun break” and a visit with family … neither of which happened for him this year.  It wasn’t particularly cold while he was here but it was gray – not unlike Seattle this time of year.  And, although he enjoyed a pleasant visit with Kelly and Gary, Stacy and her entire family were all “near death” with a vicious strain of winter flu.  We had a brief visit in Stacy’s driveway but didn’t get to see anyone else.  Sorry, Larry … maybe you should come in April or October – guaranteed to be beautiful, sunny and warm.

As it turns out, Christmas Day was quiet but pleasant.  Dinner was good and plentiful even though there were only three of us at the table. 

Michael, Jessica and the kids arrived on Friday, December 29 … just in time for Ed’s birthday on New Year’s Eve. On Saturday morning we all went for an easy one mile hike to Johnson's Arch (which I had never seen before) which is considered a "winter hike" because this trail is only open from Nov. 1 - March 15 annually.  It was beautiful.  We also took in a movie ... half of us saw "Wonder" while the other half saw "Star Wars."  It was a very pleasant weekend and we are so happy to have our son back, thanks to Jessica!

Highlights of Christmas 2017:

·      GG#4 Nash Michael Beaumont was born in the evening of Thursday, December 21, 2017 – the third baby boy of Allysa and Josh Beaumont and our daughter Stacy’s 3^rd grandson.  This little cutie weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 oz.  Big brothers Daxton and Bentley are just about as excited about their new little brother as they are about all the gifts Santa brought them. 

·      Having Michael, Jessica and their family for a visit before and after Christmas.

·      Volunteering with Kelly and my childhood friend Jan Christensen for “Fairy Tale Christmas” at Tuacahn.

·      Wrapping gifts for children in need in our community with some of my favorite Rotary club members at our 2^nd annual service party.

·      Having neighbors and friends dropping by with cookies, candy and other lovely gifts … and even a few Christmas carolers.

·      Introducing my brother to my nail lady Michelle Graham who actually is our cousin (haven’t found the common ancestor yet, but I know she’s on our family tree).

·      Seeing “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” (which is wonderful and worth seeing more than once) “Victoria and Abdul” (which my brother and I both loved) and “The Greatest Showman” (which I loved and my brother didn’t).

·      Spending Christmas Eve with Bishop and Lori Bair, Selwin and Brianna, Cara, Aspen, Dakota Bair and my brother Larry.

·       Inviting our neighbors and friends over to celebrate Ed's birthday on New Years Eve ... and to help us eat our mountain of leftovers.

  

      Christmas is such a lovely time of the year but a whole lot of work.  And, no question this extra level of activity - even when its fun - can make us crazy, but we sure love having family, friends and neighbors around and can't wait to see them again.