Flood Number Three 9/27/2014

Our  THIRD Flood: Sept. 27, 2014

We did 76 quarts of applesauce today.  Rain drizzled and/or poured off and on throughout 

the day.  The puddles got bigger as local runoff gathered on the already saturated ground.  

Our corral was one BIG puddle and contributed to the run off. 

Just before I had to leave for the General Women's Conference, the water 

began to rise by the minute filling the little culverts at the bottom of our hill. .

 Rain was falling as the stream got wider.  Our culvert was
inadequate for the flood stream and water poured over the road. 

 After I left, Dad promised to document the rising water.

Within minutes the culvert dipped out of sight.  (Love Dad's finger in the corner:)

This is the stream leaving our yard into the Uncle's hay field. 

It was clear that approximately 95% of the water was coming from North of Powell Lane 

from this enormous stream racing around and below our neighbor to the east's house.

Dad headed home, stopping to document the silt laden flood water pouring 

from the north of Powell Lane under the road and out on the south side. 

  This is the head of the stream from the culvert as it races towards our property.

It dipped onto to our property and around the bend. 

This is what Dad saw as he headed south towards home. 

Taken by Dad while driving through the stream. 

Flood 2---September 22, 2014

Tyler, Katie, and Andrea left just in time to miss our 2nd and biggest flood! 

It came just after midnight Sunday night.  (9/22/14)

We only got aftermath pictures because to occurred in the cloak of night.

The stream was still running through our culverts as the sun cleared the horizon.

Our road had nearly been washed out.

This is the pond the county dug at the east end of Powell Lane to help with silt and flood control. 

It collects water from the north side of Powell Lane.

It leaves the pond through a culvert into this gathering area and then 

 under the highway into the bar pit, also on the north side of Powell Lane.

The fences become sieves as the water rushed on, leaving some larger debris behind.

This recently installed culvert collects water coming from the north side 

and then redirects it under Powell Lane and into our front yard!  The peak stream 

was so large  that a lot a water simply cleared the bank and continued its flow down the 

north side of Powell Lane. Some flooded over the road, nearly eroding  it away.  

The effectiveness for this culvert for those west of us was very evident.

The combined effect of two streams was also evident for us.

 The flower bed in the lawn.

The silt deposition was over 2 foot deep in places.

The stream was at least 70 feet wide and damaged
more or our lawn and young hay field.

Dad's first day off following this flood was Friday, Sept. 26th.
The ground is still muddy, about the consistency of jello.

We a storm forecast for the weekend, so Darrel put on his
muckin' boots and went to work to remove the dead lilacs in 
hopes that would help our yard drain better.  
That proved more easily said than done. 

He finally parked the tractor to regroup.

 My lilac hedge, 16 years is the making has been destroyed!
Not to mention our little hay field, our lawn and flowers. 

Tyler's 30th Birthday

Tyler turned 30 this month. They chose to come to Levan to celebrate.

I kept Luke and Leia while Ty and Katie went to the temple in the morning.  Only one 

color at a time is not a concept this two year old comprehends.  He had lots of 

fun though.  Check out his bed head.  Katie is growing his hair out for Halloween.

Here is the awesome cake Katie made for Tyler. 

It had swirls of home made caramel.

She also cut out these amazing Star Wars snowflakes...2 each!

The best part was the dinner she planned. Check this out!

For me, one of the sweetest moments of the day was when all was ready

 and Tyler was allowed in the kitchen.  His delight was immediate.  It 

was clear that he understood the effort made and the love it represented.

He took Katie's hand as he enjoyed every detail of preparation.

The Star Wars characters were present to wish Tyler well.  

Notice Darth's thumb is up!

This it Tyler blowing out his candles.

Fishing trip to Mammoth Lake

Tyler, Katie and family came down for a weekend of fishing on 9/5-9/6.

The guys went early in the morning.  Katie, Luke, Leia and I went to find 

them later.Huntington Reservoir,ASKA Mammoth Reservoir because Mammoth 

bones were found when the reservoir was being dug, was swarming with people. 

There was no cell reception, so we dropped down to 

the Cleveland Reservoir (above)  to make a plan.

I dropped Katie and kids off so they could rest and relax while I searched.

(Katie had to clean the tiny ants out of their diaper bag, too.)

Sun screen first!

You can tell it didn't take long for me to find Dad and Tyler.  

They were at Mammoth Reservoir waiting for lunch.

We were all hungry when we got together, so our picnic was the first order of business.

Next was the boat ride and a little fishing.

This is a classic shot: Grandpa and Luke.

Bon Voyage to the Wilkins Family.

Grandpa fires up the little motor.  I did 

some walking while the others were in the boat.

Can you find Dad's tiny boat?

I tried out the lens on my new camera.  It is awesome!

I was super excited about capturing this little chipmunk.

Here are some texture shots.

Those are Leia's tiny shoes. Amazing lines in this photo.

The autumn blue sky and clouds were fantastic.

Luke wasn't sure he wanted to leave his mother on shore. ):

While the guys fished, the gals walked along the beach.

Katie and Leia.

Victory is sweet and complete!

But it didn't last long!
 This cool old stump was there years ago.

Grandma and Leia play in the sand.

Leia!

The girls headed home around 4:30 p.m. The guys were still fishing.  

We documented some hints of Fall on our way home.

BACK AT THE RANCH...

Luke, Abby, and Tyler.

Best of all...there were fish.

Leia kind of liked---- slimy.

Here's the trophy sting of seven fish!