It's a once in a lifetime event....FOR SURE....most never have it!

September 24, 1921, William Alfred Pope, Jr. was born; making September 24, 2011 his 90th birthday. My brother Charles hosted dad's birthday party at his home in Hesperus, CO. It was a perfect day. The weather was beautiful, in the background of some of the pictures you can see the fall colors beginning to come on. Two of my brothers were not able to be there; Terrel and Ted. I missed them, it's so hard to get all of us together in the same place. Most of the spouses were unable to attend, but those of us there, had a wonderful time. Pixie and Gloria did all of the cooking, except for a couple of the desserts. The meal was wonderful! Two of Marjorie's daughters were able to be there; Debbie and Sharon with J. Paul. Of my family there were Bill and Susan, Randal and Arla, Doris and Dan, Pat, Mary and Hal, Charles and Gloria, Me, Rick, Rob, Pixie, Tisha, and Taylor.

That evening Dad told us some stories of this Great Grandpa Pope, and Shupe. We learned that in the late 1800's, 18 men were members of the Texas Rangers. He had a couple of colorful stories to tell. Some of the relatives were truly rough and part of the wild, wild west.

Charles and Gloria were awesome hosts. Most all of us spent at least one, if not two nights there. As some of us were leaving, Gloria handed us some tins, "to snack on, on the road." Gloria is always so gracious and kind. Thank you, Charles and Gloria for the wonderful weekend. Another memory to enrich my life.

As I was leaving, they were having a hot air balloon, something, in Manasa, Co. It was fun to see at least 30 balloons starting to rise in the beautiful early morning.

These next two pictures are pictures I have wanted to get forever ago. These pictures come from just southeast of Moab, Ut. When I was a little girl, my dad pulled over and showed us the "Vanishing Angel". You can see the upright rock at the end of the range, standing out as plain as day. When you go around a turn in the road through a small outcropping, the 'Angel' is gone. You can see it until the small outcropping hides it, within seconds, it is gone. No one, to my knowledge, has ever figured out what this phenomena is...but not for the lack of trying!