I remember Sun Valley . . . by Billy Barnwell

I remember Sun Valley also but I suppose a bit differently than most of the cousins. I remember the extreme feeling of heartache I felt going there in the summer and looking up at those runs on Baldy feeling a sense of torture that we were not there in the winter. I remember going to the hospital because I got the flu so bad I was dehydrated beyond repair usually my small nieces and nephews were trying to kill me with something they had contracted. I remember Anna coming into the condo telling me little Brenda was in the pond she was maybe 2 or 3 and there was that little bugger floating perfectly on her back. It is a wonder any of my sisters kids survived my babysitting skills but Gunnar is grateful I got to practice on them first. I remember playing football with Dan Plater, Mike, Kevin, and others. I remember taking Erin four wheeling up the side of mount baldy while I introduced her to talking heads, rafting the Salmon, bridge jumping, trap shooting with Spider (he work at the range but was my age) Playing golf with Lefty, Tom and Dave. The amazing Ice shows and food of course at the show, I remember Uncle Jim driving me to Sun valley I think the very first year we went. I remember that year he taught me how to wash a car properly and it was a lesson I have kept my whole life. That same year he took me to see Indiana Jones it was a great summer like every summer I spent in Salt Lake. But the thing I remember most about Sun Valley is when I went to visit with Grandma at the lodge shortly before I graduated DU so it must have been 1988 or 89 since Grandma came to my graduation. She was trying to put her makeup on and having some difficulty so I was there helping as much as I could. I had asked the front desk for a magnifying mirror they did not have one so I called housekeeping and asked if they had any in lost in found we could borrow. They in fact did and brought it to her. While we were waiting she said “Bill promise me when you are a big hotel executive you will make sure your hotel has a nice vanity so old women can put on their makeup”. I promise Grandma if I ever become one I won’t forget.

I Remember Shasta of course but mostly I remember the rope swing, Aunt Billie crashing Lefty’s Caddy, I remember seeing waterfalls, turtles and amazing sunsets! I remember the time we had the family trip in Tahoe which was fantastic. We rented a few condos on the North Shore in Incline right on the lake. We had our own dock we all got to go water skiing and Erin and I got don’t rock the boat T-shirts and we spent most of the time down on the beach catching crawdads and minnows. Then there was the trip to Oregon which we took in an RV. I remember Adam got me the coolest cassette player for my birthday before we left and lots of great cassettes to go with it; Elton John, Boston, The Eagles, my favorite Led Zeppelin. We listen to it the whole way and whenever we stopped for gas we ran into the store to get more batteries. When we got there we would go crab fishing in the morning, explore the beaches where there were the best drift wood forts for miles and miles. At night we would have s’mores and make sand candles. Some days we would hike and gather berries and Aunt Billie & Aunt Carol would make all kind of wonderful treats from them yum!!!

Lo Jolla who could ever forget the amazing summer trips Grandma would take there. We stayed in these apartments directly across from the cove. We would drag back all manner of sea life to our balcony, play Frisbee in the park skate board everywhere and then hit boweivals (SP) for the 1lb steer burger. Adrian & I were regulars at the pool table while waiting for our food to show up. I remember one summer there Adam AKA Peter Frampton stole my girlfriend but Virginia wasted no time finding me another one that’s right meet Virginia.

I remember the cruise as well, Smiley Heinekens, gambling, disco dancing, winning the diving contest on board the ship, Barbados, Puerto Rico definitely some of my favorite places and my mom buying me a gold necklace in St. Tomas that had a quarter moon with a smiley face. I remember so much more but I am sworn to secrecy by my girl cousins who most of them can still kick my butt lol,!! But the thing I remember more than anything about all of these vacations was the hugs. Nobody gave hugs like all the women in our family and it all started with Grandma I can’t wait to feel her hugs again, I am so fortunate that she passed that amazing trait on to every one of the girls in our family. No matter where we went what we did what we saw the best part was just hearing the laughter, feeling the hugs, and knowing the missing would never feel less between the next time we all came together again. We really were like one big family not separate families all coming together. That is just how Grandma wanted it;-)

It Happened in Sun Valley

Smith Family Reunion in Sun Valley Idaho

 

Well, this photo didn't scan too well but it's close enough to look at and say "we all look so young!"  Here is a challenge for you.  Can you put a name to every face?  I mostly can but I'm sorry (ashamed) to admit that I lost track of my cousins' children the year my life unraveled (which we won't go into right now)  So, if you can put a name to every face in the picture, please do.

Here are a few random memories.  My Grandma Anna instituted a yearly trip as a family reunion.  What an amazing blessing.  The first one, I think, was a houseboat on Lake Shasta.  Anyone remember that?  I  remember my mother, Marian Barnwell, going swimming.  Actually mom is really terrified of the water.  It took two uncles, a tube and a lifeboat to get her into the water.  I was SO excited and swam up to her to encourage her only to find the water she was in was just about waist deep!  Another year, I believe, there was a cruise (I was too pregnant to attend). 

One year the trip was set in Sun Valley Idaho and the growing group had found their summer getaway.  From then on we went there every year.  Each family group stayed in a separate condo but breakfast and dinner were combined affairs.  I don't remember just who was responsible for all that organization - I just knew it wasn't me.  There was something for everyone. Golf, bikes, roller blades, swimming, balloon rides, airplane rides, ice skating, food and shopping and the list goes on.  I have hundreds of memories of these trips.  I have lost track of how many years the family did this but it was AMAZING.

Just a few highlights.

I met Buzz Aldrin at a book signing and had lunch at a table next to Dorothy Hamill.  Ben Draper and a few companions met Arnold Schwarzenegger in a hot tub.  I threw up in a glider and I helped make my favorite breakfast (Eggs Benedict) for my entire extended family! 

Hazel Anna Sorensen Smith

This is my mother's mother, Grandma Anna.  She was the most generous, kindest and humblest person I have ever known.  Every summer I went to visit my grandmother for several days.  Sometimes my cousins, Stacy Devine and Adrienne Butler, would be there as well. We had wonderful times dressing up in the beautiful filmy nightgowns my grandmother had.  Grandma drove from Wendover to Salt Lake City once (or was it twice) a week to have her hair done at the Hotel Utah.  When my cousins and I were staying with her sometimes we would stay over night at the Hotel.  We probably drove the staff there crazy.  I remember running wild, playing in the elevators and generally having a wonderful time.  I have many, many more memories of this great lady.  Do you?

My Brainchild

Hey Smith Family (and beloved extensions)  I have reached the point in my life that I want to know and preserve all of the family history I can.  Those of us who understand Temple work recognize the importance of knowing the numbers, birth dates, death dates, etc. but I have recently become aware of the dangers we face in this "technology" age.  When my parents were children instead of being entertained by a television they were entertained by stories.  These stories were family history that was passed on verbally but probably not written down.  These stories inform us of the gifts, talents, heartaches, and character of those that have gone before us and I am greedy to hear them.  I invite you all to contribute to this blog.  At least once a week I will post a picture from those I have managed to recover from the fire I had in '91 or some other source.  I might choose something I know nothing about and ask you to tell me a story or I might choose a picture I can personally comment on and I will tell you a story.  Here is my challenge to you:

1.  Visit often, comment on the picture.  Share what you remember about the person or event.
2.  If the picture sparks a memory of another event please share what you remember.
3.  If you feel inspired to do so go ahead and create a post of your own in this blog.
4.  Please include dates and first and last names as often as you can.  I have never had a great memory and it is getting worse. You may well look at that picture and know who everyone is but I (and others like me) may not and "inquiring minds want to know".

5.  Please be kind.  While the heartaches are as important a part of our history as the joys I want us to remember those heartaches, foibles, mistakes, or even dastardly deeds from a positive perspective.  Please don't "whitewash" but don't do blame and shame.  If someone shares a story that you remember differently say so.  We learn more from differing perspectives than from tunnel vision.

Last,  I am NOT an expert at maintaining a blog.  All suggestions, recommendations, etc are welcome.  I WILL make mistakes.  I will laugh about them and do my best to fix them.  You have my permission to laugh at me but if you know what I did wrong and how I can fix it, please let me know.

If this works the way I want it to, we can have these memories printed into a book!

I love the Smith/Sorensen family, please don't be shy. If you would like to be a contributing author to this blog send me your e-mail address on facebook or at joelkers@yahoo.com and I will set it up.

Jan (Janell Jensen Oelkers)