Well, I've spent a lot of time waiting for summer to get here and it finally has.  We now are having days with temperatures in the 90's and we are worrying about wearing long sleeves and sunblock.  I've already been out enjoying the weather and playing with some of my toys, like my metal detector and guns, etc. .  I'm lucky because I have no ATV of my own, but my brother Tom has two of them and he doesn't like to go out running his "quads" by himself.  I have therefor been out playing with him and we've had some good times.  Saturday, his ward had an annual father-son outing out by Lookout Pass.  He had made arrangements with his daughter Jenny to take her two boys with him and another friend, but the other friend wound up having to go to work, so I stood in and went as the second ATV driver.  again, we all had a great time.

Penny and her family have moved to Cedar city as I mentioned they were going to.  Most of my other kids have been helping them, so I guess the entire family is happy for them now that they are there.  I know we'll all miss having them close by,  but they think it's for the best and I hope they are right.

My old Ford mini van gave up the ghost the other day, so I'm looking for another set of wheels.  I have the feeling that I won't be as fortunate this time in finding as good of a deal as with the van.  It only cost me $300 and was in pretty good shape.  I was able to put over 3 years of use in it, so I can't cry about that .  I don't know if I should look for a small truck (like an s-10 or something similar) or another van or even a little economy car like a Geo Metro or such. I suppose I'll look around and see what's available first, and then decide.

I'm already champing at the bit to be out prospecting for gold.  The price of gold has dropped a little. It went from over $1,030 per ounce to about $800 per ounce, but it's back up to around $930 per ounce.  All of these prices are still fine with me. I was happy when it started going up last summer and went over $400 to the ounce.  Tom and I are working on some new equipment we are building to help recover the fine gold out of the concentrates, and we are looking forward to working some more with our "mountain Goat" and the system we perfected while down in Arizona.  I think that it will not only be fun, but profitable.  I'll let you know.

I have to go for now.  I hope everyone has a great summer this year and that things go well for all of you.  Don't lose track of the important things in life.  Stuff like toys and gold and other material things are just fluff when it comes right down to it.  The gospel, family and true values of faith and honor and progress in Eternal things is what is of true import.  Be true at all times, and be happy and joyful with all of God's blessings to us all.

Sooner,

Badger Bill