Grandma Henke

Alice provided me with a topic for today’s blog when I read her neat post about how Utah celebrates the 24th of July.      It brought to my mind that the 24th of July isn’t just a Utah celebration day … there are parties and barbeques wherever Mormons can gather and spread a feast of meats, hot rolls, corn on the cob, salads galore, fresh sliced tomatoes, green jello and a variety of desserts..

About fifteen years ago or so Lynn and I and our daughters were traveling to Arlington, Texas, where I had some business meetings scheduled.   On July 24th we stopped for the night in Carlsbad, New Mexico (Check out the photos of the caves at that link), where we planned to tour the caverns the next day.     As we were parked at a stop light in downtown Carlsbad trying to come to a consensus on what kind of food we should look for we heard a horn honking behind us and this lady was wildly waving her arms out the window at us.    We figured we must be losing some of the luggage from the top of the car but before we could think much about it she was jumping out of her car and running up to our window motioning for us to roll it down.    

“I see you’re from Utah,” she said.   “Have you had your dinner yet?”

“No,” we replied a little hesitantly.

“Well follow me!    We’re having a huge 24th of July celebration at the park along Pecos River and there is more than enough for your family!” she yelled as she ran back to her car (where there were now horns honking at both of us to get out of the way.

We followed her down and around a bunch of corners and soon came to the most beautiful park where the wards there had set up a regular Hoe Down Barbeque with all the trimmings and music.     We had a wonderful time meeting people and eating.    It was such a fun evening and we enjoyed the break from the day’s heat as we sat near the river enjoying a feast.      It was a wonderful experience and one we talked about for days.