MORE REUNIONS (This one with roommates)

     The still-fearsome, foursome reunited once again for a couple of days of girl talk.  Held at Brenda's home in Brigham City - her husband Tom banned to the basement for the duration!!  ;-)
     We ate well,  exchanged gifts, laughed a lot, cried together, & let our spirits soar in the complete comfort of secure friendship.   Ardith Gledhill Lindgren Rymer was first a missionary with me in Guatemala.  Cherie Lundwall was first my sister, Julene's, dear friend...and by extension mine.  Brenda Meikle Thorpe was my smiley, stable little pixy roommate....   All of us at one time or another lived together at what we called the "United Nations" house (because of the many people of different ethnic groups that seemed to come visit) at 440 E. 700 N. in Provo while we attended BYU.   This is our third get-together in as many years.  Strong, capable, lovely, faithful women.

     "Best friends know that they can grow separately without growing apart"

This is us at Promontory Point where the Golden Spike joined the two railroads, an event which changed the United States!   When that was done the "pioneer" era was ended.  No need for suffering, handcarts, wagon trains, etc.  Our immigrant ancestors could come by rail after May 1869. 

[For those of you who have never visited the site, it is well worth it, by the way]

A replica of the golden spike.  The original is in the Stanford Museum in California.

Engraved on the spike:  "May God continue the unity of our Country as this Railroad unites the two great Oceans of the world."

These are just the coolest locomotives! 

Replica of the wood-burning engine that came from California - Central Pacific's "Jupiter"

That's Cherie Lundwall, by the way, thrilled to be taking pictures to send to her brother Neal in California who collects trains and has his own rideable track in his back yard.

Union Pacific's " #119" came from Council Bluffs, Iowa

     During our couple of days together we did a mini historical tour of Brigham.  We visited the Indian School where Ardith had taught for a few months. The land and what bldgs that are left have been purchased by Utah State University for a satellite campus.   We also saw the old mills and historic pioneeer bldgs. that are still standing (tithing office, Rel.Soc. grainery, etc.).....and, of course, the new Brigham City Temple which will begin its Open House this coming weekend!

Great couple of days together preceding my Forsgren Family reunion.