This photo was taken on Saturday September 16, 2006, the day after a mighty storm ripped it's way through Davis County's Antelope Island where the Davis County Chamber's First Annual Balloon Stampede at Antelope Island was being held.
When I arrived on Friday to put up my display tent it was raining heavily. One might think that this type of weather would be discouraging to those in charge of this event but I would say that just the opposite was true.
It didn't take me long to find Barbara Riddle, President and CEO of the Davis Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CMP) and Davis Cable 17 Director, Diane Townsend, or I should say, they found me. I was walking around trying to figure out where to put up my display when I heard a friendly voice yell, "Hey Rob Miller, in here!"
Barbara and Diane invited me into their trailer and started introducing me to several other Davis County faithfuls. After a cup of hot chocolate Diane took me to my "plot of land". She asked me if I needed help, I declined, but within minutes she emptied her trailer and brought her guests over to help me set up my display. This kind act set the spirit of goodwill that would continue throughout this well conceived event.
After setting up my display I ran home to grab my camping gear. I decided it would be fun to spend the night to be there bright and early for the event in the morning.
Due to the storm the band that was scheduled that night was canceled, but the good spirit of the participants was not.
Once I returned I was again invited to Barbara and Diane's trailer. This gave me the opportunity to spend some time with Davis Chamber President and CEO, Chris Dallin, Mark Livingston, Bud, and Ed Needham as well as many other great people. Only one person left because there was a Democrat in the trailer.
As the storm grew and the winds blew we sat in the trailer talking about politics and the future of Davis County. Ed, Mark, and I had fun discussion about what Utah Democrats really stand for until Diane came in and said, "enough politics."
I'm not sure what time it was when we decided to close shop, but Ed insisted that I should stay in his trailer due to the storm, and the fact that I never did put up my tent.
I'm not sure how long actually slept, I only remember thinking that my display was gone as I listened to the wind and rain tear through the camp. Before the sun came up Diane let us know that he storm had destroyed most of the tents. "Did you see my tent?", I asked. "I'm sure its gone Rob." she replied.
Somehow my tent survived. It was inside out, but Rhett Needham and I easily put it back together. There where many others who were not as fortunate, but everyone grouped together to help re-build the display tents that could be saved.
As the day progressed the winds returned and shattered two of the poles in the top of my display prompting me to take my display down. Since the weather had reduced the numbers of those participating I decided it would be better to close shop and enjoy the scenery and participants as a spectator.
For me this event was a great success. When situations like these happen, it usually brings people closer together, and that is exactly what I believe happened in this case. I didn't hear anyone complain, or get angry as it seemed that everyone simply enjoyed the company and our beautiful surroundings. Only one balloon was launched Saturday morning, but several where launched on Sunday while I was of course, in church.
Most important to me was having the opportunity to meet new friends, and to spend time on Davis County's Antelope Island. It is a place that holds great potential for the residents of Davis County.
I guess the moral of the story is this, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
Congratulations Chris Dallin, your stampede was a great success!
Enjoy the photos.
When I arrived on Friday to put up my display tent it was raining heavily. One might think that this type of weather would be discouraging to those in charge of this event but I would say that just the opposite was true.
It didn't take me long to find Barbara Riddle, President and CEO of the Davis Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CMP) and Davis Cable 17 Director, Diane Townsend, or I should say, they found me. I was walking around trying to figure out where to put up my display when I heard a friendly voice yell, "Hey Rob Miller, in here!"
Barbara and Diane invited me into their trailer and started introducing me to several other Davis County faithfuls. After a cup of hot chocolate Diane took me to my "plot of land". She asked me if I needed help, I declined, but within minutes she emptied her trailer and brought her guests over to help me set up my display. This kind act set the spirit of goodwill that would continue throughout this well conceived event.
After setting up my display I ran home to grab my camping gear. I decided it would be fun to spend the night to be there bright and early for the event in the morning.
Due to the storm the band that was scheduled that night was canceled, but the good spirit of the participants was not.
Once I returned I was again invited to Barbara and Diane's trailer. This gave me the opportunity to spend some time with Davis Chamber President and CEO, Chris Dallin, Mark Livingston, Bud, and Ed Needham as well as many other great people. Only one person left because there was a Democrat in the trailer.
As the storm grew and the winds blew we sat in the trailer talking about politics and the future of Davis County. Ed, Mark, and I had fun discussion about what Utah Democrats really stand for until Diane came in and said, "enough politics."
I'm not sure what time it was when we decided to close shop, but Ed insisted that I should stay in his trailer due to the storm, and the fact that I never did put up my tent.
I'm not sure how long actually slept, I only remember thinking that my display was gone as I listened to the wind and rain tear through the camp. Before the sun came up Diane let us know that he storm had destroyed most of the tents. "Did you see my tent?", I asked. "I'm sure its gone Rob." she replied.
Somehow my tent survived. It was inside out, but Rhett Needham and I easily put it back together. There where many others who were not as fortunate, but everyone grouped together to help re-build the display tents that could be saved.
As the day progressed the winds returned and shattered two of the poles in the top of my display prompting me to take my display down. Since the weather had reduced the numbers of those participating I decided it would be better to close shop and enjoy the scenery and participants as a spectator.
For me this event was a great success. When situations like these happen, it usually brings people closer together, and that is exactly what I believe happened in this case. I didn't hear anyone complain, or get angry as it seemed that everyone simply enjoyed the company and our beautiful surroundings. Only one balloon was launched Saturday morning, but several where launched on Sunday while I was of course, in church.
Most important to me was having the opportunity to meet new friends, and to spend time on Davis County's Antelope Island. It is a place that holds great potential for the residents of Davis County.
I guess the moral of the story is this, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
Congratulations Chris Dallin, your stampede was a great success!
Enjoy the photos.
"I hope you're not sleeping in that Rob!"
Ed, Diane, Barbara, and Mark
Rhett stands by a damaged mess tent
Miracles do happen!
Early morning
Red Cross Volunteers
The medicine man tent
Some families came regardless of the weather
My new friends (and saviors) the Needham boys!
Another storm cell passes above
The V.I.P. tent survived
What a view
This guy had a bigscreen so we could watch the game
Who let these hoodlums in?
Smiles were everywhere
Ron Taylor runs the island
Eric
Thank you!
2 comments:
Here's a shout out to the family that came regardless of the weather - they're the Call family from Bountiful - our boys are in the same 5th grade class. You go, Calls! Whoo -hoo!
Hey, I was there too last year, nice place for having a family trip! take care!
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