The Green River winds through this area and their are old locks and dams in the river that backed the water up so barges and steamboats could travel up and down the river.  Barge traffic was important to the development of the area and because of the river traffic, no railroads were built into the area.  Most of the dams and locks were destroyed and removed 20-30 years ago so industry has not come to the area without the railroad.  Fortunately there is a parkway going by now for truck traffic but this area still lacks for any real industry and good jobs.  According to the newspaper, unemployment in this area is still over 16% and that has some serious effect on the ward.  All of the good young members serve missions and go to college and don't return.  This sign is at the side of the road that formerly went down to a boat landing near Morgantown.  The resort is long gone but the sign for some reason was well preserved and we thought it interesting.

This is the view from the front porch of our little cabin.  The road at the bottom of hill is a city street with a farm headquarters nestled in the trees in the background.  The houses are usually quite scattered with trees and foliage in between so it is almost like a rural setting.  The city is scattered over about 2 miles and only the center main street of about one block is lined with businesses and then only on one side.

This is a view of the Main street and its single stop light.  There are actually quite a few businesses in the town like McDonalds, Hardees, Sonic, etc., but they are scattered along the main highway going through town.  We took these pictures last week but have been busy this week and haven't taken any new ones.  We are assigned 36 families to visit and fellowhip.  We visted 14 this week along with four active families.  That may not seem like many but when you realize they are scattered all through the county and might live
10-12 miles from town, it is an accomplishment in our eyes.

I helped with a service project at the Church yesterday doing some pruning and shoveling dirt for some holes where old trees had been removed.  One of the fellows working beside loves to cook and invited me for a mess of catfish or even better some fried ground hog!  He claimed it was real good but I didn't jump at the chance.

Grandma has had some real excitement with her favorite phobia, cats.  It seems just about everyone has one or two.  We were visiting a wonderful older lady when one sneaked in the room and jumped on the back of sofa where she was sitting.  We both just jumped up at the same time and switched places and I held the cat until we left.  I don't think the lady actually knew what had happened because Vicki told her she wanted to get closer so she could hear her better.  At another place the lady just visited with us on the porch because she said her Siamese cat inside was on the prowl and might attack.  As you might guess, Sister Peterson couldn't wait to get back to the car.  I am afraid there might be real revolt when trying to get her to return there, which we should do this week!  By the way, this really is an adventure.

We went to a wonderful musical performance in Bowling Green last night put on by a missionary choir from our mission.  It was centered on the Savior and was just wonderful.  There were several solos by elders and sisters that were amazing.  One young elder from Preston sang a version of "His Hands" that was just superb.  The next to the last song was "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" sung by an elder with a beautiful tenor voice, accompanied by a cello and a violin.  It was probably the most beautiful arrangement I have ever heard.  Mother and I both cried all the way through it. There are some wonderfully talented young people in our mission.  Our mission president's wife is a wonderful musician and she arranged all of the music for the production.

It was great evening and we visited with a senior couple that were originally from the Blackfoot area where I grew up. We sat by the Austins who are from Logan and good friends of my sister.  I also got an e-mail today from another senior couple in the mission that grew up in Burley but have spent their lives in Oregon.  She is the daughter of Rulon Budge, the long-time coach at Burley High School. They wanted to know if we knew Judy Zollinger.  It seems to be a small world even though we are far from home.

By the way, we do enjoy comments from home on the blog.  Grandma is sure you have all forgotten her.  Tayler is our "favorite" grandchild this week because she was the first to respond.
Grampa and Grandma, (known now as - Elder and Sister Peterson)