USAF Heartland of America Band at Sum Tur Amphitheater

 I went to the concert at Sum Tur a couple days before the Fourth.  It was a bit hot, and then a bit buggy but the music was good and I enjoyed myself.  Sum Tur is an outdoor venue.  At first I sat on the grass, but moved down to a seat towards the end of the program.  The band had a total of nine musicians.  They had three brass musicians who did not play with them every song.  However the core band did with bass, guitar, keyboar and drum and two vocalists.  

Exotic Birds at Linton Enchanted Garden

 Among everything else at Linton Garden are a few birds to enjoy.

Fourth of July 2026

 Fourth of July started with the ward breakfast.  It was at a home this year, changed from a park due to weather.  The weather was pretty bad so I had to go alone.  I was helping with the music.  We sang a couple patriotic songs.  The weather cleared for juwt long enough to get breakfast in; Pancakes and lots of raspberries.  However after the meal the rain came back.  Somebody said it would clear, but I was wet enough and didn't stay.  

We had the traditional Fourth of July meal at our house.  Sheri made a terrific potato salad.  Riley really enjoyed her corn on the cob.

Evening we all went to the Heartland Park for fireworks.  The concert from Gene Lehy Mall was piped over.  

                                                                     My Country Tis of Thee

The fireworks started as soon as the concert was over.  In fact the or chestra played through some of the fireworks.  

Fireworks at Omaha, Heartland Park

We concluded at Charity's for home fireworks.  We also had a nice view of the moon.  We got home close to midnight.

Three Trips to Keepers of the Wild: Kingman

Keepers of the Wild is an animal sanctuary rather than a zoo.  It is outside Kingman in Valentine on Route 66.  They rescue animals, from the wild, from people's homes, from magic acts and circuses, and then restore their health and almost always keep them until they die.  They do not breed the animals.  They do not sell them.  On a rare occasion they are able to rehabilitate them to the wild (birds).  They have over 130 animals.  Often tigers and lions are declawed before coming to the facility which is very painful for the cats and leads to lifetime health problems.  

bear

emu

guide said lazy lion but he got up and snorted at Sheri

tigers

African tortoise

llama

White tiger

Singing dog

bobcat

We took the tour which gave us a tour guide who told stories of how different animals came to be in the park.  They had many emu from a failed farming operation who just released them to the desert.  I guess in Nevada it is legal to have exotic animals and many have been rescued from there.  Some were picture animals (cubs who could sit on a lap for a picture) who became too old and/or too wild.  Some were rescued from the wild after having been injured. 

Gus and Elliott had never been to Keepers of the Wild so we corrected that problem with a visit.  Sheri spoiled them in the shop.  We also saw many animals--the most significant being a golden tiger.  

Keepers of the Wild is on Route 66 in Valentine, AZ.  We took the opportunity to visit Keepers of the Wild whiles family was here for Thanksgiving.  Grandpa Scoresby went home early in the morning, but he has been there before.  Miranda and Tony also have been there before; but the others hadn't.  We had a good time.  

The tour focused on the big cats because it was feeding time.  The feeders seemed to follow us along on the tour.  Consequently we have some pretty good pictures.

emu

Quincy

strawberry tiger

grandbabies

tiger and his ball

dingo or singing dog

tigers

lion

leopard

white tiger

wolf