What's In This Blog

I created this blog for my journal. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this blog I keep many of the things I come across as a member of the church. I also share my experiences on the ACE Train and getting to work, my experiences in Manteca where we have lived for three years, and other things I think are noticeable.

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Kingman Outdoor Decor Stores

Kingman is located in the Mohave or Mojave desert.  Lawns are very rare in Kingman.  Instead of grass people have gravel.  This creates less upkeep.  However the gravel is decorated with wide range of yard items from rocks to statues to wind mills and old farm implements.  

As such, I have been visiting some of this stores gathering ideas for when we actually do move.

Import Corner LLC is a very interesting store.  They tell you everything in the store is half price.  They might do better just pricing everything half less.  They have large animals, windmills, wall hangings, fountains and bird baths.  They have the largest lawn turtle I have seen.  They also have bears and horses.  Located by the airport.

Lomeli's is on Route 66/ Andy Divine close to Rutherfords.  The specialize in statuary that they make.

Willow Street Bargains and Metal Art (Closed) has some very interesting items.  They seem to have good prices as well.  They have many western decor items, dinosaurs, and turtles.  They also have outside flowers (not real) and a fashioned mine and western wagons.  Located on the corner of Willow and Gordon.

Rose Nursery has mostly artistic rocks including paving stones and large stones.  They also have fruit trees and decorative trees.  This is located on north Stockton Hill Road.

Tractor Supple Co. on Stockton Hill and I-40 offers a nursery with trees and gardening supplies.  They also have a very good selection of wind chimes.  They also offer chickens.  

Walmart as an adequate selection of outdoor furniture and a good price.

C-A-L Ranch is located on Andy Devine North of the I-40.  It is a new store in the old K-Mart.  I didn't see much in terms of outdoor decor other then they sell chicken coops which may be good for the back yard; they are cute.  The did have a table with metallic painted chickens and such which could be laced outside.  This store is geared to ranchers and pet owner.  They have a large selection of guns.  

Lomeli's Garden Arts and Statuary

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Henry Doorly Zoo

Since Charity moved to Nebraska we have been to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo multiple times.    Charity lives a couple blocks from the zoo.  Since moving to Nebraska we have visited and have purchased the annual pass.  It lead to some really fun times and good experiences.  They have a desert environment, which reminded us of home, and it has a road runner.  

We took the ride around the zoo, did the sting ray petting pond, kids rode on the merry-go-round.  We had to go back Saturday morning to ride the sky tram; but it was fun.  Jeremy and family were with us this day.  We also visited the swamp, the penguins, the aquarium, the new gorilla enclosure, the seals and saw the show, the butterfly exhibit, and the giraffes with the baby giraffe.











road runner















A more recent trip to the zoo. We  Saw the lion, giraffes, zebras and elephants from the train.

                                         



Riley is fascinated with birds.  This bird was making a next when we went past.  When we came back it was sitting on an egg.  This must be the male who was gathering straw


gorillas


seal









zebra

lion

elephant running


giraffes

flamingos

penguins
sharks 

Visit to Gifford Farm on the Missouri River

I had a fun Friday with Charity and her two youngest kids.  They said any barn that was open we could go in.  We saw goats, rabbits, chickens, calves, horses, pigs, sheep, alpacas, pigs and piglets, and ducks.  The funnest part was watching the kids react to petting the animals, and the animals nuzzling their feet.  Riley is a really good squealer.   In addition to animals they had slides, a milking machine and a hay ride.  The hay ride went to the river where we saw two eagles, a blue heron and a turkey vulture.  I also saw three wild turkeys on the ride to the farm.



















bald eagle





turkey vulture