Stories From Miles

Hi this is to be about my brother Douglas I remember as a small boy about Christmas time when he got a slot car set that was a dragracing set he enjoyed it very much he got very good at it he used to be able to beat all of us at that dragracing he was the enthusiastic about it he enjoyed it immensely.  I remember when we're fishing at fishing bridge in Yellowstone as fonr little boys catching fish back when you could fish off the fishing bridge a lot of people used to fish off of fishing bridge to catch fish off you would have to get your line right in front of the fish you were trying to get then you would poll out as much lying as you can and then let it go. A lot of people didn't know how to do this and didn't catch on for quite a while it really ticked off a lot of people but hate they had been there for hours we would fish a spot and when we would catch a fish we would move in our dad would take the fish off of the line and put another worm on it when we come back the guy that was fishing would take our spot and we would move into his spot that he was fishing and proceed to catch another fish it really really custom off that these little boys would show up and catch a lot of fish and 20 min and be done with their fishing for the day and they would be there for hours trying to figure out how those four little boys caught that many fish in 20 min.  And members watching Old Faithful with him and going to see Mammoth Hot Springs I remember going up to Yellowstone with my grandparents in their agreeing station wagon we used to ride in the center up front we all used to take turns one year our dad was so mad at us because we were chasing down up there and we caught up with the bare and was patented on the but you ought to ask grandpa about that time we were chasing that there are grandfather used to take motion pictures of us when we're up there at Yellowstone. That's when I was about five or six years old I remember going lizard hunt up behind were the high school was that what used to be all open field and all four refused to go up their hunt for lizards and send puppies and spiders. Used to go down around Mason 30 and look at Indian ruins as little children off father told us not the goal lifted up any rocks is or might be scorpions underneath so what do little kids do when their dad tells him not to go looking under rocks scorpions that is the first thing we wouldn't it and we found what our dad was pissed off at us again we didn't have much money bit we sure caused a lot of trouble I remember going to East Fork of the bare with my brother Douglas and Stephen that's right learned how to canoe and I burned my tennis shoes up the first night I was there I had to walk a 5 mile hike the next day up the mountain with no shoes they tried to find shoes for me but they never did so I still won on the hike or 5 miles up the canyon with no shoes I was really a tenderfoot but I remember learning how the canoe with Douglas Stephen that's why I still canoe today I love canoeing I think my brother did to his he tried to make a full boat one year and he picked up some plans to build this thing and any purchased the lumber to do it he was in such a hurry to do this project you know we made a lot of mistakes it link like a sieve summary tried to fix it and fix it and fix it but it never did fault like it should have been always leaked. I remember one year our uncle Robert asked us if we would like to go down the Green River and we did the first night that we camped along the river we were parked by a small screen coming out of the canyon the next morning we would hike up to the respond and Douglas would have this fishing pole in hand and we proceeded to try to finish this pond and little string well fishing was a success but we really didn't have any fun fishing because before we could ever get the line in the water the Fisher jumped out and catch it that morning there was about 14 Boy Scouts and me and Douglas and Robert it took us longer to walk up to the beaver's Pond then took us to fish for 16 guys 17 guys actually and we had parked or can't underneath this blueberry tree that was just coming into season so we had fish and blueberry pancakes that morning we also had camp nearby to a group of people from this University of Utah that were running it on kayaks and small rubber rafts boy was that experience we thought they were pretty good people but they were gone by the time we had finished eating and packing up our stuff to get on the river again but we caught back up with these people about halfway down the next day about new and boy was it back to nature we didn't realize they were nudist colony run in the river boy were there parts going to be sundered and boarded this Boy Scouts that day get a good view of what nature was really all about boy did we have sent to tell our parents when we go if you don't believe us just ask uncle Robert he will tell you it was no lie. I remember doing model rocketry when we were younger we would send grasshoppers up in a two-stage rockets Douglas got for to get it building rockets and lot number oh we were always mean to grasshoppers I member when we were in the entire house in the backyard we would always plug in a light socket and we go out and fried grasshoppers with electricity later on in years when we got into high school I remember Doug was had plant biology with Calvert that is why the hill in the backyard is there in the pond is there me and Douglas started it and jump all really has done a good job of finishing it.  When Douglas and I used to get in fights he used to win but I got bigger than he did than I used to start with it I member of the fight at my grandmother's house and I had the better of him I thought he got to know Douglas a lot better when you tried to fight him he was a tough kid I thought I had the better of them but I was wrong he proceeded to bite me in the privates and it hurt like hell another time we were fighting at the house and hide lifted him off the ground and proceeded to push them through the wall it was an accident to damage the wall but there was it must sustain there for 10 years I love my brother Douglas I remember going here when you're with him up Butterfield canyon to hunt deer and hunt and hunt but what I mean by having we used to go up and sit the place and just watch the other side of the mountain for dear and what used chamber around that time and I remember Douglas and let's go to another spot so we need unloader guns so he proceeded to eject his gun and I proceeded to fire the round off and he turns around and looks at me and he says not that way he was white as a ghost and scared the living hell out of me I thought I'd killed.

The Christmas Box

There was a short phase where at Christmas our family drew names.  During that time I got my Dad.  This was such a fun year!  Ryan and I shopped till we dropped!  Literally!  There was a $25 spending limit per person.  We decided to collect all electronics stores "Free" stuff.  I kept track of all the mail in rebates and upc symbols and receipts.  When we spent $25 in taxes.  We filled an old washing machine box. FILLED it!  There were the normal freebies, like blank cds, reams of paper, a computer keyboard and mouse...and also some fun stuff including a mini rc car!  Dad LOVED it!  I wrapped everything in the box and then wrapped the whole giant box too!  It was so much fun and he is the only guy I know that would actually use all the stuff I acquired for him.  What a great year...and it's true what they say..."It is better to give than to receive!" -Michelle

Eifel Park, Germany

My dad loved animals so much.  We always went to the zoo or other natural zone in every place we've lived. The following are a mere few examples.
Germany
I was about 8 years old and we had April Fools Day off...or maybe we didn't...but we got to go as a family to Eifel Park.  It was a little bit zoo, little bit rides sort of place.  The way I remember it, it was a free day.  I remember seeing 4 bears bathing in a little waterfall.  That is the only time I've seen bears so active.  It was almost like watching Brother Bear when they are all feasting on the salmon and playing.  They were so funny.  Then there was the toboggan ride.  We went on it over and over and over and over.  Mom didn't like to go fast, so we bumped into her a few times.  There was also a play area with a barrel you could walk in like a hamster wheel.  I played in it so much I went to bed spinning.
Phoenix
The first summer we lived in Phoenix we made the mistake of visiting that zoo!  I say mistake because if you know anything about zoos you know it means you walk outside the whole time.  And if you know anything about Phoenix you know that it is too hot to visit the zoo until about October!!!  Anyway, I got heat exhaustion and my dad rescued me with a sit down and a LARGE ice cold drink!
Arroyo Grande
Of course when my parents came to visit us in our beach side abode we had to show them the tide pools, sea lions, and monarch butterflies.  At the tide pools we saw a crab, and of course he was the one to go over and pick it up.  At the sea lions dad almost had to jump in the ocean and save one of us because we got a little close.  The sea lions barked and one of us nearly pushed the other of us into the water! 
Camping at Mirror Lake
We camped a lot.  This trip I was around 13.  We camped at an elevation that was cold and rainy, even in the middle of the summer.  It was the last fishing I remember doing with my dad.  Not that we were really into fishing.  We were just having fun.  John caught a fish and didn't realize that he wasn't going to be taking home a new pet.  Oops! John went into the water with the only shoes he brought.  Mom put the shoes too close to the fire and melted the souls a bit. 
Camping in Yosemite
When Emily was just 1 year old we all went to Yosemite.  We took a tour of a cave and listened to Harry Potter CDs in the car on the ride there and back.  Emily got a little disturbed by something Grandpa Doug did, but he quickly won her heart over with a few purchases and funny songs.  He taught her the song 5 Little Monkeys Sittin' in a Tree and gave her a stuffed alligator.  At the Cave gift shop he bought her a little bird puppet.  We got some great pics of the trees.  We had a close encounter with a deer.  And then John broke his arm jumping off a boulder that was around 8 feet tall.  The trip was shortened but we still made some great memories. 
I'm sure Leslie remembers more than I do, but she'll have to write her own versions. : )

What's your favorite vacation story?

If you guys are like me, I sometime think of stories to share when I am not in a postion to post them. Then, when I sit down to write the story I can't remember what it is. So, I want to try something new. I would like everyone to post about a time when they went on vacation with Dad.

Honeymoon

The day after we got married, we left for our honeymoon at Disneyland. By the time we reached Los Vegas, we were tired so we decided to stay there for a night. We found a tiny little motel and settled in for the night. Doug woke up at about 4:00 am, thirsty, and wanted a drink. We both got dressed and went in search of the motels ice machine. On the way to the ice machine, we saw a patch of June bugs. I quickly walked by them and then I realized my sweetheart was not with me. I turned around and there was Doug bending over fasinated with the June bugs. I returned to his side and he gave me the first of many lessons in entomology. He was so cute sitting on the ground pointing out their characteristics that I forgot how much I dislike bugs and enjoyed the lesson. He had such a quick curious mind. Not even a honeymoon could call him away from his beloved science. He taught me to love science too!

African Concert

Sometime in november or december, I don't remember when, right before dad's surgery. He went with me to an african momba concert, that I had to attend for my music history class. Of course we had to go to dinner before going in so we stop at the outside mall near there. We walked around most of the mall deciding which place smelled the best. The Notorious Pig was the winner. I think it might have been some kind of a bar, but it smelled soooo good. Especially since Dad and I were both craving meat. We had ribs, I offered to share a half rack with him, but we just order a half for both of us. Little did we know that I would end up eating all of mine, and the rest of his.

Do all of you remember how dad used to eat the left over meat off our plates when we were kids at the dinner table?

Sunday ditch days

Dad always loved to take me to school, and buy me breakfast on the way there. He said it was the only time I talked. He did anything I ever wanted including ditching church when mom wasn't there to go to the zoo instead. We always had so much fun. Even thought mom would get mad at us when she found out.

Lunch Dates

There were many a lunch date between my parents and me.  The earliest one I can remember was one during a school day in Magna.  It was just Dad, Mom, Me, and maybe Charity..can't remember.  They surprised me by pulling me out of school for the afternoon.  We ended up at the movies (treats and all) to see SO I MARRIED AN AX MURDERER.  I was tickled to be singled out to enjoy such a fun day alone with my parents.

When Ryan, Emily and I moved to Phoenix for a few years we (usually dad, mom, me & em) spent at least one or two lunches a week together.  I remember many of those visits were to KFC!  I think I might love that place as much as dad did.

Then there was the year of Disneyland.  Dad would meet up with us at the outdoor mall in Irvine.  (No KFC, but there was Johnny Rockets.)  We would eat and the go ride the carousel.

These were precious times to me, because we just enjoyed each other.  It wasn't necessarily glamorous, just wonderful to be close and laughing, watching my kids grow up.
Michelle

Along Came the Alligator

Dad always had a special way with children, he loved to play and tease. Usually, the kids loved him for it, but occasionally he took it too far and someone would end up crying. When little Emily was about 6 months old, she and Michelle were at Mom and Dad's, visiting from California. Dad had managed to find a very tiny, almost bug-like, remote control car and was buzzing it around the floor of the living room. This stupid little car was freakishly fast and, somewhat disconcerting, with the high pitched buzzing sound it made. Dad thought it was great! He played with it like he was 6 years old and it was Christmas morning.

Somewhere along the way, he thought it would be fun to tease Emily with it. He started running it around her in circles. Needless to say, Emily was not pleased. She started hollering and crying, and letting us all know that she was being treated very poorly. She was so mad at Dad, she wouldn't even look at him for the next 6 months. Dad was still trying to make it right when her 1st birthday arrived.

About that time, we (Mom, Dad, John, Charity, and I) went to CA to go camping in Sequoia National Park. We called Michelle to see if they wanted to come. Ryan couldn't make it, but Michelle and Emily were game. During the drive to the park, we stopped at a gas station for a driving break. I was carrying Emily through the convenience store, when something caught her eye. It was a toy alligator hiding among the stuffed animal display. Emily smiled and reached for it. I let her pet it for a moment before we moved on. Unbeknownst to me, Dad had spotted the exchange from across the room.

As we got settled back into the van, Dad came up to the side door and handed Michelle that stuffed alligator. Michelle gave it to Emily. Emily took hold of it, turned to Grandpa Doug and flashed him her biggest smile. She knew where the new toy came from, and "Papa Goug," had won her forgiveness for the RC car debacle of 2003.

Uncle Doug

One of the memories I have of Uncle Doug is when we lived with him for a couple months when we first moved to Arizona. I had unpacked one of my boys' toys which was a remote control car. I felt bad for Mikey that his remote control car was no longer working. When Uncle Doug saw Mikey fiddling with it he asked what happened. I told him we were going to have to toss it in the trash because it no longer worked. Uncle Doug took it outside and I figured he was taking it to the trash can. Little did I know he was taking it to his "shop" in the garage. About 15 minutes later the remote control car comes zooming through the house. I soon learned that nothing was relegated to the trash while Uncle Doug was around. He saved many a toy and many little broken hearts.

Dress Shopping

My dad was always so proud of all of us.  I remember shopping for a dress to the school dance.  I had gone with friends and spent my own money on a short little blue number.  In my mind, I remember thinking that it might be a bit short.  Well, dad saw it and agreed.  But he was so loving about helping me.  He took me shopping and waited and watched while I tried on more dresses.  In the end he helped me choose a lovely classic dress.  It was white on top and black from the empire waist down.  It was not cheap either.  I think dad may have spent 100 bucks on it.  When I asked him about it he just said that I was worth it.  That was something I have never forgotten.
Michelle

Should I join the Air Force

Just before we got married, Doug secured a job as a carpet salesman. We were so excited! We just knew that he would sell a million dollars in carpet and that the commission would make us rich! He worked at it for a few months into our marriage and it became apparent to both of us that he would not become rich with this job. He knew that he needed a new job. Neither of us was worried. After all we were young and in love and we knew that something great would come along. We really did not talk about it at all. We just waited for fate to happen.

Then one night I dreamed that Doug joined the Air Force. I saw him in his uniform and he was so cute! the next morning when I woke up, I shared this dream with him. He got a funny look on his face and told me that this dream was his answer. He now knew that he should join the Air Force. Unbeknown to me, he had visited a recruiter and did some research. He had been fervently praying for an answer, and he knew that my dream was the answer he so fervently sought. We both thanked Heavenly Father for His direction.

A few months later, I watched him get sworn in and saw him off to boot camp. And he was so cute in his uniform!

My Last Show

From about June 2009 to November 2010 I had become very heavily involved with a local community theatre called, Desert Stages. I did various jobs there, ranging from costumes to stage managing to director's assistant, and worked on a total of 7 shows. Mom and Dad were able to see most of the shows I worked on, but the one that stands out the most was the last one. It was closing night of the musical version of Dirty, Rotten Scoundrels. Despite how good the show was, it had been a difficult run, that never seemed to sell out. On Closing night, the theatre decided to offer the cast and crew a special discount for our family and friends. The catch was that you had to buy 5 tickets to get the deal. Thinking that I could pawn the rest off on friends, I bought the 5 and called Dad to see if he and Mom wanted to come. Mom had to work, but Dad came. I was really excited that he did, because I had just announced to the cast that, for better or worse, this would be my last show. I was "retiring."

When I first told Dad that I would be doing this particular show he was concerned that it would be inappropriate and told me to be careful. When he saw it, I think it eased his mind, because (while not being an all ages show) it wasn't horribly uncomfortable. In fact, I am pretty sure he really liked it, because I could hear his very distinct laugh coming through the monitors I used to observe the show.

I don't remember anything about that night, except hearing my Dad laugh. It was the best, last show.

Dad's Obituary

Douglas Lin Smith (54) was called to his Heavenly home on March 14, 2011 after a short but valiant fight with cancer. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and son, he dedicated his life to his faith, his family, and his country. He left behind a legacy of love and a strong testimony of Jesus Christ that is mirrored in his children and grandchildren. He was a friend to all who knew him and hero to his family. He is survived by his wife (Allene “Bobbi” Smith) their children (Mary and Eric Talbot, Michelle and Ryan Rodgers, Leslie Smith, Kathryn and Luken Grace, John Smith and Charity Smith), 12 grandchildren, his parents (Clarence and Loraine Smith), his siblings (Scott and June [McClure] Smith, Stephen and Lethia Smith, Miles and Barbra Smith, Kristen and Aaron Coon, Jon Paul Smith, Patti Ann and Robert Spicer, and Jamie Smith) and numerous other friends and loved ones.