Leo’s Place
Grandpa Leo was never my actual grandfather, he is my sister-in-law’s. But I never had one, at least not one I had laid eyes on. When we met though in 1998, I was lucky that he welcomed me in. I didn’t get long with him though, as he passed in 2009. Time is what you make of it, and I’ll always cherish his spirit and our adventures together, not to mention just sitting on the porch of his cabin in Fruitland, drinking and watching the world go by.
My sister-in-law’s family, along with my brother, have not only maintained but improved this area in the decades since his passing. It is a special place up here in the high desert mountains of Eastern Utah. My side of the family comes up for a long weekend to enjoy some time here. Most of them don’t understand how special this place really is. Regardless, we enjoy a few days of fishing, good food, time on the lake in the boat, and just playing games and taking in the scenery.
I try to instill the importance of this place in my nieces, but it is hard with younger generations. They only want to see what is on smart phones and big screen televisions. Perhaps more games of cornhole, long walks along dusty roads, chasing wild rabbits, and putting together 500 piece puzzles will help them undertand.
