Mormon Battalion 5k 10k Fun Run

Saturday, bright and early, we were on the Bosque Rio Grande Trail getting ready for the first annual Mormon Battalion Fun Run. Our Boy Scout Troop sponsored this event which meant the family of the Troop Leader (my husband) had to get involved.

The Mormon Battalion was composed of 500 men who enlisted to help in the US war with Mexico. They marched from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San Diego, California. October 24th, 1846 or so they passed through the Albuquerque area and crossed the Rio Grande near the present day I-40 bridge. They never saw a real battle, but they introduced brick making for home building in the west. Examples of their handy work still stand in San Diego.

Honoring their memory, the 10k was named after them. The run was a big success. My daughter Holly and I manned the water table, handing cups of water to thirsty runners. My daughter Rebecca was at the 5k turn around point and some other friends were at the 10k turn-around. My daughter Maureen designed the T-shirt and ran the 5k race.

Tailgate Party

Football season is in full swing. On Saturday, American College football games are on television all day long. My husband is a ‘fair weather’ football fan. This means he likes a team when they are playing well and winning. If they aren’t, he won’t watch their game. But there is no mistake, to him, Autumn is the most wonderful time of the year because of football!

There is a uniquely American event that takes place before each College Football game. It’s called a Tailgate Party. The word comes from the gate at the tail or the back of a pick-up truck. People meet in the stadium parking lot with BBQ grills, charcoal and coolers of beer and soda in the back of the truck. People throw out their lawn chairs, sit on the tailgate and share food with their parking lot neighbors. The thing they have in common is their LOVE for the home team. This enthusiasm seems to create instant friendship.