One thing after another

It seems to have been a very busy month for us. Jesse was driving home from Cedar City. He wanted to get back to hear Mike's homecoming. He says he'd already stopped twice to sleep, but could tell he needed to stop again. He was about 5 miles away from Nephi where he was going to stop again and sleep. He didn't make it. He woke up when the rumble strips rumbled, saw he was off the road, turned to get back on, flipped, headed on his side backwards across the freeway, ran into an embankment which flipped him into the air, turned him around again and landed on his side. He checked himself out first and everything seemed to be working. He let himself out the passenger side window. A car going the opposite way stopped and ran over to him. They had already called 911.

About an hour later he called us. If you get a call saying your child has been in an accident you definitely want to get it from your child and not the highway patrol. Having received one from each of the other boys in the last couple of years and knowing Jesse's propensity to tease me, when he said he'd been in an accident I responded, "you're kidding?" fully expecting after the requisite pause that he would say yah. But no, he didn't. He said "no, I've really been in an accident." He couldn't tell us where, but Russ was getting ready to go get him. A little while later he called back from the patrol car to tell us where he was and we made arrangements to meet him in Nephi. We were able to see the car and clean it out. Found the spot he crashed. There were big gouges in the dirt and skid marks across the road.

The only thing that really made sense to me was a friend of mine at church talking about her son whose car was run over, she said, "It wasn't his time to go." How can you walk away from a rollover at 70 mph? It isn't your time to go. Jesse, I love you and am grateful for your goodness and diligence. Continue to use well the life you've been given.

Getting to see Hyrum

It all just seemed too much to be accidental. The coincidence seemed to tell me it was in the stars that we should be able to visit Hyrum.

Russ's company had been talking for months and months about him getting his California license. They'd filled out all the paper work and paid the right people :-) and finally had a date when he could go down there and take the test. But he was worried about not passing it, so they also signed him up for some classes to help get him ready. Then because he would be there over a weekend they decided to send me as well so I could help him relax and unwind before the test on Monday. When has anyone ever sent me anywhere????? Never. So we made arrangements for me to meet him Friday night. They would have paid for us to go to a Lakers game or whatever Russ wanted, but not one! not one of the professional teams in the entire LA area were in town that weekend. So I was looking for other activities and trying to figure out what we could do that we would both enjoy. I had some ideas but nothing real concrete yet.

On Wednesday I was writing my weekly email to Hyrum, trying to think about what I could say to help him out and keep him on track. One of the things he'd mentioned in several emails was that they had a baptism coming up, and not only did they have one investigator, but they had challenged another one for the same day and he'd accepted. So they had two people getting baptized. I was asking him how firm they were, were they still planning on it etc, when I started wondering what day he had said. I had to go back about 5 emails to find out, but sure enough it was the Saturday we'd both be down there an hour away.

I asked Hyrum what he'd think if we showed up, he just said it was between us and the Prez. I asked Russ, he said no. I asked Jesse, he showed where in the handbook it said family shouldn't visit. I asked Caleb, he said, why not?. Finally I called the Mission President. He thought about if for half a minute and then said yes. Then the more he thought about it the more excited he became. I think he decided it would be a very special experience for us all. I was still not sure it would be a good idea for me! I miss him alot and didn't want to make it worse by only being able to see him for an hour or so.

In the end it really was not a question. We were going. How could we not. So we drove out hwy 210 to Rancho Cucamonga, found the chapel. We walked in and the ward mission leader saw us and asked if we were the Krugers. Yes, how did you know? He looks like you he said.! It was so wonderful. He came out of the dressing room and saw me and yelled MOM and came and gave me a great big long hug. I was loving it for sure. It was so wonderful to feel him next to me and know he was still real. After that I was just real calm and comforted.

The baptisms were wonderful. They were both happy and glad to be there. Hyrum did one and another brother did the other. (Hyrum's companion had hurt his knee and had to go home the first of the week for surgery and missed it.) There were so many people from the ward that we had the meeting in the chapel cause there was really no room otherwise. It was a great spirit, everyone so supportive and happy. It was so great to feel the love and warmth of the gospel in action and we felt privileged to be able to be a part of it.

We were able to visit with Hyrum for a little bit and have a good conversation. Not long enough of course, but nice. Then it was time for him to go and he was off, no regrets, just ready to keep living his life and doing his job. I might just be able to make it till he comes home.

We had to leave her behind

Well, after almost two months of correspondence with Best Friends re the dog they call Sophie I finally got to meet her. She was an amazing dog. SOO much energy it was hard to really believe she was 9 years old. She would be an awesome addition to the right family. I wished it could be us. But Russ never let down- he really didn't want one. And for the first time I felt like he should be able to have a say. Best Friends was definitely not even going to think about us taking her if we weren't both committed to the adoption. So I had about 15 minutes to enjoy her company and then we had to leave her there. I hope she finds someone soon. She really really deserves a family of her own.

Sweet Success

The hike to The Wave was fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a better day. It started a bit chilly, but the sky was blue no sign of clouds, the road to the trailhead was dry, it all worked out wonderfully.

We had a good breakfast at the hotel before checking out and heading to House Rock Road just west of the Coxscomb ridge. I've been on better dirt roads and worse, but we had no problems and just driving along it was wonderful. It crossed plenty of washes though so wouldn't want to be there when it is wet. The scenery is amazing. Reached the parking area and took some ibuprophen, turned on the GPS, put on Russ's hat, my scarf and gloves, shouldered my daypack and kissed Russ for good luck and I was off.

At first you walk along the wash, I think someday I'd like to come back and hike through the wirepass slot, it isn't too far. Then there is a sign at the turn off. That first hill was a killer. It takes me awhile to warm up to hiking and get my muscles working. Well that hill helped alot. I never rushed, I had all day, and I enjoyed the wonder of the desert winter on a spring like day. I signed in at the top- no one else had signed in for today. I had my directions from the BLM and they were easy to follow. Besides which though they say there is no trail, there are footprints in the sand and on the rocks people have put up cairns. And the trail is pretty straight forward. you have to get around the end of the ridge and then you just keep it on your right. I stopped often to rest and take pictures. It wasn't too long before I was shedding my scarf and gloves. About that time I saw a couple pass me. They had taken the western teepee while I had taken the shorter one. I don't think they saw me, but they were moving faster for sure.

It took me about 2 hours which was faster than I expected, to reach my destination. Wow!, it was every bit as amazing as the pictures. I didn't need special lenses, or techniques to get my pictures just like in the magazines. I spent some time at the entrance resting, taking pictures, enjoying the peace and quiet and beauty and privilege of being there. About the time I was ready to move on I saw the couple who had gone off somewhere else and returned. They waved, but then moved on to find something else. I can't believe they would not spend more time relaxing and enjoying the wonder.
I wandered off to the right in search of "the second wave" that our photographer had mentioned. Not sure I found it, but it was pretty cool nevertheless. Then I wondered to the back and discovered the real wave. This was where that first famous photo was taken. The sun had moved though and I had half shadow and half lit rock so couldn't get quite the same effect with the pictures.

I knew there was something else to discover, but had left my directions back home on the computer. So I just wandered, and ended up further and higher than I intended. No worries, I got to the other side of the ridge and could see a little bit more of where I was. What looked like Navaho Mountain was off in the distance. The air was quiet, the peace deep.
I worked my way back to the wave, sat down in the best spot and ate lunch. I couldn't believe my good fortune, really it was fantastic.

Just as I was finishing another group joined me. It turned out they were a boy scout troop from Cedar. The boys were scrambling all over the rocks and throwing snowballs. It was fun. I was glad I'd had the two hours alone, but it was nice to know there was someone else around to help if I needed it. I wandered out more to the back still trying to find the second wave, saw more amazing stuff, still not sure I found it. Then I went down and talked to the adults and then headed out.
It had been about 2 hours I'd spent there and my legs were a little weak from the hike. I didn't want to overdo it.

The hike back was not bad, though it was a little harder to decide where to head for. I had the GPS which told me I was heading in the right direction, but still there were choices to make . I loved finding the small bones along the way. One was a great trailmarker. Almost before I knew it I was back in the wash heading for the trailhead. I'd done it and it was wonderful. What a great feeling, to know I'd accomplished what I wanted to.

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Wow and Wow.
I don't remember the first time I heard about Antelope Canyon, but I do know that the first time after that that we were down with my kids we didn't think the $25 each for a one hour tour was in our budget. So here it is the middle of winter when the light in the canyon isn't good, but not so many people. I'd been debating going with a tour from Page or just driving there ourselves. Finally at about 9:15 I called the first tour company in the phone book. They had a tour leaving in 6 minutes. I said we'll be there. So with, I believe, Al from Antelope Canyon Tours we and a couple from Austria headed off to the canyon. The wash was dry and our tour guide just the right mixture of easy going, with lots of information and helpfulness. As expected the light wasn't good, and without the guides flashlight some points were down right dark, but still the experience of the canyon was worth going. I enjoyed the smooth curves and wonderful colors, the level sand floor and the narrow opening 120 ft above us. It was very worth going when we did. We can buy any number of pictures that are better than what I could take, but to go through the canyon without the crowds was best. Even with our 5 people the echos off the walls were loud. On the way back I sat down in the middle somewhere and let the sand fall through my hands, and felt the cold stone behind me. No people no noise, no lights, just me and the earth.

Then we drove ourselves to Lower Antelope Canyon, the one infamous for the 11 victims of a flash flood. This was completely different. It isn't so deep so the light is stronger, it isn't so popular so we were the only ones there for most of our tour. We dropped down into the crack, climbed down the ladders and into another world. It was amazing. Because it wasn't busy we could go to the end and then come back the same way. During busy times you have to climb a long ladder out at the end. Very fun, lots of good pictures. It was worth the extra money. We talked to Ken Young who is in charge of the canyon. He was asked to take over after the flash flood. Finally he agreed. He is the one who has installed the ladders. He says a couple he has to replace after every flood. Very nice man who has done a great job keeping the canyon open and safe.

Then I walked to Horseshoe Overlook. It was beautiful. There was a man playing the flute nearby which was the perfect accompaniment to the late afternoon gentleness.

The beginning

We have returned from our trip and it was a wonderful experience. We got a late start since Russ needed to wait for a package and I ended up with 4 or 5 new patients that had to been seen at least once before I left. So we didn't get to St George that first day. But we ended up in a nice little bed and breakfast in Toquerville. It would have been an exceptionally nice place if it had a good scrubbing. Nevertheless it was a good place to celebrate our anniversary.
The next day we visited the Art Museum in St George. They had an exhibit to commemorate Zion's 100th year. There were two exhibits, one was old paintings and the other was contemporary. We had heard about it since one of our friends had a painting in the contemporary exhibit. It was a lot of fun to see the various interpretations of a canyon I love and vote for only one as our favorite. The historical paintings were impressive. Several well known artists all in the same place. It was well worth our time.

Then we headed to Pipe Springs where we were able to tour the old fort/home for the first time. We had a good and quiet lunch at Jacob Lake and then headed to Lee's Ferry where we saw the evening shadows on the river walls. That part of the country is a wonderful and beautiful place.