Migration

We took the opportunity to visit the Bear River Bird Refuge to see the migrating Tundra Swans. They have been in the area for awhile and I was worried the approaching storm might have swept them north. So I was glad when we drove out to the furthest reaches of the refuge that the area was covered in swans. It was an amazing sight. Even better was when we were back in farm land the wind blew hundreds past us. They were trying to fly west but the wind was blowing south and in bunches of twos up to 6 or 7 flying together they would fly very, very slowly west, or else give up and go with the wind south. The sky was full of swans with their graceful necks stretched out and their white wings gliding fluidly in the air. I love to watch birds.

Draper Temple Dedication

This has been a fun experience having a temple being built in our backyard that is really just for this little corner of the valley. It is a much more intimate experience than the Jordan River Temple or any of the other new temples in the area. I signed up to help usher, but unfortunately was unable to ever actually get there. Both Russ and Jesse helped out and had a good time. I went through the open house twice. Once just on my own. It was nice to see the choices for colors and decorations and paintings. When I first walked into the Celestial room I gasped. It was so beautiful and you immediately look up, it is a small but tall space. Another time I took a older friend who was unable to go on her own but who kept wishing she could go. I was glad I took the time to take her. We were able to spend a little time in the Celestial room and she was so happy to be there.

Russ signed us up to help clean in preparation for the dedication. We went the night after they had put the chairs in and had refinished all the gold leafing. I always feel that a place is not really mine until I have cleaned it. So I was glad to have the opportunity to get to know the temple on a more intimate level. We wiped chairs, and walls, and nooks and crannys in the doors and windows. There are three floors and by the time we got to the baptistry I was sweating :-) It was also fun because we saw some of the other rooms like the audio visual room and the steam room and the janitors closet. Nothing like cleaning a place to appreciate the details.

We had tickets to be in the temple on Saturday for the 7th of 12 dedicatory sessions. I was so hoping we wouldn't be in the lunch room or the two instruction rooms in the basement. The baptistry would have been fine. But I remember being in the cafeteria for the Jordan River dedication and it just didn't give me a good memory. So I was happy when we ended up in the large sealing room with a view of the Celestial room out the door. We had a beautiful stained glass window wall to enjoy and the large mirrors and chandelier to keep our attention while we waited. The session was wonderful, the spirit was present and the joy palpable.

We look forward to going to the dedicated temple for a session this week.

San Rafael Swell

Finally taking the time to investigate further this part of the world. We drove down the dirt road to the Wedge Overlook. This gives a great view of a hugh canyon carved by a river I'd never heard of. How can this be? All my life in Utah and I'd never heard of the San Rafael river? And look at the huge canyon it carved. Look at that puny thing down there at the bottom of the canyon. No wonder I've never heard of it, it is small, short and hardly significant. Except for this huge canyon with 1200 foot walls. Wow

Then on down the Buckthorn Draw. I'm loving this, a wide open valley with dinosaur footprints and petroglyphs and pictographs and Old Spanish Trails and swinging bridges and Navaho Sandstone. A great place to spend a day.

A cold night

We decided to try out the truck. My fault we left late though and so couldn't get as far as I had hoped for Friday night. We ended up at Huntington North Reservoir. It is a beautiful little lake, probably a lot of fun on hot summer days. This was not a hot summer night. It was below freezing. We set up camp in the dark, we were the only crazy people in the campground. I froze all night, hardly slept at all. The wind was blowing hard, I was not expecting this! In the early morning being wide awake I walked around the campground. Noticing what looked like foam on the shore I went to investigate. It was ice, pushed up by the movement of the lake. Then I realized the lake was covered in ice. I picked up a chunk and threw it out to see how thick it was fully expecting the ice to break through. It didn't, it was several inches thick at least. Hello Susan,, no wonder you froze.

Beautiful sunrise though :-)

Last light on Lone Peak

From the very beginning of living here I have enjoyed having Lone Peak out my back door. It is a beautiful mountain. It changes daily. Today with new fallen snow. I can watch Spring creep up its slopes, watch the sun and moon rise over its peaks. My favorite time is in the fall with the tapestry of colors. There is a patch of Aspen that just turn golden surrounded by the greens and blues of the evergreens and the reds and oranges of the oak and maple. I'm grateful for the 13 years I had of unobstructed views. Now I am relagated to a small corner of the yard where I can see the whole mountain, but it can still take my breath away. Like with this amazing last light hitting the tops and turning them shimmering gold.