We are all working

Wow, It has been a long year while everyone except me and Louisa attempted to find work. And with the cyclical nature of my work there were weeks I wouldn't have much to do.
But Caleb started a part time job that seems to be something he can enjoy, learn from and a good addition to his resume. He was the last one. Hyrum started working at Macey's Grocery Store last month or so, Jesse was able to get a job with the same company that hired him to help with the census and the job Russ took that started out part time has been giving him overtime lately. Then of course we are happy Carley is enjoying her work as well. A huge burden feels lighter. I am grateful.

Hyrum's first Beaver

Hyrum has been working on catching a beaver for months. He had to take a class, the class isn't offered on a regular basis, only if there is interest. So he had to get enough of his friends to sign up so they would hold it. Then he had to get the trap. They tried to get the beaver earlier, but were unsuccessful. Finally he was completely legal, open season was here and he set the trap. Nothing for a week or so. While I was in Bluff he trapped one. It was near the Jordan River on either Little or Big Cottonwood creeks. He is way excited. He and Kerri skinned it. He'll be tanning the pelt soon. I'm so impressed with all he has done to figure out and accomplish this goal.

Bluff 2010

I took the opportunity to join some online friends for a trip to Bluff. It was an incredible couple of days. The owner of the Cottonwood steakhouse described Bluff as a pinpoint on a map, and it is indeed at least a two horse town. And yet we had people from all over the world converge there. They came from Norway, and Australia, Netherlands, Ohio, Sedona, Colorado, and Utah. Most of us have known each other online for years. I'd been able to meet a couple already, but when the 15 of us all got together in person the euphoria was pretty evident. We connected like we were old friends, which in fact we were. We were joined by our mutual love of travel and the Southern Utah, Northern Arizona area.

One of our group acted as tour guide and took us to 5 different Anasazi site locations in the Bluff area. The weather which had been predicted to be bad was perfect. The hikes were not too long, and were fun and invigorating. The ancient dwellings, left to sit for a thousand years were intriguing and beautiful. There was a special kind of connection that was hard to compare to anything else I've ever experienced. It was truly amazing to share these places with people who were also equally enchanted.

Three of us took the one day river trip. This first part of the river had been a disaster the last time I was on it and so I wanted to redo that portion of the river and see what I had missed. I'm so glad I was able to do it. What I missed were the Anasazi sites and it fit in really well with the rest of the trip. Our tour guide was native to Bluff and to see it from his First American perspective was a real treat.

Our Baseball game for the year

We decided to drive to San Diego, since we had two free nights at a hotel there, and watch the Padres play the Cincinnati Reds. When we made the plans they were both at the top of their divisions and it looked like they could both be in the playoffs. Since then the Padres had been struggling and were in a battle with the Giants for first and the Braves for the wildcard. We were also hoping to catch a glimpse of the new phenom Aroldis Chapman.

So we drove down, stopped in Barstow for what Hyrum said was the best burrito. Then got caught in a traffic jam due to a wildfire and ended up in Old Town late for the night. We ate at a recommended restaurant nearby, Jack and Giulio's. We could walk to it so that helped influence the visit. We enjoyed the warm evening, ate outdoors, and had food left over which we put in our fridge in the room.

The next morning we wandered around Old Town. We had visited it on our last visit to San Diego when we were able to stay at the Marriott. So this was a nice reminder that things don't stay the same. First change was the Mormon Battalion visitors Center which had apparently been completely redone. We didn't take the whole tour, but they said they would muster us in to the battalion and march us to San Diego if we stayed. We moved on to the Presidio Hill and saw the spot where the battalion arrived at Fort Stockton. Then wandered the streets and shops. It was a nice place. I wouldn't mind living in the hacienda. Even on a hot day there was breeze through the breezeway.

Then we joined many others on the special train they have for baseball games and for $5 each ended up at Petco Field. We made our way to the top tier where we always buy our seats and enjoyed a super game. It was notable for the entrance of Aroldis Champman in the 9th inning to keep the 3-3 tie. But he couldn't and the Padres won on a long ball out to left field corner. Very exciting. We cheered and had a great time.

That evening we drove out to Mission Beach and walked along the shore and watched the surfers and the birds and sat in the sand as the sun set. It was a beautiful day's end. We then drove north to La Jolla to see the temple which sits RIGHT on the freeway and lights up like a jewel box. It was closed due to Women's Conference or we might have been able to attend a session. Instead we ate dinner at a nearby pizza place and headed back to the hotel.

In the morning we drove to the Mission de Alcala which is the very first of the many missions Junipera Serra built in Alta California. The building is completely rebuilt and is in use as a parish church. Mass was being held. We wandered the grounds a little bit and listened to a bit of the sermon. The chapel was overflowing. In the beautifully landscaped garden just outside the chapel I felt the spirit. I know that sounds a little weird, but I could feel the goodness there. I could feel the faith of not just Junipera, but also so many other good people throughout the centuries who have believed in Jesus Christ and spread and kept the faith as it was given to them. I'm grateful to them for keeping the faith alive. For preserving the bible and devoting their lives to living the gospel. Maybe along the way mistakes and errors were made, but that cannot block out the truth that there were good people inspired by the life and death of Christ.

It was a long drive back, but there is also something cleansing about driving through the desert even if it is at 70mph.

School starts

Tomorrow is the beginning of school for all the kids except Louisa.

Carley will be working at Pony Express Elementary as a 2nd grade teacher. Caleb will be going to UVU. Jesse and Hyrum will be going to SLCC. Big Sigh. It just has been a verryy long summer while they tried to work and earn money and were only slightly successful.

Carley also retook her Praxis in Aug and feels much better about this one. She only missed passing last time by two points. So she should be fine.

Hyrum has earned enough to buy himself a truck. He hadn't gone 10 miles today when it quit and wouldn't start.

I had to chase Tinkerbelle today. She ran out and won't come to me. She made it to Sanders Circle where Ian helped chase her and wear her out. I guess I haven't taken her for a walk since we came home from Zion and she is letting me know.

Angel's Landing

I was happy that four of us made it to the top of Angel's Landing. Someday I hope Jesse will be able to do the hike as well. I felt badly that he missed the West Rim and Angel's Landing.

I just wanted to post the pictures of them at the top.

The West Rim Trail

Four of us took off from Lava Point Trailhead to hike the West Rim Trail. My first knowledge of this trail came when I was in Cedar City. We were hired to drive shuttle cars back for a group of BYU students. Among them was my cousin Ann. I distinctly remember her heading off down the trail saying they would be staying at Potato Hollow.

So many years later finally I could say I would be too. Well, not Potato Hollow, but I'd see it and get water there before heading up the hill to our campsite.

We left right after noon, sharing lunch with Louisa and Russ at the viewpoint. The boys took off and Carley and I hiked together. The boys had the tent and they were to set it up for us. We took our time and completely enjoyed the good weather, the great scenery and being able to hike. There is something primal about walking. It is good for the soul. We enjoyed the first view of the Zion backcountry and the mysterious canyons I'd never imagined before. Going down into Potato Hollow we met wildflowers and tall grasses. It was so beautiful.

Right after Potato Hollow we had to climb up and it was so hard for me. I had been hiking and walking to try to be ready for this hike, but not hard enough and this last hill about did me in. Finally we arrived. Our campsite was #6, the first one on the hill. I'm so glad we were able to get that climb out of the way. Hyrum and Caleb had created a leanto shelter, which needed some pine branches to be complete, but still looked cool. They stayed in the tent and played cards.

Just a little ways down the trail was the first view of the west rim canyons. These are truly magnificent. I was in awe. I sat there waiting for sunset, listening to the birds as they gathered for the night. The vista was incredible. After awhile the boys joined me. Sunset wasn't great, but it is a good time of night.

I had only brought a sheet to cover me, and the pad. Towards the middle of the night it got cold and it would have been nice to have something a little warmer. Then right after dawn broke so did the clouds. The rain came down for about half an hour. We stayed in the tent until it cleared a little, and then during a break we broke camp and headed off to see the sights.


I was glad we'd spent some time the night before looking out at the views as in the morning the mist and clouds and rain obscured them a little. As we walked it began to clear. Coming down off the rim was nice as well, because we had views into the main canyon, the Narrows, Orderville. The canyon looks so different from the top. There are a couple places that take your breath away.

It is a 13 mile hike. I hadn't slept well the night before, worried about all that could go wrong. I hadn't slept well that night due to being cold. I was tired and my body began to tell me I'd reached my limit. Problem was we had about 4 more miles to go. I suppose that is why I didn't react very fast when I took my pack off at the spring and accidently flung the camera into it. My heart sunk as well as I fished it out and let the water drain out of it.

We took lots of breaks on the way down. My legs were having a hard time moving. We loved! the views we had of Angel's Landing from the trail coming down. It is an amazing fin of rock. When we got there Russ was there and I was so proud of him for having made it to Scout's Landing. He decided he wanted to climb to the top. I kept looking at how high up I would have to climb and couldn't see me doing it. He and Carley took off and I lay there in limbo. I could hardly move. After about an hour I was able to get up and move away from the other people there, but I moved out of the shade as well, and didn't even think what being in the sun would do to me.

I'm proud that Russ made the hike, but he took FOUR hours to take that last 1 mile up and back. Meanwhile my legs baked. I paid for it for the next week as they swelled up and burned. I should have just gone down when I was ready after about 2 hrs, since I walked down on my own anyway. I could have let the kids at the bottom know how much time they had. I hope I have another chance to get to the top, but I need to make the climb to Observation Point as well, so that might be next.

I hobbled down the trail to the tram station and waited there for Russ. It was such a successful hike!

My camera bit the dust

Well actually my camera got accidently flung into Cabin Spring when I took my pack off to get some water. I looked around to see it sinking into the cold clear water. I couldn't put it in rice for a couple days and by then apparently it was too late.

I was hopeful that it hadn't done lasting damage, but new electronic stuff can't handle water like the old standbys did. I still remember the camera we had at Magic Mountain. Going on the log flume it got completely soaked, water poured out of it for a minute. Some of the pictures turned out a little water logged, but the camera kept on giving me more.

The pictures we'd taken up until the spring were not wiped out thank goodness. And Carley had Louisa's camera (because the Narrows hike wiped hers out), so we still got pictures, but I really liked that camera and I am very sad not to have it.

Kind of appropriate that the last picture was a close up of a burnt tree.

Zion Reunion

The plan to have all of us together for at least one day in Zion was realized. Hyrum was unable to come the first part of the trip and Jesse left early, but they were both there on Monday when we were able to hike the Narrows.


Being away from the responsibilities and needs of everyday life was wonderful. We were busy the whole time, even with a week we didn't do everything we had on our list. The three big events were attending Tarzan at Tuacahn, the one day hike of the Narrows, and the overnight hike of the West Rim and then finishing up with Angel's Landing.

We have our problems, and there are always ways that we could do better. But I am proud of my children. They are good people.

Summer Solstice

Taking small weekend drives to places nearby has been lots of fun. Hyrum and I went together to see the summer solstice event at Parowan Gap. Nal Morris, became interested in the petroglyphs on the rocks of the short gap in the mountains west of Parowan and eventually became convinced they indicated a solar and lunar calendar. It became more apparent when he found waypoints in the valley east of the gap at which if you stand on certain days of the year the sun sets in the V of the gap. We were able to hear his explanation of the petroglyphs and then go stand on the pile of rocks he found for the summer solstice, and watch the sun set right where the petroglyphs say it will. It is rather amazing really. We had a good crowd and a great evening to watch it.

We had camped at Mystic Hot Springs in Manti the night before and sat in the hot water of the springs and watched the stars come out. It was the first night I'd seen the summer triangle this year so that was pretty nice.

One last hurrah

We weren't planning on doing anything for Memorial day, but in the end I thought maybe the flow over Shoshone Falls would be good. I've seen it a couple times before, but not with water going over it. During the irrigation season the water is diverted to the fields, so you have to see it during the spring runoff but before the farmers lay claim. I talked Russ into the drive up to Twin Falls. He likes to drive.

FIrst we found the Twin Falls the town is named for. There is only one now as the other one has been dammed. There is a nice park there and people were out with their picnics and boats.

Over at Shoshone Falls the weather had turned a little gray, we were rained on for awhile. But the longer we stayed the better it got. This was a wonderful place. The water was medium high and we were told that it was the highest it had been all year. Pictures and videos I've seen of the falls at the height of its power are truly incredible. Even at half strength the falls are impressive.

We accidently drove by the temple and were able to get some photos of it.

Then we took the scenic road home. We drove out into the country south of Twin, found the old stagecoach and store which was a lot of fun. Finally I saw some original wagon ruts! We drove the back roads to Oakley. I thought of great Uncle William Jack here, called to come and live and be the Stake President. Even now it is way off the beaten path.

Then the decision. It was late in the day, the storm clouds appeared to be holding off, the dirt road didn't look too bad, it was only 15 miles, I decided to go for it. Even though we were driving my little Aveo I took the chance we could get to the City Of Rocks. Margaret and Gordon used to go there and climb. This was my chance to see it. The road was good until we turned off for the last 2 miles. But even then it wasn't bad. And I was so glad we took the chance. This place was wild. It made me want to scramble over them, the rocks really were just calling to be climbed. We couldn't this time, but I would love to go back and stay longer.

I know I have been very spoiled with my life. I hope I can truly appreciate all that has been given to me.

Snow Canyon

After we packed up we headed to Snow Canyon. We ate breakfast at the sand dunes. I loved it. Breakfast was great, the scenery was amazing, the sky was blue, it was warm but not hot, life was good.

We took our time exploring this park. We had taken the kids years ago, but I don't remember doing any hiking. So I hiked the Whiterocks trail to the amphitheater. Lots of opportunities for rock scrambling.

Then I took the Lavaflow Overlook trail from the top and hiked down to the Butterfly trail and back to the road. Russ picked me up at the bottom. It was a great way to do the trail. There was a youth group on the overlook rock so I didn't head up that all the way. I wandered through the collapsed lava tube for awhile. Then I was worried I would take too long. We had signed up for a ranger hike to Johnson Canyon.

During the summer Johnson Canyon is closed to the public to allow the animals in the area the chance to get to the water. It is the only water in the park and so is important for the animals. I was excited to learn however that they do take visitors in a couple days a week and we were there on the right day. It was a nice canyon, but perhaps because we had to go as a group and perhaps because I expected something else it wasn't as amazing as I expected. Still it was nice and Russ came as well. It was a fairly level trail and he took it slow and said at the end it wasn't as long as he thought it would be. It was a great day at the park!

Going Camping

I've wanted to go camping but the weather has been bad, cold and snowy. One weekend I was all ready to go when I learned that there was a triathlon being held and all the roads I wanted to take would be closed. Finally it was time, the weather would be good, and I was going to go with or without anyone. Russ decided he would come with me, for which I was grateful, especially when he packed the car, made the menu and did the shopping. That made it easy for me !

SO the plan was to stay at Red Cliffs. I have wanted to stay there for a long time. But I knew it being a Friday night and us arriving late we may not be able to....I was hoping anyway. But they were full, it isn't that big of a place. So we went to Quail Creek, and it looked like there was room, but we thought we would try Sand Hollow first. Well, I've never been to Sand Hollow. You have to pay before you know what you are getting. We paid and drove out to the campground. The wind was terrific. We had battled the wind all the way down and out in the open like Sand Hollow is there was no relenting. And it was blowing sand. We were not ready to put up a tent in such conditions. So we asked for our money back. We went back to Quail Creek, but it was full. The expectation was that Snow Canyon was full as well. There were some commercial places on the way to Zion so we tried them. All full, and/or unwilling to allow a tent in. At the last one though the lady at the desk was less than helpful, the maintenance guy out talking to Russ was nice. He suggested a spot of BLM land a little further on. No facilities, but no fee either.
We headed that way, but it was getting dark and we hadn't eaten. So Russ pulled over at a turn off and we set up our campstove on the firewood we'd brought. The Virgin river was down the hill and when there wasn't traffic we could hear it. It was actually kind of nice.

In the dark we were able to spot the lights and campfires off the side of the road. We drove down and around the sand and tamarisk. There were maybe 30-40 groups/tents. We found an empty spot and set the tent up. It was a little late to try to start a fire so we just sat out for awhile and watched the moon and starts. It was warm!! That was nice.

Aaahh, to camp outside is to be a part of the natural world. It lets that city soulessness leave and fills me with joy. The night was warm which was great all by itself and we were snug and comfy in our little cocoon. Russ said the stars were great when he got up later. We slept with the windows down and as the dark lessened and the early morning light began to grow I could see that we had a wonderful view of Watchman.

Getting away

Well, it wasn't what I was hoping for, but Russ and I still managed to get away for a night. I have never stayed in Wendover, wasn't really planning to stay there, but we were not ready to camp in the desert so ended up in a hotel. It was kind of fun. I especially enjoyed touring the old Wendover Historic Airfield. Because Wendover has never grown the old buildings from WWII have lasted. Five big hangars still in good shape, the control tower, some barracks, the swimming pool. They are trying to restore everything. When you realize that it was in the west desert outside of Wendover that the Enola Gay crew trained for their mission to Japan it is an important part of the war effort and worth preserving and remembering. Being there you could begin to sense the energy of the era.
It was also fun to think of Dad coming through there on his way to the South Pacific. He was kind of shuffled around before shipping out and ended up in Wendover for a few weeks.

Temple Square Spring

Margaret wanted to take Mom to see the flowers on Temple Square and asked if I would help. I was glad to do it. The day was perfect, nice blue skies, warm, a little breeze blowing.
We got her and the wheelchair into the car and off we went. I didn't realize the wheelchair had footrests though so we left them behind.
Anyway we got her out at the north entrance, wandered down through to the east entrance, up through the plaza to the Church offices hoping to see the fountain go, but it didn't, maybe a little too windy, then through the Church Office building where Margaret picked us up. We were there about an hour and it was so nice.





















The flowers seemed to be at their peak, all the tulips out and the pansies and poppys, Margaret pointed out the heather. It was all very colorful.

Franklin Pioneers

We were able to drive through Franklin Idaho recently and stopped for a look at the monument and cemetery where Charles Hobbs and his brother were listed and buried. Charles and Henry joined the church in Cheltenham England. Charles and his wife Mary Ann came to America with their three young children (among them my one year old great grandmother Edith Ann Hobbs) and came across the plains as pioneers in 1862. They settled in Franklin Idaho shortly after as one of the founding families. No moving around for them, they stayed in Franklin and are buried along with numerous other Hobbs in the small cemetery.

Franklin is of note for several reasons:
*First the place was chosen in the belief that it was still in Utah. But the maps were corrected years later and it was discovered to be just over the Idaho line. Thus making it the first white settlement in the territory of Idaho.
*Second, due to the presence of white settlers there were negative interactions with the Indians of the area. In Jan of the year 1863, the worst Indian massacre in the United States, the Bear River Massacre, occurred just northwest of town. The cavalry came through Franklin and afterwards the wounded were tended by the women of the town (I do not know if the Hobbs had arrived there yet and were witness to the tragedy.)
*Thirdly, Ezra Taft Benson was born and grew up just north of Franklin in Whitney.
And while the film Napoleon Dynamite took place in the nearby town of Preston, Franklin can be said to have basked it its fame as well.

There is a very small park with a stone monument with the founding fathers listed. Next door is a small museum, which was not open, where I am sure I could find more information about Charles and his family. I have seen the monument before and it had an old and aging plaque. It was nice to see a new one had been placed.