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.