THE MORMON PIONEER TRAIL

We had a real fun western outing! Dad and I put on Fay and Verla Hull's Children's Music (old-time cowboy-western and other favorites we loved as kids) and went for a ride in my new Honda Civic Hybrid! My car is cool and the music was perfect! Ah, nostalgia! After the ride, we came home and watched "The Man from Laramie," a perfect movie after a western outing.
Our western trip led us through Emigration Canyon to the East Canyon Reservoir, shown here. The Pioneers, Pony Express and others came through this area to get to the valley (behind us from this view). Down there is seen where "Willow Springs" was, where many camped after the descent from "Big Mountain."

"Little Mountain" was crossed after "Big Mountain, " heading down toward the valley behind us.

Click on the next two pictures and read about it.

This is a view of Parley's Canyon road (I-80) (seen from Emigration Canyon road) that leads to Park City, a few miles to the left.

Orson Pratt and company camped here. There is a very steep descent down to this grove.

"Quaking Asp Grove"

Coming down from "Big Mountain" was a harrowing experience for the pioneers and many others. Please click and read.

I'm sitting on the summit of "Big Mountain," looking toward the SL Valley. This is where Brigham Young raised himself up from his sickbed in the wagon, looked out toward the valley, and said, "This is the right place. Drive on!"

From that point it took many days and much effort to actually arrive in the valley. From my chair I can see a trailhead that the orginal travelers used.

At this time of year, the mountain flowers are in full bloom.
It's very warm and "buggy" outside. I have great appreciation for the pioneer legacy of sacrifice.
Brent stands by the trailhead sign. Darn! We've run out of sunlight. Time to make camp!
Our air-conditioned car takes us comfortably back home in 30 minutes. My mountain flowers tell us it's 80 degrees. I love this weather and can enjoy it because of the sacrifice of others who came before me.

We've enjoyed the scenery; we've enjoyed our cousins' country music all the way down the canyon. Now it's time to watch our western classic starring James Stewart. We've had a good time!

Mother's Day

I love this time of year. This is a giant tree at SLC Cemetery. Who's that good-lookin' guy? I do love my sweetheart; he means the world to me. We love the same things.
There's that giant tree! Oh, it's so beautiful! It takes our breath away!

Mother's Day found me very sick and 20 pounds overweight.

Don't you just hate it when that happens?

This is our humble abode. My goal is to lose 20 pounds and buy a new house. So far I've lost 10 pounds in the past couple weeks. But where's my new house?

Clark comes to visit his ol' mom. Oh, I love that guy; he's so good to me!
My exciting workspace.
My tremendous husband, who loves me with his life. Oh, I do love him, too!
Sheri come to visit me for Mother's Day. Isn't she cute? Oh, she's a tremendous person.
I made Pop take a picture of me on Mother's Day. I was dog-sick, but went to church and led our branch choir. It lifted my spirits. I hated not seeing my children that day, but all the kids called me and I felt truly honored. I used to hate Mother's Day, but now I love it. My favorite part is giving things to my daughters. They are the honored mothers and I love them so much.

Yep, I'm smelling the blossoms while they last.
My sweetheart and stud.
Brent is a very wonderful Branch President. Everyone loves and appreciates him.
This is "No Temperature" weather. My favorite kind!

Liz Swensen comes over that night with a pie for me!
Liz is so gracious and fun to be around. Thank you, Liz!
Duke, did you know I had to protect my pie! She's a tiger!
Oh, but Papa loves her, too!
She makes him purr!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS,
DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW, AND FUTURE DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW!
I LOVE YOU!

Spring Has Sprung!

Duke and Liz fly to San Diego. They'll stay with Curtis and Janet Hardman. Sounds fun!Mom and Dad are very interested in these things!
Meanwhile, back at the blossoms....
This is May 2nd, and the blossoms have opened!
It's Springtime in the Rockies!
May 6th, Now they are in their full splendor!
Note: the blue sky makes a gorgeous backdrop

This is our back yard.
Oops! A couple days later and the temperature dropped. Darn!
Later it rained and many blossoms fell to the ground.
It recovered.
There it is! My spring tree!
What's this? Carl Warren pruned off the blossoms! Oh dear!
Carl, why didn't you do that in February? Thanks, anyway. It certainly needed it!

Springtime at Wasatch Towers

This is the back yard at Wasatch Towers where we live. I've been waiting a whole year for the leaves and flowers to come again. Hurray! They're finally here! I love Spring!The cherry blossoms in full bloom. Also, do you see the blue sky? There's hope!
God's creations: beautiful blossoms.
Take a look at the temperature. It's been soooooo cold! Now we're warm!
These pink blossoms were in full bloom on April 29th, 2006. This year the blossoms are three weeks late because of the cold weather.

They're showing their heads!
A beautiful day at Wasatch Towers~Looking north from the building.
That's our door and window.
A beautiful cherry tree, right in our own back yard.
This picture is taken on the 24th. It was interesting to see the progress of the blossoms.

You'd have to be in frigid weather to appreciate these beautiful scenes.
Dad gets a kick out of it, too.

I guess I'm a little worse for wear, but winter is over and I'm glad!
Stay tuned to the next blog, where I'll show the tree in full bloom!