May 29, 2024

Early hike morning. We hiked up to the AF Canyon summit before the road opened. The lack of people and the green plus no car traffic was nice.

Darren and I visited his dad in the hospital (crazy pancreatic legion trouble) and then went to Corner Bakery for a delicious salad and muffin. Darren asked me why I liked our Escalante backpack so much. I couldn’t put my finger on it but maybe it was just so many little things I love. Sandy tent spot, solitude, alcove and arch, sandstone canyon, not difficult, time to watch lizards, no bugs, warm night, and more. 

May 27, 2024

Finally saw a good movie. I totally enjoy going to a good movie and Fall Guy was a good one. It’s been way too long since there has been a good one. 

May 26, 2024

What a lovely Sunday evening hanging out in the backyard with Darren and some kids. Played some Kubb and ate some cookies Cam made us. 

May 25, 2024

What a magical backpacking Escalante getaway that I absolutely loved. The weather! The views! The solitude!

I still can’t believe we were the only ones here for 24 hours. So glad I suggested a backpack and that Darren found this amazing spot.

May 24, 2024

 

Backpacking in Willow Gulch near Escalante with Darren. I suggested a backpack for this weekend and Darren found Broken Bow Arch. Such a cool place only 2 miles in and 90 minutes down a bumpy road. Our tent spot is amazing! I love having a sandy tent spot. Behind us is a huge alcove and in front of us is the arch. Our chairs got a lot of sitting in while we admired the beauty. Sigh.

The solitude here is really, really cool. There’s something about being the only people somewhere beautiful that makes me so happy. Just me, Darren, the swift birds (I named them all Taylor), the lizards, and the icky crawdads. (Luckily when we had to hike through the water they were scared of us so they swam away.) 

May 23, 2024

First tent night of 2024. Random dirt road, Escalante, Utah.

 

May 22, 2024

Lovely day. Went on a 7 mile hike from Battle Creek to Grove Creek. Waterfall, green, birds singing, and a moose made for a great hike! Home to take Baylie to the park where we sat on the grass and enjoyed the sun listening to the last book in my favorite book series ever - Thursday Murder Club. And don’t forget laundry and sweeping.

May 12, 2024

It’s Mother’s Day. Always a tricky day but I definitely could not think about my mom too much because that would be way too hard. My kids know me well. I got a sweatshirt, puzzle, national park cards, a hat, pens, and Charleston Chews. We had a yummy breakfast for dinner in South Jordan. And I got to see all my kids this weekend. 

May 11, 2024

Got to visit Capitol Reef today with Darren. I feel like this place was made for me to have these last few years and going forward. I get there and the endorphins start flowing and I just smile as I think of my mom and dad.

We went on a hard hike today. We hiked from Cohab Canyon to Cassidy arch and back on the Frying Pan trail. This trail has some of my very favorite views of Capitol Reef. 

I was brilliant today as we stopped at the Gifford House and grabbed a pie before our hike. We put it in Darren’s backpack and then ate it at Cassidy Arch before heading back. Very brilliant indeed and totally delicious. 

Also, the Maverick in Richfield has the best vitamin water drink I’ve tasted. So refreshing. And their breakfast burritos are quite tasty. 

 

 

May 10, 2024

We got Mason and Rachael moved to Richfield. I don’t know why, but I am very attached to that house and am glad that they can live there. 

May 8, 2024

Went on a lovely spring hike today. Although it was more like a walk since we didn’t even take backpacks. But we did get 5.5 miles in the Alpine foothills. The yellow flowers were out and the birds were singing and the trees were green. It was lovely spring  indeed.

May 7, 2024

“The Lord provides both sacred times and holy places to help us experience and learn about this inner stillness of our souls.” - Elder Bednar April 2024 GC. 

Still thinking about this hike.  The solitude was amazing.

May 6, 2024

Hannah gave me a package of unopened Peeps they hadn’t gotten to. You know I ate them right up. Delicious! A little extra yummy since it is not regular Peep season.

May 5, 2024

Today’s Sunday School lesson included some of my favorite scriptures:

Mosiah 4:9 - Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

Mosiah 5:3 - And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come. 

Also Mosiah 4:11 and 5:15. 

May 3, 2024

Ry knocked college out of the park! We celebrated today with her graduation from Utah State University. Proud of that girl.