Pioneer Day Weekend

 

Nate didn't get any time off of work for July 24th, but I ended up taking a bunch of time for a couple good excursions. Friday I went on a twelve mile hike with my dad and my brother Allan. We hiked up Rock Canyon to Cascade Saddle, then back down the other side to South Fork Canyon. My dad and brother didn't really know how long it was when we started; they thought it was about eight miles. So, it ended up being more hike than we had planned on. It was a good climb too (with a 4731 foot elevation gain).

I am so glad I went. I have been wanting to go all the way up Rock Canyon for some time now. And I have really been wanting to get to the top of Cascade Saddle. I tried once about three years ago, but it was too early in the year, and there was too much snow to get to the top. The trail was beautiful. There were jagged canyon rocks, towering peaks, colorful slopping meadows, abundant wildflowers, and exhilarating views.

The picture above is from near the top of the trail. Below us to the right, the little pointed mountain is Squaw Peak. To the left of that is Y Mountain. Of course, in the distance you can see Utah Lake.

Saturday we had a bunch of Nate's family over. His parents and youngest brother are staying up in Logan with his sister's family for the week. His brother Brian was around too, so they all came over for dinner, games, and fireworks.

Launching parachute fireworks

Melissa and Zach

Nate's parents, our nephew Simon, and Brian

Max playing with Zipper

Of course we gave our nephews turns on the lawn mower too:

When Monday came, I took off again, this time heading up the Nebo Loop for Blackhawk to do some horseback riding! I am so fortunate to have a good friend/old horseback riding teacher who keeps inviting me back up every year!

Rebecca riding Kane

I was planning on it being hot as it always has been in the summer when I have been up there before. However, soon after we set out, thunderstorms rolled in and it rained on us almost the entire afternoon while we were riding. We had to seek shelter in large groups of trees a few times along the way. And instead of being hot, we were cold and soaked through.

Geneva on Mesquite and her daughter on Kiss

It was still a lot of fun though, not to mention absolutely beautiful. The clouds and the rain really brought out the different greens in everything.

We even saw a huge herd of elk. There must have been somewhere between 50 and 100 of them, including a number of good sized bucks. I really wish I could have got a picture, but I was on a horse that didn't want to stand still at the time, and it was pouring rain...

Cedar City

My generous parents decided to invite Nate and me to the Shakespeare Festival again this year. So, last week on Thursday, we went down to Cedar City with them. We saw "The 39 Steps" that afternoon, and Friday night we got to see "Macbeth" in the "Globe Theater." Nate and I also visited Nate's grandpa in Enoch while we were down there, and we spent time hanging out with my family and enjoying the red rock canyons in the area.

Friday we drove down to Kolob Canyon to hike. We headed down the Middle Fork Taylor Creek Trail, which leads to the well known Double Alcove Arch. I was particularly impressed with my mom, who managed to hike the whole thing. It took her six hours for the 5.4 mile (round trip) trail, but she made it! I don't know too many other people who go hiking like that a year and a half after having both knees replaced.

Allan and Nate under the arch

Double Alcove Arch

Lower Arch of the Double Alcove Arch

On our way home Saturday, we decided to stop by the old state capitol in Fillmore. We toured through the building learning a lot about Utah history including Indians in the area, early pioneer settlers, outlaws, and the original capitol there.

One room in the old building had a display for the early teachers and schools in Utah. That was especially interesting. The Presbyterian church set up mission schools to teach children, particularly girls, in order to combat the practice of polygamy. The schools were beneficial for teaching children, but didn't do much in the way of discouraging polygamy. The church ended up discontinuing polygamy several years after these schools were set up.

We particularly enjoyed reading the rules they had for teachers and students at the schools. The person at the capitol building gave us a copy of the rules:

It is no wonder kids didn't like school. I don't know that I would have liked it much if I were a teacher either! I am glad some things have changed a bit...

Outside of the capitol

Originally, there were to be four sections like the one that stands today, each spaced in an X or cross shape around a center dome. However, only one section was finished, and it was decided to move the capitol to Salt Lake City. When it was built, the staircase seen on the outside of the building was the only way to get between the three floors. To get from one floor to the other, you had to go outside. (Maybe the architects for this building were distant relatives to whoever designed the Harris Fine Arts Center at BYU.)

This room on the top (third) floor of the building where the legislature meet

Peaden Family Reunion

Last weekend we spent Friday evening and Saturday at the Heber Valley Camp with Rebecca's extended family. After a really long, traffic-laden drive we dropped Zipper off for Rebecca's aunts to watch. We got to the camp just in time for a quick dinner and then some canoeing on the lake.  It was very pleasant.

Rebecca's Parents on the Lake

Aren't trains usually on land?

The next morning we had a mountain man breakfast and headed off to the challenge course.  The main event was the net climb and zip line, but there were other "low course" things also that the service missionaries tried to tie into the gospel.

Nate practicing his spider-skills

Rebecca zipping right along

After that, we went back to camp, had a nap and lunch, then went on a quick hike with Rebecca's brother Allan.

"I'm happy! I must be hiking."

When we got home there was a beautiful sunset waiting (but not for long).

"Welcome home," said the sunset.

We also walked to the city park Saturday evening to watch the fireworks. Zipper totally freaked out the first time, but eventually got used to them.

On the 5th, we celebrated by ourselves by hiking more. Come on, what else did you think we would do?  We tried out the Upper Centerville Canyon Trail (also known as the Centerville Peak trail even though it doesn't really go to any peak).  It seemed pretty steep, and it was a really hot day, so the lack of shade didn't help much. Nonetheless, as you can tell from our delightful pictures below, we were oh so happy (one of us genuinely).