Spring Break 2016

We left Wednesday March 29 for Topaz Mountain. It was FREEZING. We had snow and hail pellets falling form the sky at times. Oh, How grateful I am for a furnace that kept me toasty. I found that I couldn't leave the comfort of the Wilderness. We purchased a generator and were so tickled with it on this trip. It was our first time to cheat and watch movies and use the microwave. We were blessed to be able to pull little frosty bodies into the trailer and  warm them up with hot chocolate and warm air.
We found a new fun collecting area for topaz. We even found quite a few tiny garnets lying about. All of these trips to Topaz Mountain and we are still discovering things. We went to Garnet Cove and found it to be a fun place also.

A little vehicle trouble. Frozen park brake. Always at the same service station in Eureka.

Warming up in the trailer

Playing with the fox.

First thing they do is scamper up the mountain.

Easy riders

Love those 'go-goes'.

Haystacks around the fire.

All you need is a good fire to have fun. 

Rainbow magic before another cold storm hit.

So much treasure in a magical place.

Wonderful Whitney

On August 11-15 of 2015, we enjoyed another attempt at watching shooting stars. We saw a few, but the clouds soon stole our show away. My favorite part of the star show was holding Colton and showing him how to watch for the beautiful streaks of light. It was great. We had such gourmet food. Salads and croissants, fruits, coconut shrimp and double french toast. We had grilled ham and cheese with garden fresh tomatoes....nothing can compare. We saw amazing wild life. We looked and looked for our friend moose, but never quite saw one. We did watch some beaver drag aspen branches to their lodge.We saw amazing birds and forest rabbits. We saw deer. We loved being together. We were joined by the Goudy family and some friends of theirs. It was a great trip!

Checking out where the wild critters play

This guy was hilarious. He loved getting his photo taken.

Even a rain storm has blessings

One of the doe we saw.

Sand hill Cranes. We heard them coming in so we got a shot. Amazing!

Music makers

Super stars

Giving brother a ride.

Hiking with Popie

Yes, it was great!

Ditto!

Glowing Scorpions

   I have been so neglectful of my writing this past year. I do have the 'excuse' that I have been taking some time off to mourn and heal from a few losses, but now I need to get caught up. We are leaving tomorrow for Spring Break camping and here I haven't recorded last years trip. It was a bittersweet one. Our last fling with Carter before he left to serve a mission for our Father in Heaven.
    We went to Topaz Mountain and camped at our new favorite spot there. We followed the road around the theater of Topaz mountain until it was no longer paved. We like to set up camp along the rocky hills. The grandchildren love it. They climb and lay claim to all the miniature 'caves' above the camp. It is awesome to look up at their flashlight adorned scenes after dusk.
   The first night, Carter went out with his black light and brought in a container of baby scorpions. They are so awesome looking in the black light. He also showed me how to wear this piece of fabric around my head. I can't remember what it is called. Carter was also injured by flying rock in his eye. I was a little worried that it would delay his departure for his mission but by the time this happened, our resident nurse had arrived. Stephanie and her girls came out the second day. The third morning we awoke to snow! It kind of dampened our trip and our spirits. We came home to get ready for our awesome egg hunt a bit early. It's been almost a year since Carter left, but I still feel heart tugs. He is becoming a fantastic man.