The Art of Asking

He'd already gone to bed on his 16th birthday when there was a knock at the door. No one was there. Yet, the doorstep was not empty. Attached to two green helium balloons was a small white Cupcake Chic take-out container and a note.

An embarrassed yet happy grin appeared on his face the next morning when he discovered that he had been asked to the Sadie Hawkins dance. Clues written on the balloon strings were quickly deciphered as he figured out who his date would be.

"How are you going to answer her?" his mom queried. "I don't know. That's why I have sisters," he replied.

The next night his reply found its way to her doorstep--a red velvet cupcake from The Sweet Tooth Fairy complete with homemade "YES" flag.

Luckily this asking/replying interchange was relatively simple (not to mention delicious.)

Do they do this where you live?

Often the "asking" can be quite elaborate in these parts, and it really is only done for the bigger school-sponsored dances like PROM, MORP, Homecoming, etc. The concept was foreign to me until I came to BYU as a college freshman. Once again I live in Provo, and the practice is as strong as ever.

Anyone know how and when this even started?

"Curiouser and Curiouser"

Stewart Falls Hike

Hiking to Stewart Falls on Mount Timpanogos has been my favorite hike of the summer (so far). Why? It was beautiful and kind on my knees.

My sister and nieces were in town from Virginia so along with my mom and Abby we began by taking the Sundance ski lift to the trailhead. 

I love love love riding this ski lift in the Summer and Fall. The views of Timp are spectacular. I think it (along with the hike) would make a most romantic date.

The trail to Stewart Falls from the top of the ski lift is clearly marked (about 1.5 miles), but we thought we knew best and went the wrong way for a little while. Because of this wrong turn I did, however, get a picture of the girls (those three dots) frolicking in a meadow.

Here they are up close:

The best part of the journey was crossing a stream of snow runoff.

Once we arrived at the Falls the girls had fun playing in the water. Abby thought that the best way to deal with the slippery rocks was to travel on all-fours.

When we had our fill of the waterfall, we took the trail (another 1.5 miles) down the mountain back to Sundance.

Great day in the mountains with my family!

Stubble and Stuff

This was the highlight of my week--getting Brian home--stubble and all. I didn't even mind (too much) kissing those prickly things when he walked in the door.

He and three other leaders had just spent a week in the Uintas with eleven 14 and 15 year-old boys, and I missed him!

These captures from Brian's iPhone show how absolutely gorgeous it was. They camped at Island Lake.

(Travis is 6th from the right and Brian is behind the "camera".)

They hiked, played games, jumped off the cliff into the lake, caught fish with their bare hands, weathered thunderstorms, and had a GREAT time. Brian is convinced he needs to take me there next month--just the two of us. He has it all figured out.

As for me, I'm just glad the man is home--stubble and all.

Slate Canyon Hike

We live at the mouth of Slate Canyon. On Memorial Day we ventured into its vertical depths for a family hike.

Here is the group at the outset minus me. (I'm behind the camera.)

There were many a stream to ford. (Love how Rachel carries her water bottle.)

Kellie got a bit creative with her river-crossing skills.

Travis was the trailblazer and grew tired of waiting for us to catch up.

Everyone worked together and when we reached snow. . .

the snowballs were flying. Travis ended up being white-washed, of course.

Our goal was a meadow at "the top", but after a good two hours the middle-aged folks and Abby were worn out. Our shoes and socks were soaked clear through and Abby had one too many encounters with the rocks. The last quarter mile or so she got a ride from a VERY kind soul.

We left this group to forge ahead. The meadow ended up being only about 3/4 of a mile further, and it was covered with a foot of snow.

Abby's adventurous attitude returned as we descended the canyon where she searched for treasures amongst the mounds of slate.

 

 A Perfect Day!

Beehives

Beehives are prolific in the State of Utah. They are the state's emblem symbolizing "industry" which of course, is Utah's official state motto. A honeybee is even the state insect.

I am NOT feeling productive or industrious as of late--many reasons, I suppose. So in an attempt at obvious subliminal messaging (yes I am aware that is an oxymoron) I am filling my mind and eyes with symbols of what I am not.

At a recent Spring break family excursion to the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City Abby and I decided to hunt for as many beehives as we possibly could. This is what we found:

Isn't she the bees knees?

I'm not sure this exercise has turned today's attitude into a hive of industry, but at least it has my mind racing with bee cliches.

Mt. Timpanogos

Whenever we drove "out West" to visit my grandparents I would gaze in awe at Mt. Timpanogos and search for the Indian Maiden sleeping there. Legend has it that if you look at Timp at just the right angle you will see the outline of her deathly slumber across the mountainous peaks.

Timpanogos this week (my neighborhood view)

There are several versions of this legend. The most concise one I found is from exploreutah.com.

"A Young Native American maiden, whose lover had to go to war, climbed to the summit of what is now known as Mount Timpanogos to await his return. But, alas, he was killed in battle and never returned to claim her for marriage. She stayed up on the mountain, still waiting, not knowing of his fate until she eventually died of a broken heart." 

As a child I couldn't always tell her head from her feet, but this image from a Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympic pin clarifies the view:

Do my children know this story? Do they know the history of their home town? Do I?

I grew up surrounded by Mount Vernon, Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Monticello. My state's history was our Country's history!

But this state, this valley, this city, is my children's history, and I suppose, that after 13 years it is part of my history as well.

Embrace the local stories and legends, Julie. They are all yours now.