Cecret Lake

Cecret Lake is a place I've wanted to visit for a very long time. Finally, on Labor Day we made it a reality. My mom accompanied us up Little Cottonwood Canyon, past Alta and Snowbird ski resorts, until we reached the trail head.

The hike is not long and is easy enough for children. In fact, on the day we went, there were lots of families with young ones.

(My mom hiking the trail)

Kellie, Travis, and Abby had to RUN the trail, of course. Parts of it were slow-going so my mom insisted that Brian and I not wait for her. She would travel at her own pace.

Fall beauty was everywhere.

At the top, we found the kids on the other side of the lake skipping rocks and exploring the shore.

(Travis, Abby, Kellie)

(Brian and I with photo-bombing Abby)

The best surprise of the day was when I spied a mama moose and her calf meandering down the slope and over the path we had just crossed.

The mother was indifferent to us and all the other visitors. She and her baby calmly munched on the shrubbery around her. We were really surprised at how close we could get.

As the pair made their way to the lake, we eased on past to take pictures from a different angle.

It was a pretty amazing experience--one that definitely put a smile on our faces.

(Travis)

Sequoia National Park

This summer we spent the 4th of July in Sequoia National Park--home of the world's largest tree.

"In volume of total wood the giant sequoia is Earth's largest living tree. In all the world, sequoias grow naturally only on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, usually between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation." (National Park Service Pamphlet)

We began our exploration at the Giant Forest Museum where we took a shuttle bus to the General Sherman Tree which is estimated to be 2,200 years old!

Do you see the tiny people at the bottom of the photo?

We then followed the Congress Trail wandering through the Great Forest for about 2 miles.

There was plenty to discover along the way.

"Sequoias don't die of old age and are resistant to fire and insect damage. Most die by falling over [due to their shallow root system]." (NPS) 

It is the sequoias' thick bark that insulates them from most fire.

Many of the trees bear fire scars, but fire is vital to sequoia regeneration.

It was a beautiful and peaceful place.

Hiking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail

To celebrate spring finally arriving in Provo Brian surprised me one Monday morning by suggesting a spontaneous hike along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

After spending the night at our house for a self-proclaimed "spring break" Kellie drove us to our starting point in Springville. We set off from this craggy canyon and headed north towards Slate Canyon.

I need to brush up on my wildflower identification. Blooms were all along our path and, honestly, lifted my spirit.

(Primrose?)

These looked like they could be wild snapdragons.

(Utah Milkvetch?)

I term this some type of flowering ground cover. Beautiful.

(Longleaf Phlox?)

Brian is about as cooperative as Abby when it comes to picture taking.

We ran into a couple shelters/hide-outs along the way

and an old abandoned lime mine.

We quite enjoyed the view

UNTIL we spied this long snake stretched across our path.

Nevertheless, I loved our morning in the foothills and hope it becomes a habit this summer.

Dear Rachel (#14)

Dear Rachel,
I really like this picture of Timp your Dad took with his phone last week. It was taken along the trail to Squaw Peak (the one that starts from the parking lot, not from Rock Canyon.) Since your Dad isn't teaching this semester he is much more flexible during the day. I was surprised one morning when he suggested we have a hiking adventure after the kids left for school. We didn't make it all the way to Squaw Peak--it took longer than we anticipated, but now we know which of the three forks of the trail to take next time.

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Basketball tryouts are on Travis' birthday this year so every day after school you'll find him at "open gym." Practice today produced a jammed finger and yesterday a sore back. Ever the clever one, he rigged up a system of keeping our old heating pad attached to his back while he did his homework at the kitchen counter. I couldn't help but chuckle. It reminded me of his solution to handling a runny nose.

******************

We are in high destruction mode downstairs as we redo the basement. So, Travis and Abby have to share a bathroom upstairs for a while. Horrors! I think it was Travis (again with the tape) that devised this arrangement so their "stuff" would never touch.

I like to remind them that this really is a "First World Problem" and that there should be NO complaining whatsoever. (I was introduced to that term recently, and, boy, does it help keep things in perspective.) Have you heard that phrase?

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Speaking of "problems", the cats do not like the weather getting colder. They are much more snugly and affectionate these days, and are always looking for new places to settle. Linus found our pile of clean clothes.

I suppose this would never become an issue if I would just fold the laundry as soon as each dryer load finished. Oh well. At least we keep the lint roller company in business.

******************

I'll bookend this letter with another view of autumn in Utah. This one is of the backyard taken from our closet window. The colors were so brilliant and beautiful on Monday. They will be nice to remember during the gray of winter.

I'm glad your Dad has meetings in Atlanta next week so he gets to see you--even if it is only for a day or two. Make sure he gives you the things I've sent along.

Love you and David lots!

Mom

The High Uintas

Betsy Lake

Brian took these photos on his iPhone last week while camping with our church group in the High Unitas. The boys (including Travis) were all 14-18 year olds--ten boys and five leaders total. They spent five nights and six days exploring the Granddaddy Basin while hiking, fishing, swimming, and relaxing.

Travis with Pine Island Lake in the background

The beauty of this place speaks for itself.

Pine Island Lake

Grandaddy Basin near Pine Island Lake

Travis (middle) had a great time with his friends.

I'm glad Brian thought to take a few pictures for me. I left them as they came--no editing whatsoever. I especially love that he thought to take this shot (below). He said he knew I would like it. I do believe he is starting to "get me" as far as photography goes.

There is so much of this remarkable world to explore. Some day I will see this part of it for myself.