A day of geology

We started our day off with a geology lecture out at Silver Reef.  The man who gave it was interesting as well as entertaining (Mark Deshowwitz).  He is a retired geologist and his presentation was about the "Tectonic History of Southwestern Utah" and he discussed how that history explains our breathtaking landscapes and has influenced the presence of ore deposits (particularly silver)  in the Leeds area. There were lots of people there and I can say that I was not bored for a minute.  I was particularly interested in the part about the explanation about how Pine Valley Mountain's formation as a lacolith.  

After that we headed home for lunch and then decided to go out and scout around on the road between here and Leeds for a picnic spot for an upcoming outing. We stopped first to walk a little trail, Lange's Dugway, and old road made to go to Veyo.  It looked like very, very hard work.  Then we visited the old quarry and after that stopped at several other nice spots between there and Leeds.  The views of Zion were amazing en route too.  It was a beautiful drive enjoying the "breathtaking landscapes" of this area.  

Falling Man and 21 Sheep with the Weavers

We had a fun outing with the Weaver gang for President's Day.  It was a bit of a drive, but I think it was worth it.  It was just a bit hot for a little while and after that the day was just right. (We rolled up our pants and then took a shade break in a nice camping hole in a ledge while it cooled down some.)  The only thing I was disappointed about was not getting a close up view or picture of the fat Chuckwalla lizard that would show himself just long enough for a quick look before a speedy retreat back into his hiding hole.  I think the kids had a blast in the holes and tunnels and just climbing all over the place.  Sometimes they made the rest of us just a little nervous with their no-fear attitude in high and steep places.  I still need to make at least one more trip down there to find the Kohta Circus panel...and to explore here and there on those dirt roads I didn't go down yet.

The Falling Man petroglyph that this site is named for is up on the wall behind  everyone.

Noah hanging out in the tunnel.  

More fun places to hang out in the rocks.

Newspaper rock and other glyphs, the whole gang and Zion awake!

We all had to try out the tunnel!

The 21+ Sheep panel, carved rocks and Lance and Eden in a sweet tunnel.

We also had fun just visiting around the house some...and playing Legos!

What we did instead...

We were trying to come up with a great hike when Paul got a call reminding him that he was helping decorate for a youth dance.  After he was done we needed to do a final wash job on one of the homes they have been working on up at the Ledges on and off for the last year, so we did that. It is a beautiful home in a spectacular location.  I enjoyed hanging out with him while he finished up.  Even tho' they day didn't go as planned, we enjoyed it!  

All ready for the dance!
 Below - pictures of the house up at the Ledges.

This little pool is called a "spool".  It is a combo spa/pool and has a current you can turn on to exercise by swimming against it.  I want one!

What a view!

View from one of the bedroom windows

Sweet Sarai and Noah stayed with us for a few minutes while Juge and Lance visited some Parade homes. Sarai really enjoyed the olives that were part of her dinner! Noah was out enjoying playing with the neighbor boys.  

This is some work we did on a Parade house out at Kayenta.  Need to get inside and take a picture of the fireplace still. We stopped by to put up our signs/cards on Thursday, but it was too late to get inside. This rock was such a pain to lay up that we really aren't interested in doing anymore, but it did turn out nicely.  I love the beautiful location of this home also.

Happy #10 Kennis!

Tuesday evening we enjoyed getting together with some family to celebrate with Kennis.  Can't believe she is already 10 years old.  Where has the time gone?  Happy birthday Kennis Bedinnis...we love you!

Brynn sent this sweet valentine to us.  We have had a good time celebrating this year.  It has lasted for 

several days.  We started on Wednesday night with a delicious dinner at Outback.  Thanks to our kids for the gift card they gave us and for the Valentine special they were having.  We didn't have to pay a dime.  The next night we had dinner at the church put on by the men complete with Elk antler and coyote skin table decorations.  It was a wonderful meal and they did all of the work.  Friday night we went to a movie and out to dinner at Firehouse Subs.  I also had the fun of celebrating with the kids at school who were very excited for their Valentine's party.  Paul is my very best friend and the love of my life and every day of my life I am thankful that I married him.

Prospector Trail, etc.

Saturday we got our errands done in the morning and then went to check out a few things.  We checked out the new Red Barn Store (got ice cream), drove the new road from Washington to Sand Hollow Reservoir and then went over to hike part of the Prospector Trail.  We also got side tracked by a trail to Red Reef.  It was a beautiful day spent in some scenic places.  And, we only felt one raindrop as we were just about back to the car!  We decided that other than a few rough parts, we would probably enjoy biking that section of Prospector's Trail.

On the way to the trail we drove past Sand Hollow and Quail Creek and this cool old bridge.

Love that big arch behind Paul.  We saw old mines along the trail - had to check them out.  We saw a few bikers and several people on horseback. 

This is the Red Reef area that we explored a little.  Went down a beautiful wash that ended in a box with some waterfalls to feed into it.  One of the mines had  this sign in it.

Pine Valley Mountain with snow behind the red cliffs was beautiful.

Saturday afternoon walk

Had lots of to dos in the morning, but just had to get out in the afternoon on such a beautiful day.  Supe and Beacher had their wedding announcement pictures taken in a little canyon/wash just below Gunlock reservoir and told us how to get there.  We just walked up it for as long as we had and enjoyed all of the beautiful things to see. It went back and forth from narrow to wide.  There was a beaver dam where you parked. Just wish I would have seen a beaver there. We decided it would be a good place to take grand kids.   It was good to get out!

Fun with grandsmiths!

Got to spend a fun afternoon/evening with the grandsmiths while their folks were out of town.  Our first stop was Snow Canyon.  It had been raining earlier in the day, but the sun had come out and we decided it would be fun to show them Jenny's Canyon.  It was beautiful and fun to see all of the little nooks and crannies and climb around in them.  As we were going up to the overlook it started sprinkling. Then as we started back, it decided to hail on us.  That made for a quick trip back to the truck!  As we left Zade was the first to spot some amazing waterfalls coming off the cliffs.  It was a cool hike...literally!  After that it was off to Papa Murphys and then home for dinner and a movie until Kade and Latressa took the came and took the kids off for a slumber party and fun with their cousins. Glad we got to spend some fun times with these kidlets!  Let's do it again and hit Snow Canyon in better weather.

A little more birthday time for Brenden

Monday was actually Brenden's real birthday.  We hadn't given him his present yet, so we invited the family over for cupcakes and to give Brenden a pretty boring present as far as opening goes.  He's getting a subscription the the National Geographic Little Kids magazine.  All we could really do is give him a card and let him read the e-mail announcement of his gift that will be coming.  Happy Birthday Brenden!  We love you!

The announcement...so exciting!

So exciting to see it in writing!  Brynn designed these announcements for Supe and Beacher!  The little picture of the ring and bracelets is cool.  The small bracelet is Beacher's moms' and the turquoise one is her Grandma's along with her ring.  Love these special family traditions.