Hidden Haven with Bean

After a rather exciting drive up with parts of the bumper falling off and buying duct tape to tape the remaining loose parts back on, we had a nice afternoon with Bean.  We took a little hike to Hidden Haven.  We have hiked this little trail a few other times with family, but this time it had changed so much due to water eroding it and causing lots of rock to fall.  The trail was completely obliterated in a few places and changed a lot in others.  It was still pretty and a bit icy this time of year.

Cable Mountain - Zion

Took a nice little hike out to Cable Mountain In Zion Park Wilderness last Saturday afternoon.  We took the shortest route - 7.5 miles.  It was not the most scenic path, but it worked for the time and energy we had and the end was reward enough for us.  It was perfect weather and not too strenuous.  It was not full of people like Zion proper either.  We saw a few other hikers.  We had a nice afternoon and enjoyed driving through the park there and back.  On the way out we saw mountain sheep in several places; one time they were standing in the road right in front of our truck!  Really nice day!

October Birthdays - Koen #9, Tasia #13

Can't believe how the grand kids are growing up!  It was good to celebrate with these two.  Had to settle for a video for Jay's October birthday.  We went to the Borrowman's for Koen and to the Golden Corral with the Smiths for Tasia.  Love these kids! 

 What a windbag!

Tasia had to unwrap many layers, a bottle of water and a bag of rocks before she finally got to her present!

Old mining adventures

Had an interesting adventure in old local mining history on Saturday.  First we stopped by Silver Reef to check out their mock up silver mine tour.  It was small, but well done and informative about the silver mining that took place in that area.  Then we headed up to Cedar to spend the day with Bean.  The biggest part of the day was spent out by Old Iron Town.  We went to the historic site which was very interesting.  I love seeing those old charcoal ovens they built.  It was crazy to think how they just had to make things they needed from the raw resources that they had available.  No place to go and buy it...make it or do without it. After that we wanted to go and check out some of the old open pit mines that were in the area.  It was so interesting to see the old equipment and find old iron ore.  We hiked around and went down into one of the old pits and found a lake in the bottom.  The thing I liked the most were the old sheds full of core samples.  It was crazy.  There were 3 sheds just full of them.  They had such an interesting way of storing them too.  It was a fun day and it was fun to spend time with Bean when he actually enjoyed being with us.  We also had a rather cold picnic at the park and did some shopping he needed to get done.  It was a good day.

Kaibab Camp Out

It was Fall at it's best in the Kaibab for our camp out last Fri/Sat.  It was cool and golden.  We had a great DO stew/biscuits/baked apple dinner.  The next morning we took a hike from North Timp Point view point to Locust Point and back.  There were lots of bikers doing the Rainbow Rim trail at the same time and it was fun to see them.  The section we did was about 12 miles and I could tell how out of shape I have gotten with such an inactive summer that we spent taking care of Grandma.  It's always good to get away from the pressures of life and let the beauty of nature calm your soul.  

Good times with the YSA

I guess I should put a few posts here about the good times we have in our calling.  We have really enjoyed the opportunity we have to serve in the YSA 3rd Ward as Ward Clerk and Membership Coordinator ("ward clerkette").  It's a little like a mini mission for us.  As much as we have loved serving in scouting for many years, it was time for a break.  This has been a great way to take that break.  What is so great about this calling is the people, of course.  It's great rubbing shoulders with these young adults who are courageously living the gospel as they face the trials of their age group.  For most of them things aren't turning out just the way they want at the moment, but they press forward with faith and keep up the good work.  It is a joy to be around them.  Life isn't going just the way we want for us all the time either, but they brighten our lives and set a good example for us and their peers!  (Kayde, Kade, Kenna and Mason and us checking out the new Family History Center's cool features.)

Grandma's, Conference & Fall

The last week has included some good and bad times.  Last Saturday started out well (other than that I was sick in bed) with Paul, Bean and Grandma Kurtz heading to Cedar Mountain to enjoy the Fall colors.  Things were going well when Grandma got a terrible headache...and it kept coming and going and then she got really confused and couldn't answer questions.  Paul and Bean hurried her over to the little hospital in Panguitch (closest place) and she didn't know her name and a lot of other things she should have known.  In the end they kept her over night and she was just fine, but it was a scary thing and she will be following up with her regular doctor. 

On Wednesday evening Janet, Tony and my mom got into town on their way down to Aunt Georgia's 90th B-day party in California.  We had the local family come over to the house to visit with Grandma and have pumpkin pie/brownies.  It was a fun evening for her to get acquainted and reacquainted with grand kids and great grand kids.  On Thursday evening we took her up to Cedar where we picked up Bean and had dinner with the Weavers and visited and then went over to the Randall's in Enoch for desert and visiting.  It was a really nice evening.  

Then we enjoyed conference on Saturday/Sunday!  Such a spiritual feast.  On of the twelve actually passed away Sunday afternoon, Robert D. Hales.  Such a perfect time for him to move on to his next mission.  After the last session on Sunday we took a drive up to Pine Valley to see if Fall has arrived there yet.  It is just getting started.  We took a lovely walk up the stream and enjoyed the changing maple leaves among the green of the pines.  It was a really nice end to the day.