Sundance: Mountains in a Golden Hue

 

Last week I did the ski lift at Sundance with my parents. The colors in the mountains are so stunning right now. It's crazy how when I first moved here the Autumn colors put me off a little, looking like fruity pebble cereal, but now I love these colors.  The mountains still have a lot of green as well, which is amazing, so paired with the bright oranges and yellows the colors were even more vibrant. Sadly the daily lifts are closed for the season, but next year it would be fun to once again ride the lifts.

This Hawkeye trail sign popped up and my Mom was like, "M.A.S.H!" and I was like, "Marvel"! Heh, different generations. :P

A zoom in of Bridal Veil Falls and that other waterfall (upper or lower falls?) down Provo Canyon. It's amazing how, when looking up at the waterfalls, they look like they're coming out of the top of the mountain, yet when looking from above the waterfalls are so small, and there's so much mountain above them. Perspective.

Have a wonderful day! Love this time of year. Sarah. :0)

Around the Mountain to Park City Utah

In the last year driving up to Midway Utah has become a treat, which started during the lock downs as a way to get away, and continued since as Midway is a delightful little town.  It now feels like a second home of sorts.  

Last Saturday my Mom and I took a drive to Midway, drove around, got snacks from the bakery, and then noticed a sign next to one of the many golf courses of a road leading to Park City.  We haven't visited in ages, and thought it would be fun to take this unknown path.

Oh My Goodness!!!  Pine Canyon Drive, closed during the Winter (according to Google) for a reason, was really nice, but a little scary as well.  There was a sign warning of switchbacks and the narrow road, which brought me back to memories of France.  Narrow roads can be a little nerve wrecking.

 

The scenery was lovely.  The mountains and fields still green from all the rain.  Temperature in the cool 70's/60's.  There were a couple stretches where the quaking aspen trees danced in the breeze, their leaves rustling and shimmering in song.

But there was a moment on the way up when the road did a nearly 180 switchback, the road really narrow, and then winding around next to a cliff drop.  It was at that moment I grabbed my phone, as my Mom was driving, and searched on maps for Park City's location: 9 miles in 30 minutes.

The drive was beautiful and I'm glad we did it once.

 

As my Mom said: One and Done!

 

:P

Hope you're having a great week,

Sarah

A Little Drive and Staring Sheep

If there is anything this last year has brought it's the chance to explore more of where I live.  Everyone knows about the Great Salt Lake, but only 38 miles south is Utah Lake, the largest fresh water lake in Utah.  The lake is pretty from a distance, but it's one I never get close to.  At 24 miles across and 12 miles long with shallow water, it's actually pretty dangerous for recreation.  High winds and waves make it unsafe.  Plus the lake has an algae problem.  Attractive, right?  :P  But from a distance, and when the lake is blue and not brown, it's really quite lovely.

Some of my friends share the most gorgeous pictures of Utah Lake online.  Walkways and glistening water at sunset.  (Still unsure how to find those spots and I've never asked their exact location).  So usually drives trying to get to Utah Lake in the last... 19 years result in road blocks, dead ends in residential areas, parking areas that require payment so they're avoided and so forth.  There's this thing called Google Maps that never seems to get utilized on drives.  Where's the fun in that?

So yesterday my Mom and I went on a drive for a nice needed break.  We ended up in Springville, then Spanish Fork, and over I-15 to sprawling farmland, the hint of manure in the air reminding me of childhood drives through Tulare County.  Lovely >_<  Though, it is nice going where it feels like we're a million miles away.

We kept driving west until we came upon the south end of Utah Lake, and then just kept going.  The lake looks long when looking at it from the east side of Utah Valley, but I never realized how big the lake really is.  The drive was nice seeing the waters edge crusted over with ice.  Fields yellow and trees bare.  My Mom and I agreed we needed to return in late Spring when everything would be green and full.  We didn't make it too far as we had an appointment to keep, but one of these days I want to return and make the full trip around.

Heading back to civilization we spotted sheep quickly moving across a field.  They seemed so happy, and I've never been this close to so many.  We stopped the car to get a photo, and in turn they stopped to watch us.  It seriously got creepy!!!  All of a sudden they froze, heads turned in our direction, baaing.  As we moved their heads moved.  It was so weird!  What seemed to be an idyllic scene turned into one that could easily be in a horror flick.

(Okay, I'm exaggerating, but it was really quite strange).

Looking forward to more exploring when the weather turns pleasant.

Enjoying the Beginning of Mountain Autumn Hues

A couple days ago I went up the mountain.

Autumn colors are beginning to spring forth, creating a bridge between Summer and Winter.  Sometimes it seems this season, filled with chilly nights and warm scents, doesn't last long enough.  If only Spring and Autumn demanded from us the same amount of time Summer and Winter does.  Those last two can be a little loud.

Provo Canyon Rd. has some construction causing double lanes to narrow to single.  Cars bunching up as a result.  If you're in a hurry this could be annoying, but I found it quite nice.  Instead of racing up to Deer Creek we were allowed to enjoy the scenery.  With windows down and a warm breeze tussling my hair, it was nice slowing down to take in waterfalls and magnificent rocks.  Mountain foliage is starting to turn from woody light greens to splashes of fruity bright hues.  Hopefully the turning of colors will last many weeks for all to enjoy.

“Dear old world', she murmured, 'you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables 

 

Escaping to the Mountains

A nice respite these last few months has been the ability to escape into the mountains.  When I lived in Porterville CA my Mom and I would drive around the Sierra Nevada foothills, and sometimes head directly into the forest.  Now I live next to the Wasatch Mountains, which are rugged and beautiful.

Sometimes we drive up to Heber and back.  Though, for the first time, my Mom and I decided to drive to Wallsburg Utah, which, instead of driving past Deer Creek, there's a road that takes you to Wallsburg next to the reservoir.  It's like stepping back in time.  Open fields, many of which have horses and cows, with hills on either side.  Every home has a propane tank.  And there's an old brick abandoned building with 1904 at the top.  Driving there is a nice little getaway.

Also, in the last month, my Mom and I drove up to Heber, got milkshakes, drove past Heber a little, and then drove through Midway while heading back to Provo Canyon.  I've lived in Utah just shy of two decades and I've never visited Midway.  It's a charming little place.  When things normalize I definitely want to explore some of the restaurants and stores, see if there's anything interesting.

You know, I haven't been to Park City since 2018 when Tata Patou, my Mom's best friend who is like an Aunt to me, was visiting from France.  It's this super touristy place I just can't get into.  It's kinda hoity-toity.  I like places that are more down to Earth.

Anywho, it's just really nice having nature real close.  Between mountains and beaches I can't pick a favorite, but nothing quite matches the sight of pine trees with the soft sounds of a river.

Sometimes You Need to Take a Visit to the Mountains

A couple or so years ago I did the Summer Ski Lift at Sundance with family and loved it, but for whatever reason I haven't done this again.  The cost for adults is around $20.  Usually when I visit Sundance it's to get a turkey sandwich and walk around, listening to the stream.  Getting out of the city now and then is so rejuvenating.

 The ride up and down the Mountain is very relaxing.  Sound of the wind.  Feel of the breeze.  Fresh air.  Now and then a hawk flying about and just below scattered butterflies.  Now and then a Mountain biker rides down a path.  The occasional zip-liner speeds down thick cables (which looks scary and fun).  Overall the experience is quite peaceful.

 Views at the top spectacular.

Beautiful.

Heber Valley Camping with Family and Friends

This last weekend I went on a YSA (Young Single Adult) Tri-Ward camp out.  We went to the Heber Valley Camp, an LDS Young Women's campground, which is also available for regular wards and family reunions.

Okay, so now for a confession.  When I moved to Utah from California at age 19, I have to admit I was a Sierra Nevada snob!  Those were the mountains I grew up next to, literately by the foot hills, a short drive to the grand Sequoia trees.  Mountains aren't mountains unless the trees tower the sky!  So when I first went camping in Utah, I was disappointed by how short all the trees were, and never felt I was "really" camping.

 That's surely changed over the years.

I've truly grown to love Aspen trees, which have a beauty all their own.  And on this particular camp out there were all these little black and white butterflies flittering about.  There were two hikes I went on, and on the second hike, surrounded by Aspens, flowers, and green brush, there must have been a hundred plus butterflies.  It really was absolutely beautiful.

 I did not sleep that night!  And it wasn't because I didn't make an effort, because I did.  A wonderful case of insomnia haunted me, but that didn't stop me from going on the Sunrise hike.  After 30 minutes of sleep (finally being able to drift off at 4:30) I woke up at 5:05 a.m. and quickly got ready to meet the group at 5:15.

I didn't even tell my brothers I wanted to go on the hike, so I was very proud of them when they showed up!!!  That Early!  The whole way there and back I felt like I was about to black out due to exhaustion, but the cool air, nature, and company kept me awake.  It was a lot of fun. 

 Rachel showing off her latest butterfly captor.  She has a wicked collection!  When you study history, you hear of all these people who collected amazing insects and bugs, but I didn't think anyone still did that.  Her collection is simply impressive.

 The short ropes course!!!!!!  AHHH!!!!!!!  So, I went to course 2, which is the easier course (mostly everyone went to course 1).  And not knowing before hand the obstacle, plus the fact that I'm still nursing a Stupid ice-skating injury from January, I erred on the side of safety, and boy was I glad I did!

The base of the poll was fairly simple to climb, until the rings showed up, and getting a good grip and foot placement was tricky.  My footing got out of place at the top!  I had the harness on, and I could feel the rope tighten safely with each step, knowing that if I fell I'd be safe and secure, but that didn't stop the nerves.  Before stepping onto the horizontal log I felt my breath quicken, the World beginning to spin.  I yelled to the volunteer for help, and she guided me from a distance.  When I finally found my footing I paused a moment, trying to still the Earth.  I don't know what was more scary: Climbing up and walking across that poll, or riding the teeter-totter ride on top the Stratosphere in Las Vegas.

I think I need to officially acknowledge my fear of heights.

And then I found out from Robbie what the first course entailed!  The layout was the same, but the climbing poll wasn't secure to the ground, possibly swinging as you climbed, and instead of a horizontal log, it was a rope of sorts.  Scary! Yeah, I don't even think I would have made the attempt!

We didn't sleep in these tents, but it probably would have been nice!  Cool air and a soft foam mattress.  We stayed in the cabins.

Ha!  Okay, finale thought.  The camp is ran by LDS elderly couple Service Missionaries.  Throughout the grounds you can see their parked RV's, and they travel around via 4-wheelers.  From early morning to late at night you can hear them 4-wheeling about.  When I think Service Missionaries I think of the Cannery or helping guide tours at the conference center.  Not this!  So cute!