My First Farmers Market

 Last Thursday my Mom, Sister-in-law Krista, and I participated in our first Farmers Market.  It's been a goal all Summer, but due to circumstances we had to wait until now to finally do it.

 Krista did all the sewing and made tutus, children skirts, and aprons.

 My Mom specializes in jewelry.  She has an Etsy store and at the Market she had necklaces, bracelets, earrings, key-chains, and car charms.

I made the greeting cards.

Overall I'm proud with what we did, even though in the end we only sold a single pair of earrings for $15, covering the $12 booth charge.  We may do it again this Thursday, but we already plan on putting everything in the Etsy store making it a boutique.

Biking Along the Information Highway

I biked along the Murdock Canal Trail for the first time today.  My brothers have been raving about it, having biked along the nicely paved path a couple times in the last two weeks.  I had never heard of the biking trail before, and as I was biking along today I couldn't believe I hadn't done this sooner.  The trail is amazing!  It's set up for walking, running, biking, and riding horses.  So beautiful and relaxing.  And there's rest stops, picnic stops, and drinking fountains along the way.

Anyway, as I went along the path today I noticed these orange polls, and that it mentioned Fiber Optic Cable running under the path.  I don't know what they're used for, but there's been a lot of talk around here about high speed internet via fiber optic cables.  So, as I biked, I was literally biking along the information highway!  At least the thought gave me a giggle.

Any who, when I got home I looked up the Murdock Trail, because I wanted to see how long its been around  Turns out the trail is so new it hasn't officially opened yet!  There were a lot of people going along it, though. No signs were posted stating the trail was closed, though according to the website they don't want anyone on it just yet.

The official opening is this Saturday, May 18, 2013!  The Murdock Canal Trail Website has a list of all the events going on, and there are so many!  It looks like the first of many ribbon cuttings is at the Orem 800 N point, and the celebrations, passport stations, more ribbon cuttings, etc, continue onward up through Lehi, at different times so you can go along the trail and enjoy each one.  All I know is what's on the site.  There doesn't seem to be more information then that.

Kinda cool to discover the trail right when it's been finished!  I think biking has just become my Summer addiction.   

Pioneer Day/Spanish Fork Fiesta Day Parade

Last month my Dad told my brother Steven and I what he wanted for Father's Day, and that he didn't want anything else; He wanted us to get our Ham radio licenses.  (Of course I already bought his gift, which was a vintage looking Captain America comic themed lunch box.) When I was a kid I wanted a license, but back then you had to learn morse code; no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't learn it.  A few years ago this requirement changed.  My Dad wanted us to get the license so we can help at events.  The local ARES group works the parades, races, and events so everyone can practice communication, so that during an emergency our Ham radios can be used to help with communication.  The ARES and RACES groups proved that all this training they do isn't in vain when they volunteered their time during the fires this past Summer. I was given the opportunity to help with the Spanish Fork Parade and practice my ham radio skills.  Back to the parade!

The group below set the pace of the Spanish Fork Fiesta Parade.  They fired a loud cannon and then fired weapons, giving the kids next to me quite a shock.    

Proof we're in Spanish Fork!!

More fun Parade entries I enjoyed.

All the Utah County Queens showed up for the festivities.  Below, on my most favorite float in the parade, is Miss Pleasant Grove with her attendants.  Also shown below is Miss Payson, Miss Nephi, and Miss Provo. 

Below is Mater!!  Unfortunately he broke down and I had the opportunity to make sure the lawn mower got off the street, and then report to Net Central what had happened.  

Another huge task we had was keeping the kids safe.  A lot of the groups throw candy to the kids, but the candy doesn't always make it to them, so the kids run into the street, which is dangerous.  A year or two ago a boy ran to the middle of the road; thankfully the driver of the float noticed and stopped within 5 feet.

Me in my gear after the parade.  It was awesome!  Steven and my Dad helped find lost children in their sections.  Unfortunately after the parade I found out that my sound mike was too close to my mouth which caused my voice to be muffled.  I would have liked to know this sooner, but that's the point of these exercises.  It's better to learn these problems during an event instead of during an emergency when lives are in danger.

Have a great day!!
Sarah