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)

I've Got Mountain Pride, Y'all. :D

On Facebook I follow Must Do Travels. Pretty much they show gorgeous videos of cliffsides in Greece, wondrous landscapes in Switzerland, gorgeous Caribbean beaches, lit up infinity pools overlooking grand vista's, etc.

The videos call me away. Wishes to experience such beauty, but thankful to know such places exist.

Well, a few days ago a video popped up of a gorgeous sunsrise. The person recording the video was cruising down the highway. In the distance were tall mountains where a burning sun hid and rippling clouds glowing in bright pinks and oranges. The scene was beautiful, and then I realized... I knew this place!!!  Replaying the video over and over, recognizing the exits and buildings on thevside of the road. The highway was clearly the I-15. The caption for the video simply read: Road trip, Utah USA.

My home.

I take these mountains for granted, and yet at the same time I'm super prideful about them! 

When I first moved to Utah Valley the mountains were super claustrophobic. Overbearing. I felt a little stifled looking up at them, wanting distance. Now, I crave them. They've become a shelter, a warm hug. A comfort.

Back in my BYU days I went to a free lecture for this author series at the library. This woman, who I had no previous knowledge of, had just come into town, never having visited previously. At BYU the campus sits close to the mountains. They're really strong and bold from that vintage point. And this lady could not get over it. She was overwhelmed. And even though we were in a small theater with no windows, she kept mentioning the mountains and how they were affecting her. She seemed more distressed than pleased.

I've grown to have mountain pride. When I travel I look at cute little hills, only to be told they're mountains. :\ 

Last March I visited St. George. The landscape was a mixture of greens and snow down I-15. A gentle transition from Winter into Spring. I've made this trip so many times I know the ebb and flow of it. This time I wanted to truly take in the scenery. I'm so use to mountains I no longer see them, but this time I wanted to see the hills and mountains, passing through small towns as the sign exits call to all the state and national parks that are scattered throughout Utah. This state is truly beautiful.

There's a movie called "The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain". It came out in 95, and I saw it around that time, telling a story of the town Taff's Well in South Wales, where they had a mountain that turned out to simply be a hill, so they did everything they could to make it a mountain.

When I was on a bus tour in Wales, we passed by this mountain hill. The hill is called The Garth, close to Cardiff, and in all honesty it does like a hill! I believe the story is fictional, and I don't think it's an actual mountain, but it was equal parts interesting and funny to see.

Needless to say, I do love these mountains, and I'll always find them majestic.

Sarah

A Drive Through Snow Canyon Utah

 Snow Canyon is a Utah State Park.  It's only 10 miles from St. George.  The park itself it really quite small, only four miles long, and is $10.

There is a camp site where RV's park, walking trails, and places to bike.  Even though it's small Snow Canyon is still beautiful.

On the day I visited it was rainy, the hanging clouds adding mystique to the landscape.  The visit was quick, but worth it.  Next time it would be nice to go on a walk, but it was just a little cold this visit.

La Fin

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.

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.

A Sunday Drive: Bridal Veil Falls, Provo Canyon Utah

 Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon Utah is a beautiful, easily accessible waterfall, viewable from route 189 through the canyon, but there are also walking trails and a closer road that goes right along the river.

Sometimes when I just want to "get away" I go through Provo Canyon.

It's a short passage met with tall mountains, waterfalls, trees, and a reservoir like lake named Deer Creek.  It's breathtaking.  And I actually prefer the view from Heber City through the canyon than from Utah County.  The mountains take on a different shape from that angle.

 What's amazing is the beautiful nature you can see right off the highway.

Though, if you're willing to explore a little, there's so much more to see.

Sundance is also right off 189, which is another nice little drive along a creek between mountains.  There are times I'll go up the canyon, drive to Sundance, and come right back, not stopping or getting out once, just to hear the water and see the trees.

So relaxing.

I use to wonder if I'm more beach or more mountain.  That seems to be something people ask a lot.  I typically answer with, "Both."  Noncommittal.  I love the beach.  I love the ocean surf.  I love Moonstone Beach in California next to Cambria.  (Okay, I'm having withdrawals.  Dang.)  But . . . but, (hmmmmm), if I had to choose, forced, I might have to go with Mountains.  Oh, but I do love sea coasts full of rocks and cliffs, trees, and cute beach side cities.

Well, beach or mountain, I just love taking a dip into nature.