Utah Vacation

We had an amazing time the rest of the week in Utah. There is so much to see and do there, we could have stayed all summer!

We actually found snow in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The hills were so steep though, it was a bit scary. When we first got out of the car, Jesse teased my by standing on the edge of a very steep hill and pretending to lose his balance - but then he really did lose his balance and sent me into a quivering, crying heap in the car! I really don't do well with the kids and heights. All was well, I calmed down enough to hike up to the snow, and the view was well worth it. It reminded me of being in the Alps in Germany.

From Big Cottonwood Canyon we drove the very narrow backroads in to Park City. It was so green and cool, and Park City is a really cute little town. The boys rented mountain bikes and we rode the ski lift up the mountain. Below is the moose and her calf resting in the tall greenery under the ski lift. We were so excited to see a moose! I had no idea there were moose in Utah.

The boys biked and the girls hiked. We all had a wonderful time!

For us, a trip to Utah wouldn't be complete without visiting This is the Place monument and historical village. We have several ancestors who were in the first pioneer company with Brigham Young when he entered Salt Lake Valley. Henson Walker, Charles Shumway, and Alexander Chesley are all listed on the monument. In the village we visited a replica of my Great-great grandfather Benjamin Franklin Johnson's "Saddle shop" where the kids got to learn about harness making and make a little leather ornament. We also dipped candles, washed clothes in a washtub (Elsa loved this!), made rag dolls and clay marbles.

We also spent a day hiking up to the Timpanogas cave and then driving the alpine loop road to Bridal Veil Falls. The cave hike was about 3 times as steep and long as we had anticipated. It was a serious challenge for all of us, but we made it and were so glad we did. The cave is a beautiful living cave with just about every kind of cave formation known.

Our last night in Utah we spent in Cedar City where we had tickets to the famous Utah Shakespearean Festival. The picture above was the pre-show performed for free outside the theatre. The play for the night was "Comedy of Errors" and we all loved it! They are really a fantastic company and well worth the trip to Southern Utah to see them. We all agreed we would love to go for a week sometime and see several shows.