Alpine Loop & Cascade Springs

Last week was, well, let's just say... stressful. I was in the final preparation for the Primary Sacrament Meeting presentation (which I'm in charge of), did Grammie-duties three times, bottled spaghetti sauce, forgot and, fortunately remembered, that I needed to come up with the printed program for Sunday's meeting, remembered in the nick of time that I was also getting the popcorn treat for Sunday's reward sharing time, planning and having 3rd Sunday Grammie Dinner, plus lots of other things I'm forgetting like walking, mowing, etc.

So when Monday morning dawned I was READY for a little R and R! I suggested that Gordon and I make the annual Alpine Loop drive (that my Dee-Lor-EE-Ous and I used to make) in his 1990 Reatta convertible... the best way to enjoy that drive!

As we were leaving Gordon hinted that perhaps we should bring Harley, who heretofore has been banned from a ride in the classic car! He was DE-lighted to be included and behaved himself like a very responsible doggy-boy in Poppa's special car.

There are so many happy memories on this drive... most of them with DeLoris, but also a fair-few with Gordon. It is just one of those drives that makes my heart happy.

This was always our first photo-op, looking back down at Sundance.

The colors are more muted this year. Perhaps we were a little too early. Maybe we will have to go again.

Gordon asked if I'd like to take the detour down to Cascade Springs. I always love this sweet place.  The first time I remember visiting here was in August 1981 with Gordon.

As I walked the trail that loops around the three different areas of Cascade Springs I was taken aback by a memory...

This beautiful trail...

used to look like...

This!

PHOTO TAKEN 21 OCTOBER 2005

"On Sept. 23, 2003, a prescribed burn to treat 600 acres of oak woodland near Cascade Springs on the Uinta National Forest went out of control, resulting in a 7,828-acre wildfire that sent smoke into the Salt Lake City-Provo area for a week."

2005 was the year that DeLoris and I started our annual tradition of driving the Alpine Loop together. I loved that first trip so well that Gordon, Buddi and I  repeated it a few days later and revisited Cascade Springs. I was grateful, this year, when I realized that the forest had regrown!

The upper springs always amaze me... all of this water just appears out of nowhere!

As I was looking at the comparison photos I recognized that I had this same shot now, looking down into Cascade Springs...

and 10 years ago.

If you'd like to read more of my adventures from this annual tradition, just click on the Cascade Springs tag below the post.

Cascade Springs

This glorious fall day Gordon and I took a little explore up to Cascade Springs. The first time I remember visiting Cascade Springs was August 1981 with Gordon. Since we've lived here in Utah we've made another couple of visits. I've also been there with my DeLoris. (If you want to read about those trips click on the Cascade Springs tag to the right)

The last time we were here we saw moose! I was hoping to see some today, but no luck.

I love the beauty of this peaceful place.  It feeds me soul to peruse the tranquil trails and wooden walks.

I love the geology of places. As you hike up the trails that encircle Cascade Springs you get here... a large pond that just appears out of no where!

The DNR has a wonderful web page that talks about Cascade Springs.

"At the upper springs area, more than 7 million gallons of water seeps through the ground each day."

Then that 7 million gallons burbles, rushes and sings over the rocks.

As I was headed back I was met by this beauty! This tree just felt magical... I've decided that it is a faerie tree.

188- Spider's Web

I've always been fascinated with spider webs. There is such intricacy in their design. I captured this one at Cascade Springs and the only thing it seems to have caught so far is fluff from the cottonwood trees and willows.


FONTS- Problem Secretary, CK Cursive, BRUSH- KPertiet_LedgerFrames, BA_photomask01a, ACTION- DP Moms Perfect Workflow action

On another subject-

I'm taking the free class over at Jessica Sprague. This is my project for today. This is my lovely granddaughter. I had on my zoom lens and caught her at a meditative moment.


BRUSHES- MCO_SprayofRed (recolored), KPertiet_GrungyClusters-5g, FONTS- Texas Hero

178- Bamboo-like Grass

As a child I loved to play in the field behind our house. I loved looking at all the different kinds of grasses that grew there. I am still amazed at all the different varieties of plants; each so special and unique.

I saw this lovely bamboo-like grass at Cascade Springs and the light was just magical.


FONTS- Problem Secretary, CK Cursive, BRUSH- KPertiet_LedgerFrames, OVERLAY- stoned paper, OldTestament by SkeletalMess

171- Moose

This has been a banner week for getting out and enjoying nature! My sister and her husband came up yesterday for a visit on their way to support #4 son in the Wasatch Back Run. They wanted to surprise him Saturday on the last of his 3 legs (yeah, 3.6 miles at a 7.96 incline! ouch). We went out to scout out the trail so they would know where to go to find him today.

Since we were headed that direction we took them to Cascade Springs (they'd never been!) It is the most beautiful park; what a treat to be there twice in a week's time!



As we started up the top loop of the trail here came these two moose cows ambling through the grass on their way to get a drink at the springs. They were so beautiful. Their coats nice and shiny, you'd think they'd just been brushed. They were very cooperative as we continued our trek around the springs letting me take 60-some photos of them (that's what happens when you have your camera set for burst!)



Later while driving the Wasatch Back Run route from Midway to Park City we saw a tiny, baby fawn. It couldn't have been too old as it was still quite unsteady on its legs. It was so cute, spotty and wobbly, but much too quick for me to get my camera out!

Good times...

162- Cascade Springs

What a beautiful, yet rainy day! DeLoris and I had a date for a drive today and we decided that Cascade Springs might just be the spot. This isn't our first trip to Cascade Springs, we went several years ago when she was more agile and we walked all around. But today I was somewhat concerned because DeLoris needs her walker or a 4-legged cane... but I shouldn't have been. She has got to be one of the spunkiest gals I know.



There are two ways to get down to the springs, one is fairly steep, but not dangerous and the other has a very friendly incline/decline, but of course is longer. DeLoris told me that as long as I didn't rush her we'd be ok. So off we started on the longer, less steep way. I love my outings with DeLoris, we both enjoy nature and when one goes at a lesuirely pace one sees all sorts of of wonderful things.

The first thing that really caught our attention were these sweet little red wildflowers. I have no idea what they are. I'd taken a photo of them back on the road, but they hang down... DeLoris tipped it up so we could see how pretty they were.



The next thing to skittering across our path was this spider with an egg sack in tow as large as itself! It stopped and *played dead* or was just being cooperative so I could get some good photos of it. Just think... in a week or so there will be tons of baby spiders all over the place. (Maybe I won't go back for a little while!)



There are these clever boardwalks that traverse the springs and one can get up-close-and-personal with nature. This little fellow was out on the edge trying to catch some sun and warmth between showers.



Just beyond the snake was this small columbine with a beetle on it. After I was finished shooting DeLoris asked what I'd been looking at. She was looking in the distance at the brush... but loved the little bug once she saw it.



We'd agreed that we wouldn't walk too far and wear her out. Well, the rain decided to come and really cut our walk short. When we got to the place where we had to choose the long easy way or the short steep way DeLoris handed me her cane, hooked her arm through mine and said let's go! I think we were both surprised how fast we could walk up that hill with a little incentive! Like I said... SPUNKY!

I have more photos of our outing, but I think I will save those for another post and other thoughts.

125- Cascade

Today we went over to Camille's school on the west side of Utah Lake. The views from Saratoga Springs are just beautiful. You can look across the lake and see all the wonderful Wasatch Front Mountains: Maple Mountain, Provo Peak, Cascade, Timpanogos, and others that I don't know the names of yet.

Today Cascade caught my attention. The way the clouds were playing across it was just beautiful. As always, Gordon was good to stop while I tromped up the road for my photo-op. Cascade had been featured here on my blog before.

These mountains are just another one of the happy things about living here. I love the mountains (having been raised in the mountains). I love their rugged beauty; all craggy and cracked.