Provo River Falls

How could we live in Utah for over 14 years and NEVER know about Provo River Falls? I only happened to find out about it because a friend at Ballerina Farm, posted about it!

So the very next day we went on a little explore up through Heber Valley to find it. The falls DID NOT disappoint! The winter snow run-off is wonderful! Such a rich blessing to this parched desert land!

I grew up in a little valley in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California so getting *back to nature* always feeds my soul!

We hiked around a little from the top of the falls (above) all the way down to this log *barracade* (you shouldn't go around that!)

But it is easy to see from down here (notice that the city mouse is still at the top) that there is also a *hand rail* one may use to get down to the bottom... although that is not how I went. I used nature's natural stairs down the face of the rocks AWAY from the water (raging river of death! sharp rocks at the bottom? bring it on!)

The minute I got down to the bottom and past this monolith, a distant relation to Stonehenge (see side view above)...

Instead of being this...

I was instantly this...

ANN, JOANIE, ELSIE, SUE

BURNEY FALLS CALIFORNIA

1957

The mist coming off the falls brought tears to my eyes, and joy and thankfulness to my heart. I was instantly revitalized and this darling little 5-year old ballerina again.

Gordon is always so patient with me when I am getting my nature (or photographic or potty or whatever) fix.  I so appreciate that about him!

I took my shoes off and put my toesies in the freezing water that instantly is TOO COLD!

And after a respectable (and respectful) amount of time, I bid farewell to this new *best friend*!

And, we will be back...

The Goodness of Light

On Tuesday last, Elder David A Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints challenged us to flood the internet with a wave of good, uplifting and positive. I love that challenge. I've seen many others accept that challenge as they post uplifting quotes, experiences and photos.

This week we've been blessed with our August monsoonal flow of moisture. We've badly needed every drop we have received. I love the quality of the light after thunderstorms. Each evening Harley and I take a little doggie-walk. As I was walking last evening, with a soft, cool breeze ruffling my hair, I was struck by how a walk on a pleasant rain-washed evening just feeds my soul. It fills me up.

It takes me back to my carefree days of childhood when I lived in the ultimate safe haven of Indian Valley California. I was free (and safe) to roam the pastures, mountains, creeks and forests of that beautiful area. Perhaps because I am the baby-of-the-family by quite a gap, I learned early on to be happy with my own company even though I am basically a social person.

I marvel at the goodness of our Heavenly Father, who created such a beautiful world. And the wonderful godly light that shines through the clouds testifies to my spirit of his love for me, his daughter.

I'm grateful to know that God *is no respecter of persons*. He loves all of His children!

204- Hobble Creek Canyon Moonrise

We took a little explore up Left Fork looking for *God's little creatures*. It is just such a nice restful drive up the canyon. The sun was going down, turning the sky pink in the west and its partner, the moon, was peeking over the eastern mountains. I love this time of year... long evenings, cool breezes, and contentedness just hanging in the air.



We saw a herd of horses with one that looked like he could have been Blue's grandson. The funny thing is that we had to get almost back to our house before we saw any deer. We saw one big doe still while still in the canyon, but the handsome young buck, with his antlers in velvet, with his little companion were on the steep bank right by 30 Oaks Drive!

202- Summer Sun

I got out of my car this morning at JoAnn's at about 10am, and I realize this doesn't compare with what we had in Palmdale, but it was hot. Already 90 (I know... call the waaa-mbulance!) I went to the trunk to get my returns and here was the perfect embodiment of Summer Sun!



I love the way the sun is right behind my head, haloing my hair and casting its harsh shadow on Beatrix's boot! Can't you just see the heatwaves?

And, yeah, I'm a baby now... we still haven't broken 100 here... AND I LIKE IT!!!

179- On a Summer Afternoon

This morning Gordon asked me if I'd like to try the Nebo Loop again since the last time we went (4 weeks ago) it was still closed with snow across the top. My first reply was that I was up to my eyebrows in wedding stuff. But after I'd worked for several hours on my latest project (more to come soon) I knew I needed a little break. So Pap, Pup and I took off for a big explore.

It was a perfect day, not too hot, everything a bright vibrant green and lots of things to take photos of.

Mt Nebo was so beautiful in all of his glorious green robes.



The Nebo Loop is one of these little narrow mountain road that winds its way around in the Uinta National Forest... where there is plenty of open range grazing. We came around a corner and smack-dab into this herd of cows... RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. And they were asking why we were disturbing their afternoon stroll.



I love the look of this little dun-colored calf with his fashion-statement #33 earring. He must have lost the set because he was wearing #10 in the other ear. Dapper little man!



Not too far from him was his little scaredy-calf cousin. He couldn't like us at all!



And here was the moogalette choir headed for higher ground.



But the funniest thing happened when my camera wasn't ready. There was a little feisty red calf down on the road. A motorcycle came roaring around the corner and feisty calf made a run at it... no scaredy calf there!

The one thing I wanted to do was take the hike around Payson Lakes. There is a very nice asphalted trail that meanders its way around Big East Lake. It is such a beautiful stroll. Harley and I (Pap waited in the car) took off on our explore. The first thing we saw were two naughty dogs (no, good dogs, naughty owners) running loose... but they were not photo worthy canines.

Then we came across this flotilla of ducks. Ms. Mama Duck and her 10 little ducklings were gliding along on the calm lake.



I was so fixed on this Mama that I almost missed Ms. Mama + 2! I wonder if the second Mama was sad that she only had two babies?



But this, THIS is the epitome of a summer afternoon activity... a young man fly fishing. I just stood there and watched his quiet rhythm. It made me want to go join him.



As we were leaving Payson Lakes (after inspecting all the campsites which were mostly reserved for the 4th weekend) we came upon this meadow skirted by aspens and billowing clouds in the cerulean sky.



We made several other stops to capture the sights of this lovely summer afternoon including Utah Lake stretching its way up the valley. What a gorgeous day!

157- Awesome Sky

One of the things that I LOVE about living in Utah is our long summer evenings. This photo was taken tonight at 9:26pm...

Gordon stepped outside to enjoy the night air and called me to come out with my camera. "The sky is awesome!"



Summer arrived this week... I wonder how long it will last? Is it really here for good? I guess we'll see.

253- Yellow Dahlia

This spring I planted a bag of mixed dahlia bulbs. Only about a third of them even grew, but those that did... wow! Most of them are a reddish-pink but I have this one pale yellow that is growing in the backyard. It is just lovely but not as large as the others.



This is always one of my favorite times of year. All of the summer flowers are at their peak and thick in their borders. I wish there was a way to lengthen out this time just a little. But all too soon we will have a killing frost and all I will have is lots of dead vegetation that needs to be pruned, pulled out and recycled.

Ah, but that also means the leaves will start to turn and there will be that snap in the air! Yes, I do like the changing seasons... but for now I will enjoy summer's last hoorah!

243- Angry Orb

Yesterday I noticed that the sky was looking quite smoky, but since I don't watch TV I just figured we were getting smoke from So Cal (Yeah, what was I smokin'?)

When I did a Google search today I found out that we have 13 fires going in the state of Utah (none as horrible as the So Cal fires). I know that fire is an important part of the ecological system. If you don't have fires then the brush and undergrowth gets so dense that when it finally does catch fire it is very destructive. Whereas, more frequent, non-intense fires clear out the undergrowth and allow things to grow properly. (I've probably explained that quite poorly, but, there you are.)

A-n-y-w-a-y, today I got up to super smokey conditions. I think most of our smoke is coming from the Scofield fire. Sadly, this was a prescribed burn that got out of hand. This evening while I was mowing the lawn I saw that the sun was just this angry orange-y red disk in the sky. Well, at least it isn't snowing ash here...

206- Summer Flowers

I'm wondering if anyone else out there in the creative-blog-o-sphere ever gets into a creative pattern (I don't like the word rut, that implies something negative and this isn't a negative). Anyway... I'm quite captured right now with watercolor filters. So don't be surprised if you see more of them in the next little while.

I love summer flowers, particularly petunias... they smell summer to me (bwahahaha... smell/spell) These are some of the flowers at the Provo Temple. I'd love to have gardens that looked like this!


FONTS- Problem Secretary, CK Cursive, BRUSH- KPertiet_LedgerFrames, ACTION- DP Moms Perfect Workflow action, FRAME- SandeKrieger_Whitefloral photo edge_Pink October_2Peas

203- Vine Ripened Tomatoes

The time has arrived! It is that special time of summer when my tomatoes are starting to get ripe. I've already eaten 4 (without a photo... can you believe that?) But here they are in all of their sweet-tomatoey-glory! My vines are just loaded this season; all those spring rains have really paid off.

I was talking to my Master Gardener friend about gardening and he asked, "How much do you think the gardener has to do with the success of growing plants? Five Percent!!" Isn't it a wonderful plan? You put seeds in the ground (or in my case, transplant healthy plant) and God does the rest... All they need is water and sunlight (and I am a smart gardener with weed cloth and a drip system. Perhaps I don't even put in my 5%!)

Vine ripened tomatoes are one of my favorite things about summer... it doesn't get much sweeter~


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

174- Essence of Summer

I back in grade school towards the end of the year I would get an assignment something like this: What Summer Means To Me or What I Will Do This Summer.

When I look at this photo is reminds me of those long ago summer days when I was a child. I can smell the freshly mown lawn. I can hear the crickets. I can taste the freshly picked, sun-warmed, red raspberries. I can feel the cool breeze caressing my face as I sit in my tree fort hidden from the world. I can see my Mom on the back porch, sitting in one of the old cricket chairs, reading a book.


FONTS- Problem Secretary, CK Cursive, BRUSH- KPertiet_LedgerFrames, (A2D)Lomo_V2

I remember how carefree I felt. All I had to think about were those long summer days of swimming, having sleep-overs with my friends, playing at the creek, riding Blue, exploring the pasture behind our house in grass so tall that I could hide in it. I relished in the feel of the cold, dew-damp grass on my bare feet while I played "car-light-poison" after dark. I waited with anxious anticipation for my sisters to come home from college for a visit.

Yes, those were happy days. Those were simple days...