Tag: 2013

I Love the Mountains!

Sometimes I just can’t believe my good luck. I live in the beautiful mountains of Utah, and now that the world is green again, I am reminded daily of why I love it so much. Like my rock friend here, I can’t help but smile.
Recently Mountain Dad and I took the tots on a hike. The trailhead is literally across the street from our home and within two minutes of setting out we were swallowed into lush forest land. The trees grew so tall, it felt like we were in a tunnel of green. Tots laughter and singing filled the air along with bird calls and the sound of our our feet crunching the fallen foilage. 
Soon the canopy opened to a mountain vista of pines, maples and aspens with a few cabins dotted along the way. A river gurgled in the valley below us and as we walked along, the air was intoxicatingly fresh. 
We followed the trail down to the valley floor where it ran along the stream. Here little g and I counted several wild raspberry plants sprouts while Mountain Dad waded in the freezing water. Big E soon joined him to throw rocks and pine cones into the current.
The weather was warm and my family close. I smiled at my good fortune. It’s moments like these that make me grateful for what I have: love, family and a beautiful place to live and play.

National Trails Day

Guess what’s coming? It’s National Trails Day!

If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry, I hadn’t until about a month ago. But apparently the American Hiking Society hosts a National Trails Day the first Saturday of every June.  This year it’s Saturday, June 1st, 2013. 
The idea behind National Trails Day is to get out and appreciate the trails near you. You can do that by going on a hike, or participating in the numerous volunteer efforts planned for the day. There are events scheduled in every state, but if you don’t see something you like, you could always host your own.
Last year was the twentieth anniversary of National Trails Day, and I hope it continues for many more years to come.
Will you be hiking that day? If so happy trails to you!

Bridal Veil Falls Bike Ride

One of the best parts of spring is relishing the warm weather. The tots and I do this best at the park, and thankfully Provo Canyon has plenty of parks to appreciate. On this recent biking adventure with the tots, we started out at the playground at Vivian Park. This park boasts a paved bike/hike trail, two playgrounds, two pavilions, restrooms, a fishing areal and a river to throw rocks at, not to mention the Heber Creeper railroad comes to visit every once and a while.

While the tots played on the playground I got my bike and trailer set up. The Provo River Trail, which ends at Vivian Park is great for tots of all ages. It’s a paved trail that runs from Utah Lake to Vivian Park and is popular with bikers, hikers and anyone interested in being outdoors. The section we biked, from Vivian Park to Bridal Veil Falls, was only about twenty minutes, and that was with towing an extra seventy five pounds of tots and bike trailer.
Little g was ready to go as long as we had ‘Monkey Pack’ on her back. She and Big E rode in the trailer along a flat section of the Provo River Trail – Vivian Park to Bridal Veil Falls. The trail meanders along the Provo river, with majestic mountains along one side. Bright greens, wet from a recent rain, grew along the trail and the earthy scent of the outdoors was a refreshing reminder of the season.

At Bridal Veil Falls, Big E was giddy with joy feeding the fish. For a quarter you can purchase a handful of fish pellets and bask in the joy of your youngster’s laughter as he watches the fish fight for each mouthful. Little g loved it too, but mostly because she got out of the bike trailer.
The bike back to Vivian Park was calm and pleasant and overall it was a great outing on a great spring day.

Are You a Baby or a Pterodactyl?

To my esteemed daughter little g,

It has come to my attention that your verbal skills are lacking in several areas. Although your voice is strong and powerful, it lacks diction and enuciation, essential qualities for modern discourse.

Take for example, your vocal outburst with not being allowed to dump the contents of my satchel all over the floor during church. In a moment of quiet reverie, you screamed so loudly that the lady next to us in the pew covered her ears. I also felt your shrill response in the recesses of my auditory appendages, and it caused great pain.

Then again on this very day, your shouts during meal time were offensive to my sensibilities. I was reminded of a prehistoric beast bellowing at its prey. The air shook with the sounds of your displeasure which resonated off every wall. It begged the question, are you a baby or a pterodactyl? And at the table no less!

While on the subject of mealtime decorum, may I recommend the use of silverware and table linens? After lunch I wondered how pizza sauce and blueberry juice found its way on your eyebrows, under every fingernail, in your elbow creases and all over your face. Is there confusion as to the location of your mouth? Did your hand lose its way en route?

I request you amend your behavior immediately in an attempt to conform to the ladylike expectations of the day. And while you may think eighteen months young for this form of censure, I assure you I make this request with your future in mind.

Respectfully yours,
Your Mother