Fun Trip to St.George

Dan and I decided that we would take a little vacation and head to the Southern most city of Utah for some relaxation, the arts, shopping, and some history. We enjoyed all those things, a lot of sun(112 degrees), and more!

We left early in the morning on July 14th, and drove until we reached Cove Fort Historic Site where we stopped to stretch our legs and go on a tour. It is located near the intersection of I-15 and I-70. Cove Fort was built in a 7 month period in 1867 to serve as a way station for people traveling between the central Utah communities of Fillmore and Beaver--a sixty-mile journey that usually took 2 days. The fort provided safety, shelter, fresh stream water, and plentiful livestock feed. The fort is built primarily of volcanic rock and limestone that were quarried nearby. The fort has been restored to the 1867-1877 period and the rooms contain authentic period furnishings and artifacts. There is also a short film, as well as walking around the barn, ice house, blacksmith shop, and garden area.

We reached St. George, checked into our motel, and went shopping at the Outlets(which were just up the street). Dan and I found some great clothes for school at discounted prices. There were also some fun toy stores as well as a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, but it really was too hot to eat chocolate.

We then drove up the road a few miles to Ivins, to the Tuacahn Theater. I had been wanting both of us to see a play there since we moved to Utah, 2 years ago.
If you love plays, and you love being in the outdoors, then you will love this venue! Majestic red rock cliffs are the backdrop. We drove up early because besides having play tickets we also had dinner tickets. It was wonderful! Dinner included:turkey, roast beef, corn, beans, augratin potatoes, stew, roll with honey butter, green salad, lemonade, and peach cobbler with vanilla icecream. After dinner they had pre-show entertainment, shopping, and a mechanical bull to ride. Dan was so tempted to do it--but didn't. "Footloose" started at 8pm. The actors and actresses did a great job. The music was especially good--even better than the original singers and soundtrack! We're so glad we went! Annie is also being done this summer, too. We saw our nephews, Spencer and Nick, as well as a teacher that Dan knows.

The next day, July 15, we visited the St. George Tabernacle, Greene Gate Village(ancestors owned houses), Thomas Judd Candy store(old time candies and sodapop), Brigham Young Winter Home, and the St. George Temple Visitors center and temple annex. We learned lots of history--and Dan and I love history! We learned St. George is named after George A. Smith. He discovered that eating potato skins would prevent scurvy, thus he shared this with everyone he knew and they called him Saint(St) George. After these sites, we enjoyed a cold milkshake at Iceberg, and then headed to the mall to walk around--and see if anything else was calling out to us to buy it! We enjoyed browsing, and then we got on the road to drive to Cedar City for the night which was a lot cooler than St. George.

Cedar City(SUU) is where I went to school as well as Dixie. We walked down Mainstreet to check out the old shops. We had been told of a wonderful Mexican Restaurant called "La Fiesta" that is on the north end of town, that we shouldn't miss---and Dan's friend was so right. It was the best Mexican food that we have ever had!!! We will stop and eat there whenever we are headed South. I can't believe I didn't know about it when I went to college, but then I never had much money to eat out. After dinner, we(mostly me and Dan followed) took a stroll down memory lane. Where I lived (Bobbie, Becky--Camino Manor is still there--can you believe it?), went to church, Institute, all of the buildings where I had classes, ect.. We went in the large, new library and student center. It is all so nice and updated! It would have been nice to have those same buildings when we were there!

Next morning, July 16, up early, had some breakfast and headed home. Dan had to work at 11am. The roads and other drivers were good, and we got home earlier than we thought. It was a wonderful time away, and we will do it again. Vacationing mid-week is great, less crowds.

July 4th Weekend at the Cabin

Dan and I, my parents, and 4 of our nieces and nephews(Tannor, McKenzie, Ashley, and Kelsey) spent the weekend of the 4th at the cabin. It was the annual Pleasant Valley Days in Scofield. We had a wonderful time as always.

We enjoyed the Saturday morning parade--where I have never seen so much candy, bouncy balls, otter pops, and colorful necklaces thrown from the floats that were decorated by families who live in the area as well as local businesses. We thought it would be a short parade, but lasted about an hour. We then checked out the historic jail, town hall, and some of the other old buildings. We walked to the old school and saw the pictures that documented the 1900 Scofield Mine disaster, which was so awful and affected so many. There's a nice monument in the cementary. We then walked to the town park where they had booths, food, music, and games for the kids. We had an enjoyable time shopping and playing and devoured snow cones to help cool us down on the way back to the cabin. Some of us got a little sunBURNed! I always forget we're at a higher altitude and we all forgot the sunscreen.

The men went fishing a few times, Dan and Dad scouted some hunting spots, watched some movies, read, ate yummy food, shared our thoughts about what things we are grateful for because we live in the USA,and we played lots of games. A new one we like is called Quiddler--it's a spelling words type of card game. Our family loves playing games, if you can't tell.

That night, we enjoyed the wonderful fireworks over the lake! It had started to rain, so we were in blankets but it didn't matter. The fireworks echoed throughout the valley and the vibrant displays of color showed as reflections over the lake. We are truly grateful for living in this country and for the freedoms we enjoy.

We enjoyed church the next morning in the quaint little building and we were able to luck out and sit on the benches instead of on the chairs. On holiday weekends, the little branch grows to several hundred people. After lunch, we cleaned, packed up and had to return home. Too bad, we couldn't stay there longer. We love the cabin!