Cove Fort

This road trip is lots of first for each person. Some of us have done some things but not others.

We arrived home kind of late last night but had enough time to do laundry and pack some things for our cooler because we were headed out again early, this time with Christian.

Our first stop was Cove Fort.

The fort was built to offer protection and refreshment to the traveler. Beginning in 1847, pioneers began settling the high mountain valleys stretching from Idaho to California. They came here to worship in peace and to build homes and communities. The fort is made of lava rock, which workers hauled from west of the property. The fort is 100 square feet, 18.5 feet tall, 4 feet thick at the footings and 2.5 feet thick at the top.

In 1867, the prophet Brigham Young called Ira Hinckley and his family to come and direct the building and operations of the fort.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has restored this Fort and it is open to the public for tours. What a great place of history. I would recommend this to anyone traveling along I-15 in UT for a stop to rest your body, walk the wiggles out and see this splendid fort.



This is one of gun openings. As you can see the wall is very thick, about 2 feet.




The pioneers didn't waste space or resources. This cradle was used for their babies but when they didn't have a baby or needed more sitting space they could turn it over and it was a bench. Ingenious.



Of course we have to have the obligatory covered wagon picture.

Tetons and Jackson Hole

Our dreary day continued as we traveled on the Tetons Nat'l Park on through to Jackson Hole. I so wanted Liz to see the majesty of Tetons. But, the closer we got the more I knew she was not even going to catch a glimpse of their beauty. We did see beauty of another sort though....



This mama moose was hiding her baby but with patience on our part we were able to catch a small glimpse of it.

Jackson was a treat for all of us. Liz had not been to a western town before so each thing we saw was new and exciting. We shopped, browsed, and eat. My favorite place to eat is Merry Piglets. YUMMO! It is Mexican and quite good and filling.



I wanted to go next door to this yummy bakery for a cookie but when we got there were no cookies to be found. All sold out. I guess we will have to save that for another day.

Headed out of Jackson we saw this beauty.



We took the long way home and detoured over to Bear Lake and Logan. I had forgotten what a beautiful drive that is. I wish it wasn't too early for raspberries.

Yellowstone, Day 2

After our super fast drive back to the Yellowstone Valley (because it took so long to see the East side)(and we had to get into the construction zone before they closed the road for the night). We were able to see 4 Elk this time going through Mammoth Hot Springs. I guess they are held up somewhere.

It was so much fun to hang out with my brother and sister-in-law barbecuing and visiting. My nephew and his wife came by also to see us. I have not seen them since they were married. Good food, Good family, Good times.

Saying good-bye this morning was sad. I don't get to see my brother very often. Thanks for the love.

This time going into the park we went down the west side. We hardly stopped anywhere because it was raining so much and very foggy. It was hard to see anything anywhere so why bother trekking out in the wetness. Dang!

We did stop at Old Faithful. By then the rain had subsided mostly but right before we arrived Old Faithful blew. Oh well, good thing there are many other things to see around there while you wait for the next time.

Hello, Yellowstone!

Our hopes were dashed when we woke to dark clouds and wind, but, we headed out anyway.

My brother got his map out and suggested places to see. (One of which was not to stop at the petrified tree.) We had never been on the east side of the park before. My goal was to see a bear. Is that too much to ask for.

Traveling through the Yellowstone Valley toward the park was breath taking. The Yellowstone river meandering along the side of the road leading us to the park.



Along the way, Nicole and I were telling Liz of the many things we were going to see. First we would see elk, then probably bison. We entered Yellowstone near Mammoth Hot Springs. As we drove closer I expected to see a plethora of elk. There were no elk by the hotel, no elk on the great lawn and no elk on the way. No wait! ONE ELK! Can you believe it, ONE. So disappointing.



Continuing on our way toward Tower Falls. I have seen pictures of Tower Falls and it is beautiful. Zipping down the road we pass a sign that says :to petrified tree". Well the girls saw this and they wanted to go so off we went. It is a narrow road and dead end. Have you seen a petrified tree. Well, once you have seen one you have seen them all.



Of course we took the obligatory pictures and piled back into the truck. Around a bend we drove and all the traffic is stopped. Well maybe this is where the elk are. I jump out with my camera and look what I saw!!!





What a cutie bear cub! He had just slid down from being way up in the tree. When he slip down he started scratching his back on the tree. We couldn't have been more lucky. When the bears where on the road they were a mere 30 ft away. I was getting nervous that they were coming closer. No sooner had a thought that then they went down into the little meadow next to the road.

What an experience. So glad we went to the petrified tree after all. As we came out of the Petrified tree area we saw another brown bear loping up the hill. Can you believe it? 3 brown bears. What are the odds. My day has been made.

Our next stop was this pretty little falls off the side of the road.



As we passed Tower Falls we came to a meadow. Many cars were stopped on the side of the road. Of course we had to stop and get out to see what everyone else is. I can't believe it....luck has shined on us today. Across the road in the meadow was this lovely site......GIZZLIES!!!




Holy Smokes!! 2 brown bears and cub plus a grizzly mama and cub. All in a matter of an hour. SO this is where all the great wild life is hiding, on the east side of Yellowstone Nat'l Park.

We sat watching the grizzly's for about an hour. So amazing. Words cannot describe watching this mother with her cub. She didn't let it get too far but yet let it think it had some freedom. Much like we mothers do.

Montana Bound

Since Nicole is feeling better this morning I am not letting the last few days mess with our already laid out plans so....this morning Nicole, Liz and I left for Livingston, Montana to spend a few days with my brother and his wife. It was actually our base for our adventures in Yellowstone.

Liz has never been to Yellowstone Nat'l Park. When she lived with us we traveled many places but not really much of the West.

I wanted to drive through Jackson, WY on our way but we kind of got a late start so we went the fast route through Idaho. Pouring rain almost the entire way. I hope this is not a prelude to our whole trip.

Liz and I had a wonderful chat as Nicole slept almost the entire way. We made a quick stop in Idaho Falls and introduced Liz to Taco Time and our favorite thing....crisp meat burritos. So good.

Since Liz has been here we have pointed out Temples along the way on different journeys. On our way today we saw: Draper, Jordan River, Oquirrh Mnt, Salt Lake City, Bountiful, Ogden, Idaho Falls and Rexberg. She is adding to her list. She has seen Frankfurt, Timpanogus and San Diego.

We arrived late and headed straight to bed. Hoping and praying for a bright sunny day.

Girls Camp Continued

Nicole had many amazing experiences. The leaders and youth counselors couldn't be anymore great. They love the girls. They care about them. I love to watch how each one interacts.

After I left Mutual Dale, Nicole hand tooled a leather bracelet. Next she made a shoe bag to put her muddy shoes in. After she made a headband with a rosette sewed on it. Somewhere in there they had lunch and dinner.

I was so happy to see how the girls interacted one with another. the thing that made me the most happy........How happy Nicole looked. I love to see her smile. I love to see her twinkly eyes. I love to see her love others and be loved back. That is the most wonderful feeling in the world.

To know you are not being judged, to know that when someone is helping you they generally want you to succeed. To know that each person at camp loves yo as much as you love them. That is amazing.

As usual, testimony meeting was after dinner around the camp fire. During testimony meeting Nicole was going in to the lodge to get a jacket as she was cold. While walking down the rock stairway she misstepped and hit her head and elbow. Things seemed to be ok but on their way to the lodge Nicole began to seize. She had nine seizures and was taken by ambulance to Utah Valley Reg Hospital. Her YW teacher rode in the ambulance with her and stayed with her until I was able to get there.

After arriving at the hospital and assessing the situation, her youth counselor, the nurse and the YW president all showed up. WOW! I was overwhelmed. They didn't need to come but they did. They love Nicole and cared enough to come all the way to Provo to see how things were going. Thank you Heavenly Father for meeting the needs of Sweet Nicole. Meeting the needs by calling these wonderful women to serve in Special Needs Mutual.

Nicole was X-rayed and scanned. The damage...A broken left elbow. A cast and instructions and we were on our way home.

The next day we went to the church at the time the girls were to be delivered back. We pulled into the parking lot. Girls were unloading their things and standing around saying their good-byes. As we were spotted our Durango was surrounded by girls and leaders. The special needs girls were grateful that we came. Seeing Nicole help put their minds at ease. The YW leaders were grateful we came also. They were worried all night about how things were going to turn out. Putting their minds at ease was a priority for us.

For all they do for us each week, the love they show our kids, the experiences they give them. Thank you for serving selflessly. Thank you for showing my daughter unconditional love. Thank you for all you do. We love you.

Special Needs Girls Camp

I am grateful for the programs Nicole is able to participate in since moving to UT. One of those programs is Special Needs Mutual. Today the girls from Special Needs Mutual are going to Girls Camp. They are camping at Mutual Dale in American Fork Canyon.

Girls Camp is an amazing opportunity for girls to get together. It is a time for bonding, testimony building, crafting, hiking, campfires, testimony meeting, building friendships.

The leaders put forth such effort on the girls behalf.

Nicole was nervous and excited to go. Of course she had been to camp before but she has not spent the night away since the fire. We both were apprehensive. As soon as Nicole arrived at the church most of her anxiety went away. She saw many friends there and her YW pres. said Nicole could sleep right next to her. Both of us felt so much better. So away I went to go climb Timpanogus with Liz. (that will be another post)

When I arrived home to pick up Liz, Nicole had called because she forgot her pillow. Of course I will bring it to her. (only because it is on my way to Timp)

So much fun to see her enjoying herself at camp. When I arrived she was making a pillow and eating Red Vines. They girls had been on a hike already, too. Next up was to make a shoe bag, a leather bracelet and a headband. It looks like things are under control here. Nicole has a huge smile on her face. I am glad she is having so much fun.