lauritzenfarm

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Utah National Parks Tour & Roads Less Traveled

A quick spring trip to Utah and Las Vegas provided spectacular weather to tour the National Parks in southern Utah. Bryce Canyon National Park was our first stop and despite the warm day there was the wonderful contrast of snow against the red formations and dark green of the pines.

The Arch in Bryce is one of the most photographed formations and I couldn't resist another shot.
The Bryce overlook provides a spectauclar view of hundreds of formations that make Bryce so unique, which incidentaly turned out to be Ken's favorite.


Later in the day we drove through Zion National Park, my personal favorite. The awesome majesty of the high rock walls and narrow canyon roads are so spectacular.

This photo was actually shot from one of the tunnel windows. A photo of the tunnel window is below, lower center right).


We stayed in Vegas, which is a total shock to the senses after being in the national parks all day, but still an interesting experience!



We took the tram into the depths of the canyon at Zion the next evening and walked as far as the trails allowed. A very intersting phenomena is the fern grotto type areas where water runs down the canyon walls allowing ferns, columbine and other plants grow, clinging to rock walls.


The following day we returned to Las Vegas to meet Ken's cousin and his wife from Germany. We toured Hoover Dam.

Another breath of fresh air west of Vegas is the Red Rocks National Conservancy.


On the last day of our tour, we saw four National Parks! We had stayed at Hurricane Utah 2 nights, so upon leaving; we enjoyed one more drive through Zion.

And one more shot out of another window in the tunnel.


Scenic byways provided unending and the most varied views of formations, mountains, aspens and remote small towns. The Dixie National Forest had more aspen than I had ever seen in one location and they went on and on as we drove through the mountains.
A slender divide road on hwy 12, close to Escalante, was most unique road we have ever been on. You drive a fine line with drop off on either side!


The small town of Boulder in a remote valley was so beautiful that a trip back to that spot is definetly planned. This remote town is so remote that they received their mail by pack mule until the 1930's (the last town in the US to recieve regular mail delivery as we now know it).
The Henry mountain range in eastern Utah is seen from this photo.


Capitol Reef National Park was the next stop petroglyhs are one of the main attractions in a beautiful rich valley, occupied by ancient farmers over 600-700 years ago and modern farmers into the last century.

At Hanksville, we turned southeast on hwy 95 and stopped at the Cataract Canyon and Orange Cliff area of the Lake Powell National Recreation Area. Because of extensive and lasting drought in the southwest the last several years, the reservior is probably down 80 feet.


Our final park for the day was Natural Bridges. We arrived close to sunset, so most of the bridges, being so deep in the valley; were in shadows and did not photograph well. There is a brige in this last photo.

This park has some fabulous trails that allow you to hike down into the canyon and view the bridges on an up close and personal basis. You can even stand under the largest natural bridge in the world! (Next trip for us!).


This glimpse of some of the most spectacular natural wonders and nature are only a part of what is available in the our United States. Be sure you always take the less traveled road! You never know what lies around the next curve!

Friday, April 14, 2006

HC visited today

HC and grandpa enjoyed oatmeal together. Then HC joined grandpa shaving!

New Life on the farm at Easter

New Kittens.

It has been so warm that the cats just sprawl out to keep cool (there are 5 kittens and the mother in the straw).




The house finches were determined to build a nest in the wreath by the front door. I had a buck brush one there and thought maybe they wouldn't like this one as well and switched them. They tore off some of the silk flowers and made this perfect little nest.

Fish in the pond look so inviting to this cat!

Saturday, April 08, 2006

HC's First Easter Egg Hunt

Family was here today to celebrate and early Easter. We celebrated HC's mom's birthday (also early!).
The Easter baskets held lots of treats and fun stuff!

A fun time was had watching HC hunt Easter eggs. The eggs were slick and the grass was interfereing with him getting a hold of them, but he had lots of help and enjoyed getting the colored eggs.


The BTs and AC and TJ also enjoyed the sunny spring day.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

HC Chasing Bubbles


We spent some time on the back porch enjoying the warm spring day and watching bubbles in the breeze.

Coloring Easter Egg with HC

HC is visiting today and we colored Easter eggs. He was pretty eggcited when the egss went in the cup and came out colored.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Easter Memories


First Easter with our grandson HC, got me to digging in old photos and remembering when the kids were little. This photo is from Easter, 1982.



I used to make decorated cakes for special occasions for the family and for the boys birthdays. I made these Easter Egg cakes in 1981 (they are full size cakes).
We will have early Easter next weekend and see how HC likes hunting for eggs!