Crimson Trail HIke

Yesterday I didn't have lot on my schedule so I decided to go exploring again.  This time I chose to go for a hike on the Crimson Trail on the south side of Logan Canyon.  The trail begins at the Spring Hollow Campground and after gaining about a thousand feet in elevation via the switchbacks at the beginning of the trail, the path then leads east along the edge of the China Wall for a couple of miles, then decends rather abuptly to the Logan River and then loops back to the starting point along the Logan River Trail.  Altogether it's about six miles.  I took my time and took in the beauties of nature both large and small.  The views were magnificent and I determined to come back again in the fall when the brilliant colors of that season adorn the canyon.  It will be breath taking. 

Of course, for me I find equal beauty in the small and simple things, such as this tiny flower, which would measure less than an eigth of an inch across.  Look carefully and see if you can see  anything in these photos that I didn't see at first until Iris pointed it out to me. And all the time I thought I was the observant one.

The First Day of Summer 2011

I decided to celebrate the longest day of the year, June 21st, by taking a little trip into the mountains above Logan.  I headed for Tony Grove about fifteen miles as the crow flies from home.  I really didn't expect to make it all the way and I didn't.  The roads were still covered with snow.  I did make it far enough to take a few pictures.  These represent some of the things I was able to see.  This world truly amazes me.  There is so much beauty all around.  People also amaze me.  Notice the snowmobile tracks in these photos.  Somebody was toying with imminent death by avalanche.  I can imagine the adrenaline rush they must have gotten from these rides up and under the overhanging cornices of snow.

I am also grateful that we didn't find out about it in the local news.  "Man Perishes in Avalanche Near Tony Grove".

The sun now starts its retreat back across the sky, the days grow shorter and winter will follow, all to soon I'm afraid.

After the beauty around Tony Grove I hardly expected anything could outdo it, but I was wrong.  On another little side adventure before heading home I discovered one of the most beautiful girls in the world.  She was out for a hike with the Young Women of her ward.  I guess great minds run in the same groove.  Love my sweet, sweet, little girl.

Irises for Iris

You've all heard of Johnny Appleseed.  Well, in Logan there is a Johnny Iristuber.  On the hillside just below and along the the Boulevard here in Logan someone has decided to discard all of their excess Iris tubers.  They have been scattered along the hillside for several hundred yards.  It is obvious that there was no pattern to their planting.  They fell where they were dropped.  Some of them took root and over the years they have developed into a rather beautiful display, albeit for the short season that these flowers are in full bloom.  I have walked along this hillside many times and enjoyed the beauty.  Yesterday, as I did this, I was hit upon by an idea.  A bouquet of beautiful irises for my Iris.  This is the result.  They will continue to display their splendor in our front room window for a few days, but the memory of their beauty will endure as will my love of Iris and irises.

Planting Gardens

Planting the Garden

This morning I had the opportunity to plant a small garden.  I guess you just can't get get the farmer out of me.  For most of my life spring has always meant planting a garden and then caring for it for the next few months in hopes of  having a bounteous harvest of delicious garden produce.  I love the taste of that first batch of beet greens or a little later the tender young red potatoes that just can't be beat when cooked along with fresh garden peas and carrots.  Thanks to Alison and Ammon for allowing us to share their garden spot.  Since we moved to Logan our yard is so tiny that we really can't have a garden where we live, especially since I tend to fill up every spot I find with flowers of all shapes and colors.  We really do appreciate  them letting us grow some good garden produce at their place.  Alison and the kids even came out and helped me plant the seed etc.  I promise, we'll have a good old garden cookout before the summer is over.