The Stars and Stripes Unfold

July 07, 2019

Early morning on the Fourth of July we, along with Lindsey, watched the unfurling of the largest free-flying American flag in the county across the mouth of Grove Creek Canyon in Pleasant Grove. “Big Betsy” is over a quarter acre in size with six-foot stars. The flag was folded, inside casings, on a cable that stretched from one side of the canyon to the other. During the ceremony, the casings were slowly pulled to either side, revealing, first, a white star on a blue field, then more stars, then red and white, until, finally, the entire flag dropped and caught the breeze. Inspiring! The “stars and stripes” did unfold in a magnificent way!

We were sad to learn later that Big Betsey was damaged beyond repair in a short-lived, but fierce windstorm that blew through Utah Valley about dusk that evening. We hope that Follow the Flag organizers will have the means to continue their mission: honor, heal, inspire. (followtheflag.org)

Yesterday, we got an early start with our friends, Martin and Elaine Craven, on a hike to Lakes Mary and Martha, near Brighton ski resort. I couldn’t stop exclaiming, “So beautiful!” The deep blue sky, the white clouds, the granite boulders, the pines, the waterfall, the mirror lakes—suitable for framing! We had to slip and slide a bit over snowbanks and try to avoid water running down the trail, but Elaine had thoughtfully secured hiking poles for me so it wasn’t bad. We hope we can get back again when some of the snow has melted to make it to Lake Catherine—and I am shopping for hiking poles.

My Lindsley cousins came to the Library last week to learn of the crazy history of their name, only four generations old, counting from my generation. They could have so easily been known by Belknap or Buboltz!

I was also able to help a patron secure copies of her great-grandfather’s mission call during the time of President Wilford Woodruff. She was so pleased! Somehow the Church link was broken between her and her grandfather, but maybe his missionary work will continue “beyond the grave” now that she knows more about him.