Parowan

October 20, 2019

We took advantage of a full “temple day” on Thursday and a p-day on Friday to go to Parowan and St. George where we hiked, shoveled rock, visited with family, and went to the Temple.

We arrived in Parowan on Wednesday in time to hike up the Red Hill above the cemetery, coming down in the almost dark. Beautiful views of the valley, the canyon and Valentine Peak.

Thursday morning, we were in the Temple. Glad for the opportunity to be there one more time before it closes. We stepped into the East Sealing Room where we were sealed 46 years ago. “Sunrise, sunset, swiftly flow the years.” I also remembered specific places where I was with my grandparents who worked with great love in the Temple for several years.

After changing clothes, we grabbed a sandwich and headed to Snow Canyon, a mini Zion. We hiked the Butterfly Trail across sand and rock to a lava tube. It was a warm, sunny day with blue, blue skies. I can’t imagine being there in the heat of the summer. It is a sand-loving kid’s paradise. The pinks, reds, whites, blacks, swirls, mounds, caves, cracks, cliffs, slots kept us pointing and exclaiming.

Friday, we woke to a cool morning in Parowan and could see snow in the high foothills. We packed a lunch and coats and headed for the cabin. No problem getting there in the old truck. First, we shoveled and toted rocks under the deck to try to deter little varmints from digging holes under the footings and making themselves at home this winter. My back still knows I carried rocks. After that we hiked to a giant pine we call the “Saw Log.” I was watching my feet, but when Elder Challis exclaimed, I looked up just in time to see a cougar disappear behind some scrub oaks. We knew from a trail cam, that there was a cougar in the area, but didn’t expect to see it!

Saturday morning, we drove back in time for our shift at the library, where the zone busy-ness may be settling down—a little. The last two hours of the day, I got to return to some of my own research. Nice.