Fun with the Hale's and events from the past months

Last Thursday, July 26, 2012, we thoroughly enjoyed a short but very sweet visit with son Aaron, daughter(in-law) Cami and family (missed our Hunter).  It was great to be with them and get caught up on their busy life.  The children have grown soooo much....Gavin has caught up with grandma now...Wow!  Hazel is as sweet as ever...walking..no...running and saying fun words.  Harrison and Graham were enjoying the lizard outside our trailer as well as collecting fun rocks.  Aaron and Cami look great. We had a short visit at the trailer then off for a picnic and tour at the Fort.  Then they were off to an appointed 5:30 dinner with Cami's uncle and aunt in Bountiful (3 hours up the road).  It was so wonderful to get in some squeezes and smooches.  Dan and I sat in our chairs and stared at the wall for a while after they left.  Couldn't believe we had such a short but sweet and memorable visit.   It was a nice family fix for us.

Sharing a few pictures of their visit and then some belated and recent trip photos.

On the rampart at the Fort.

These two pics were taken last night from our trailor.  Our camera could not catch the full double rainbow.  It was incredible!

 This was our May trip to St. George with the  Marrotts.  This is Brigham Young's home.

These are pictures from our trip with the Atwoods and Marrotts when we went to San Raffel. Beautiful paintings by Native Americans.

Dinosaur foot print.

 Overlooking the Little Grand Canyon.  San Rafael River at the San Rafael Swell.

Our Manti Miracle Pageant experience.  We were able to attend the pageant and work the information booth prior to the performance.  Pics of some of the performers out of the 900 performing.  Night pics on Dan's phone camera are not the best but gives you some idea of the massiveness of the hill and  number of performers.

Joseph Smith cabin on the left.....Nephite/Lamanite warriors on the right.

Christ visit to the Nephites

The saints being driven out of the MidWest and crossing the plains with hand carts.

Scores of angels on top of the wall...Joseph the securing the plates.

July 4th early morning Flag raising/program and breakfast.

A night at the Jenny Oaks Baker (Dallin H. Oaks daughter) Violin concert in Richfield with the Allens.

July 18th...Trip to St. George with the Perry's to the Tuachan outdoor amphitheater in the red rock canyon setting to see Aladdin.   Outstanding performance of professionals some of whom came from New York with lengthy stage performance experience.  The music, lights, acting, tech., scenery were amazing.  Even a scene in 3D when Aladdin went to the cave to get the lamp.  Aladdin and Jasmine even flew on the carpet right over the audience.  It was so enjoyable and fun!
The next day we toured and hiked in the Snow Canyon and then went to Pine Valley which is a small historic town and a National Park (Pine Valley National Park) where we enjoyed a picnic in the ponderosa pines.  The day was perfect.  Pine Valley reminded me a lot of OR.  Nice!

Snow Canyon

Elder Perry(top left), Elder Hale, Roger (Sister Perry's brother), Sister Perry.  Note: Elder Perry is the brother of Sis. Charlene Hendricks of Philomath.  Can you believe we are serving with them at Cove Fort?  Not by chance.  Tender mercies of our Heavenly Father.  The Perry's are from La Grand, OR.

Pine Valley Church constructed by a ship builder.  In the attic one can view the upside down construction that looks like the bottom of a ship.

It was a beautiful scenic and very memorable trip into some of Heavenly Father's amazing creative world.  Thanks Perry's.

Can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted.  Things have been very  busy here at Cove Fort.  We average about 450 to 500 visitors a day.  June was the month for lots of youth groups to visit.  They often would do a service project, take a tour, and picnic.  One day we had 160 youth come to visit.  I loved it!!!  July is a month of many vacationers.... It has been extremely dry in Utah the past month and a half.  The last few days we have received some much needed moisture.  Today after Sacrament meeting, Dan and I were on morning shift so went to the Fort around 9:30.  There were a few visitors and while finishing  a tour with a sweet family from Maine, we had a down pour!  I was amazed that all of a sudden there were all sorts of cars pulling into the Fort.  We were busy campers...holding umbrellas over our guests as we continued the tours.  Loved it!  Each day  brings joy and new affirmations of why we are here at this time.  We have met people from all over the world and have the opportunity to share the love we have of the Savior and the wonderful history of this great place which accommodated so many people traveling through this barren place.  It was definitely a way station for weary travelers who were on their way to new settlements as well as church leaders, dignitaries, native Americans and all sorts of interesting people.  The Hinckley family was very loving, giving, faithful, kind, and charitable people.  I love the spiritual way station it has become as the travelers who stop by now feel that wonderful spirit that dwells within the walls of this beautiful site.  I would love to share it with all of you.  It is an experience to behold.
We have had many opportunities to see many sites of this beautiful Utah country.  We were able to attend the Miracle Pageant in Manti at the Manti Temple.  We helped at the information booth and were able to watch the beautiful pageant which portrayed the Joseph Smith story and the trek west with Brigham Young.  It was all performed on the hill below the Manti Temple after dark with the beautiful Temple in the back ground.  What a blessing it was to meet some of the 2,000 in attendance.  We handed out brochures and pictures of the Savior.  There was a wonderful spirit there.  We were invited to stay in a lovely B & B that night with an amazing breakfast at the Bishop Barton's home the next morning.  Opportunity of a lifetime for us...so grateful.
I'll add some pictures of some of the places and events that have happened in the past month or so. Missin' our family and friends but happy, healthy, and grateful to be serving.

We went to Cedar City with our missionaries friends the Cranors and visited a State Park.  We also went to Bryce Canyon with them on another "P"day.

These are some pictures of the day Travis Kesler (the owner of our RV Park) moved his cattle from one pasture to the other. They passed right in front of the Fort.  His whole family was on horseback "roundin" them up.

These are pictures of the entrance before Bryce Canyon. This area is called the Red Canyon.

These are pictures taken in Bryce Canyon.  Breath taking!  You just had to be there. It's beauty is beyond words!

We decided to hike the 1.5 mi. Navajo Loop!  Only took 2 hours. 

Yes this was on the way down to the bottom of the canyon.  Those are people down there. It was a pretty steady down hill trail with a lot of switchbacks.

These are our friends The Cranors

Looking up from our descent.

This is the trek back up. Rather steep  (several stops to catch our breath)

This was called the Amphitheater.

We visited Bridal Point and Rainbow Point as well as other short stops in between.  All views were amazing!

One of the highlights at the Fort is watching the neighbor Bro. Pratt (who lives 1 mi. up the road) come to cut the alfalfa.  They are required to cut it with a  horse drawn cutter.  It was fun to watch and it smelled so good.

This is Peaches and Cream.  They are beautiful horses.

Elder Allen getting the scoop on how to manage the team and harvest the alfalfa from Bro. Pratt. You might recognize Bro. Pratt.   He helped his father with the wagon wheel demo. in the former pics.

I watched the process with our FM (service missionary) Sis. Scullen. (Her husband is in the back with the red shirt.  They along with 3 other couples take care of all the grounds as well as the 3 huge gardens.