Family Trip, Day 4

On Saturday morning, day 4, Grandpa Glen decided on an impromptu trip up Provo Canyon. We stopped for a walk along the Provo River leading to Bridalveil Falls. Copious amounts of snow fell in the Utah mountains this winter and the rivers and streams are full and fast. I have never seen the Provo River so fast. We watched a kayak flash by in a second! There had been several drownings in Utah state waterways during the month of June.

We walked onto the bridge over the river where looking down at the rushing river made one dizzy.

It is not its placid inner tube floating self this summer.

But it is awe inspiring.

The grand kids teased grandpa about sitting on this bench and bending it.

They decided to all take ownership and let me take their picture.

Soon we were at the Falls. There are several in the canyon, but this one has always been my favorite.

TJ had purchased a camera with his own money and he was busy snapping away as well.

They wanted to wade but once again, we were sans swimsuits and they had already worn sodden clothes the day before. I also knew that this water would be extremely cold being snow melt and all.

Grandpa wanted a picture with the kids.

TJ took one and then jumped in for a second shot. Notice how he is almost as tall as grandpa? When did that happen!?

We told them how there used to be a tramway to the top where there was a restaurant and a place to get an ice cream cone at the bottom. We reminisced about riding that tram with our own little family and hiking around at the top. These brown sheds were the bottom.

And the tram went all the way up to the highest point in this picture where there was also the restaurant. Happy days!

We would soon find ourselves on the other side of the mountain in the background.

And here it is! Can you pick out the Timpanogos Waterfall? It looked so big when I took the picture, but there it is about center left. We were now at Sundance and had purchased tickets for the ski lift.

The grand kids were a bit nervous about letting the bench catch them from behind, but they did a great job. I snapped a picture as we reached the top and Glen and the kids were headed back down.

The views were very green and gorgeous. I was fortunate to have TJ as my ski lift companion. This is the view looking east.

And looking to the west is the Eccles Amphitheater where we had attended the Utah Symphony the night before.

That's Glen and kids in front of us and Sundance Resort buildings in the cleared spaces at the bottom. We are now facing north. It takes about 45 minutes to ride up and back down.

There was more rushing water running through the center of the resort buildings. It was an enjoyable outing.

Before heading to the canyon, Glen had taken chairs and tables to rope us off a space on the lawn in front of the Provo Temple grounds so that we might watch the fireworks display from the Stadium of Fire that evening. We made our way back to our reserved spot about 6:30 that evening with pizzas, baby carrots, cherries, and watermelon.

Oh, and whizzing balloons, giant bubble wands, and glow in the dark pendants. We were ready for a great time and soon had other children flocking to our fun grandpa and his toys. It kept them entertained until the fireworks at 9:30.

There was also a bit of face painting.

We were so happy to have Ruby and Sadie and their other extended family join us on the grass.

My son, David, and his wife, Sally, both had grandparents living within walking distance of this patch of grass when they were children. We are sure that they must have passed each other by on just such a night as we were now enjoying.

Earlier in the day while waiting for the bus to take us back to parking at Sundance, I had discovered this setting on my camera. Never knew it existed for a whole year.

Interesting, eh?

And that's Sundance, rustic and beautiful all at the same time!

Saturday was another busy, fun filled late night day.