Pal and Hatty in Paradise

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Day Trip to Lehman Caves

Hal and I took a fun "day trip" to Lehman Caves, which is in east-central Nevada near the Utah border.  We serve in the temple with many wonderful people from Delta, Utah and Hal kept hearing from some of them about these caves, that are near there.  We took the back roads through Santaquin, Genola, Goshen and headed south-east on old Highway 6.  It was interesting to see all of these small towns that we had heard of but hadn't visited all of them.  Highway 6 had many straight stretches that went on for miles and miles!

The caves are in the Great Basin National Park; and when we arrived there, we first took the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.
 The fall colors were magnificent on this drive through the South Snake Mountain Range.
 You can see Wheeler Peak in the background.
More views of Wheeler Peak
 The weather was perfect that day!  The views of the valley below were also stunning!
Gorgeous fall color!!

 We stopped and took a hike to Teresa Lake.  I thought this dead tree trunk along the path was interesting!
 The lake was small, but the scenery was grand!!
The Aspens and the pines make a lovely background for any photo!
After our hike, we drove back down the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive to the entrance of the Lehman caves.  We enjoyed the drive back just as much as the drive up!

We had tickets for the 1 hour guided tour through the caves.  You can see the entrance to the caves in the background.
These caves were discovered by Absalom Lehman in 1865, while riding his horse and falling through an opening into the caves below. 
The photo above shows the opening it is believed Lehman fell through.
These caves had the great examples of stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, flowstone, popcorn and even rare shield formations.  The photo above is of what they call the "Cypress Swamp".
 Interesting cave formations
 After our tour of the caves, we drove back to Delta and stopped for dinner at The Rancher restaurant and ate in the Gold Room.  We had the steak and prawns special and it was delicious!!

 We then finished our drive home and saw this beautiful full moon on our way.  It was a great "day trip"!

Monday, September 19, 2016

Game Day and London's Blessing

Game Day - BYU vs U of U 

September 10, 2016
Each year, Evan and Kelly host the BYU vs U of U game.  With graduates and fans of both schools, we have some fun and interesting rivalry!  We eat yummy  food and even the kids are dressed in their "school's colors".

This year's game was especially exciting right to the finish!  I wish the outcome had been different, but it was still a great game!

You can tell who is rooting for whom by the colors they are wearing.  
Wait ... Evan where are your BYU blues and whites? (And, blue jeans don't count!)  Of course, Hailey, Conrad, Dex and London are Utah State Fans so they are not dressed for this occasion!
Early score: BYU - 6          The U - 7
 Delicious food for the game
 A BYU cheerleader has been spotted!
 Conrad, Evan and Jon are trying their best to inflate their balloons!
Now Treygan is working hard to blow up a balloon!
BYU fan - Alex getting ready to blow up a balloon also.
Dex LOVED all of the balloons and balloon animals!

London Patricia Mickelsen's Blessing

Baby London was blessed at Hailey's parent's home on Sunday - September 11th.
Family and friends gathered for the sweet blessing given by Conrad and then a dinner of:
jdawg hot dogs with all the trimmings, fresh fruit, chips and brownies.
Baby London and dad
 Big brother Dex, London and Dad
Dorothy holding Dex with Lillian, Jon, Sam, Allison & Evie in the background
 Beautiful Hailey and London
I love this picture of London!
 Sweet baby girl dressed in white!
Aunt Tricia and London (I am not sure where the glasses came from.)
Violet June with London (There are those glasses again!)
 Uncle Preston with Violet and Ruby
 Ruby gives baby London a cousin's kiss!
 Proud grandma and grandpa - (You have to love London's cute shoes!)
Our host and barbecue expert - Stuart Johnson 
 Our hostess - Sandy Johnson
Dishing up the delicious lunch
It was a wonderful celebration for our newest addition to both the Johnson and Mickelsen families!