Thursday, February 28, 2019

February Kite Flight

....... continuing from a previous post, we paralleled the House Range as the mud flung around the tires. The skies were a constantly changing palette of blue, white, and grey until the storm arrived.....





We returned to one of our favorite places. This fantastic "pack" on the hill made me smile. I love the simplicity of flying a kite. Even under moody February skies.
























It's been a treat to see this magical dunes in different seasons and moods. We played until the storm chased us away. What a great way to help close out the month. This adventure helped make February a little less dreary. 








"Happiness has no finish line. Be content in each journey." 

Monday, February 25, 2019

Marjum Pass

Aunt Audrey came to visit for the weekend. That always makes the days extra special. The kids love the extra attention :)




We adore our crazy Aunt Audrey! 


We've had many gloomy days this month with more clouds than sun, so it feels. My friend Rosaleen was in town visiting. We try to get out and do some exploring. Sometimes we really have to get motivated, but after the adventure (whatever it is) we are grateful we did it. It's easy to convince ourselves not to haha. We noticed storm clouds around most of the passes. Luckily, Marjum Pass wasn't too intimidating. There is a historical structure called "Hermit's Cave" that I haven't seen in years. I may have been Ava's age? I was eager to return and it would be such a blast from the past! It brings back memories of when we used to sight see all over the desert when we were kids. Boy, we were lucky!


The snow was much deeper than we expected. At least we had some brief periods of sun. When the clouds came through and the breeze blew..... it was cold. But, that's February. There was a short hike involved.....



Hermit's Cave:



Here's a little history from the internet about Hermit's Cave ~  
"The Hermit's Cave was constructed by a man named Bob Stinson. Bob served his country in World War I. Upon returning home from the war he learned that his girlfriend left and married another man. Heart broke he decided to travel to Delta Utah to visit his brother in 1929.
While making his way through the Marjum Pass just 45 miles from Delta Utah; Bob's house on wheels broke down. Looking for shelter Bob located a small natural cave in the side of a canyon. By using local rock, he enclosed the front of the cave which is now known as the Hermit's Cave House, or Hermit's Cabin. Bob was often called the Hermit of Marjum Pass.
The government paid him to keep the pass clear of debris, as it was at the time the major east/west highway from Delta to Nevada. To earn extra spending money he trapped bobcats and coyotes, mixed poisons for the government to kill grasshoppers, and he even raised a handful of sheep. When Bob would have visitors, out of the greatness of his heart, he would offer them a glass of home brew.
In 1951 Bob lost his road job when the new paved highway was built several miles to the south. Bob, then in his 70's, moved into Delta to be near a few more creature comforts. At the age of 80 when Bob passed away he was cremated and his ashes were spread at the base of the rock house he built in Marjum Pass." 




Inside, it was comfortable ~ a nice break from the chilly breeze.




Ava's ghost trick :) 











You never know what you will run across in the desert..... glad it wasn't us that broke down! Haha


On the way back home, we took a detour to revisit one of our special places.... in my next post  ;)