It's interesting how you come to appreciate your hometown more when you show family visitors around. Taking the time to really look and see what you daily take for granted can be enlightening. We've had fun showing my son Jeff and wife Rachel around our area's historic buildings which includes Brigham Young's winter home. He was the second prophet of our church after Joseph Smith. Brigham was a modern Moses who led the Saints to safety out of the United States from Nauvoo, Illinois into what became the territory of Desert and later the state of Utah. When Brigham was in his 70s he discovered how delightful the winters were in Southern Utah and decided to spend his winters in this area after the advent of the telegram that made it possible for him to communicate with other church leaders up north in Salt Lake City. Here's a photo of Jeff and Rachel in front of Brigham Young's winter home––he was our first snowbird. It was 80 degrees today and delightful.
Jacob Hamblin's home in Santa Clara. He was a Mormon missionary to the Indians of this area in 1860s. We toured his home and enjoyed hearing the story of his life. The pioneer grave is of his wife Rachel Judd Hamblin who is related to my new daughter-in-law whose maiden name is also Rachel Judd.Then we traveled to a nearby area of Kayenta where there is a fun art village. See photos below.
A bunch of twirling windmills.
Lin, You mention how a person can come to re-appreciate one's hometown when showing visitors around. It's true! It's like we've been given new eyes to see.
ReplyDeleteGlad you all had a wonderful time together.
So true. There are some things in my area that I need to revisit.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you've got so many interesting places to visit. I feel like it's the same place all the time on Oahu. There's only so much scenery to look at on this small island.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE those twirling windmills. They're sold at an art gallery in Kennebunk, but the price tags on them are "prohibitive," to put it mildly.
ReplyDeleteSounds as though you had a great visit and a fun trip! That's always good!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures!!
ReplyDeleteI love Kayenta!! It's such an interesting little community! The landscape, homes, and artwork blend seemlessly together. Not to mention that the best looking builder on the entire planet builds exclusively in Kayenta. It's definitely worth going to the home shows in Kayenta to feast your eyes on the particular piece of living artwork. Omigosh! I sound like a "dirty old lady".
ReplyDeleteThe B.Y. home is great for sure... I think however that the Hamblin home is my favorite. I kind of like the way it sits up against the hill.
It is true that there are so many fun and interesting things to see in and around St George.
Your 80 degree weather is sounding enviable. It's snowing here again today. Can you believe it? Yesterday was sunny and in the 70's. Today, it's been windy (as in New Harmony windy) and now it's starting a weak snowfall. groan...
It is fun to be a tourist in your own "homeland".
ReplyDeleteAll of that is fun and interesting. Your photos make me realize how sheltered and small things are in the Northeast.
ReplyDeleteYou make and interesting point..the first place people want to see when they come to this area is Niagara Falls..which is beautiful, but there are other interesting places to see too...
ReplyDeleteThat looks so fun! There is so much to do and to be seen where I grew up (in Independence, CA) I took it for granted! Now I can only see those things when I visit!
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