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We have made it a family tradition traveling to Utah each July to visit family and celebrate the anniversary of our great country. Utah has so much to offer, that each year we find ourselves having to pick and choose what activities we are going to enlist ourselves in. I have decided to highlight some of our favorites, from this year and years past.
Provo's Hot Air Balloon Festival
This is great fun! Especially for early risers. Plan on arriving by 6:00am, bring a blanket or chairs to sit on and enjoy watching about 20 balloons inflate and float off into the morning sky. From giant strawberries to Smoky the Bear this activity is sure to please young and old alike. This event takes place on both the 3rd and the 4th of July. On the 3rd, the local Fire Dept hosts a breakfast fund raiser, Friday a 5k, 10k and a one mile family fun run begin around seven followed by the annual Freedom Festival Parade.
This year we opted for the race. The energy felt in the air is a mixture of patriotism, family , and community, as thousands of runners ranging from 5 to over 50 begin the race on the streets of downtown Provo passing spectators gathered together waving flags and yelling out sentiments of encouragement. The first two miles came easy and by the third I began using my minimalist approach to competition, sighting a runner,(or walker) just ahead of me and telling myself "okay-I can beat them". "Ugh, I'm so ready to be done", I think to myself as my pace slows to a jog slower than my walking stride. I round the corner and there my husband is jogging towards me(he finished the race 7 minutes ahead of me), and exclaims "your going to beat your old time!" A jolt of adrenaline pulsed through me as I started into a sprint to the finish line- "This feels great" I think to myself, mentally taking note of the similarity of that last few minutes of child birth and the endorphin high that follows. I cross the finish line a few seconds sooner than my last race time, pick up my race tee-shirt and medal and make my way over to the water table. The Killers are being played over the PA system, the sky is adorned by a few remaining hot air balloons, orange peels litter the park grounds and finished runners reunite with their families and make their way back to the parade route in search no doubt for a spot to enjoy the coming festivities. We walk a few blocks and find Jareds mom aka "Gramma Green" and our kids sitting on the side of the road with the hundreds of other parade goers each with a water bottle in hand. "Did you win the race Mom"?, my youngest asks as he eyes the foot shaped medal around my neck- "Yes" I exclaimed-not wanting to disappoint, "I beat my old time, and that's winning enough for me"...
Timpanogas Cave
This is a great outing for those who don't mind a little work to get to the prize- A tour of Timpanogas Cave. Stalactites and stalagmites, cave bacon and flow stone abound. The rangers do a great job explaining the geological and historical points of the cave. The cave has been preserved nicely, but is not as strict as some when it comes to touching the damp walls of flow stone and allowing curious little fingers to explore the texture of the ancient stalagmites. The hike down takes about half the time as the hike up- carry plenty of water and be prepared for tired little legs if your traveling with children. Worth the hike, and don't pass up the opportunity to take the scenic drive around the canyon.
Stadium of Fire
Every Fourth of July we gather as a very large extended family on the lawn outside of the Stadium of Fire. We arrive by 5:00pm have a picnic dinner and enjoy one anothers company as the cousins spend the preceding hours leading up to the fireworks playing playing playing. We listen to the performances from inside the Stadium, watch as the skydivers plummet from the sky floating into the stadium one by one creating the build up to the F-16 fly over. The sound of the after burners penetrate the air creating a sensation that shakes my core and makes my heart race. I hold our children close as our fingers trace the sky and follow the jets to the horizon. The sky darkens and the sound of snap caps fill the air and sparklers light up the gleeful faces dashing in between the lounging adults. Watching my children play with their cousins knowing memories and bonds are being created fills me with a sense of gratitude for all the blessings I have had. Grateful for the carefree nature of my children, and the freedoms we enjoy and even take for granted each day. The Stadium erupts with fire signaling the beginning of the fire works show. I call to the kids and motion for them to join Jared and I on the blanket. We lay down holding our children close and watch the night sky explode in color for a 45 minute fireworks extravaganza, that leaves my oldest in awe pointing out her favorites and my youngest fast asleep in my arms with his hands clasped around his ears. 11:00pm arrives and we join the masses in exodus to the parking lots around the stadium. It has taken a good hour or so in the past to pullout onto to the street for the journey home, but this year we managed in a good half hour or so. The drive out of the parking area always proves to be an adventure in and of its self...
previous travel blog entry
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