Pining for Ponderosa

For the last six years, Jason and I have gone camping every summer with the same group of people. This August, we continued the tradition with an overnight outing at Ponderosa Campground, which is located in Bear Canyon near Nephi. I was the one that suggested we pitch our tents at Ponderosa; I must be a genius or something because Ponderosa was pretty wonderful.

Salt Creek meandered beside our campsite, providing a harmonious flow to our chatter.
Salt Creek meandered beside our campsite, providing a harmonious flow to our chatter.

Ponderosa’s campsites are shaded by a stately grove of Ponderosa Pines that were planted a century ago. Under their protective canopy, the temperatures remain cool enough in the morning for sleeping in late without tent scorch and just chilly enough at night for appreciating a cozy fire. Yup, genius.

Our camping group is usually a little livelier than this.
Our camping group is usually a little livelier than this.

In way of evening entertainment, we gorged ourselves on our customary hotdog and s’mores roast, along with a heaping serving of campfire ghost stories dished out mostly by Drew and me. Our longest tale involved Stinky Joe, cacti monsters, zombies, kitty cats, logs and mummies, AKA a bunch of incongruent elements requested by the children. We had a flavorful and colorful night.

This Hunny Tree sure was sweet.
This Hunny Tree sure was sweet.

Before we came home the next day, we checked out a couple of close curiosities. A section of the forest adjacent to Ponderosa has lovingly been converted into Winnie-the-Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood. Over the years, visitors have added items and built houses for Piglet, Christopher Robin and the rest of the Pooh characters amongst the pines. The Wood was quite darling and popular with both the kids and adults in our group.

Eeyore is probably my favorite Pooh character so I was happy to pay him a visit.
Eeyore is probably my favorite Pooh character so I was happy to pay him a visit.

We also took a short hike to a nearby onyx quarry. Although some of the younger children complained through the entire trek about having to use their legs for moving, clearly a function those limbs were never designed for, their grievances were forgotten once we reached the quarry and an all-hands hunt began for the coolest pieces of Bacon Onyx hidden amongst the rock rubble. (Naturally, some ice cream bribery was involved.)

Mount Nebo, at 11,928 feet, was an imposing backdrop.
Mount Nebo, at 11,928 feet, was an imposing backdrop.

Our convoy decided to return home via the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway, a genius idea that I can’t take credit for. We ate a snack in the Devil’s Kitchen, a peculiar cluster of red conglomerate stone reminiscent of Bryce Canyon, and gawped at Mount Nebo’s geological magnificence.

Ponderosa was a satisfying continuation of our camping ritual. There were s’mores, shade, stones and Pooh aplenty. And what’s a camping trip without Pooh?

Arrowhead Alfresco

Last Valentine’s Day, I gave Jason a year’s worth of quality time in monthly installments. I’ll get more into the details of that on another occasion but, for now, I’m just going to cover our most recent quality outing.

I do a lot of photo experimentation these days; that dot on the fence is Jason.
I do a lot of photo experimentation these days; that dot on the fence is Jason.

My scheme for August was a picnic at Arrowhead Summit, which is located at the top of Sundance Resort. Up on that 8,250-foot ridge, the Heber and Utah Valleys sprawled on either side of us like sleepy companions while a grassy spot in the shade served as our living table.

We found the perfect grassy patch shaded by a cropping of aspens on which to picnic.
We found the perfect grassy patch shaded by a cropping of aspens on which to picnic.

We brought an eclectic but tasty assortment of fresh fruit, crisp veggies, hard-boiled eggs, salad, rolls and cookies for our alfresco dinning. It may sound like a tummy ache in a handbasket but it settled nicely.

The view from our picnic point was pretty remarkable.
The view from our picnic point was pretty remarkable.

After we stuffed ourselves with those diverse victuals, we decided to wander halfway down the mountain instead of taking the lift. If we had had more time for quality time that afternoon, we would have gone on a real hike but, sadly, this downhill ambling was all we could fit in.

I wouldn't call this hiking; it was more like walking on a mountain.
I wouldn’t call this hiking; it was more like walking on a mountain.

It’s not often a girl gets to cozy up with her man and a mountain all in the same afternoon. I was fortunate and full indeed.

Our Steamy Birthdays

Jason and I have birthdays relatively close to one another. Usually, he plans a birthday party for me and I organize a party for him. Juggling so many gatherings gets a bit cumbersome. So this year we decided to ditch cumbersomeness for awkwardness and arrange a joint birthday fandango for ourselves with a pirates and steampunks theme.

We held our party at historic Pioneer Hall, which was perfect given the theme.
We held our party at historic Pioneer Hall, which was perfect given the theme.
Robyn and I were going for a "Victorian gangster" vibe here.
Robyn and I were going for a “Victorian gangster” vibe here.

Since Jason and I are vintage dancing enthusiast, we opted to make the entertainment at our bash match the motif. We had our dance instructor teach the sweetest moves from the 1700s and 1800s to our guests. Although these steps were new to most attendees, our friends learned quickly. We had a few spills but they were all softened by laughter. Nicely done you scurvy blaggards!

The cake Robyn made for us featured riveted seams and vented steam.
The cake Robyn made for us featured riveted seams and vented steam.
Many of our friends showed up in attire befitting this affair.
Many of our friends showed up in attire befitting this affair.
Lucky Seven is an easy and energetic dance.
Lucky Seven is an easy and energetic dance.

The grub at our gig was much better than tack and jerky. We provided quiches, scones and tarts from Elizabeth’s English Bakery. Also, my friend Robyn made the most amazing cake for the affair. It actually vented steam.

Occasionally, a dancer fell flat but the dancing never did.
Occasionally, a dancer fell flat but the dancing never did.
Yes, I had some fun editing the pictures from the party.
Yes, I had some fun editing the pictures from the party.

It was a bang-up evening! Many thanks to the seadogs and odd sticks that joined us for this night of nautical, mechanical and edible delights.