Festive Fall

Jordan and I were walking to work one morning when we saw this amazing sunrise.

The first storm of the season came in suddenly and left just as suddenly.  It was a high of 30 degrees with a wind chill factor of ten below. It was so COLD! We were happy when the next day it was back to being sunny and warm. 

 

Sharon and I carved pumpkins in her apartment to decorate the front desk.  It made it feel much more festive and I think we did a pretty good job.

Game night at Zion Ponderosa! 

The very few of us left working during the fall have spent the last few nights playing Skip Bo, Phase Ten and a really fun game called Last Word. 

While Caitlin, Ryan and his parents were visiting the resort we decided to go on an ATV tour.  Jordan just happened to be the guide who could take us. 

Jordan and I were the only one's who had ever driven an ATV before so it was really fun being with them as they experienced handling an ATV for the first time.  They had a few moments of missing the turn off for the trail, rolling backwards on a hill, getting really dirty, and having a lot of fun.    

Angel's Landing

"The route to Angels Landing involves travel along a steep, narrow ridge with support chains anchored intermittently along the route. Footing can be slippery even when the rock is dry. Unevenly surfaced steps are cut into the rock with major cliff dropoffs adjacent. Keep off when it is wet, icy or thunderstorms are in the area. Plan to be off before dark. Younger children should skip this trail; older children must be closely supervised."

Caitlin, Ryan and Ryan's parents came to Zion National Park for the weekend. 

Ryan, Jordan and Ryan's parents wanted to hike to Angel's Landing.  Ryan's parents hiked to Scout Lookout while Jordan and Ryan went up the chains to the top of Angel's Landing. 

Caitlin and I decided to go into Springdale for the morning and spent the day going to see different artists and stopped at the local stores and orchard. We had a great day just being together as sisters.  I loved having family here.  And although we weren't able to spend a lot of time together we really had a great weekend having them here. 

Angel's watching over my family

Jordan and Jonathan were sent to an outdoor and recreation fair for a few days in Salt Lake City. 
Jordan was driving our general manager's truck and Jonathan was driving behind Jordan in the company van.  They left around 7pm. 

Just outside of Bryce Canyon, Jonathan said that he saw the taillights of the truck swerve, shift into reverse, swerve again and then the truck slowly pull over onto the side of the road.  He jumped out of the van and what he saw was nothing short of a miracle.  The front of the truck had been pushed up and wrapped above the roof of the truck.  The passenger side wheel had been smashed into the cab of the truck left resting on the steering wheel.  They immediately called 911. The paramedics came and they discovered that Jordan had walked away with not a scratch on him.  A little sore from hitting the steering wheel but no injuries.

What happened was as Jordan was driving at 65 mph when he came around a blind corner. Standing in the middle of the highway was a large black cow.  With no reaction time there was little Jordan could do but try to keep control of the truck as he hit the cow.

I was told about the accident the next morning.  I stopped into the lodge for breakfast and my coworker Sharon asked if I had heard from Jordan yet.  I knew from the look on her face that something had happened.  I called Jordan who calmly told me that he was fine, and that he loved me and would be home in a few days.

I know without doubt that angels were with Jordan that night.  I feel so incredibly grateful for the protection that was given and so blessed for the miracle that had happened. 

    

Moments from Jordan's trip to the San Rafael Swell

September Wrap Up

September went by so quickly. Here is a brief recap of our month in Zion National Park. 

Jordan and I have been constantly working at the resort.  We meet such interesting people from all around the world each week.  Some guests are friendly, courteous and so happy to be here.  While others hate it the moment they drive into the resort.  My favorite guests to come were an older couple who walked in and immediately asked to be upgraded to the best place possible (this was before they ever saw where they were staying), next they asked for organic tea to be brought to them each morning, the music be turned off at the pool, the hot tub to have more bubbles and the temperature to be cooled down, and my favorite, terry cloth bathrobes, which they walked around in (with nothing underneath) their entire stay.  We do our best to accommodate each guest but there are some who we can't help but be completely entertained by.  

We worked the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort booth at the St George Marathon Expo.  We sat at the booth, handed out fliers, signed people up for a drawing and answered questions.  Most people asked about Zion National Park not the resort and it is surprising how much I have learned about Zion's hiking trails, restrictions, hours, ect over the last few years.  I felt pretty knowledgeable. As a bonus for going to the expo the resort bought us dinner.   

Jordan went with our friends Jonathan and Issac to The San Rafael Swell.  He spent a few days in several slot canyons TA-ing for Issacs BYU's canyoneering class. He loved being with the boys for a few days amd playing in the canyons. Sadly while Jordan was there he forgot his backpack along with our camera so no pictures for awhile.

We learned through experience the importance of keeping an eternal perspective, having hope and how comforting the temple can be.     

We celebrated our one year anniversary!!!  Originally we had planned on going to the St George temple and then to a Thai resturant for dinner.  We realized that both of us were working and that our plan would have to be altered.  So after talking it over we decided to save up our money and celebrate a little later by going to the Tuachan in St George to see Thriller for Halloween with Thai food before the show.  I am so excited!  Jordan is loving, caring, protective, funny, hard working and my best friend.  I feel so blessed to be building a life with him and excited to see where the next few years take us.