From Home to Home

I was on my way home from my parents' house in Arizona to my current residence, my brother's house, in Utah. I took Hwy 89 north through Kanab, in hopes of finding the apricot tree Mom said she saw and received permission to harvest from. I drove around a few times and couldn't see it, so continued on. I stopped at the Ranch to try to find somethings that were left at my Aunt's Reunion two weekends ago. The Ranch was nice and tidy with nothing left over, unfortunately. I continued my way north, enjoying a fast drive up the dirt road back to the highway. One of my favorite things to do is tear down a dirt road as fast as reasonably possible. I had a lesson taught to me about what isn't reasonable, but that is another story.

I stopped to replenish my snacks in Panguitch at the local market, then continued on my way. I was in a hurry to get home because I had an appointment to meet with my friend Chad. He is training to be a financial advisor. I told him I wasn't going to buy anything and he told me that he didn't want me to. I have been in school full-time for the past two years and haven't really had a job since I returned. I am not broke, but I am by no means well off. He called me right when I had turned off 89 onto the 20, which I always use to cut across to I-15. I pulled over to avoid losing him in the canyon. I love the 20, because it is 20 miles of twists and turns. It used to be more fun before they widened it, but at least it is safer now. Driving on it in snow used to be treacherous. Anyway, it is a lot of fun and I used to travel it so often that I knew exactly how fast I could safely take each turn, when I could coast and where each up and down was.

Chad told me that it was okay that I would be late because his trainer probably couldn't make it anyway. He was tied up at another appointment. Hearing that I decided to take the scenic route home. I jumped back on 89 and cruised about 55mph all the way home. I would speed up if another vehicle approached and couldn't pass easily, but then slowed down again. It is a 4.5 hour drive using the freeway, but it took about 9 for me to get home. My last Mission companion , John W., called me as I was coming into Manti about a technical problem. So I pulled over and wandered around the Temple grounds while I talked with him. I was there for over an hour and looked in every nook and cranny such that security was sent to check me out. I nodded as he past and continued on my way, settling on the grass. The sun went down and I figured I should git, so I said goodbye and got. I still felt like dawdling so took my time so long as there wasn't another car to hold up.

The best thing about travelling up 89 is the scenery and the peace. There isn't much traffic on the weekdays, even though it takes travellers between Zion, Bryce, Escalante, Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon. Not to mention it is one of two direct routes to Arizona. The road winds lazily through valleys, spending most of its time south of I-70 following the Sevier River, which flows north. The view changes from red cliffs to red mountains to white mountains, even some yellow ones, to the regular Rockies. You pass through little farming towns which are usually in places no one would have considered settling if it weren't for the Church sending their ancestors there. The deserts truly blossomed as a rose. Nearly every community is surrounded by lush green fields.

I am usually in a hurry so I don't take 89, but I am glad things worked out such that I could. I miss the days when gas was cheap and I could drive to my hearts content, visiting as many places as time would allow. I also usually stop and see family, but I had to bypass them because I was in a hurry with a couple errands. I was long past by the time I found out I could go on lazily. The beauty that God created when He put together Utah is simply amazing. I have found no place so barren and beautiful at the same time. To watch the sunset across the red cliffs is a great site to see. Our family ranch is located right in the middle of it all. When W. W. Phelps penned "Come, Come, Ye Saints" he must have seen our ranch and the experiences our family has shared on it as he wrote, "We'll find the place which God for us prepared, Far away in the West, Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid; There the Saints will be blessed. We'll make the air with music ring, Shout praises to our God and King; Above the rest these words we'll tell--All is well! All is well!" Everyone who spends a little time at the Ranch comes away feeling more peaceful and rested, even though chaos ensues. This part of the world is blessed. I suppose every part is blessed where there are faithful followers of God.

I am grateful for the opportunity to travel along Hwy 89, and even more so that I took the opportunity instead of continuing on to the freeway. That I can call this place home, is something that so many could only dream of, and yet for whatever reason that blessing is mine. Hopefully, I will be able to share it with someone soon.