Thursday, March 28, 2013

St. George, Utah and Zion National Park - Travelogue Week 010


Hello to family and friends from Zion National Park, Utah,
Sunday we went to Parowan, Utah to visit Sharisa and Rebecca (friends that moved from Creston four years ago). We got to meet Sharisa's new husband, Kim and they shared about Sharisa's conversion to Mormonism. We had a wonderful visit.

We continued down to St. George where we met up with our friends from home, Janet and Brad. They were there with their softball team to play in the Huntsman Senior Games. We had a great time with them, watching their games, eating, and just hanging out at the team's condominium. They ended up taking the "Gold", yeah! .

Tuesday morning we headed to Zion River RV Park which is about 40 minutes from St. George. We extended our stay here because we like it so much. Ellen hikes with the staff  as they explore new local areas. Pete works and hikes when he can. We went into Zion National Park three times to go on hikes. At night we sit in the spa with the staff and share stories. Friday Janet and Brad joined us for a trip into Zion.

Sunday we met a nice couple at Church and spent the afternoon at their house. They are leaving on Friday to spend the winter at  Desert Hot Springs.

Facts:
    Nestled  among the sandstone peaks of Zion National Park is the town of Springdale. Population 510
    Zion National Park elevations range from 3,700 feet o 8,800 feet.
    The area depends on tourism, ranching, fruit production and retail for its economy
    From Zion you are approximately 2 hours from Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon (North Rim), Lake Powell and Las Vegas.

You will probably want to visit Zion, so here is the yearly weather info to help you decide when to come.
           Weather Information
Month        Average Max-Min     Precip. in inches

January           52-29            1.6
February          57-31            1.6
March             63-36            1.7
April             73-43            1.3
May               83-52            0.7
June              93-60            0.6
July             100-68            0.8
August            97-66            1.6
September         91-60            0.8
October           78-49            1.0
November          63-37            1.2
December          53-30            1.5


Beautiful clouds on our way south from Provo, Utah


Rebecca, Sharisa and Kim


Brad up to bat during the Senior games


Zion National Park


Monkey Mesa Lunch Room for Federal Government testing facility


New best friends Jerry and Judi who worked here for the season and are now heading to Arroyo Grande!


Kolob Reservoir. Not motorcycle weather.


Marriage is For Better or Worse.  This is Worse!


View from under Weeping Rock in Zion.  All of this water just seeps out of the middle of the rocks.


Ellen and Janet on River Walk Hike


Brad soaking his ankles in the icy water of the Virgin River


28 motorhome coaches from Las Vegas Club in our park. Each brought their own palm trees.


Ellen on swinging bridge across Virgin River. Sign said "Danger. Keep  Out".  A definite must.


Next week we are moving on from Zion to warmer weather.

Love, Pete and EllenBy Pete . Ellen Mattson

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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Arches National Park - Travelogue Week 009


Dear Family and Friends,

Sunday, we had to leave the wedding in progress to get Melissa back to San Diego.  We spent Monday with Melissa and Emily, shopping and eating. It is always nice to be with the kids. We flew back to Salt Lake City and guess what?  The scooter was still there!  We spent the week working and watching live sports while parked at Layton Christian Academy.

We assembled 12 copies of GameTracker 3.0 to prepare for the Utah State Basketball Coaches' clinic at the end of the month.  Pete worked with Bobby Porter, coach of the Layton boys' varsity basketball team.  Once ready for the clinic, we headed toward St. George, Utah, spending the night in Provo.

Have a great week, see ya.

Love, Pete and Ellen


Coming into Salt Lake City


Coach Bobby Porter


Bobby's freshman daughter Jasmine playing center hitter on the varsity team


Below are the views from our MH at our LCA "camping site"



Lakeside RV Campground in Provo, Utah



More pictures from Arches National Park from last week. Balancing Rock below.


Suzuki scootin' mama


The homeless couple.
Delicate Arch
By Pete . Ellen Mattson

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Thursday, March 7, 2013

Visit to Home - Travelogue Week 008


Dear family and friends,

We left colorful Colorado and entered the majestic Arches National Park where we took hundreds of pictures. We will only send two because they have been preempted by something much more awesome and valuable to us: family and friends.

Balancing Rock at Arches National Park




We left our MH  near Salt Lake City and flew to California for a wedding.  We landed in San Diego and went to Sea World with Melissa, Emily and her boyfriend, Chad.

Our scooter at the last place that we saw it.  Will it still be at the airport when we return?



Chad and Emily at the dolphin tank in Sea World




Then we borrowed Em's car and headed to Paso Robles to Carla and Ron's house (Ellen's sister and brother-in-law).  Carla and Ron hosted a dinner with family.

Ron's parent's Ray and Ceil


Ellen's sisters, Carla and  Janice with Carla's son-in-law Ryan and Carla's daughter Michelle


Pete with Ellen's brother Larry, and brother-in-law Frank


Janice and Ellen


Saturday Pete had lunch with sons John and Nick.  Ellen joined her sisters for a birthday lunch for 2nd cousin Judy Holley.

Carla, Judy and Janice
Saturday night Frank and Janice made a taco dinner for friends and family.

Ellen's niece Renee and her son Bronson


Princesses Paris and Winter


Ellen with son John and grandson Cody



Long time friends Paul Layman and Janet Arthur pointing at a picture of Ellen pointing at a picture of Art's daughter Stephanie's wedding.  Feel free to point at Paul and Janet.


Larry's girlfriend, Judy, and Pete having way too much fun!


Sunday morning we went to the First Baptist Church in Paso Robles with Matt and Renee.  Besides meeting family there, we said "Hi" to friends from churches past.  Then we returned back to Janice and Frank's for lunch with more family.

Pete and brother-in-law Art


Ellen's nephew Jared, wife Liz and daughter Ava


Ellen's sister-in-law Kelli and her son Kevin


Ellen's great nephew Caleb (son of Jared and Liz)


Ellen's nieces Marie and Liz


Melissa, Kelli, Art, Matt and Kevin


Some of Ellen's and Janice's grandkids: Kalonie, Rebecca, Winter, Austin and Brittany


Ellen's great nephew, Bronson Johnson (son of Matt and Renee)


Ellen's niece Marie, husband Brian Roth; daughters,  Rebecca and Brittany


Kevin and girlfriend Desiree


Kalonie and Austin Mattson


Jared and Liz


At two o'clock we headed to the wedding of Janel and Rick .  Janel was the head coach for the North County Christian School girls varsity basketball team.  Pete assisted her for two years.  At the wedding we saw dozens of friends from the school.

Ellen and NCCS teachers and staff: Cayce, Sharon, Joan and Debbie.


Janel and Rick with Pastor/NCCS School Administer Rich/


Mr. and Mrs. Rick and Janel Armet


Pete, Diana and Paul and Larry.


Great friends Ken and Lucy, Sharon, Joan and Cayce


Melissa with other graduates: Kyle , Jennalee and Sarah.


Melissa and the gang


Thank you to all our friends and family that we were able to visit with.  And a special thank you to Frank and Janice for the meals and place to stay.

Love Pete and Ellen

That's it, nothing more this week, see you later!
By Pete . Ellen Mattson

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