On Friday my dear friends, Rulon and Billie Nixon let me tag along with them to St. George, so I could spend a few days with Tim.
We took a little detour on the way down and Rulon showed me around his hometown of Holden, Utah. This is a picture of his grandpa's barn. I LOVE old barns!
This is the home where Rulon lived. Sadly both of his parents passed away when he was still very young. His mom was about 47 and his dad was only about 50.
Rulon lived with his grandparents in this home. He had to grow up very fast and worked hard to make his way in life. He is a self-made man and is very successful. I attribute that to his strong work ethic.
Rulon was born upstairs in this home in Fillmore, Utah. Fillmore is just down to road from Holden.
The community of Fillmore was named by an act of the Utah Territorial Legislature signed by Brigham Young in 1851, honoring President Millard Fillmore. For a time, Fillmore was the territorial capital of Utah. The original Statehouse building stands today as the oldest existing governmental building in the state and is maintained by the State of Utah as a historic site and museum.
Tim has acquired several clients in St. George so for the past 6 weeks he has been staying in this condo during the week and has an office not too far away. We are facing one of the most difficult decision we have had to make ... to sell our home and move to St. George. Seeing each other on the weekend is NO way to live.
Robyn suggested we tour the Jacob Hamblin home in Santa Clara. We were glad we did, very interesting and I love pioneer history.
He had a very large family. This room upstairs was a large bedroom and playroom.
You can walk among the fruit trees in the nearby orchard and see the beautiful grapevines that Jacob's family grew.
Jacob Hamblin was called the "Friend of the Indians." While leading an expedition against hostile Indians in 1853, Jacob and his men discovered that their guns would not fire. Through that experience Jacob learned that his calling was to be a messenger of peace to the Indians. Jacob became highly regarded as a peacemaker among the Indians of Utah and Arizona. One of his best-remembered accomplishments as a peacemaker was his negotiation of the Treaty of Fort Defiance, New Mexico, in November 1870. This treaty was instrumental in helping the settlers and the Indians live in peace.
Jacob also made nine missionary visits to the Hopi villages of northern Arizona. In the process he reopened the ancient Ute Crossing, or Crossing of the Fathers, on the Colorado River.
We also took a drive through Snow Canyon.
Very beautiful!
This home is nearby Tim's condo and while these might not be what you would want in your front yard, you can appreciate the artistic endeavor.
The eagle was life-like and it seem to be sculpted with some kind of wire mesh. I know, but I thought it was interesting!
So this was the main attraction ... visiting Robyn and family and meeting baby Brig!! Robyn is doing well and looking forward to welcoming another son very soon. Brig is adorable and looks like Paige. He is long and I'm sure will be tall like his daddy. I am so glad I got to hold him! Gil and Gwyn are going to love their baby brother!
I love this sweet girl. She has tons of personality and is darling. She gave us a tour of their amazing garden.
Gwyn picked a handful of yummy peas for us to eat. She will be five on Friday and is a ray of pure sunshine!
On Sunday we went to church with Rulon and Billie. It was a wonderful meeting, the best talks I have heard in a long time.
They have a beautiful summer home in St. George.
I am very grateful for my friend, Billie! (We went shopping on Monday and as always had a great time!)
We broke the rules a little and had breakfast at the Bear Paw. I have been there a few times but Tim hasn't and since he loves breakfast food I knew he would enjoy it.
The Bear Paw is wonderful. The food is great, the home fries and French toast are the best!!!!
It was great to get away for a few days ... I might do it again next week!
Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones
