Utah, Day Four

 Wednesday - If we thought the weather in So Cal this summer has been a bit schizophrenic, it is almost nothing compared to what we experience in Utah.  We had been prepared on the drive up when, after watching lightening strike continually on the horizon, we experienced a full on power wash rain downpour in the middle of the desert.  Our first couple of days here were hot and dry, but today was a definite switch from all that. Clouds rolled across the valley all day, and it rained off and on throughout the afternoon.  Around 5 p.m. the rain starts to fall again, and this time we realize that it is much more intense, and it soon turns into hail.  The twins can't help but run around outside in the back yard enjoying this quick-change act of nature. 

on the grass and the deck, this is hail! 

the moisture makes the area in the neighborhood and the

towering Mt. Olympus seem that much more green and lush 

The plan after dinner is to head up our neighborhood canyon Millcreek Canyon so we can do some fishing.  To fulfill one of the requirements for the Boy Scout fishing merit badge Jack needs to catch two fish, prepare one for eating, cook it and eat it.  He and Pete had gone fishing at Scout Camp the week before our trip up here, but they hadn't had any luck in catching one.  We still had the borrowed fishing equipment with us, so once we decided the weather was going to hold out for a bit, we pile into a couple of cars and head up the canyon to try our hand at fishing. 

 I've been in Millcreek Canyon countless times, and I'm always amazed at the beauty of this expanse of nature so close to home.  I have many, many memories of coming up the canyon when I was younger and our family would have dinner at one of the picnic areas, and then enjoy a hike around the namesake creek.  In high school it was a popular spot to come when one was skipping class (or so I've heard).  Like so many places and things associated with Utah I love bringing my kids here so that they can experience some of the same things I did when I was their age and we can share some of the same childhood memories. 

This area of boardwalk along the creek and the fishing hole created by a small dam and waterfall is a newer addition, and it is a perfect place for us to come and do our fishing.  

Grandpa Bob is the perfect fishing mentor and is patient and encouraging

 in helping Jack get the hook, line, sinker and bait prepared for the cast. 

Harriet and Jed take a turn as well 

Spectators from the main dock

After some attempts in the fishing hole, and after several

hooks cast into the surrounding foliage, Jack moves over

and starts to fish off the dock into the pool at the bottom of the waterfall

In almost no time at all fishing from that spot 

Jack hooks and reels in a beautiful brown trout 

Grandpa assists in the hook removal.  We weren't prepared to keep the

fish so decided to catch and release.  Kind of a shame actually

because this was a beautiful fish which was probably delicious.  Plus,

we are pretty sure that it didn't make it after we removed the hook, posed

for pictures with it, and finally tossed it back into the creek. 

Instead we head home and eat delicious mini hamburgers

made of vanilla wafers, mint cookies, and colored frosting