Today was Elk Festival Day up at Hardware Ranch, (the same canyon that Uncle Harry ran down a couple of weeks ago) and we decided to check it out. The canyon is decked out in its fall colors and atmosphere was everywhere. On the way up the canyon to the ranch Doug Teeples saw a park named Hyrum City Park and it was perfect for picture taking and a little fun with a leaf fight. Who won is still being decided...

This festival is only one day and then the ranch closes until Dec. 14th, with sleigh rides out into the middle of lots of Elk. We are looking forward to trying that as an adventure this winter.

Today we heard children in a competition calling elk with what was called elk bugling. This is the sound elk make when calling to each other or trying to find a girlfriend. It was really fun watching kids use homemade instruments or just using their voices and their hands in different positions.
This picture displays an expresson on LaDenea's face which matches what she was saying, "Oh, that's sharp." She and the kids found the tree stump that would make a great posing spot except, that when Denea went to pose her behind she found the sharp part of the tree stump. Of course Doug was right there catching the whole thing on film.


At this festival there were lots of activities and everything was free, which made it even better. The kids painted pumpkins and shot bow and arrows. Then to make a great day even more perfect, we all went on a wagon ride out into the meadows which will soon be filled with elk spending the winter. Earlier in the day we saw a few elk on the ridge behind the pastures. We were told it was still too warm for them to come down to the pastures, but as soon as the temperatures drop the elk will show up in the hundreds looking for a free dinner. They will find it at Hardware Ranch because all through the winter months they are fed alfalfa. So, elk being a relative to the cow, will eat and then lay around chewing their chud.

It was a perfect fall day. Not to hot, not to cold. Not to sunny, not to cloudy, just perfect. But what made it even better was I was there to enjoy it all.

Many times I have seen "Hallmark" advertisments around Halloween time with fall colors in the background and people bundled up in the brisk weather out enjoying the holiday, and I have wondered if it is as good as it looks. I have visited different states that have had the display of fall and all its beauty and wonders. Then I would go home to my state that was limited in its season changes. I really enjoyed where I lived with its beaches and mild weather for over 50, almost 60 years. But when fall would rolled around I missed its definite presences. I would try to create a feeingl of fall with pumpkins and fall decorations to off set all the evergreens in our neighborhood. But still something was missing.

I have changed where I live to a different state, one that has four different seasons. This will be a new expereince and a good one I hope as winter approaches. But as for fall, this last week's drive up Logan canyon has proven to me that yes it is as good as it looks.

Yes, my heart still beats for you and only you.