Thursday, November 5, 2009

Purple Mountains Majesty & the Slippery Slope

A few weeks ago we went for a family drive up the canyon. I was sure that we would find some gorgeous fall leaves that I could take pictures of. I was a little disappointed to find green trees, or completely naked trees with the leaves blown off by a recent storm. I also didn't count on the snow! There was even ice on the road. My disappointment quickly turned to apprehension.

We hit a couple of icy patches, but nothing too terrible. We even saw three cyclists heading down from the top of the canyon, which we thought was pretty incredible (and cold!).

Then we hit a large icy patch going uphill, around a corner. The problem wasn't really the ice... it was the car stopped on our side of the road putting on their chains. We couldn't get around them and so we started sliding backwards down the hill. It was so scary! There were cars behind us and oncoming cars trying to go around the stopped car in front of us. Needless to say it wasn't a good situation.

We weren't sure anyone could make it up and around the icy corner. Some of the cars turned around (with Honey Daddy's assistance). Eventually the car blocking the road moved and we decided to give it a try. I think I had my eyes closed and my hands clenched... and was so relieved when we made it!

Then I was having one of those moments where I felt like my fun family idea had turned into something of a nightmare. It was starting to get dark and we hadn't had very much fun... much less taken any nice photos.

But then we found some spectacular scenery at the top.

Can you see why I love living near the mountains?

Even though I went back up the other side of the canyon a week later and got some gorgeous fall photos, I still really love these. Maybe it's because I feel that I earned these photos.... maybe it's because they redeemed what could have been a horrible trip... or maybe it's just because they are lovely.


PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Emily

12 comments:

  1. Your post title says it all. That is heaven right up there!

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  2. I can't believe that you get to look out your back door and that is what you see. Amazing!

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  3. What a gorgeous part of the country you live in.

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  4. Beautiful pictures! Once I slid on some ice, down a steep hill and over a bridge...it was terrifying!

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  5. So lovely. And, I feel like I was in that car with you. I, myself, have never driven in snow. Florida doesn't provide many opportunities for that...nor do we get those kind of miraculous photos! Great post!

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  6. They are beauftiful! And they do look quite purple in that fading sunlight. Very nice! And I am so glad that you didn't end up in a horrible car accident with the icy roads. Canyon roads and ice are a scary combination in Utah.

    Hey I have an award for you on my blog, its in the post just below my Photo Story Friday.
    If you'd like to stop by my blog I'm at Cake Crumbs.

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  7. The pictures you take around your home always take my breath away.

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  8. You earned them, and they were worth it -- Beautiful Shots!

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  9. I'm so glad you are all ok! That DOES sound scary!!!! Gorgeous photos though. God does fabulous work, lol!

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  10. That trip up to get these great photos sounds nerve wracking! Glad that you got them and that everything worked out fine.

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  11. Amazing!!!!!!!!!!! But that driving experience scares me to death just thinking about!

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  12. Wow, these are beautiful pictures! I want to visit the mountains some day!

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