Monticello

I love Monticello, Utah!   Here was where the seeds were planted that culminated in my baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  My Aunt Dawn Boyle and my two cousins, Scott and Bill still live here.  When we decided to do our little trek across Utah, I knew that Monticello had to be on our itinerary! We were welcomed by Scott and his wonderful wife, Cassie.  These are the two Mary and I visited in Madagascar and they are simply the best in every way.  Cassie's homemade bread alone would be worth the drive! Yum! 

Monticello has the first of the small temples the church has recently built. With smaller temples, more can be built so that many more members have easy access. 

We had planned a day of hiking but the weather didn't cooperate too well.  It was very cold and rained so we took a short little jaunt to the top of "Salvation Knoll."  Many members of our church will know the story of the so called "Hole in the Rock" pioneers.   Here is a very brief explanation.  The route they took is similar to the route George and I had just driven in our warm, comfortable car. 

At the call of Mormon church leaders in 1878, a company of pioneers was sent to colonize the San Juan Valley in South Eastern Utah.  Throughout the winter of 1879-1880, these Mormon pioneers built a wagon road, through the terribly rugged terrain between Escalante and the Four Corners area.  As the main body of pioneers labored to widen the treacherous descent through the 'Hole' or cleft in rock above the Colorado River Gorge, four advance scouts traveled through this area, searching for the most feasible route between the Colorado River and Montezuma Creek.  By the time the scouts reached this area, they were lost and out of food. 

On Christmas morning 1879,George Hobbs climbed to the top of this knoll searching for a recognizable landmark.  Hobbs recorded, "This was surely salvation knoll.  For looking to the northeast...I discovered the Blue Mountains about 10 miles away.  This was the landmark we had been looking for the last several days."  Although hindered by severe winter storms, the scouts, George Hobbs, George Moreel, Lemuel Redd and George Sevy succeeded in plotting a wagon route through some of the most difficult terrain in North America. 

That knoll that George Hobbs climbed is the very one we climbed. 

And we also could see Blue Mountain from the top.  And yes just like for the scouts, it was cold and windy.  So glad we could go back to our warm car! 

Blue Mountain is right by Monticello.  One of its claims to fame is the horse's head that is easily visible.  Can you see it?  I remember as a little girl trying so hard to find it.  Once you see it, it is totally clear.  It is right in the middle of the photo.  A horse head with a white blaze.... 

Of course the main reason we had come to Monticello was not hiking or mountains but the Boyle family that I love so much.  My Aunt Dawn is one of the kindest, sweetest, most pleasant people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.  She married my mother's brother, Eddie Boyle, lived in Lonoke for a short time and then moved to Monticello where they raised their family.  Our summer visits to them are what led me to the Church.  

I have 3 Boyle cousins, Doug who passed away a few years ago, Scott, and Bill.  All wonderful men who married well!  Bill's wife Linda wasn't home the evening we visited them.  

Here we are....cousins, in-laws and even a dog cousin!
 I am so glad that Families are Forever!  And that they are my family!