Early Fall Events in Southern Utah

Our house construction in Rockville is progressing rapidly--now insulation and all "rough-in" work is done and sheet-rocking begins tomorrow!  We've also taken some time off to enjoy some of the early fall events around St George such as the famous Marathon, World Senior Games, and this year--the 150th anniversary of the founding of St George as a "cotton mission" by the early Mormon pioneers.  The fall colors are turning in the hills and soon will be seen along the Virgin River as well.  Next week we receive friends from Salt Lake City to camp and hike and enjoy other events of the season, including some great art shows and jazz concerts!  Below are some photos from this months events...enjoy!

Celeste (our granddaughter) in summer dress while visiting her maternal grandparents in St Petersburg Russia - the statues are at the famous Peterhof (Summer Gardens) of Peter the Great

The 2011 St George Marathon

Our house is progressing with insulation, windows, etc...

The St George Wagon Train--150th anniversary (1862-2012)

Mules getting some well-deserved chow

An old Scotsman using his spinning wheel

Remembering the Handcarts of early Mormon pioneers

The wagon train gets to the end of the line

Cowgirls at the Wagon Train event

Spinning cotton

Making lead bullets (balls) the old fashion way

Some historic firearms from the mid-1800s

A beautiful horse!

Remembering the Dixie Cotton Mission in St George

Site of the 2011 World Senior Games

A small boy and his horse

Getting some deserved rest!

ENJOY AND DO COME BACK LATER!

A Beautiful First Day of Fall on the Ford Ranch in Rockville Utah

Yesterday was such a glorious first day of fall (and end of summer)....!  We also enjoyed meeting some horses who just became our neighbors in the adjacent field.  The last cutting of hay will occur today as well.  Such a beautiful time of the year!!  See some photo memories below....

Our house construction project is also progressing well--we're now transitioning to "finishing" such as roof, plumbing, electrical insulation, heating & cooling etc.  Karen and I were out making some of the decisions needed today, such as, planning for cabinets in the kitchen, doors, windows, stucco, colors, etc.  We wish you all a wonderful Fall!

The Walls are Rising on our New Home!

Well, since our last post (August 2) the walls are going up (just today) so our new home is getting very real!  Here are a few more photos for those following our work.  We've now added photos that go through September 15 to show further progress--two months to-the-day since we started work....  Enjoy!

Filling in the space for the garage looking back south toward Grafton Road and the entry gate

Preparing to raise the first walls

Preparing to raise the first walls

First walls going up

First walls going up!

Picture-perfect view which we'll see from our kitchen/Great room

Looking south from Grafton Road to the house site with Mt Kinesawa in the background
and the many cottonwood trees along the Virgin River which goes through our property

Virgin River Valley south rim near Smithsonian Butte (view from north)

The Virgin River/Smithsonian Butte Bench south of our house

View from in our "hay fields" north of the house looking back south

Mt Kinesawa in Zion NP and walls going up on our new home

Walls going up (view from south to north)

Workers putting up trusses

View toward north from what will be the main living area

View from the Northwest in our fields to the southwest

The front entrance and the sunroom (south exposure)

View from the southwest to garage

Mt Kinesawa (in Zion NP) in background & house from Grafton Road

The view from what will be the back porch!

The house framing and roof nearly done

Grafton Road toward Bridge Mtn and The Watchman over our property (Zion)

View north from Grafton road and our gate

Roof almost done & Mt Kinesawa (Zion NP)

Roof almost done

Looking at the north side of the house from our hay fields back toward the Smithsonian Butte plateau

 Our builder's sign looking north across our fields toward the Virgin River & Mt Kinesawa

The house is now all framed--roofing goes on starting September 19

Our house--all framed--from Grafton road along south fence looking toward Zion NP

View down the east fence line to our peach trees

The view we'll have from our back porch to Mt Kinesawa in Zion

Clouds after a storm near sunset over Bridge Mtn and TheWatchman (Zion NP)

ENJOY!