One of the reasons Dave and Jan chose to move to Cedar City in Utah is the city’s proximity to the mountains which border the eastern edge of the city – along with other mountains and mountain ranges in almost every direction.  So, while awaiting the completion of their house, they decided to take a hike in the nearby mountains.  And they didn’t need to travel far to hike because it is only around three or four miles from their house to Thunderbird Gardens Trailhead where there are several trails to choose from.

They chose to take a loop hike of around five miles on two trails which intersect around three miles up the mountain – beginning with the Ghost Flats trail.

There were some nice floral displays to be enjoyed along the way.

And, of course, the natural beauty of the area was accentuated by that of Dave’s favorite lady who well-deserved the day’s break after the months of packing she did for the move from California to Utah.  [By the way, though this blog was set up by Dave and Jan’s son Stephen with Jan’s name attached, those who have followed it may have guessed that it reflects primarily Dave’s perspective as the one who actually does the writing].

The trail through Stephen’s Canyon is surrounded by beautiful red rocks.

It wasn’t long before the Lightening Switch trail diverged from Ghost Flats.

From across Stephen’s Canyon it wasn’t difficult to see why the trail was named Lightening Switch Trail!

As the trail ascended the view of Cedar City below continued to open up.

There were some nice and varied and attractive floral displays to be enjoyed at various points along the way.

Looking toward the south, snow was still visible on some of the heights.

This telephoto shot shows a ball field several hundred yards from the house Dave and Jan are expecting to begin living in – perhaps as early as Friday, May 29th.

In the months and years ahead there are mountains across the valley to the southwest to be explored – along with the mountains just to the east of Cedar City.

Back in town the city’s patriotic perspective was on full display with the approach of the Memorial Day week-end at the beautiful veterans’ park just blocks from Dave and Jan’s new address – 421 North Highland Drive, Cedar City, Utah 84720.

So what’s not to like about Cedar City?  Dave and Jan are grateful for the way the Lord has “greased the skids” for their relocation to such a beautiful region of the country!

The cupboards at the newly built house Jan’s parents bought in Brea, CA in 1960 have not been bare since they moved in, but bare cupboards were one of the characteristics of Dave and Jan’s plans for moving on.

As the cupboards were emptied, the garage was increasingly filled with boxes of things to be moved from Brea to Cedar City, Utah by professional movers (Family Affair Moving of Fullerton), a company recommended by Ted Tardie, one of the faithful members of our Green Hills Baptist Church Life Group.

Jan’s dog Lola wasn’t quite sure what to make of all of the commotion as, little by little, everything seemed to be changing around her, but she kept a watchful eye on the process so she could be sure she would be included.

Friends and family paid visits to the house which has been home to the Badens and Balsleys for the past sixty years – including Don and Diane Harvey who live in Oregon but travel regularly to Southern California to care for a house which belongs to a family member who chooses to live elsewhere.

Caroleen Suzuki, who lived with Dave and Jan for six years while pursuing college training at Fullerton College and California State University Fullerton joined Jan in packing up some of the final things in the kitchen.

And, of course, Stephen and family stopped by for some visits and some fun and food as they anticipated the miles of separation in days ahead.

May 19th was the big day for the move of furniture from the house in Brea to await (stored in the truck) the completion of the new house in Cedar City and the arrangement of things in the new location in Cedar City.

Until then, this is what “home” looks like – although Dave and Jan have chosen motels over camping during most of the transition to their new address.

As much as they anticipate the comforts of their new house in Utah, Dave and Jan are grateful that “this world is not [their] home, [they’re] just a passing through, [their] treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue”!

While many Americans are running out of patience with the lock downs they have been experiencing because of the corona virus pandemic, Dave and Jan had the perfect excuse to “hit the road” in view of their anticipated move to Cedar City, Utah.  Besides, their house in Brea was tented for termite treatment so they needed another place to stay.  So they drove to Utah to see the progress on their house, to set up banking, and to make arrangements for mail delivery at their future address – 421 North Highland Drive, Cedar City, Utah 84720.  This was the first time to see the inside of the house, where walls and ceilings are finished, flooring was being installed, and cabinets were in the process of being installed.  Jan and Cindy (our realtor) were careful to maintain social distancing as they viewed progress in the nice-sized living room of the new house!

Dave and Jan like the view they are going to enjoy from their living room and dining room windows (minus the “porta potty” when all is complete).

Lola inspected the cabinets to see if they would meet with her approval.

Cabinets are up now in the kitchen, with counter tops under construction.

The exterior of the house is finished, with grading under way in the yard.

During their visit, Dave and Jan enjoyed walking trails to a small waterfall and along Coal Creek which are each a short distance from their new address.

They also drove up the Cedar Mountain to the Brian Head ski resort where conditions still looked a little like winter!

And ten miles west of town they explored the Three Peaks County Park where hiking and biking and picnicking and camping and all terrain vehicle driving and rock crawling and shooting at the rifle range are all options – with beautiful views back toward Cedar City and the mountain range immediately beside it to enjoy.

While there will be many people and things to be missed with their move to Utah, Dave and Jan are looking forward to many new people and things to be enjoyed in their new location in beautiful Cedar City.