Scones and Shakespeare

Thanks to Paul and Ruth, Bruce and I were able to escape for an overnight getaway last night. We went with our friends Greg and Jolene to the Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City. We stopped for lunch at the Family Tree on Main Street in Santaquin, known for their delicious and GIANT scones. The restaurant has been owned by the same family for many years, and all of their family pictures hang on the walls inside. Below is Bruce showing off both a famous scone and, over his shoulder, an 80's glamour shot. Of course, we were in Santaquin, so for all we know that picture was taken last week.

We detoured in Cove Fort on our way to Cedar City. It was a fort built by Ira Hinckley in the 1800's, which served as stagecoach stop, hotel, telegraph station, and post office. It was very interesting, and I must admit that in 33 years of traveling this whole state, I have never once even considered stopping. It was Greg's and Jolene's idea and it was worth the small detour.
Due to the unfortunate perspective of the above photo, it appears that Bruce and I are traveling with a couple of midgets. Rest assured, our friends are of normal size.

We stayed at the Willow Glen B&B in Cedar City. It was quaint but clean. We asked for an early breakfast, and the man at the desk said he would have to ask the chef. We later found out the chef was actually his wife. On the way to our rooms, the desk man said, "...and that's where my mother lives..." which conjured up endless Norman Bates references. The fear was only reinforced when Bruce and I noticed that in our room the deadbolt to the bathroom door was on the wrong side, meaning you couldn't lock anyone out, but you could certainly be locked IN. Our room was called the "View Room," but the only actual view was looking in on us, since the curtains had to be open to get any cooling at all. I guess that's what you are supposed to love about b&b's- you never know what you are going to get, and you avoid the mind numbing sights and smells of yet ANOTHER Hampton Inn. And the breakfast was quite good.


We saw Fiddler on the Roof. It was very nicely done. I realize we were at the Shakespearean Festival, but Fiddler on the Roof received (well deserved!) excellent reviews.

Look at our crazy antics! I bet the gift shop staff has never seen this before!

The next morning, the men went golfing and Jo and I read Breaking Dawn. (Like every other Mormon female on the planet.)
In the afternoon, we headed up to Cedar Breaks National Monument. As luck would have it, an eagle was being released back into the wild from the lookout there. It was amazing to hear the Native Americans speak with such reverence about the eagles. They believe that the eagle collects the prayers of the people on earth and takes them to heaven, then returns with the blessings from heaven to deliver to those on earth.

This man rescues eagles. Some he keeps wild to be re-released, and some, like the one pictured above, stay with him. An eagle can spy a jack rabbit up to five miles away. I think this one has his eye on something, and the man was VERY DILIGENT about keeping small children away.

After lunch in Parowan and a pit stop for ice cream at the cheese factory in Beaver, we are home and happy to see our girls. I speak in sacrament meeting tomorrow, so I will report back as to how that goes.