timp falls

In July some of the school aged kids took part in Jessica Knight's folk music camp. They met daily for two weeks.  Jessica  offers several sessions throughout the summer.  This session happened to be at an elementary school in Mapleton, a small town to the south of Provo.  While the big kids were off with their banjo, cello, guitar, and violins, I took the little ones to Mapleton Park, that we called Shady Park because of the beautiful, large trees, presumably maples.

 On Pioneer Day the class met at Mapleton Park to perform at the small town celebration.

 The kids enjoyed the carnival afterwards.

My good friend Janis and I persisted in our coercing our children on hikes.  This is the parking lot at the Timpanogas Trailhead.   We hiked up to the Timpanogas falls, 

Which was just right for Grant.

salem pond

Friday August 17, the kids were invited  by their music teacher, Jessica Knight, to participate in a bluegrass concert with other students at Salem Pond.  Kyle wasn't feeling well or he would have joined them on his banjo.  Mary's violin was being repaired, so she had to miss out as well, but the five of them have made some good progress this summer. Bethany just started guitar in June because she wanted to participate in Jessica's bluegrass camp. After two weeks she was eager to perform a short solo at the closing concert. I admired and envied her courage!

I count Jessica as one of the many blessings of our time in Provo.  She is just what we hoped for: versatile, folksy, fun, inspiring.  I love that bluegrass allows students of all ages and abilities to play together and sound great.

Salem Pond seems like a fun place to come back for fishing.  It is stocked with rainbow trout.