Out for a Drive

It may be an old time past time to go out for a drive but it’s one of our family’s favorite lazy Sunday activities. This drive was a spontaneous turn off the Cascade Springs scenic byway onto Mill Canyon road. It’s a dirt biker’s dream with trails that crisscross the Wasatch range. A 4 wheel drive vehicle is a must there.

Mountain Dad and I packed a picnic which we all enjoyed while overlooking Utah valley on one side and Hebert valley on the other.

Full moon lift ride at Sundance

Living in the mountains is especially magical when there is a full moon.  The otherworldly quality of the silver moonlight on the aspens and oaks is magnificent.  With the summer solstice later this month the days are getting longer and longer.  And because of that, the nights are shorter and shorter leaving less time to enjoy the beauty of a moonlit world.  Lucky for Mountain Dad and me we live near Sundance Resort.
Throughout the summer Sundance offers moonlight lift rides during the full moon.  So Monday night saw us in line at 9:00 pm for a relaxing ride up the mountain.  Soaring over the pine trees and mountain bike trails into the twilight was like leaving a mundane world for a magical one.  The warm wind on our face got colder the higher we got.  The pleasant ride next to my sweetheart was one part romance, another adventure.  The moon was blocked by the mountains at the base but after 10 minutes on Rays Lift we saw the bright yellow orb rising in the east.  It was beautiful and lit everything with its otherworldly glow.
I have to say this was one of my favorite experiences so far this year.  It was fun to get out into nature and experience the beauty of that bright night sky.