Get Up and Go

By Judy Leavitt
Itinerary/directions: (St. George), I-15 north, Leeds/Silver Reef, I-15, (Cedar City), Iron Mission State Park, Hwy 56 west, Old Iron Town, Hwy 56, (Enterprise), Hwy 18 south, Mountain Meadow Monument, Hwy 18, Snow Canyon State Park-volcano hike, Hwy 18, (home). Mileage-about 133 miles.
Silver Reef, or Silver City, became a boom town in the 1870’s when silver was discovered there. This is the only location in the United States where silver has been found deposited in sandstone. This community was the most diverse of southern Utah’s early settlements, comprising mostly Protestant, Catholic, and Chinese families. The old Rice Bank served as a jail for a time, and is now a small gift shop. The Wells Fargo building houses a museum, and famed sculptor Jerry Anderson’s paintings and bronze work.
It is open Monday-Saturday, from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. A small stone building next to the Wells Fargo houses a model of the town, and a picture gallery. If you have a little extra time, go on up the canyon, heading west on the main road through Silver Reef. Take the right fork towards Oak
Grove. On the right, a short distance further, is a parking area. Take the short hike that leads to one of the old stone kilns, used to process the ore. Iron Mission State Park is located at 635 N. Main in Cedar City. Cost is $3 per person, or $6 per vehicle. It is open daily until 5:00 p.m. We enjoyed playing with the model railroad, and the displays of carriages, farm implements, guns, and mining equipment. It was fun ‘riding’ in the Wells Fargo carriage, and imagining what life must have been like in the old log cabin. As the park’s name implies, settlers came into the area to set up an iron mill, and manufacture many items needed throughout the region. We studied the process, from start to finish, and have a new respect for the effort it took to make everything from a nail to a printing press. There is a hands-on’ children’s corner with a lot of fun activities, and the kids can complete requirements to become Junior Curators. Plan on spending at least two hours here, and pick up a booklet on Old Iron Town. Heading west on Highway 56, you will see Desert Mound off to your right after about 20 minutes drive time. Watch for the sign to Old Iron Town on your left. This historic site is located about ten minutes from the highway. Tour the ruins of the iron works and a preserved beehive shaped charcoal oven. Hike the short informative nature trail to the ruins of a pioneer cabin. Hit the highway again towards Enterprise, where you will turn south, heading for St. George. The Mountain Meadow Monument is a good place to stop for a few minutes. Reflect on what can happen when there are rumors spread, when people fail to communicate, and don’t take the time to really learn about and understand each other. Wrap up the trip with a fun hike up the volcano just south of the Diamond Valley turnoff. What an amazing view there is from the top! Hint-instead of taking on the north face, it’s a bit easier hiking around to the east and up the south side. Wear your good shoes!

Fire Safety

By Rachel Campbell

May was quite an adventurous month for the Gunlock Volunteer Fire Department. Twice in the same week, a fire broke out near the campground just off of the Overhang Cliff turn near the Bowler’s field. It was determined that camp fires were the cause of the fires.

Both fires caught in the roots of several dead cottonwood trees causing the fire to travel underground through the interconnected root system.

The GVFD would like to remind everyone that is planning on camping this summer to take caution with your fires and don’t assume that the fire will go out on its own. Please put your fires out completely. Help prevent wildfires, protect our regional firefighters, and save your tax dollars.

On Tuesday, June 2 at 7pm after the Town Hall meeting, there will be a planning meeting for anyone that would like to help plan the Fireman’s Ball to raise money to build the new fire house.

Baby Announcement

Vern and Summer Brady had a baby girl on May 11, 2009. Aspen Dawn Brady weighed 8 pounds and was 21 inches long. The Brady’s are fixing up Vern’s grandmother’s home, Florence Leavitt, and hope to move in soon.

May GSSD Meeting

By Sara Laub

The board found out that there was not a hook up valve at the home of Florence Leavitt. Sunrise, the company who installed the water system, said it was no longer on warranty, and would not help install the meter they were responsible for and claimed they were not liable.

Jennings Fletcher asked the board if he could fix the tables, put in park benches and two barbeque units at the park for his Eagle Scout Project. The board approved the request.

My Dad

When I was just a tiny kid,
Do you remember when,
The time you kissed my bruises,
Or cleaned by soiled chin?

You scrambled for the balls I hit,
(Short-winded more than not,)
Yet, every time we'd play a game,
You praised the "outs" I caught.

It seems like only yesterday,
You wiped away my tears,
And late at night I called your name,
To chase away my fears.

Though time has changed your handsome grip,
Your hair is snowy white,
You gait's a little slower now,
Thick glasses help your sight.

Oh, do I thirst for years gone by,
To be that growing lad,
Re-living all of the memories,
Of growing with my dad.
(by: Anonymous)

Gunlock Garden

By Rachel Campbell

Cody Orton in conjunction with Jay Leavitt and Steve Atwood (Kayenta) has started a community garden. Besides providing space and water for residents to raise a garden, it is also helping Cody apply for the prestigious Sterling Scholar Award in Agriculture. If you would like to help, please contact Cody or Steve for more information.