spartan spring city

i am coming off a great weekend filled with reminders of what abundance comes with simplicity.

me and mine spent a good portion of the weekend with my dad at his little homestead in spring city, which is a small central utah town about 2 hours away from salt lake, and one of the most historically preserved pioneer (and mormon pioneer) towns in the state. it is a gorgeous spot, full of historic architecture couched in scandinavian building traditions and craftsmanship. the town is nestled underneath dramatic mountains and surrounded by green pastures, turkey farms, and rodeo grounds. people down there stop "work" during the deer hunt. they still have a drive in theater in mt pleasant, the nearest "big" town. the whole area is a throwback to simpler, agrarian times and spring city has no physical evidence of commerce other than a single 2 pump gas station. there are no billboards and no golden arches. it feels pure and like i said, simpler.

my dad has had his 4 room farmhouse for nearly 15 years and in that time he's never had a television down there. this is a decision i applaud, though i'd be lying if i didn't admit to fiending for a dvd after the kids go to sleep, but the reason for it, as my dad has so eloquently explained, is so you can hear the hoot of the owl in the elm above the house or have a reason to go out with the telescope and try to find orion's belt, or simply find your head hitting the pillow at 9pm instead of midnight. it forces a change in routine and pace and the sense for what is entertaining.

i really think it helps to avoid the normalcy of your day to day if you want to gain perspective. i guess that is why vacations are so damn invigorating and needed. we all need a break from our own self imposed schedules and our own self imposed needs. obviously in a place like spring city not having the temptations of technology (no dishwasher or microwave either) and commerce make it easy to slow down and simplify, but i think it is good to be reminded that we can all do this occasionally in our own homes. take a vacation from your dishwasher and see what conversations may ensue while standing at the sink washing and drying dishes with your spouse. go out in your backyard or on your roof top and take a look at the stars instead of watching the 10:00 news. next time you just need a couple things from the grocery store, take a walk there instead of driving, who knows what you may see on the way there?

plus swearing things off, even if it is just for a night or two, makes the things you already have shine with a newfound luster. when we came back home yesterday, everybody gravitated to their own peculiar poison...jaren turned on his computer, i threw in a load of wash and took a hot shower, and the kids acted like it was christmas running around in the playroom fondling all their favorite toys. we're home.

(Photo A: Beautiful Spring City Vista

Photo B: Cleo feeding the famous Peanut Butter Chip 1 of the 5 lbs of carrots she fed him over the weekend!)