Happy July 4th!

The USA is far from perfect, but I am grateful for the freedoms and opportunities I have had and which are the right of all who come to this great country. Let us be the kind of citizens who open our hearts and hands to support and serve and who allow others the agency that God gives to all his children to follow their dreams, too!

July 3rd in the huge BYU Marriott Center, thousands enjoyed patriotic music by the American festival chorus and orchestra, and inspiring messages by several special speakers. Honored guest speaker was Apostle Dieter F. Uchtdorf, born in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, now a US citizen. He counseled us to promote peace through tolerance, unity, forgiveness, Christlike behavior, service and support of others, and to not lose hope and faith.

Among the 8 individuals receiving this year's Freedom Awards for humanitarian service impacting local and international communities, were my daughter-in-law's Brazilian uncle and aunt, Carlos and Vania Martins. With the help of other organizations and businesses and partners, they have been able to relocate some 20,000 Venezuelan refugees in Brazil, finding housing and employment to rebuild their lives.

A highly anticipated Provo July 4th event is the fabulous 30 seven story hot air balloon ascent. Unfortunately, for the first time in 38 years, wind prevented their ascent on the 3 scheduled early mornings.

We and thousands of others did enjoy the parade of horses, wagons, floats, bands, antique cars, military vehicles and veterans.

I was thrilled to see the missionaries, young (above) and senior (below) serving in the Provo mission.

My son Marc, wife Fernanda, and 3 of their kids stayed overnight to watch the parade. The youngest, with her cousin, was in the street hoping to catch candy thrown by paraders.

I just found out that this band wagon was owned by my friend Sue Allen's family in early 1900's!

After the parade our ward (congregation) had a little parade and lunch in our neighborhood. I watched fireworks later with my next door neighbors (the 3 kids in the center...not the littlest one) 

A highlight of my day was to run into (actually I had to run after him speeding down the road in his scooter/wheelchair) my heroic housemate/renter, Mark, in California 16 years ago. He has a rare muscular disease but has shown remarkable courage and optimism.

Along the parade route,the beautiful Provo City Temple sits peacefully in the busy center of Provo. I am grateful that we are allowed the freedom in the USA to worship or to not worship as we choose. Religious freedom must be protected for all people.

Just have to add these wonderful Taylor ladies: Amy Ringer, Colette Taylor, Megan Clawson and Nicole Ricks!

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Sunday, July 3, 2022, I returned from a fun cruise on the huge Carnival Panorama from Long Beach, CA, to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. My son Marc and family and I drove from Provo to Long Beach, staying the night both ways in Saint George, Utah. It's a long drive, but except for very slow traffic on the way, it was mostly enjoyable.

Red rocks around Saint George in southern Utah are gorgeous

Covid restrictions (tests and vaccinations were strictly monitored in long lines before boarding, but once aboard, masks not required.

The Panorama had games, exercise equipment, water slides, pools

With grand kids Hannah, Evie, Nick, Simon

   Fernanda's parents, Gil and Sandra Lima, enjoyed the cruise with us first along Baja California and then down to Puerto Vallarta.

From Puerto Vallarta we took an excursion into the mountains past  farms of agave, from which tequila is made, to the small isolated town of San Sebastien del Oeste at the foot of the western Sierra Madre. It was originally a silver mining town of 20,000, but has dwindled to 600. Once home to the very wealthy, it is one of many ordinary small towns, which I find charming.

We thought we were buying ice cream but it was a strange fruit flavor  of shaved ice, recommended as typical by our guide Candelario.

Agave leaves used to make basketry. We looked, but didn't buy.

The old town of Puerto Vallarta is very colorful. Mosaic benches reminded me of Gaudi's in Barcelona, Spain. 

Los Muertos Beach is warm and beautiful.

   Puerto Vallarta 's lovely ornate Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe church

Lots of graffiti (street art). Buildings remind me of Ecuador and DR 

With our harnesses and gear we are ready to be driven into the bush!

Whew! We managed the 12 platforms of the zip line but it was HOT!

     Hot, hungry and thirsty, the typical Mexican lunch was amazing.

     Leaving Mazatlan and the heat for a cooler evening on the ship.

From our last stop in Cabo San Lucas, we took a small boat to enjoy  beach and snorkeling. Spectacular rock formations and clear water!

                                    pelicans and colorful fish

There were several caves used by pirates who had roamed the coasts

        Leaving Cabo for the 1 1/2 day sail back to Long Beach

The waiters entertained us each night with dances. "Showtime"!!!!

    We ate too much and too often, but it was free and delicious!!

I shared a room on the lowest deck with my two grand-daughters

We enjoyed the shows, comedy hours, and (for some,dancing)

My sister Irene, brother in law Mike and niece Lisa and son Cade met us at Huntington Beach. Ah, the beautiful California beaches again!

Then we made our long trip (about 10 hours if we hadn't stopped) back to Utah. The hills are still green, the fields golden, brown and green when cultivated. Easy in a car, but not in a wagon like the pioneers sent to settle here years ago.  

 And we were home in time for most of the July Fourth activities! I'm grateful to travel to new places, but grateful for home.