Under Water

My oldest daughter and her family lives 15 miles west of us. Her place is located in rural Box Elder County, on the north end of the Bear River Bird Refuge. They are surrounded by farm land, as far as the eye can see. It is so beautiful in every season. I love to sit and visit as the sun settles down in the west. It creates the most stunning rose, yellow, and orange sunsets you ever saw. Her place is peaceful and has a calming effect on you. From the cozy warm fires burning in the stove in the winter, to the gentle breeze and song of the birds in the summer. But mostly because of her! She has a way of creating a welcoming and peaceful environment. Once you get there, you don't want to leave!

Every season in the country has a beauty all its own. In the early spring farmers plow their fields, turning over fresh dirt. The fresh turned dirt provides a feasting ground for many species of birds. In the summer time the fields are planted with wheat and corn. I love the fields lit on fire with golden waves of grain in early autumn. 

The water table is high because of the bird refuge, the Bear River and Willard Bay and that usually makes for an abundance of water for grains and crops. But farmers do not take water out here in the west for granted and welcomes a winter of plenty of snow to boost the surrounding reservoirs. 

This year December and January was one of the coldest and snowiest winters I can remember in a long time. It seemed like we were always plowing out! The mountains received record snow. It was great! We were all thankful for the abundance in moisture this year because the last few years have been lean. February came and the temperatures got slightly warmer, which is normal. But by the middle of the month it started to really warm up.Temperatures went from the low 20's and 30's to the 40's and high 50's. And the snow began to melt. The more days that stayed warm, the faster the snow melted. 

Now... snow in the mountains are melting. Snow in the streets are melting. Snow on the fields are melting. The rivers have reached their capacity and then some. There is flooding in neighborhoods and on roads. Streets have been closed. Thousands of sandbags have been filled and residents are doing their best to stay the water from their homes. Many have flooded. The rapid snow melt from the fields have caused huge lakes of water to form. It is strange, seeing so much water. I wish we could harness the abundance of water and save it for a "rainy day". 

My daughter's property has been spared for the most part, but they are not out of the woods yet. They have a sump pump running 24 hours a day to keep the water from going into the basement. The horses have been temporarily moved from the back pasture to the cement pad where the basket ball hoop is. It's tight quarters for them but maybe they could be trained to hoof some hoops :) or play a game of bad mitten to pass the time away!

After my visit, I took some pictures of how the countryside looks today... under water! And I still say... beautiful! 

Temporary quarters for the horses.

Pumping 24-7

East mountain range

Seagulls are taking advantage of receding water. 

What used to be a field is now a large lake! Unbelievable! This is down the road from the kids' house.

And we're getting more snow and rain tonight. 

Utah weather is often very unpredictable. But that is what makes it such a great place to live. There is a surprise to every season and it is always beautiful!

... and my daughter's neck of the woods out in the country will always be one of my favorite places to visit.

Inspired by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop