Utah Shakespearean Festival: Cedar City

My grandma took an unprecedented trip to Utah to visit with us girls (my family and my aunt Shirley)! We had a fantastic, memorable trip. We spent 2 days in Cedar City at the Shakespearean Festival. I love the pomp and energy surrounding festivals of all kinds (cultural, historical, achievement, hobby, etc); to me they celebrate life! The first production we say was Gilbert&Sullivan's H.M.S Pinafore (ironically not Shakespeare). I initially wasn't looking forward to seeing a cheery, cheesy production, as I imagined H.M.S. Pinafore to be, but, as is almost always the case with unfounded prejudices, I was proven wrong. It was excellent: the cast was phenominal, the music was excellent, & the storyline proved cute and coy. Shakespeare was kind enough to pose with us in this picture, just after we finished watching the production. I suppose he enjoyed it, too!

My grandma, aunt, and mom!

 

Out and About...We shopped, of course (how could we not?). Ate some great food, too. Grandma is holding a bag of basically the best dark chocolate I've ever tasted...from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Day Two

Next evening we saw Hamlet. Totally Rocked my world. Above: the incredible medieval ambiance. 

Hamlet was performed in an outdoor replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theater (the London version can be seen in my April archives). It was fantastic to experience a brief (if shallow) peek into Shakespeare, the Elizabethean era, and such. The actor who played Hamlet executed his role with such clarity. He powerfully elucidated my understanding of the entire play; I could actually follow the storyline, delve a bit into its content and let it have a personal impact, etc. 

Carly with her medieval garland of flowers. Isn't she cute?

It was really fun!

 

Spring City Pioneer Day Parade

100% Spring City, Utah!

The Osborne Inn

This is our beloved bed and breakfast--recipient of much sweat, toil, and love!
(You should see her now! She looks much better.) I am helping my family run it for the summer. I love it. www.osborneinn.com

Each room is named after an ancestor. This is the "Sarah and Samuel Carnahan Suite." Each of our 4 rooms has a private bathroom, jetted or clawfoot tub, a private balcony, 3 have natural gas fireplaces...I would love to stay here! To me, pictures don't do it justice!

The "Olena Louise" room

The "Evelyn Room"

 

Working about the place - the yard (currently under major revision!), dad, me and mum

Direction: EAST!

June 25-July 7, my family took a refreshing, rejuvinating vacation to Pennsylvania and Michigan! My older brother and his family babysat the B&B during our absence. What a delight to be severed from the straps of responsibility for two weeks! BLISS! 

Jake's first airplane ride! He liked the take-off the best, because it was like a roller-coaster! Does his face reveal how early in the morning we we started? Yup...it was early!!  

Making Pancakes With Grandma

mmmmm.

 

We visited relatives living in the crop-cultivated wilds of southeast Michigan. A simple, cloistered expanse of beauty.

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island. It is stepping back into time. Modes of transportation: bicycle or horse-drawn carriage! Cars are prohibited. Almost all of the buildings are restored structures from the Victorian Era. Somewhere in Time (with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour) was filmed here. Spectacular homes, a 19th century military fort, abundant fudge shops, the nature...just everything...makes this an unforgettable place. Although very touristy, you can still find quiet solitude. Half of the 9-mile island is a State Park. We stayed in a lovely old bed and breakfast on the hushed edge of the Park.

We went biking two separate times around the island - once in the afternoon and once early in the morning. 

Around the Island

 

Chilly ride back to the "mainland" and modern life.

 

Happy 4th!!!

 

Several adventures later, we came home. It was a great trip.