Zion

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Zion National Park

KC and I left Kanab behind and went north and then west. We entered the Zion NP about 8 AM and the sun was just starting to light up the unique rock formations and structures. Betty and I did not spend much time in Zion, but we talked of it often. I know the last time here, we did not take the Shuttle into the canyon because little white, ferocious beasts were not allowed. So we camped and moved on to the North Rim. An interesting phenomena took place whenever we drove on US 89, regardless of the vehicle it automatically headed to the Grand Canyon. I kept telling Betty “it is out of my control”.

Our one extend visit did result in some powerful memories and I will relate them in the dedication. This is a very photogenic place with a wide range of colors and hues and like the Grand Canyon, they change depending on the month of the year and hour of the day. This is a primary reason for living close to these “hot spots” as a cloudy snowy day in December is a marvelous contrast to a bright sunny day in June. Zion is 1.5 hours away from Cedar City. Plus there is a canyon area less than 30 minutes away; Cedar Breaks 30 minutes; Bryce Canyon National Park and North Rim about 2 hours; South Rim about 4+ hours. I have not even mentioned some additional locations just a few hours north of Cedar City. You can probably tell from my writing that I love this area and hence Betty's statement about sitting on every red rock in Utah. She did much of this for me and I honored her wishes of no more red rocks in Utah.

On our trip up the canyon, Betty stayed at the lodge sitting at a table on the lawn and when you see the photos you will understand how captivating and picturesque it was. I traveled to the end of the shuttle ride taking photos and hiking on short trails. When I returned to the lodge after about 2 hours, there was Betty sitting on the huge lawn in front of the lodge with Pepsi in hand under a bright sunny sky. She was in a zone of day dreaming, fantasy, and revelry predicated on this moment in time. I told her I was going on a hike and will be back in 2 hours. She asked me what time it was and then dismissed me with a wave of hand as if to say “be gone with you” while returning to her moment.

So today I return to this location on the lawn in front on the lodge. Although changes have occurred, this sacred spot is still hers and it is here I made this dedication.

Betty. We only came to Zion twice and rode the shuttle once cause dogs were not allowed. Remember how the people on the shuttle went crazy photographing wildlife - deer, turkeys, coyote, and other such animals that not only prowled our property, but were a nuisance. But the place you found that was your own was the lodge. I left you there and went on to photo and hike. When I returned you told me your fantasy - I will come up here whenever I need to develop a new class. On this lawn I can read, drink coffee in the morning and Pepsi up after noon. I can put together a class in a few days here and oh the feeling of creativity in this location. You never got to live out your fantasy, but we always talked about it whenever Zion was mentioned. Today I dedicate a place on the lawn in the sun so that you can be here whenever you want and create the tools for teaching to those who will never know the beauty of the learning you captured in such a place.

Please indulge me. I want to take a few lines to talk about Betty and her great love - teaching. However teaching for her was a multi-dimensional process. Yes it was researching not only the best text for the class, but finding one at a reasonable price. Then she would spend days creating her lesson plan and lectures. So far pretty normal except to the depth she would work in preparing the information for the class to make it useful in the lives of her students on a day to day basis. Betty did not see her mission as only to make sure the student can pass a class and graduate, but to help the young person evolve and mature into a better person.

Betty would spend the time before class, on breaks, and after class with the students teaching lessons on life. Betty connected with them on both a human and spiritual level and it did not matter their ethnicity, religious orientation, sexual preference or even their political party. Betty was an equal opportunity provider of learning and wisdom. Needless to say her student ratings were off the chart and her classes would fill early. Students would take her class even if it did not fit their major just to listen to her lectures and extract her knowledge of life outside the classroom.

Here are a few examples I remember: 1. An African American fundamentalist preacher who Betty showed there are different views of the same situation or piece of scripture and to only present one was doing a disservice to his parishioners 2. A conservative republican father who believed in corporal punishment of his children. Betty worked with him during a Child Development class to understand hitting and spanking was not the only way to discipline and manage a child. The young man sought her out the next semester to thank her and let her know he and his wife decided to practice managing situations rather than spanking. 3. A young woman who was unable to tell her family she was a lesbian. Betty and her spent many hours working through the process of the hows and whats of approaching this emotional and traumatic issue. She finally was able to gather her courage and come out to her family.

This was not the normal kind of professor I nor many of you had, but there is still another dimension to Betty and what she believed education was about. She would not in the face of orders from the President of the University compromise her belief that students deserve the best and most useful information from the most appropriate source available. Betty resigned rather than force a student to use a book she did not think was up to her standards for educating a young person in the classroom and in life. It was a proud day for both of us, but she languished in a a depressed state thinking she had disappointed her students.

One final note. I could go on about how she volunteered to teach classes when no one was available or indirectly force the university to require that students complete a class on writing papers or being out spoken about some of the policies. You all probably know that about the Bets, so I will stop now. I am in Cedar City in the process of doing my due diligence. We will leave for the ordeal called Nevada, but hope we happen upon some “wild horse” along the Extraterrestrial Highway on our way to Fallon for a Judy stay.

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Photos

Sun Ready to Show
Although it is about 9 AM, it is just ready to break through into this canyon

Western Formations Lighted
The western parts of the canyons light first

Shear Rocks Along the Road
A favorite of mine with shadows in deep contrast to the sunny areas

Lodge Against the Canyon Wall
This is an absolutely beautiful spot and why Betty was so taken with it

Dedication Site
Middle of the lawn and of course a little left of center

Reflections
A good reflection photo on a fairly fast moving stream.