We have arrived at the hot springs at last! Enjoy viewing the above video clip. When viewing the video below, notice the difference between the two. In the video below, the blue sky and sunshine add to the growing joy of the entire experience. Notice the discovery of a baby rattle snake and what was done to protect all concerned (including the snake).

Hope you enjoyed the journey with me and my family. Think about sharing your hiking or hot spring adventures. We’d love to hear about them. Also, write us a note if you have previously visited these hot springs.

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(Please read The Journey in its entirety for you to truly grasp this hot spring experience. There is also a video clip at the bottom of this article. You will understand the subsequent videos if you read this article first).

We passed through some beautiful scenery along our journey to the hot springs. I held onto that thought even though we couldn’t find or recognize the exact turn off to the Diamond Fork hot springs (there were so many turn offs next to the stream). We drove and drove along the winding road through the picturesque landscape of meadows, forests and stream. The above short video clip shows you our little diversion.

The little kids were excited to discover, what they believed, to be a huge dinosaur bone. Had we found the correct turn off, we would have missed this fun experience. Shortly after the dinosaur discovery, we headed south again to give the “Three Fork” parking entrance a try (even though it looked a little different)! I rejoiced as I became more familiar with the area (after its makeover), and announced that this was indeed the place!

The hike began with 5 adults and 5 little kids under the age of 6. Each adult was responsible for a child. There would be times I wanted to film because I had to find a way to capture this whole experience for everyone, including family back home. I received some grimaces when I would stop to film (a camera man never has it easy..I had to run uphill a lot, either to catch up or get ahead of everyone to film). I had my work out for the day! Interestingly, I never felt the exhaustion as I was too excited! The roles were reversed and I enjoyed being a kid again, taking everything in.

Quietly, along the trail, I said a prayer asking for a beautiful experience with my children. I knew we would all soon part (Europe, Seattle, and Colorado). I remembered the prayer when EVERY person, who passed us in the opposite direction, warned us about the rattle snakes on the side of the trail. I had to be more cautious now while also observing the dark looming clouds ahead. These people were trying to escape the impending storm, and we were hiking into it.

My children became very concerned especially as I was the first to discover a big snake slithering across the path in front of me. I remained still (I forgot to film this) and waited for the others to catch up so I could warn them. The snake also decided to remain still on the other side by a tree for shelter (it knew the storm was coming). I wasn’t afraid because I was faced with the knowledge that the snake just wanted to get out of the way and be left alone. I was amazed to experience this kind of assurance. My kids hesitated and were very afraid. They had little ones with them, and I fully understood their concerns. I made the first move and walked past the snake demonstrating that there was indeed no threat. I knew there would be no need to fear, as long as all we moved at a steady, cautious pace with our focus on the trail.

We overcame that hurdle and kept close together. At times, I had to stop and film and deal with the looks again. I knew I was doing the right thing and they would be happy to have some concrete memories. Well, I wondered if the memory would be short-lived because those dark clouds had their final say, and thunder was heard. My kids realized why the other hikers were coming down in the opposite direction. I knew my kids were fearful. If we had to turn back, I would, at least, be grateful for the wonderful time we had experienced during our picnic, half way up the incline.

We pressed on ignoring the angry shouts of the sky; however, we couldn’t ignore its insistence when the clouds’ tears fell upon us. I thought that a little rain would make it fun to soak in the hot pools.  When one of my daughters saw WHITE tears on my shirt, she cried out in alarm, “Sleet, and possible hail!”

Disappointed, everyone was ready to turn back. Remembering my prayer, and all our efforts of the hike, (we were only 15 mins. or so from the glorious springs) I encouraged my kids to take shelter under the tree branches and wait it out for a while. It would not serve us to hurry and hike DOWN the trail.

My kids thought I was only thinking of our goal and destination. Two of my daughters wanted to remind me that they were mothers themselves and have little ones to protect. I smiled, ENJOYING THAT MOMENT, and mentioned that I was still a protective mother myself (to all of them). I decided to back off about the shelter and allow others to make their decisions. I smiled when they decided to get their towels out and create a canopy under the trees for the little kids. I was reminded of the prayer again, but said another one for good measure hoping the rain, sleet, etc. would stop.

It only lasted a few minutes. I was happy! We continued on the hike, and I took more video clips as we approached the hot springs. You’ll see in the video, what kind of a welcome we received at the hot springs. The clouds broke, and the blue sky and sunshine peered through. No one was there, and we had the whole place to ourselves.

I realized that the storm had to occur to make this a pleasant experience for everyone. The storm had cleared out the people, nudists (we met a gentleman on the way down who was a nudist and had enjoyed some liberation at the springs), and snakes. Wow! A storm had to be part of the journey for us to receive all the benefits! It is true, there were obstacles we had to face, but prayer and faith made it possible to overcome them. We could have easily turned around, but our focus was to stay on the true journey.

That day, I not only realized I had captured a memory, but also recognized the hand of God. He had given me a special gift to use for the rest of my life. This experience is the gift I am sharing with you. I hope it will serve you well as it will for me.

Walk along the trail with me now by clicking on the video below (also pay attention to the scene displaying the dark clouds above the trail, just before the stream scene) . After, continue the video trail in the subsequent articles listed above.

More video clips of the hot springs in the next article.

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You are in for a treat! I’m going to be showing you a few video clips in this Diamond Fork Hot Springs series. It’s the season to soak in the sun or should I say, mineral water! Actually, there’s more to it. One can call it, soaking in nature’s offerings (along with its lessons).

Let me talk about the lesson first and, wow, what a lesson it was! It actually turned out to be one of nature’s lifelong offerings!

Life is full of choices, and sometimes they are not easy to make. What do you do when you have to make a decision and both choices seem to be just as good as the other? You know that you would prefer to make the best choice. Perhaps, this would then be the time to decipher what your desires are regardless of the current landscape surrounding you. Let me share with you the birth of a choice and where it took me.

My family and I decided to get together to spend the day embracing sun, water, and each other. We were to start early, prepare food for picnic, and gather our gear for swimming and hiking. The original intention was to hike to Diamond Fork Hot Springs, up Spanish Fork Canyon. During this preparatory period, other people (not going with us) advised against the Hot Spring choice. The factors we had to take in consideration did have value. The hike itself would be 2.5 miles each way on a gradual incline (we had little kids as young as two years old) with some narrow, washed away parts of the trail. The hot springs, as well as the trail, could be dangerous (slippery, snake infested, deep & raging waters, etc.) and harbor nudists!

My kids paid attention to these concerns, and the morning of indecision opted for early retirement allowing the afternoon to take its place- we were still home! I really wanted to go but if I pressed it, I knew my children would seek other options so I offered them another one. I mentioned a visit to Cascade Springs instead, which would be equally fun but without the water to skin embrace. Offering this additional choice created more clarity for my children as they determined what they really wanted to do- the embrace meant more to them. Happy at the direction it was going, I reassured them that we could always turn back if the journey proved to be too challenging.  If anything, soaking in the scenery along the way would be well worth the attempt!

I knew there would be challenges, including finding the place. They all relied on me to remember the exact location. It had been a few years since I last visited the hot springs, during which time I heard the access had been closed down and parts of the area renovated. I wasn’t going to worry about it. I was just glad to finally get out of the house and stake a claim on adventure, ready to enjoy its landscape along the way.

 Of course, in the back of my mind, I hoped that we had made the right decision considering all the possible challenges. I was the guide, but a student at the same time. As a student, I had to pay attention, keep my eyes and ears open, and be fully aware. As a guide, I had to rely on the whisperings of the spirit as I ventured into the unknown with my children. I had no idea what was coming…

More to come, along with a video clip..

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