Coral Pink Sand Dunes 2010

I think it is reasonable to say that all of those who journeyed to Southern Utah for the Clark Family Reunion at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes would agree that it was one of the very best Clark gatherings to date.  This was in large measure due to the location and the assiduous planning of Poppie and his reluctance for anyone to do anything but enjoy themselves as he compensated with much work…even for Poppie.

The gathering consisted of Mom and Poppie, Sarah and the Davises, Ehren, Reuben and his crew, Emily and the Hemmingers (she recently pregnant at the time with the now healthy Brooke Hemminger), Jesse and Julia (she well into her pregnancy at the time with the now healthy Jace Clark), of course David, many of the Eskanders: Bruce, Stephanie, Amy, Alec and Alicia and their son Jackson, and Annie who managed to fly west from New York City for the event.  Also to join were Lynn and Bruce and Leslie and the ever dependable Harry.  Courageously Grandma braved the terrain and the August Southern Utah heat to be there also.

Poppie made a good choice with the Coral Pink Sand Dunes.  The camp site was a marvel in and of itself, adjacent to the most spectacular expanse of quite literally pink, powdery sand that was an instant draw to nine of the youngest generation.  These are some formidable dunes as was apparent from the abundance of professional dune buggies, which had to be looked out for at all times.  These Coral Pink Dunes are also a short drive to Kanab where those not wishing to rough it in the camp site could relax in comfort at Perry Lodge and eyeball signed photos of John Wayne and John Ford as this area was key territory for the filming of old westerns whose crews stayed at the Perry.  It was also an ideal location within close proximity to Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon.  These were the makings of a great summer reunion.

Day 1, Saturday Night and a Flash Flood

All arrived safely Saturday evening at camp.  Some staying in Kanab joined also.  Poppie had set up everything for maximum efficiency including a cooking area where he repeatedly stated with Poppie irony- “No women allowed.”

It was a spacious campsite complete with shower facilities and just yards from the dunes.  Even in the camp the ground was pink sand.

This first day was largely uneventful as most arrived later in the day.  The highlight of the evening was Poppie’s cooking and the presentation, by Stephanie, to all of the nine grandchildren, of toys of her design or designed by her firm.  It can be said that Steph chose brilliantly and the toys survived the trip.

The day prior to our arrival in the sand dunes there had been a flash flood in Kanab.  It had receded by the time most had arrived, but the sizable town, quite literally had a generous coat of red mud on all buildings up to several feet.  But this was no deterrent as the town is beautiful regardless and those staying at the Lodge, Leslie and Harry and Lynn and Bruce, were not bothered.

Day 2 Sunday, Sand Dunes, Church in Kanab and Great Food

The Sunday of the second day woke us up to a gorgeous blue sky.  Poppie was busy with breakfast and there was nothing to keep the kids from hitting the dunes and the men from taking a good bike ride.

The Coral Pink Sand Dunes truly merit the name.  It is a breathtaking area too large to fully explore, with the kind of sand that is clean and powdery…and pink…just the right kind for Izzie, Sean, Aerie, Ella, Nikki, Ike and little Owie and Zoie, even Brady to some extent, to hit with full throttle.

After about an hour of heavy playing in this sensational sand, kids tired and with a layering of pink dust, men home from the ride, it was time for breakfast.  This being had, we all then busily began to dress for church; we would attend the Kanab Ward Fast and Testimony Meeting that morning.

It was a great testimony meeting; our family occupied more than the entire front pew, and a number of our group bore their testimonies, most notably Mom.

The rest of the day being Sunday, there was not a lot of heavy activity other than good talks and good food.  Leslie and Harry had joined us by then and the rest of the day was very pleasantly spent, reserving our energy for heading for the canyons the next day.

Day 3, Monday, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, More Great Food

It was decided after some deliberation that the elder generation would drive to nearby Bryce Canyon.  Grandma had never seen Bryce so there was no decision that the older generation would head to Bryce, which was also lower impact with less hiking and strenuous activity.

For the younger two generations full of boundless energy it was decided that we drive into Zion National Park.  We carpooled and after navigating through construction we arrived at our destination, the parking lot at the base lodge of the Park.  With some scrambling to keep everyone together, we ate an enjoyable lunch under the shade outside of the lodge.  This not taking too much time, we gathered and quickly boarded a bus that would take us to the Narrows.

This was no ordinary bus drive and Zion is no ordinary national park.  The drive up to our final destination was truly a spectacular marvel.  These mountain ranges are some of the largest and most dramatic to be seen in this country and are inspiring and truly magnificent.  Upon reaching the end of the bus line at the Narrows, all of us, Clarks, Davises, Hemmingers and Eskanders enjoyed a rather leisurely hike, perhaps two miles, trough these majestic walls of stone,  to the destination, a large pool, a wide span within a meandering river.  Of course this was David’s cue to do some tumbling and diving; Reuben, Jesse, Steve, Alec and even Isaac got some sport in.  But for those of us less inclined to die, it was a great area to wade in and hobble over rocks and branches and try to avoid the temptation of petting the squirrels, which bite.

Day 4, The Grand Canyon, Capture the Flag in a Lightning Storm, Even More Great Food

Our last day of this adventurous reunion was to be spent at the Grand Canyon no less.  Some had not been to the Grand Canyon and everyone joined in on the excursion.

All of the many cars in the caravan made it directly to the parking lot where we gathered and headed to the lodge.  Once through the lodge and faced with the vastness and the sublimity of the Grand Canyon, one finds there is nothing like it on Earth.  Never was nature so big and man so small.  We spent a good hour taking photos, having lunch, watching David do a back flip off the wall luckily oriented well enough to land on firm ground, and all enjoyed being together in this, one of the most truly spectacular of natures creations.  This would be the last that all would be together as some had to go separate ways, but it was a joyous goodbye.

Back at camp it was getting dark, and although not raining, there was an imposing thunderstorm overhead.  Sarah had brought an abundant supply of glow sticks for us to play capture the flag in the dark.  It may have been slightly disorienting with the lightning and thunder and the color of lighted glow sticks in the depths of darkness, but it was my own personal favorite game of capture the flag I have experienced…perhaps it was just very dramatic.  We all had a terrific time…no one really knowing who was winning or losing…it really did not matter.  It was great fun.

The next morning went smoothly and we got our equipment taken down, trash picked up, cars loaded and it was time to say goodbye for now, thank Poppie and Mom for all of their hard work and head back to civilization, with coral pink sand residue lining our pockets, between our toes, and providing lingering memories that will never subside.