Cache Valley

If Utah is an island in the greater world, Cache Valley is yet an island within an island. A protected valley, lush and green compared to the rest of the Wasatch Front, and an undiscovered gem for many in this state. That is when it comes to a beautiful environment, clean air, and wide open spaces. Politically, Cache Valley is as conservative as they come.

Mom and Dad were born and raised in Cache Valley--Dad in Newton and later in Logan, mom in Logan. We visited the Newton cemetery yesterday. The majority of people planted there are my relatives including my grandmother and grandfather Griffin, and uncle Nolan. But the Griffins, Jenkins, and Christensens--all ancestors of mine--are prominent throughout the tiny cemetery. Dad's farm sits up on the hillside visible from the cemetery -- pretty much visible from anywhere in Newton. There is no culinary water to the land, just a stream. A farmer rents the land and raises crops like safflower or alfalfa. Dad's cousin has a pheasant hunting club that encroaches on the land, and dad allows it. We did see two spectacular rooster pheasants yesterday on our drive. Some developers have offered dad money for the land. One day it will become desirable for homebuilding, but not yet, and dad is not interested in selling. I think he always thought one of the Griffin kids would take over farming the land. He knows now it's not going to happen.

Mom took pictures of each of the headstones, and then we headed for Richmond where we found Lamont and Florence's graves and took more pictures of headstones.

Last stop was Logan cemetery where we had a hard time finding Vera and had to consult the directory. We found her and took one last picture. I found it odd we were taking pictures of headstones, but my parents are getting old and eccentric, and I guess it is important to them for some reason. These were all my dad's immediate family. We didn't make it to the Ogden cemetery where mom's mother and dad are buried. I may take a trip up there tomorrow just to visit those graves. Grandma and Grandpa Chamberlin were two of the most influential and important people in my young life. I was only 10 when grandpa died. Grandma lived to be nearly 80 but had to work hard her entire life to survive. She was truly an example of grace and beauty on the outside, while strong, self-sufficient, and resilient inside.

Some of the happiest times of my childhood were spent in Logan, wandering the safe streets with my sister and cousin, exploring the AC (agricultural college which is now USU) just blocks away from Grandma Griffin's. Even in Ogden we didn't have the freedom we had in Logan. Walking was our preferred mode of transportation. I loved the deep gutters that were always running full with water, featuring little bridges for each driveway so the water could pass under. That cold clear water was great for wading or sailing leaf boats, against our parents' strict rules. I loved the tiny shops we found tucked incongruously mid-block in the middle of residential neighborhoods, and where you could buy groceries and penny candy. I loved the shady parks with the big trees providing a canopy and escape from the heat. Logan was Mayberry RFD and a paradise for kids lucky enough to spend some of their time there.

But Logan has changed and not necessarily for the better. The old neighborhoods are still lovely with the old houses almost untouched, with wide streets, big yards and tall shady trees. But North Logan has adopted a sprawl approach to growth, downtown Logan has terrible traffic congestion, 4th North lacks any sign of its old former beauty, now all alsphalt, concrete and fast food.

Cache Valley resisted growth and change for decades, preferring to remain a quiet, sheltered farming community. But that has changed, and a lack of good planning is allowing development to ruin what was beautiful about that valley. I find it sad that people with such a strong tie to the land have so little respect for their own beautiful environment.