30 Oaks Ranch Box #4 The Cornfield

Yes we even picked corn for my Uncle Ivor when he had the ranch. One wonderful thing about picking corn is that it waa cooler time of year and at least there was always shade. Theodd thing that stands outin my mind is the fact that we would always eat a raw ear of corn with our lunch. If you have never tasted raw corn then you have no idea how sweet, tasty and satisfying it can be.

Clues

1. Drive up Hobble Creek Canyon and stop near this sign at the catch Basin. Go through the gate in photo and follow the road on the right to theeast (Not the road that goes over the catch basin dam)

2. Begin looking to your left when you reach the clump of trees and shrubs that are between the two roads. as seen in photo to the left.

3. Look for a sign that tells about "Wildlife in Hobble Creek Canyon". You will see a dirt path through through brush that leads to the main road.

4. Take 9 steps on that path then look back over your right shoulder.

5. The box is underneath the lone rock.

30 Oaks Ranch Box #3 The Barn

While you cannot actually visit the barn, and quite frankly, it is in such disrepair and is so dangerous that you wouldn't even want to, still I can tell you about how much fun is to have access to a place like that as a child. Lying in the straw and day-dreaming is a great way to wile away a hot summer afternoon, particularly after a hard day's work in the fields. It is also a fun place to play even though it is dangerous, and forbidden and you spend most of your time playing look-out fin case adults come around.

Next time you see an old barn, just imagine all the memories and secrets its history could reveal.

Clue.

1. Go to 30 Oaks & Canyon Road in Springville, Utah

2. Follow the sidewalk up the hill to where the sidewalk ends.

From there you can look down and see the two green fields where the cornfield was on the right and the bean field on the left. (A reference for future boxes).

2. On the south side of the 9th big rock to the west, you should find the box under a cairn of smaller stones. If you get to the rock shown below, you have gone too far.

Warning: There has been an arsonist in the area who has started at least 4 brushfires. I hope the box is okay. Be on the lookout for anyone who may look suspicious. (other than yourself)

Happy Boxing.

30 Oaks Ranch Box # 2 Contest at the Canal

So often the canal was our salvation on those hot summer noons when we were able to take a break from our work in the bean patch, or cornfield or just helping out with other varied chores. The water was always cold and clear and it was refreshing to wade, doggie-paddle or splash in. Yes, there were many water fights. We went back to work with wet clothes drying on our bodies and it was so cooling and relaxing.

(Later, as a Nursing student, I let our

Psychiatric Nursing Instructor wrap me in wet sheets and then put a blanket over me and let the sheets dry. That procedure was at one time used to tranquilize agitated patients and she wanted to demonstrate how effective it was. I already knew. It really does work!)

One lunchtime in particular stands out in my mind, the day my cousin, Margaret, along with my sister and I had a contest at the canal. To find out more, find this box. It is not a contest that would immediately come to mind.

Clue

1. Start at the junction of Canyon Road & 2900 East . There is room enough to park near the sign. Once again, look all around you. This land was once all part of 30 Oaks Ranch. Time changes all, nothing remains the same.

Walk down the bike path to the beginning of the fence. To your south-east you should be able to see a pretty hammered Mountain Bell sign next to a barbed-wire fence. Go there. From near that vantage point you will be able to see where the old bean field was, and perhaps you can hear the canal, but at present there are just too many trees and greenery to actually see it. Just a little to the north along the edge of the drop-off, you may be able to get a glimpse of But Pond.

Stand facing the sign and look down and to your right. You will see a rock under which is the box.

Enjoy the box and the contest. Too bad there are not enough such things around anymore for anot

her contest like that.

Happy Boxing.

30 Oaks Ranch Box #1 The Ranch

From the time I was 11, the 30 Oaks Ranch at the mouth of HobbleCreek Canyon has been in my life. My uncle had leased it back in the 1940s and I could write a book on all the adventures I had there as a child. Then my uncle moved to Idaho and the two men who bought the ranch turned out to be my husband's brothers. So I have another book I could write about the fun & adventures I've had there as an adult.

I intend to include to a few of those stories in this series of boxes.

Box # 1 30 Oaks Ranch - The Ranch

Clues

Begin at 2750 East Canyon Road In Springville, Utah. Take a leisurely walk up the Hobble Creek Trail/Bike-path going east up the hill. Almost everything around you in all 4 directions was once part of 30 Oaks Ranch. Down the drive way to the right is the garage in the photo at the top of this page. You may also be able to see the old barn through the trees. As you near the top of the hill you may be able to hear the water flowing from the Burt Spring that feeds the pond below.

Continue up the hill to the end of the fence. Now you will find the box under a small pile of rocks at the base of the 3rd Fence post from the end. It will be on the south side of the fence. Enjoy!