8-3-2018 Hurricane, UT

In the 1860s, Erastus Snow, LDS Church Apostle, was traveling through this area when gale force winds blew the cover off of his buggy.  He likened the winds to a hurricane and declared, “We’ll call this place Hurricane Hill.”  Then, it became known as Hurricane City and now, simply Hurricane.  The locals pronounce it, “HURR-ah-kin.”

The Mormon settlers in the area knew that the key ingredient to their survival was a reliable source of water.  But the Virgin River was undependable, sometimes a trickle and other times a raging torrent that washed away entire settlements.  They wanted to build a canal but those who investigated and surveyed the project said it was impossible, that is, until James Jepson and John Steele brain-stormed.  They agreed:  the impossible takes longer, let’s get started.  (As Michael J. Heney of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad once said, “Give me enough dynamite and snoose and I’ll build a railroad to hell.”)  The project was begun in September, 1893.  There were no finances, of course, but the eager farmers wanted the canal badly and volunteered their labor in exchange for a plot of land.  It was difficult and discouraging labor (in the winter because they had to work the fields in the summer).  Many times the violent Virgin River would wash away a winter’s work or a landslide would bury it.  As a result, it took 11 years, until 1904, to complete the canal and then, a dam had to be built to channel the errant river.  They just would not give up, these indefatigable souls.  Eventually, the dam was also accomplished and thousands of acres of land suddenly became lush and fertile.  People began to move by the thousands to the area and lived in tents and crates.  

The first home built in Hurricane in 1906 -
Rob at the Bradshaw home

The first house was built in 1906 by Ira and Marion Hinton Bradshaw and still stands in the city.  The second, also standing, was built by Thomas and Wilhelmina Hinton.  Both families were instrumental in the foundations of the town.  By 1910, there were 336 people living in Hurricane.  And the rest is history. 

The second home, the Hinton home,
also built in 1906

There is an historic museum here where one can methodically trace, through the rooms and displays, the history of the growth of the area.  In one room, mostly Navajo artifacts are on display, in another, quilting and crocheting relics and in one display case, a wedding cake which is developing its own claim to fame, even on the net.  Originally, this cake was 4 tiers.  Apparently, it was too beautiful to eat and so stood on display in the family home for years.  It is said that it was preserved by the raisins that were in it.  Time to order a gross of raisins!  There are original handcarts and wagons outside in the park and I wished they could talk.  One was used by the “Dixie Peddlers,” who traded cotton and food crops.  (Cotton grows well in southern Utah and it was nicknamed, “Dixie of the West.”  Currently, the pc nuts want Utah to get rid of the “racist” name, “Dixie.”  Utah says, “Not a chance.”  Yay, Utah!)

Navajo moccasins from 700 AD

Wedding cake from 1907

The bride and groom,
Joseph and Emily Scow

Original "Dixie Peddlers" wagon

Handcart used by the Mormon emigrants
(Call me silly, but I probably
wouldn't walk from Chicago
to Hurricane, Utah.)

Bee at Willow Wind RV Park

We were parked once again beneath the path of the red cell of a storm.  However, the beautiful park is nearly a forest of mature broad leaf trees and so we were hunkered down under their fluffy, dark green canopy and felt safe.  The thunder, lightning and rain were startling through the night but this morning, the sun rose in a sky of blue.  Next stop:  Red Rock Drive.

A wonderful trip!  We clocked in at 2,200 miles in Bee and about 800 in the Jeep.  Bee was our champion, she never blinked.  What a heroine!  A few types of seafood met their demise in the last five weeks:  Pollock, walleye, calamari, shrimp, clams, mussels, mahi mahi, tuna, salmon, octopus, scallops crab, cod, catfish and perch.  And who can forget the red meat?  Steaks sliced right off the hoof and mutton.  Paella, tapas, sauerbraten, wienerschnitzel, ceviche, margaritas, fine wines and local brews, the list goes on!  A gastronomic extravaganza!  We saw and learned much and met up with many wonderful, kind folks.  And here we are, at home.  Bee is proud.  The Jeepster is proud.  We are relaxing with a cold toonie.  Till next time, we send cheers and love to you, our friends and family! 

Bye for now!  Lindy and Rob