A Carriage Ride on New Year's Eve 2009

Two days before the end of 2009 I was going through some 'saved' memories and came across a white envelope with my name on it written in Larry's handwriting.

When I opened it, I found the card and money shown here. There is no date on it, but he and I figure it is about 10 years old. That's how long it has been since Larry has used those cards to write notes to me. Neither of us know why the money was still there, but I decided right then, on the spur of the moment, to plan a date doing something we'd never done before. It only took a moment before I thought of a carriage ride on Temple Square.

Checking the web site, I found that the price for a ride during the Christmas season was $50 ~ it was meant to be!

Since 4 could ride for the same price as two, and neither Larry and I were in the romantic mood, I decided to ask another couple to join us.

First I asked my mother. I don't think she's ever been on a carriage ride and I wanted to thank her for all the hours she has spent at my house for the last several months, helping me in so many little (and big) ways. I called her and explained what we were doing, but sadly, she didn't feel up to it.

I called Niki next. I love sharing things like this with my kids. I'd already asked Bryson and he'd said, "No offense mom, but it doesn't sound like a lot of fun as a single guy going on a carriage ride with married people."

Christopher and Bri were in California and I knew Dustin was working. It turned out Niki and John could go the next night, which was New Year's Eve. I was so excited!!


I asked Bryson to come downtown with us, even though he wouldn't be riding, so he could roam Temple Square and other celebration locations with us, and he agreed, so off the 5 of us went.
It was a beautiful night for a ride ~ not too cold, a clear sky but no wind. Our first stop
after parking was to the pick-up spot at the South Gates on Temple Square, since it was a first-come-first-served basis for the rides. I was in my wheelchair, of course, all bundled up snug and warm.


When our driver came, Larry asked if all 5 of us could ride and the driver said, "Sure, no problem." ~ what a great attitude, what a
great guy! Bryson still didn't want to come, but he was a good sport about it.

It was beautiful, as you'll see on the video. And so fun to hear the clip-clop of the horses hooves.

Afterward, we did wander around Temple Square for a bit, looking at all there is to see there. We even went inside the South Visitor's Center and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and partook of some of their activities there.



















We stopped to take a group picture in front of this tree, and just as a friendly volunteer pushed the button to take the picture, the darling, oblivious young man you see walked right in front of us and
just kept on going, even after the flash went off. We all started laughing. We took a couple of pictures at the tree, but when we got home and looked at them, this was the only one that wasn't fuzzy. We still laugh when we look at this picture, so I decided to include it in our post, even though we have no clue who our "new" family member is.

It was the perfect way to get the New Year's Eve celebration started! And it all started with Larry's gift from many Christmas' ago.

I made this (4 minute) video from the clips we took during the ride. Hope you enjoy it!


Family: Isn't it about time??!!!