A Day of History and Enlightenment

Yesterday I went with E on her third grade field trip to historical sites around the county.  I found Parowan Gap sooo interesting.  This is the zipper glyph.  It can be a topographical map,  a solar calendar, or a travel map.  Scientists agree and disagree because all of the guesses fit.  Wouldn't it be cool if they were all true.  What a smart civilization.

This glyph is a lunar calendar and a week counter.  The owl on the pizza is the lunar calendar that marks the phases of the moon each month.  The snake counts the 52 weeks of the year.

  I can't remember what this one is, but I do know that the squares on the snake count something that is described by the glyphs around it.  Usually these glyphs tell where to find water and food, maps of travel, and point out important landmarks.

  This is the Old Rock Church Museum in Parowan.  It was filled to the brim with pioneer items.  E's teacher even got to ring the bell.   It was an amazing collection of history.  If you like that sort of thing it is a must see.

 After several other sites, including a scavenger hunt at the cemetery, we ended the day at the Iron Mission State Park Museum.  The children loved it.  They had games and hands on exhibits that entertained 100 third graders for an hour and a half.  My station was U Load It, where we loaded toy sized covered wagon for the trek west.  Most of the children survived the trip because they took whiskey (to barter and cleanse wounds).  They all realized that family heirlooms and toys were non essentials.  All in all it was a lovely day and I really enjoyed my extra time with my sweet E.