Back to our regularly scheduled program. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend - we sure did, but that's later. Last time, I was telling you about the trip to Utah. For a recap, scroll down. I do believe this is the last post on the topic. I bet you are all pretty excited. :)
After rafting, we headed into Salt Lake City for the afternoon and evening. We started out at the Great Salt Lake. If you have never been there it is an odd site. Beautiful, but oh so unique.
I kind of like it in the sepia tone also...
According to the Great Salt Lake radio station, the water there can be 8 times as salty as the ocean. Its pretty thick. It can only support life in the form of brine shrimp and brine flies. They were nasty and covered the beach. Its really kind of weird to be at such a vast water source that is so barren and dead really. We walked out to the edge of the water - no way was I going in - not at all. It just looked stagnant - and it is. While there are rivers flowing into it, nothing is flowing out. The only way for it to drain is evaporation.
Interestingly, there is an island in the middle of it - it is about 42 square miles. Its huge! Its called Antelope Island. That's where we went. It is home to a buffalo ranch since the 1890's and that's about it. It also has big horn sheep, antelope (obviously), and bobcats. I know how the bison got there (on a boat - they are not indigenous - there was a sign). But what I want to know is how did the big horn sheep get to an island in the middle of the lake? I would guess that they didn't swim...hmm...any ideas?
Anyway, here are a few more shots (you can click on them to see a bigger version).
The pronghorn antelope and a "beach" scene. Both of these are looking across the lake toward Salt Lake City. If you make the one on the right bigger, you might be able to see some of the downtown buildings just to the right of center.
Like I said, beautiful!
So then we went into the city for dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse - this was our fancy night out - meaning it was expensive and it was the only time we did that. : ) It was all you can eat. Steak, pork, chicken, shrimp, and pineapple - basically anything you can grill! The pineapple was definitly my favorite - we are going to try it at home. Basically, you take fresh pineapple, roll it in brown sugar and grill. Basically, its what I think Heaven could possibly taste like. You have to try it. There was a huge buffett loaded with side dishes and desserts. Plus the waiters came around and cut you off a piece of meat. Its called Tucanos.
Next we walked around the downtown and viewed all the Church of Latter-Day Saints buildings. Awesome in size and beauty, but unfortunatley, they remind of a song by Andrew Peterson - All Things New. It has a line - Rise up o sleeper, awake. Anyway, just listen to it. It fits.
Ok, so I have a slight obsession with architetcural details like that awesome fence. Seriously, it was beautiful! Also, I love fountains. I have like a hundred pictures of various fountains. I just love the way the water looks when its caught in motion. I love seeing the individual drops and seeing the splash frozen in time - whoa sorry, getting caught up. : ) Also the building has a reflection of the tabernacle with the rosey sunset. Kinda cool!
So, that's the last post from Utah. What a trip. Happy Times.