Utah, Temple Square

 

 

 

Having grown up in a church environment and coming within inches of becoming a priest, I have developed a respect for most religions.

Given the opportunity, especially when traveling, I often make attempts to learn more about religions unfamiliar to me.

However, I do so with a reminder of a story told to me a long time ago.

St. Peter is giving a tour of heaven and says “Behind that door is all the (pick any religion) that made it to heaven (paradise)”

Past another door, St. Peter cautions his tour guests to be quiet. Curious one of them asks, “why?”.

St. Peter replies, “Those are the (pick any religion), they think they are the only ones up here!”

 

This evening I am in Salt Lake City and get a chance to visit Temple Square.

Here you can find on display a lot of Mormon history. Having hiked a part of the Mormon Trail in Nebraska, I find a display of a pilgrim family’s journey here very interesting.

 

 

 

Greeted by friendly missionaries, I get an insight into their personal calling and the Mormon faith.

 

At a nearby Chapel I am fortunate to stumble on a choir practice that is pretty cool.

Not quite the Mormon Tabernacle Choir but a good sampling of what that experience might be like.

The Tabernacle Choir practices on Thursday evenings.

 

 

A visit to the building where the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs is impressive. Built when the Latter Day Saints first arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, it is home to one of the world's largest pipe organs. I imagine the acoustics here are fantastic.

 

 

 

Home Of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

 

The Salt Lake Temple, the anchor of the square, impressively dominates all the other buildings here. It is off limits to visitors but the exterior is still a sight worth seeing. Two visitor centers are also located here but the area closes at 9:00pm.

 

 

From The Prophet Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and The Book Of Mormon, I leave Temple Square with a better understanding of the Mormon faith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although I don't expect to be a convert anytime soon, if I did, I wonder which door I would end up behind.

 

Technorati Tags: Utah,Temple Square,Mormons,Mormon Tabernacle Choir,Joseph Smith,Brigham Young,Mormon Trail,Salt Lake City,The Book Of Mormon

Wyoming, Yeah Pronghorn, Yeah!

 

Now headed back northbound, I take a detour down Antelope Flats Road with a promise of more animal sightings.

Pass huge open fields decorated with isolated buildings, the Grand Teton Mountain Range provides another wonderful backdrop.

 

 

 

 

Specks of a herd of bison can be also be seen in the distance

 

 

 

Further along Antelope Flats Road, I spot a herd of animals moving at a fast curving run across the plains to the right of me. Making a left turn down another road, I park my car where I think I can intercept their path.

 

 

With the engine shut off, I get may camera ready and wait.

I almost guessed right as within in minutes after parking about 20 pronghorns go racing across the street behind me.

 

 

 

 

I manage to capture just a few shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking the stampede is over, I relax to watch the herd disappear in the distance only to be surprised a few moments later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here comes a lone stud of a pronghorn

 

 

I think I get the idea what's going on here. This pronghorn is asking himself, why must I always chase the cat?

 

As Austin Powers would say, Yeah Pronghorn, Yeah!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Wyoming,Antelope Flats Road,Austin Powers,Pronghorns,Bison,Grand Teton Mountain Range

Wyoming, Grand Teton

 

My journey southbound is about to bring me face to face with the Grand Teton of them all. At Jackson Lake Junction, I make the turn towards Jenny Lake. Across the Jackson Lake Dam, I am a bit closer to my showdown. The intimidation is building as I take the scenic loop for Jenny Lake at North Jenny Lake Junction.

 

 

Jenny Lake with it's clear calm waters provides a nice reflecting pool for Grand Teton which stands in the background at 13,770 feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am just 13,764 feet shy of having a face to face with Grand Teton.

A twenty minute stare down and Grand Teton does not even blink. Leaving, I think I catch a wink and smile back at it's awesome beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

Worth more than a thousand words

 

 

 

A mail drop at the Moose Post Office and I am dipping my hands in the fast flowing, crisp waters of the Snake River.

Here adventurers await there turn to challenge the river on rafting trips.

Looks like a lot of fun on what has turned out to be a warm and gorgeous summer afternoon.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Wyoming,Grand Teton,Jenny Lake,Snake River,Moose Village,Jackson Lake Dam,Jackson Lake Junction

Wyoming, I'm On The Highway To ….

 

Exiting the South Entrance of Yellowstone, I am on the highway to Grand Teton National Park and I can tell unlike AC DC there’s going to be a lot of things to slow me down. From what I have experienced so far, I know resistance will be futile, I’m going down … All the way!

I am now on John D. Rockefeller, Jr Memorial Parkway, a combination of Highway 89, 191 and 287. Like most of the roads I have traveled in Yellowstone it is a well paved two lane highway that becomes very scenic to drive.

 

With huge pine trees on both sides of it and a descending rolling hill, Highway 89 frames the  majestic Tetons ahead of it, spectacularly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where's DMBTraveler?

With my camera's self timer set, I soon capture myself blended in with the Grand Teton National Park welcome sign.

I am about to discover another of America's hidden gems.

 

 

So far, from every perspective the views of the Teton Mountain Range are dazzling, gorgeous, radiant, spectacular and magnificent. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then I still have 995 words to go.

 

 

Beautiful, Charming, Awe-Inspiring

 

 

 

Reaching the northern end of Jackson Lake, the water is still unbroken by the morning breeze and remains smooth as glass.

A colorful flower bed extends from the shore line and floats on the surface of the calm clear water.

 

 

 

Across the lake a thin layer of clouds hangs below the jagged peaks of a small mountain range. A nice contrast of white, gray and blue. I stay at Jackson Lake long enough to see the morning breeze begin to make it's presence known on the area.

 

 

A gentle ripple develops on the lake surface as the mountain clouds rise and begin to dissipate.

Still a beautiful sight to see.

 

 

 

 

 

It becomes difficult to move but I sense more of nature's beauty awaits me. More sharp contrast of clear blue skies, lush green vegetation and jagged mountain peaks with patches of still remaining white winter snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along the highway, I stop and absorb the distance views of the Teton Mountain Range, feeling insignificant by their dominance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To comprehend their birth and the work of nature over million and millions of years is beyond amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Wyoming,Grand Teton National Park,AC DC,John D. Rockefeller Jr,Yellowstone South Entrance,Grand Teton Mountain Range,Jackson Lake,Highway 89,Highway 191,Highway 287

Wyoming, Yellowstone A Gem Of Nature

 

 

Descending a hill about ten minutes from Craig Pass, an early morning view of Yellowstone Lake comes into sight.

America's largest mountain lake which at one time flowed into the Pacific and Arctic Ocean.

 

 

 

A closer view requires that I make the turn towards West Thumb and Grant Village but I continue my journey south.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellowstone Local

 

 

Along with a few other park visitors, I watch and take pictures as a small herd of mule deer are leisurely enjoying breakfast and a morning stroll along the highway.

 

 

 

 

 

Again, another neat experience to see the park's animal going about their normal daily routine.

 

 

 

 

 

Fortunately for me some areas of the park are still shaded from the advancing sun and I am offered the opportunity to relax by a still tranquil lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calm Lake, Yellowstone Morning Fog

 

The world around me is silent except for the sounds of nature as I enjoy my peaceful surroundings. The scenery reminds me that somewhere there is always a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

 

Sometimes nature offers a nice option even if it is not in the form of a rose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although only thirty feet in height, Lewis Falls is still worth a stop.

A walk beneath the over pass allows a chance to touch it's refreshingly cool waters as it flows through an open valley southbound.

 

 

 

 

Lewis Falls

 

 

Relatively calm here, the water will at points downstream become a rushing tempest as it descends steep gouges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Returning to my car, I am greeted by a strange fellow out for a morning jog.

 

 

 

 

 

Wanting to strike up a conversation, I follow him along in my car.

However, I gather he's not the talkative type as he seems oblivious to my presence.

Jogging at about five to seven miles an hour, I guess he's training for the Boston Marathon and just wants to stay focused.

 

 

I wonder what Fantastic Mr Fox would have to say about that.

 

 

 

 

My first thought at the news of a forest fire is, how devastating. However, I have come to learn that forest fires are a vital part of the parks ecosystem. Over the years, numerous fires have happened in the park and although it seems destructive to the landscape, it also has benefits.

 

 

Lewis River Flowing In Gouge Below

 

One such fire occurred in the area I am now standing watching the Lewis River fiercely flow in a gouge below me.

 

Riding the wind, the fire leaped this gouge but today a slow rebirth and new growth is occurring. Part of a natural cycle of nature.

 

 

 

 

Soon Yellowstone South Entrance approaches and I am on my way to Grand Teton National Park.

 

Technorati Tags: Wyoming,Yellowstone National Park,Craig Pass,West Thumb,Grant Village,Grand Teton National Park,Yellowstone Lake,Pacific Ocean,Arctic Ocean,Lewis Falls,Lewis River,Fantastic Mr. Fox,Boston Marathon

Wyoming, Yellowstone And Dawn’s Early Light

 

Retracing my steps from the day before, I pass through Madison Junction headed towards Yellowstone’s South Entrance and Grand Teton National Park.

 

 

 

 

In the early morning light the same scenery is a different experience than the day before. The moon is setting on my right as dawn's early light approaches from the east. It is always a sensory delight to watch the changing of the color guard.

 

 

Setting Moon

 

The moon’s brilliant white is slowly replaced by the advancing orange rays of the sun. Night's blackness is exchanged for morning’s peaceful shades of blue. The contrast is spectacular on the park's landscape. An occasional approaching car removes my trance like state but I am still like a deer steering in the headlight as I enjoy nature's beauty.

 

Valley fog lifts as the sun gently heats the air ever so slowly.

It is promising to be a gorgeous day in Yellowstone.

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing my drive south, just beyond the Old Faithful turn off, I spot a lone bison having breakfast and park.

The gap between us gradually closes as he grazes aimlessly towards me. Eventually the bison crosses the street right in front of me.

 

 

 

 

An astounding bison close up

 

 

Grazing the median

 

 

 

 

 

Brief stops for selected photo opportunities then the Nissan's heater is at full blast. I can only stand a few minutes in the moist cold air. With just the blowing sound of hot air, my journey south continues to be most enjoyable.

 

 

From Old Faithful area it is a gradual climb to Craig Pass and the Continental Divide an elevation of about 8200 feet.

 

 

 

 

Here I am standing at the peaked roof of the continent and the birthplace of America’s greatest rivers. The Snake, Columbia, Missouri and Mississippi rivers all start here will drama except in the spring.

 

 

Isa Lake, Snake, Columbia, Missouri And Mississippi Birthplace

 

 

From Craig Pass and Continental Divide area, a hike can made to nearby Shoshone Lake in the valley below.

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Madison Junction,Yellowstone South Entrance,Grand Teton National Park,Old Faitful,Bison,Craig Pass,Continetal Divide,Isa Lake,Shoshone LakeL,Snake River,Missouri River,Columbia River,Mississippi River

Montana, West Yellowstone KOA Campground

 

 

6 miles west of town on Highway 20, I make a right turn to my accommodations for the night.

 

 

 

 

West Yellowstone KOA

I have reserved a cabin at KOA West Yellowstone campground. $72 per night and I am getting the “Bear” essentials part of what I want my Yellowstone experience to be.

After all, I am primarily here for some “pic a nic baskets”.

 

 

 

 

  No phone, no television just a simple plug in heater and free wireless internet.

There is a chill in the air and I doubt the plug in heater is going to do the job. Positioning it closer to the next thing I know is I am waking up at 4am to start my next day adventure in Yellowstone.

 

A layer of frost greets me as I cautiously load up my Nissan for the day.

The campground has reports along with evidence (a destroyed cooler) of bears roaming through the grounds at night.

I am not particular about having a close encounter of the furry kind unless it involves a “pic a nic basket”.

 

 

Leaving KOA, the moon is still bright but high in the clear night sky.

I will be on the road as Yellowstone comes and hope this will give me some neat experiences ahead of the daily crowd of visitors.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Montana,West Yellowstone KOA Campground,Nissan,Highway 20,Yellowstone,Bears,Pic a Nic Baskets