Sparks Haven: More Vacation Photos!

On the way to Utah, during the first week in July 2013, we stopped for a picnic at Jacob's Lake---so pretty there!

We just HAD to get photos with Smokey the Bear!!!

Some pretty scenery in southern Utah. It is a lovely drive!

First night in a little Kamping Kabin at the Panguitch KOA.

Bill decides to see what its like to wear his hat fashionably! Worked OK while loading the car, but he soon turned it around!!!

Then, we drove to Manti, and visited with my parents for a few hours. Great visit! And I got to spend some time with my Dad up the canyon and at the lake, while Bill took a nap. An official truck with a tank full of trout arrived while we were at the lake. He took photos of the school of bright orange goldfish someone had put in the lake. They looked neat, but the ranger explained that goldfish are a variety of carp, which can quickly take over a lake as they grow, making it difficult for the indigenous (and tasty!) fish to live there. They basically change the environment. Dad said that someone had probably dumped them there from their home aquarium, instead of finding another home for them when they moved, or could no longer keep them. Very interesting. We saw another small school of goldfish on the other side of the lake. So sad.

Well, after visiting my parents, we drove to Salt Lake City, and stayed in the KOA there, in our tent. So different camping in a city!!! We had a great time, except for the record heat they were having. It is very good that we thought to bring along an electric fan and an extension cord!!! We enjoyed the free shuttle ride to Temple Square that the Church provides from the airport and a few motels and the KOA. We learned that the driver and his wife were on a Church Service Mission! 2 days a week, they drive back and forth, and give a little information to those visiting. We met all sorts of missionaries our ages and some young ones. One lady on the shuttle, was just finishing her shift at the Conference Center as a guide. For her mission, she flies once a week from Mesa (or Gilbert?) to Salt Lake, does tours all day, then flies home!

Visiting Temple Square and resting a lot was just what we needed for a few days, so we would have enough energy to enjoy Emily and John's wedding on Friday, the family reunion on Saturday, and the drive home the next day. We were pleased that we didn't have to miss more activities because of our health challenges. We did miss the reception, and a few places we had hoped to visit, but we got to be in the Draper Temple when they were sealed. So very glad we got to! (Photos we took outside the Draper Temple will be in our next post!)

The concert inside the Tabernacle on Temple Square was lovely!

So amazing that the lovely architecture of the Salt Lake Temple was accomplished by Pioneers with simple tools. Beautiful! The carving of the granite stones is incredible!

I'm sitting under an ancient olive tree on the Temple grounds.

This I believe!!! One of my favorite sayings on display inside one of the Visitor's Centers.

The flowers are fabulously lovely!!!

Inside the Deseret Book in the City Creek mall across the street from Temple Square.

Our campsite! On the 4th of July, we were in the middle of at least 5 major fireworks demonstrations! When those ended, private fireworks displays kept going till way past midnight, as they are legal there. Then, there was a HUGE rainstorm with lots of thunder!!! Not much sleep that night, but it sure was exciting!!!

When my children were little, we lived in Kearns, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. While there, this Temple was built, the Jordan River Temple. I wonder if they remember doing fund-raising activities with me, and then touring it one day during the open house, before it was dedicated to the Lord. I didn't recognize it at first, because the trees were so small back then!!! I guess it has been around 35 years ago!

More views of the Jordan River Temple grounds.

Then we enjoyed the wedding/sealing of Emily and John Johnson, and the family reunion, then Marilee, Nanette, and Melody and I did a little shopping at an outlet store in Manti. Somehow didn't get a photo of Melody, but here are a couple of Marilee and Nanette!