Complex Topography

You can imagine why this part of the United States has never been heavily settled. The available farm and homesites are extremely limited. Additionally, this is a marginal 11 inches a year. The cutoff for an "official" desert is usually 10 inches a year. However, you also need to take into consideration that the elevation of this part of Utah is over 5000 feet above sea level and the hills and mountains in the area rise to over 12,000 feet high. The average low temperature in January is about 14 degrees. The benefit of all of this is that the beauty and solitude of this area have been preserved and we can enjoy both.

50 Year Old Tree Cut

This tree grew for 50 years. Unfortunately, it was planted about 3 feet from a house and the roots and branches were damaging the foundation, walls, and roof of the house. It had to come down. It was quite spectacular when it landed in the front yard. Great time to be out of the house during distancing.

Spring is Finally Here

We love the beauty of the snow in the Winter but we always look forward to the lovely Spring flowers. These tulips at the Provo, Utah City Center Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were incredible. The largest flowers are from eight to ten inches across. Too bad most of the grounds were closed and we could only see the flowers outside the fence.

Provo City Center Temple Closed for Social Distancing

This is something I have not seen before during my lifetime: all of the Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints closed for an extended period of time. Apparently, the temple grounds are also closed. This is the beautiful Provo, Utah City Center Temple. You can see the closed sign behind the gate. The flowers were still beautiful and we enjoyed the walk. We had no trouble maintaining social distancing from the very few people we saw.

Provo, Utah Historic Courthouse

The downtown area of Provo, Utah is well preserved for a smaller city. This is the Historic Utah County and Provo City Courthouse build beginning in 1920 and completed in 1926. It cost $576,495.30 to build. I wonder what part cost the 30 cents? Quoting from the UtahCounty.gov website:

The building is more than a building; it is a work of art, a monument that has been set up in the county to the men and women whose industry has made it possible. 

It is Neoclassic in design; that is, it follows the classical features of Greek buildings, but is not really a copy of any building. 

The column-caps and the cornice are an adaptation from the temple of Minerva, on the Acropolis at Athens. This adaptation made by the architect has met with very favorable comment from creative architectural artists who have seen it. 

The exterior of the building is classic in design, that is, it follows the general lines of the master artists and architects of Greece who have been rated as the world's masters in the art of building. 

The lower or ground floor has been treated as the pedestal upon which have been placed the two upper floors which form the interior of the magnificent order. The whole is surmounted with a classic balustrade.

Temple Site for the Orem, Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We had a brief outing today to escape from our oppressive social distancing. We drove by and walked around on the Temple Site for the Orem, Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is only a few hundred yards from Utah Lake on South Geneva Road. It is a lovely spot and very conveniently located.

An Ocean of Sandstone

Sandstone is ubiquitous on the Colorado Plateau. Most of the iconic photos associated with this part of the United States either feature sandstone or sand dunes. In this image, the white-capped spires are  "pipes" or chimnies of controversial origin. However, the surrounding sandstone has a well-understood origin. Here is an explanation of the origin of sandstone from Wikipedia: Sandstone.

Sandstones are clastic in origin (as opposed to either organic, like chalk and coal, or chemical, like gypsum and jasper). They are formed from cemented grains that may either be fragments of a pre-existing rock or be mono-minerallic crystals. The cements binding these grains together are typically calcite, clays, and silica. Grain sizes in sands are defined (in geology) within the range of 0.0625 mm to 2 mm (0.0025–0.08 inches). Clays and sediments with smaller grain sizes not visible with the naked eye, including siltstones and shales, are typically called argillaceous sediments; rocks with larger grain sizes, including breccias and conglomerates, are termed rudaceous sediments.

The formation of sandstone involves two principal stages. First, a layer or layers of sand accumulates as the result of sedimentation, either from water (as in a stream, lake, or sea) or from air (as in a desert). Typically, sedimentation occurs by the sand settling out from suspension; i.e., ceasing to be rolled or bounced along the bottom of a body of water or ground surface (e.g., in a desert or erg). Finally, once it has accumulated, the sand becomes sandstone when it is compacted by the pressure of overlying deposits and cemented by the precipitation of minerals within the pore spaces between sand grains. 

The most common cementing materials are silica and calcium carbonate, which are often derived either from dissolution or from alteration of the sand after it was buried. Colors will usually be tan or yellow (from a blend of the clear quartz with the dark amber feldspar content of the sand). A predominant additional colourant in the southwestern United States is iron oxide, which imparts reddish tints ranging from pink to dark red (terracotta), with additional manganese imparting a purplish hue. Red sandstones, both Old Red Sandstone and New Red Sandstone, are also seen in the Southwest and West of Britain, as well as central Europe and Mongolia. The regularity of the latter favours use as a source for masonry, either as a primary building material or as a facing stone, over other forms of construction.

An Eratic Boulder?

Erratic boulders are usually those carried by glacial action from one location to another. However, it is clear that no glacial action was involved in moving the large rock in the foreground of this image onto the smooth sandstone where is lies. The rock is large enough that it would take more than a few people to pick it up and carry it to the top of the sandstone ridge. The patterns of erosion in Kodachrome Basin are so complex that I suppose anything might be possible but I was intrigued by this solitary rock.

Mallard Duck

Mallard ducks are rather common but that does not diminish their beautiful feathers. Here is an explanation about Mallards from Wikipedia: Mallard.

The mallard (/ˈmælɑːrd/ or /ˈmælərd/) (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurosiberia, and North Africa and has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa. This duck belongs to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae. The male birds (drakes) have a glossy green head and are grey on their wings and belly, while the females (hens or ducks) have mainly brown-speckled plumage. Both sexes have an area of white-bordered black or iridescent blue feathers called a speculum on their wings; males especially tend to have blue speculum feathers. The mallard is 50–65 cm (20–26 in) long, of which the body makes up around two-thirds the length. The wingspan is 81–98 cm (32–39 in) and the bill is 4.4 to 6.1 cm (1.7 to 2.4 in) long. It is often slightly heavier than most other dabbling ducks, weighing 0.72–1.58 kg (1.6–3.5 lb). Mallards live in wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and are social animals preferring to congregate in groups or flocks of varying sizes. This species is the main ancestor of most breeds of domesticated ducks.

The Upside Down World

Mirror worlds have always fascinated me. I suppose that is because of my early exposure to Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass." The looking-glass worlds always appear more inviting than the one I am standing in at the time. They do have a tendency to have brighter colors and be less cluttered than the "real" world where I live. While we are living in "social distancing" almost all of the upside-down worlds look more inviting than this one.

Fishhook cactus

Quoting from Wikipedia: Fishhook cactus,

Fishhook cactus is a common name for any hook-spined species of the genera Mammillaria, Echinomastus or Sclerocactus. They are small cacti, usually growing up to 6-7 inches (20 cm) high, and are shaped similar to a barrel cactus. They are not to be confused with the fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii) of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. The Fishhook cactus is a large category of around 150 species.

You might get any of these cactus confused. This particular fishhook cactus is likely a Sclerocactus. But you are welcome to leave your opinion as a comment. They are all so similar. It is unusual to see some types of cactus growing outdoors except in the lower deserts. The Southwest corner of Utah drops to below 2000' in some locations. St. George, Utah, where this particular cactus was growing is about 2700' above sea level. It is still so cold, at times, in St. George that if not cared for, the cactus will freeze.

Sandstone Block Wall

Sandstone blocks have been used as a building material for thousands of years. Some of the houses I lived in over the years in the Phoenix/Mesa area of Arizona had decorative sandstone walls. It is a convenient building material because is separates into uniform layers and can be shaped or cut easily. The color of this photo comes from the sunset on the day it was taken. This wall happens to be in St. George, Utah.

Decorative Grate, St George Tabernacle, St George, Utah

Unless you live in a very expensive or very old home, you are unlikely to have detailed finish work like this grate in the St. George Tabernacle in St. George, Utah. The design and finish detail of the work is extraordinary. Quoting from Wikipedia, St. George Tabernacle:

The St. George Tabernacle is a historic building in St. George, Utah. It opened in 1876 to serve as a public works building, originally hosting church services and court hearings. Today, it is open to the public and hosts many public events, such as concerts.

Construction on the building began in 1863 and the building was opened in 1876 and was completely restored in 1993. 

Antique Chandelier in the St George Tabernacle, St George, Utah

My Jarvis family ancestors have a long history in St. George, Utah. The St. George Tabernacle and the St. George Temple were both built using local volunteer labor and the members of the George and Ann Prior Jarvis family were always active participants in the construction. The Jarvis family arrived in St. George in 1861. You can read about one member of the family, Willie Jarvis, who was killed at 8 years of age by lightning while sitting on the steps of the St. George Tabernacle.  See The Death of Willie Jarvis, 1881. Here is a very short introduction to the Tabernacle from The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square website article, entitled "Take a Tour of the St. George Tabernacle [PHOTOS]."

In 1861 leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called over 300 families to move to southern Utah and establish the area that would soon be known as St. George. 

The St. George Tabernacle opened in 1876 for the purpose of hosting religious and civic events. Nicknamed, the “jewel of the desert,” the tabernacle was restored in 1993. It stands to this day and remains open to the public.

Red Hills Desert Garden, St. George, Utah

As you travel around Arizona and Utah, you can find some spectacularly beautiful places tucked away in both the wilderness and in the nooks and crannies of the cities and towns. I have been to St. George, Utah a huge number of times, but until I got a "guided" tour of the city by someone who lived there, I had never seen many of the unusual and beautiful places that are right there in the middle of everything. I must admit, I have seen a lot more of the local Costco than I have of this lovely garden.

Spring Snow Crystals

When it snows in the early Spring, the snow melts almost as fast as it falls. When the temperature drops, the partially melted snow forms large crystals. All of this snow was on the bushes in the early morning but melted by the late afternoon. So seeing the crystals is something you have to do right at the time they form. You might have to click on the photo and zoom in a little to see the crystals.

Snow in April

The snow just does not want to quit. We have had two snowstorms this week and this one was after the 1st of April. All the snow melts rather quickly but it does look nice while it is here. I went outside early in the morning to check the weather and found this scene looking up towards Provo Canyon. Even if we are socially distanced, we can still enjoy the beauty around us. I can assure you, at that time of day, I was the only person outside enjoying the cold air and the view.

Royal Loo Remembrance Challenge Cup, Hunt & Roskell, 1851

This my photo of the Royal Loo Remembrance Challenge Cup, Hunt & Roskell, 1851 from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It took a little bit of research to find out that this had nothing to do with the Royal bathroom, The word “Loo” is an old Dutch term that means “clearing in the woods.” This is really a trophy for winning a horse race. Here is the official photo of the trophy from the Rijksmuseum.

Royal Loo Remembrance Challenge Cup, Hunt & Roskell, 1851
lacquering, h 71cm × d 40cm × w 5645gr More details

Narrative sculptures were a new idea in the 19th century. The theme of this group is falconry. A falcon has landed on the lady’s outstretched hand, while the falconer next to her stands ready to take over the bird. Lying on the ground is a heron, just caught by the bird of prey. King William III had the silver cup made as the main prize for the international races that were organized by the Royal Loo Hawking Society on the grounds of Het Loo Palace.