Segovia, Spain: A castle on a hill

 

Taking photos of castles is difficult for the same reasons that they were constructed in the first place. A real castle, built for defense from a ground attack, is usually located on a high, steep hill, if one is available, to enhance the defenses of high walls and a moat. All of these factors are present with the castle in Segovia, Spain. This is the Alcázar of Segovia built. It started as a Roman fort and is first referenced in history in 1120 A.D and it has been reconstructed and maintained since that time. 

Altar in the Segovia Cathedral, Spain

 

While the pandemic rages around the world, I dream of returning to Europe and traveling around the United States again. I decided to jump from my photos in Utah Valley to Spain and a wonderful time exploring Segovia and other locations in that country. Because of my years spent living in South and Central America and my fluency in Spanish, Spain was, to me, the least foreign country I have visited in Europe. 

Pure Spring Water

 

When you live in the desert for most of your life, water that spontaneously gushes from the ground is very rare and extremely fascinating. I have visited a few huge springs in Arizona such as Fossil Springs and Thunder River, both of which are spectacular. Here in Utah spings are about as rare as in Arizona. This is one of the larger springs I have visited here in Utah. It is Cascade Springs in the Wasatch Mountains. 

Fall's Colors at Cascade Springs

 

We often associate Fall colors with bright colored leaves even though the muted colors of the other plants are just as impressive and beautiful. Cascade Springs is high up in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah and even though the roads are closed in Winter, Spring, Sumer, and Fall each have their attractions. Most of the trees had lost their leaves but the browns and golds were everywhere to be enjoyed. 

Walking on the Utah Lake Shoreline Trail

The mile-long Utah Lake Shoreline Trail is a peaceful and relatively short walk with views of Utah Lake. The old-growth trees on both sides of the trail give ample opportunity for bird-watching. Presently, the Provo River Delta along the eastside of the trail is being developed and eventually, this part of the trail will disappear and become part of the Delta and possibly the lake itself. We enjoy watching the development of the Delta but are sad to lose this lovely short walk. 

Along the shore

 

As I walk along the shore of Utah Lake, I see the world in patterns and color. The lake level varies with the seasons and the amount of snow and rain filtered through fast-growing urban areas. The demand for water in Utah far outreaches the supply. We are presently struggling with the balance between a sustainable environment and unrestricted growth. Just a short distance from the location of this photo, there is a major construction project making a new road across the Provo River Delta. This photo's location is also relatively near a major urban airport and a scattering of industrial developments. The future of this view will certainly be interesting. 

Late Fall at Cascade Springs, Utah

 October is a really good month for visiting different locations around the country. We were greeted by an exceptionally beautiful day at Cascade Springs in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. The Spring was covered by a huge algae bloom. The white on the pond is not ice or snow, it is part of the algae bloom above the surface of the water. The colors of the plants and the blue sky were lovely additions.