Rockfall in Rock Canyon, Utah

 

Rock Canyon Trail blocked by Rockfall

Rocks do fall. Most changes in the physical geography happen over long periods of time but landslides and rockfalls happen suddenly. This past week, this large boulder and all the rocks around it fell right in the middle of the Rock Canyon trail. It is unlikely that anyone witnessed this particular rockfall. It may have happened during a brief snowstorm. I have seen a few rockfalls over the years some caused intentionally and others, such as one on Lake Powell, that are spectacular. For those of you familiar with the Canyon, this rockfall occurred just up from the green Forest Service gate. 

Designs from the Alahambra, Granada, Andalusia, Spain

Designs from the Alahambra, Granada, Andalusia, Spain

The windows in this photo are a mashrabiya lattice found in Alahambra in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. Here is a definition of this architectural element from Wikipedia: Mashrabiya. 

A mashrabiya (Arabic: مشربية‎), also either shanshūl (شنشول) or rūshān (روشان), is an architectural element which is characteristic of traditional architecture in the Islamic world. It is a type of projecting oriel window enclosed with carved wood latticework located on the upper floors of a building, sometimes enhanced with stained glass. It was traditionally used to catch and passively cool the wind; jars and basins of water were placed in it to cause evaporative cooling.

Here is a list of some of the other architectural elements in the Alahambra including the mashrabiya from Thoughtco.com's "The Amazing Architecture of Spain's Alhambra."

• alfiz — the horseshoe arch, sometimes called a Moorish arch
• alicatado — geometric tile mosaics
• Arabesque — an English-language word used to describe the intricate and delicate designs found in Moorish architecture — what Professor Hamlin calls a "love of surface richness." So breathtaking is the exquisite craftsmanship that the word is also used to explain a delicate ballet position and a fanciful form of musical composition.
• mashrabiya — an Islamic window screen
• mihrab — prayer niche, usually in a Mosque, in a wall facing the direction of Mecca
• muqarnas — honeycomb stalactite-like arching similar to pendentives for vaulted ceilings and domes

 

The Alahambra, Granada, Andalusia, Spain

 

The Alahambra, Granada, Andalusia, Spain is a palace and fortress built beginning with a Roman fort in 889 CE. Construction of the present castle began in the mid-13th Century. You need tickets to enter and a tour takes a few hours including the waiting time to enter the castle. Once in the castles the tour is marvelous but only about an hour. 

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.