The Great Salt Lake

They are saying that the Great Salt Lake is at almost is historic lowest level. Every time the Lake recedes because of a drought or whatever, the scientists start wringing their hands over the fact the Lake may dry up. Then the weather turns around and the Lake comes back to flood subdivisions built while the Lake was low. Since what we see today is merely a remnant of Lake Bonneville that covered most of what is now Utah, if scientists had been there thousands of years ago, they really would have had something to wring their hands over.

Provo City Center Temple at Night

The Provo City Center Temple, a reconstruction of the original Provo Tabernacle, has already become a magnificent addition to the older, downtown section of Provo. At the time this photo was taken, it is estimated that over 180,000 people had already viewed the interior of the Temple during the open house period before the structure is dedicated and closed to all but worthy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is expected that more than 500,000 people will view the Temple before its March 20, 2016 dedication.

Heavy Snowfall

This is actually our front yard. We live right on the edge of a forested area and about 50 yards from the National Forest. We have deer, weasels, rabbits, birds, squirrels and mountain lions nearby. We also have a canyon about three blocks up the hill with mountain goats and big horn sheep. We like the snow. Having the hillside right outside my window gives me the impression that I am out of civilization.

Little Colorado River

This is the Little Colorado River in the northeast part of Arizona. This river begins in the White Mountains and runs north and west until it joins the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. My Great-grandparents settled along this river in the late 1800s. At that time, this was almost their only supply of water. They had to put the water in barrels and let the red mud settle out until top portion of the water was drinkable. Normally, the stream is almost dry. In this image, there is a "flood" or there is actually water running down the river. When there is water it is called a flood since the river is usually almost dry. You can see how desolate the land is in this area. It is typical for this part of the country. By the way, the wind blows about 360 days a year.

Classic Grand Canyon

With the Colorado River visible in this view of the Grand Canyon, this is classic. It is impossible to tell that the weather was freezing and the wind was blowing snow only a few hours earlier. I like to go back to these images of past travels when the snow is deep and it is cold outside to remind me that I may yet live to see the Canyon again.

Grand Falls of the Little Colorado River

Who would believe that a huge waterfall exists out in the middle of the vast Colorado Plateau? The key is that it is dry most of the year. Only when there is enough rainfall to make the river flood is there runoff that makes a huge waterfall. Of course, the water is not sparkling blue and white, it is the color of the sandstone and mud. When you are standing next to the waterfall the spray leaves mud spots on your clothes and skin. It is had to get a perspective of size anywhere on the Plateau, but this waterfall is taller than Niagara Falls in New York state.

Provo City Center Temple

On a cold and stormy day in January, my wife and I got up early to visit the open house of the new Provo Utah City Center Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is expected that there will be over 500,000 visitors to the Temple before its dedication on 20 March 2016. During the past year or so, we have been privileged to visit the open houses held for four other Temples and my impression is that this is the best organized such event we have attended.

The new Provo City Center Temple is a reconstruction of the historic Provo Tabernacle that was destroyed by a fire on 17 December 2010. The exterior of the building was salvaged and used as the basis for the reconstruction. The interior of the building as completed is exquisite. It is clearly the highest quality and most impressively beautiful handiwork I have ever seen, including the previously visited Temples. The finish is unbelievable down to the door handles and hinges.