Sightseeing in Utah - Flaming Gorge - Part 2 - September 28, 2021

We left Green River, WY, at 8:00 in the morning on September 28th and headed for the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.

Christy and Hal are fun traveling companions.

"Running between Vernal and Manila 

on US Highway 191 and Utah Highway 44, 

the Flaming Gorge-Uintas National Scenic Byway 

climbs foothills and major geological formations, 

reaching the one-billion-year-old exposed core of 

the Uinta Mountains near the . . . "

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

The red cliffs of the Green River's Flaming Gorge 

stretch from Wyoming's high deserts 

to Utah's Uinta Mountains. 

High above the cliffs, we walked the winding path,
which ended at the
Red Canyon Visitor Center.

We traveled the marked route from

Manila (upper left corner)

to Flaming Gorge Dam.

Flaming Gorge Dam

More autumn colors on our way to Vernal.

Dinosaur National Monument 

(Sam)

The Dinosaur Quarry is located in Utah, 

north of the town of Jensen.  The nearest city is Vernal, Utah. 

Christy reading about the Allosaurus dinosaur.

 Vernal Utah Temple

The Vernal Utah Temple was the tenth temple built in Utah and was the first temple built from an existing building—the Uintah Stake Tabernacle. A modern temple was built within the shell of the gutted tabernacle, which had fallen into serious disrepair and had not hosted a stake conference since 1983.

It is labeled 1907 and 1997, indicating the two years when the building was dedicated—first as a tabernacle and then as a temple.

The opposite side of the temple.

Due to the narrowness of the building, a two-stage endowment room was innovated for the Vernal Utah Temple—a concept which has been used in many temples ever since.

The temple was given two domes instead of one, as was featured on the tabernacle. The eastern dome features a gold-leafed angel Moroni statue added on September 16, 1996.  In an experiment, the statue had originally been painted gold; but after four months, it was decided that the statue should be given the traditional finish of gold leaf.

"President Gordon B. Hinckley, who dedicated the temple, reminded the assembled congregations of the sacrifices made by the early settlers to build the Uintah Stake Tabernacle and of the prophetic statement by President Joseph F. Smith that he believed a temple would stand in Vernal.  In celebration of the one-year anniversary of the dedication of the Vernal Utah Temple, ordinance work was performed all that day and through the night for 24 hours."

Sightseeing in Utah - Flaming Gorge and the Unitas - Part 1 - September 27, 2021

We had not been to Flaming Gorge in Utah before, and Sam invited Hal and Christy Smith to go sightseeing with us. 

September 27 and 28, 2021  

We enjoyed seeing this area with the pretty autumn colors.  The following are photos taken on the first day of our trip on the Mirror Lake Highway.

It is a nice drive through the Unitas, and
there are a number of lakes before getting to Mirror Lake.
The fall colors were very nice, and our route
followed the Provo River for awhile.

Provo River Falls

Sam took photos with his Canon, and I used my iPhone.

Provo River Falls
(Narene & Sam)

Hal & Christy

Sam overlooking a view.



Teapot Lake
Along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
in the Uinta Mountains in northern Utah.

The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
About 10,000 feet above sea level.



Mirror Lake Campground

Mirror Lake Campground
(Christy and Hal)

Butterfly Lake

Bear River

Sam, Hal, and Christy

Fort Bridger, Wyoming

Green River, Wyoming

We stayed in the "Little Bear Motel."

The next day,  we continued  our sightseeing by going to the 

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.

These photos are posted in Part 2.

Empty Nesters - Potluck in Our Backyard

We have enjoyed our friendships shared with Empty Nesters that now represent friends from our five different wards we have been assigned since moving to Spanish Fork.  This area keeps growing with new homes being built, which has resulted in the five splits.

As our home was originally built "in the country," we have ample parking for those attending as well as a large backyard for gatherings when the weather is nice, so we are glad to hold our Empty Nester firesides and socials at our place.  However, our group has the option to meet other places when desired, including interesting places to visit or activities to attend.

Looking back and remembering some of these activities, in addition to potluck socials, they have included a game night at the Smiths; slideshows and reports about missions served (the McCarthys, the Snyders, the Irelands, the Larsons, and Cheryl Anderson); building temples (the Cooks); outings and tours: (the Proberts - Jerusalem video site, Monte Bingham - Crandall Historical Printing Museum, Antelope Island with the Haskells); canyon outing and nature sightseeing (the Baadsgaards), guest speakers for a fireside (Cheryl Anderson's with Brother Hunter; participting in a Passover Seder; learning about the Cokeville Miracle from one of the mothers whose children attended the school); Norman Rockwell exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art; Sumsions making and sharing kimchi; even seeing appropriate movies on occasion.  No, I haven't listed all, but just enough to remember the variety while appreciating the good memories.

Mostly, we keep local so traveling is not an issue.  The most important goal is to nurture friendships and have an enjoyable time together. 

We appreciated being with our friends at our potluck gathering in our backyard on September 13 hosted by Lee Ellertson who with his son-in-law and daughter provided the delicious brisket and Dutch-oven fruit cobbler.
 

Ross Baadsgaard, Kim and Ellen Berrett, Lee Ellertson (back corner); and our chef, Lee's son-in-law and wife

In the photos below:

Empty Nesters enjoying the meal and the good company:
(seated on the right side):  Ellen and Kim Berrett, Narene and Sam Ireland, Christy and Hal Smith, Lynn and Karen Haskell, Jolene and Bob McCarthy, and Lee Ellertson is standing.

(seated on the left side):  Ross and Janene Baadsgaard, Cheryl Anderson, Guy and Leslie Probert, Kay Larson, and Eugene and Sandra Cook.

Hal and Christy Smith have volunteered to host our next Empty Nesters, and I will send a message in October with details. 

Jenna & Josh's Marriage Celebration - Part 2

 The weather cooperated nicely for Jenna and Josh's special day, and the celebration was enjoyed by family and friends who came to offer congratulations.

Jenna's Grampa Sam told about our family's tradition
of adding a special lock to our
marriage tree by the pool
where each newly married couple adds their own lock
with their name and marriage date engraved on it.



Sam showed Jenna and Josh
where they were to attach their lock on the rung for
Scott and Kristine's family.



Greeting to guests as they arrived



Our backyard was transformed into
the reception area where guests were welcomed.



Arriving guests were guided by
lanterns to the reception ahead in our backyard.



Where guests were invited to sign their names.



A special trunk to receive gifts
or a wooden bucket for cards or cash.



Haley, Shannon, and Beth - the cute waffle makers.







Anna by the serving table
with warm waffles ready on which to add
fresh berries and whipped cream.
Pieces of fried chicken were available next,
followed by your choice of special syrup.



Shannon serving chicken to guests



Choice of Water, Lemonade or Root Beer.



Jenna and Josh cutting the cake.
Special frosted cornbread cupcakes
were made by Amy Ireland
which circled the cake pedestal.
The backdrop was decorated with a variety of foliage
and had photos of Jenna and Josh
which had been previously taken by Tyler Staten.



Eating and visiting



Rebecca and Anna



Smyth, Katy, Brittney, Judd holding Dean, Amy, Claire,
Trent, Jessica, and Scott



Tyler Staten (upper right) was the official photographer,
so I took a picture of him to include here
with my other pictures taken with my iPhone.



Devon and Rachel, Maren and Eden



Todd, Rebecca, and Beth


The pergola decorated for the dance area
with a "Just Married" banner



Jenna dancing with her dad



Judd was in charge of the music for the dance.
Jenna was fixing the train on her dress
before continuing to dance.


Time for dancing and enjoying the nice evening



Judd with the microphone announcing the next dance (left);
Tyler with his camera (right)



Brittney with Mabel and Katy

It was nice to meet Devon,

 and we were happy Rachel could come. 

She was missed at our family reunion in July.

Sparklers and small jars of honey with attached tag telling guests:

  "Sweet of you to come!"

Jenna and Josh made their departure at the end of the celebration walking between guests holding sparklers and cheering as the newlyweds passed.

Waving goodbye