Utah

 

We left Sedona on Sunday morning heading North through Flagstaff and Page and continuing on into Utah. After our two day, 600 miles of traveling we arrived at beautiful Jordanelle State Park, outside of Park City, Utah. The RV camping area is terraced uphill from a reservoir nestled between the hills. Lots of trees and well thought out sites provide everyone with views of the lake. Along the shoreline there are some cabins that can be rented and just offshore are a handful of small sailboats at anchor. This campground seems to attract a number of long term campers, some who will be here through September! We will be here for three nights, giving us a needed break after two long travel days.

The freeway speed limit here in Utah is 80 mph! Of course in our truck and trailer we don’t go THAT fast! Because of the long travel days this week, I am trying to help relieve Steve of some of the driving. Yesterday presented some new challenges for me in pulling the trailer. I started our day out with driving out of the campground and down (and up) the two miles of dirt road to the highway, (one lane each way, undivided), crossed the highway and pulled into the gas station. I got us back onto the highway and drove for about an hour and then Steve took over. Later in the day I got back behind the wheel on a stretch of Interstate 15, (two lanes each way, divided).  Seemed like a good place to practice pulling the trailer. Suddenly I saw a truck and trailer, two cars ahead, get hit with a rogue wind that pushed it part way into the lane to its left. I had a split second to slow down and tighten my grip on the steering wheel before we were broadsided by gusts as well. I don’t think we bucked around as much as the other rig, but it was a heart stopping moment. Thankfully no one hit any other vehicles and we all went on our way. Steve says I did just the right things and that my driving has been very good. He is learning how to be the navigator while I learn to be the driver.

Utah is a beautiful state…streams, waterfalls, lakes, roads ascending and descending from 6,000-8,500 foot summits, orchards, cattle ranches, and homesteads, beautiful snow capped mountains, puffy white clouds in bright blue skies, plateaus and cliffs, warm days and cool nights.

We stopped to buy some groceries at Smith’s, which is called Ralph’s in California. We expected a California sized grocery store, but this was Smith’s MARKETPLACE, like a Target or Wal-Mart with a grocery store, but bigger than any I have been to in California!  It was like being in a mall! Steve spoke to the cashier about how big the store was and she said another location has a bigger Marketplace that is two stories, the second story selling furniture. It sounds like IKEA. You must have to plan a whole day, and a large budget for shopping, if you live here!

PARK CITY AREA was beautiful, with so many Aspen Trees. A highlight was stopping to browse around at a ski resort and having the opportunity to share the Gospel with a young lady named Sophia. Steve spoke with her for about 45 minutes and shared his testimony, and also explained a lot about the Christian faith. Sophia does not know what to believe in other than a "higher power". She is 18 yrs. old and has already completed two years of college!  During his conversation with Sophia, Steve came to find out that between the things she has witnessed about the Mormon (LDS) Church while growing up in Utah and the philosophy of religion class she took in college, she has really been so confused that she is without any spiritual compass. Steve was able to encourage her to read the Gospel of John and she said that she was really interested in finding out who Jesus is. Please pray for Sophia and for more Divine Opportunities for us to share Christ with others!

McPOLIN FARM is an historic farm with the largest barn I have ever seen! 

After viewing the barn, restored house, and outbuildings such as bunk house and shed, we took an interpretive walk through a beautiful aspen grove. It was so stunning to be surrounded by trees as far as we could see! 

ANTELOPE ISLAND STATE PARK, is an island inside of the Great Salt Lake. It is a refuge to wildlife including bison and many kinds of birds. The views of the lake were amazing. Very hot and buggy this time of year though!

CAPITOL BUILDING, Salt Lake City

The capitol building was fun to visit. The architecture was so beautiful, and because the building is set into the hills, it offers amazing views of Salt Lake City. From there we went to dinner in downtown at a quirky Taco restaurant called Roctaco.  The menu was all tacos, but seemed to be an Asian/Mexican fusion. The food was creative and delicious. The interior design was so fun to look at while dining.

Where do you think we will be in our next week's blog?