Diversity Isn't Just For People--Check These Places Out

Even looking at the pictures of Arches and Zions National Parks in Southern Utah get me excited and wish I was closer. If you want solitude, gorgeous natural scenes within walking distance, then this is the place to visit.

My first experience with natural rock formations and feeding chipmunks was about the age of five. I was enthralled with the sounds and smells of nature. And it was a pleasure to take my own children to visit years later.

A place not too far away is a large desert floor that you drive through for hours. Red rocks and dirt for as far as one could see, then all of a sudden rising from the desert floor are huge rock formations like dough dropped from the hand of God onto the flat surface. At night, driving through Castle Valley, the moon gives its own special effects.

My very favorite place in Southern Utah however, is Zions National Park. Caution! Do not visit during the early spring when the floods come down out of the canyons. There is a beautiful lodge and wonderfully maintained camp grounds all over the park. Behind the lodge is a natural formation called "The Narrows". During the spring, many the hiker has found themselves in trouble with the water rushes down without warning. For those who are able to make it through this "very narrow" place, the view of a large valley of tall grasses, and multicolored field flowers is worth the hike in.

On the other side of this area are natural rock formations that look like checkerboards, and other fun and unique handiwork's of nature. Many tourists fly in to St. George, Utah and rent a car to drive the short distance to the Park. St. George was originally a Mormon settlement that has developed into a thriving city, a cross-roads between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, in northern Utah.

Now headed back towards Salt Lake City, THE cross-roads of the west. The pioneers both of the Mormons and those who went further into California for the gold rush, it is a diverse city but still holds to the old values and thinking. On the national registrars it is noted to be one of the top places to raise a family and good income. I will leave that to those who take the polls (smile).

To the west of the city is the Great Salt Lake, which was formed from Lake Bonneville thousands of years ago. When I was a child, we would go and bounce in the water. The water was so salty that you couldn't sink, you just floated. Of course you also smelled afterward because of the brine fish. Yuck! But fun, nonetheless. It used to be as salty as the Dead Sea. As the water has been receding, there are enormous salt flats.

Speed trials for formula cars and motorcycles, rocket cars--the all make it to the Bonneville Salt Flats. Daredevil speeds and daredevil drivers; its all part of the history and excitement of living in the area of such diversity.

This is the portion of the United States that I explored as a child, and many more times as an adult. Rich in diversity, challenges, and abundant wealth of memories that I love to share with you and others.

If you haven't been to the Southern Utah National Parks, I would encourage you to take at least a week and see them. They are God at some of his most unusual and artistic best. Get away from the city and become one with nature. What a stress reducer.

Thanks for taking a look back with me, and perhaps finding something invite into your future to make a memory for yourself and loved ones. Check back tomorrow for another fun and not too distant place on the plane of memories. Thanks for sharing these with me.

Timpanogos--A Place of Outer and Inner Beauty

November 1st, the first day of the Nablopomo.com blogging frenzy. It reminds me of a beautiful mountain stream, beautiful trees all around, the quietness of mountain grandeur. And then you run across a fish hole, throw in a baited fishing line and wait for the results--dinner. And that reminds me of some wonderful memories of living in such an environment, when the water was clean and the air fresh.

Growing up in the Rocky Mountains, it was awesome to go just outside of the city, see the rivers coursing downstream from the glaciers of Mt. Timpanogos towards Utah Lake. The stream had rather strong deadly rapids in spots, then all of a sudden calm, peaceful flows of pristine water. In the upper streams are tributaries to the Provo River running through quaking aspen, mountain grasses and fields of wild flowers. Camp grounds and cabins for nature lovers.

Every morning I could look out the front room window at the peaks of Mt. Timpanogos. The Native American Indians have a story about the mountain. If you look at the peaks it looks like a woman, Timpanogos, laying down. Deep within the mountain are caves that are part of the National Park Service--US Department of the Interior. The story continues that her love had died and she died of a broken heart. In part of the cave is "Tica's Heart."

http://scenicutah.com/timpanogos/timpanogos0109.php
http://www.nps.gov/tica/

During the spring and summer, tours groups walk up the mountain path all day long. The caves are so interesting and unique. The path is paved for easy access. The view is breathtaking of the glacier that never melts, mountains that create the range and just a unique splendor that makes it worth the vacation or trip if you live close.

On the links above, are many photos of the cave, the area surrounding it, and other information if you're interested in visiting. Central Utah, a place of calm mountain oases, cold water fishing holes and lakes, great rainbow trout and walks through God's handiwork. I haven't been back in years, but the mind and memories are never too far away.

Join me tomorrow as we go into day 2 of the blogafest, and we'll see what other scenic travel idea we find. For today, think about the places that mean something to you. For me, this month is going to be a month of travel through memories--and share some of the highlights with you.

Abundant blessings!