2011-06-21: Virgin River Gorge
No matter how many times we come through the Virgin River Gorge we are in awe of its majesty.
2011-06-23: Kennecott Mine
Kennecott Mine began copper operations in 1903. Since then some 18.1 million tons of copper have been mined. 55,000,000 tons of copper ore are mined per year at this location. On average, a ton of ore contains about 10.6 pounds of copper. There is also 120,000,000 tons of overburden per year. This is a view of the mine and some of that overburden from the road before we started climbing to the top of the mine.
2011-06-23: The Mine
The open-pit mine itself is almost 3-miles across the top and almost a mile deep. If you stretched out all the roads in the mine, you would have some 500 miles of road!
2011-06-23: Haul Trucks
There are about 80 of these gigantic haul trucks operating in the mine. They can carry as much as 320 tons of material in a load and get about 1/3 a mile to a gallon of fuel. They move at about 13 mph. A new truck like this costs about $3.5 million!
2011-06-23: Stagecoach Inn
We visited Stagecoach Inn, which in the 1860's was a rest stop for Pony Express riders. Camp Floyd, which was the site of the largest army encampment from 1858-61 is in the same area. More then 3,500 troops were stationed there to suppress a Mormon rebellion that never materialized.
2011-06-23: Snow
The local mountains are still burdened with snow. It has gotten quite warm in the last week and thus the snow has begun to melt at the rate of 2-3 feet a day.
2011-06-23: Floods
There is a lot of flooding in the area due to the fast rate the snow is melting. This is the local park in Murray on Thursday. By Friday the road was closed due to water flooding the roads.
2011-06-24: Mormon Temple
The symbol of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands majestically in the center of the city in Temple Square. This magnificent six-spired Temple was completed in 1893 after 40-years of construction. The neo-Gothic temple cost $4 million to build. Atop the 210-foot east tower is a gold leaf statue of Angel Moroni.
2011-06-24: Tabernacle
The Tabernacle was completed in 1867 and seats 6,500 under one of the world's largest domed roofs without center supports. The building has remarkable acoustics. We were given a demonstration where a pin was dropped on the floor and the sound reverberated throughout the hall. It was amazing!
2011-06-24: Organ
Although we didn't get to hear it, this 11,623-pipe organ is said to be one of the finest in existence.
2011-06-24: Assembly Hall
The Gothic-style Assembly Hall was built in 1877.
2011-06-25: City and County Building
This stately building houses city and county offices and is located in a huge park area which was the site of the Art Festival.
2011-06-25: Metal Art
This artist had some unique pieces such as this alligator.
2011-06-25: Art
There was art everywhere. Not only were there vendors but light poles, trees, parking meters and even a little smart car were decorated with textiles.
2011-06-25: Cathedral of the Madeleine
The cathedral was built by the first bishop of Salt Lake City in 1900. It is 190-feet long, 100-feet wide and has two towers 220-feet high.
2011-06-25: First Presbyterian Church
I don't have any information on this church but had to include it for its beauty.
2011-06-25: Boiled Peanuts
Today found us at a local farmers market. Because they had a late winter here, there wasn't a lot of produce but we did finally get to try boiled peanuts. They're ok but very messy to eat!
2011-06-26: Hawk
You never know what you're going to see at the market. We saw this harris hawk...
2011-06-26: Kilt Spinner
...and this kilt wearing spinner!
2011-06-27: State Capitol
This Corinthian-style structure was built in 1916 of Georgia marble and Utah granite. The top consists of a huge copper covered dome.
2011-06-28: The Great Salt Lake
Today we drove to Antelope Island, the largest of the 10 islands in the Great Salt Lake. The causeway bisects the lake. The water to the left has 15% salt while to the right it is 5%.
2011-06-28: Buffalo
Driving around the island we found herds of buffalo...
2011-06-28: Pronghorn
...pronghorn or antelope...
2011-06-28: Pelicans
...many different kinds of birds including these pelicans...
2011-06-28: Buffalo Jam
...and even a buffalo jam like the ones we saw in Yellowstone last year.
2011-06-28: Fielding Garr Ranch
The only ranch on this island of 28,022 acres is the Fielding Garr Ranch that was the established in 1848. It is Utah's oldest Anglo-built structure still standing on its existing foundation. It was still a working ranch until the 1990's.