Spins to the West Coast and Canada

Monday, August 24, 2015

August 24: Antelope Canyon

August 24

We head south to Antelope Canyon in northern Arizona.

If you didn't know Antelope Canyon was there, you would not be able to find it. It was so beautiful and amazing that we took over 100 pictures. Here's just a few.

the Chieftain

Before the ladders, they had to use the handholds on the left

Smiling Shark

What a way to end our over 5600 mile trip!

Sunday, August 23, 2015

August 23: Ketchum, Idaho to Glendale, Utah

August 23

Today is going to be another long drive, 577 miles. We hit Salt Lake City after five hours on the road and drive by the Capital.

We visit Temple Square, a 10-acre base for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (L.DS) in the center of Salt Lake City. On the walk to the square, we pass this beautiful home and the Conference Center.

We take their free tour; our guides are young women, Sister Lee from Hong Kong and the other sister from Bolivia. They have four organs in the square; this one was being used for a free concert today.

This one, the smallest of the four, was in the Assembly Hall which was completed in 1880 and could hold 2100 people. The ceiling has a version of Utah's state flower, the Sego Lily. When the Mormons first came to Utah, they lived on the Sego Lily flower bulbs; their first year crops were eaten by crickets so they still depended on the lily bulbs.

No outsiders have been allowed in the Tabernacle since it was dedicated in 1883 (it took 40 years to build as each block of stone was mined a four day journey away). However, they do have a model showing the lower right hand room representing Adam and Eve and the past, the second floor room on the left being now and the family, and the next room up on the right represents the celestial. Everything there is instructional for the next life.

As we leave the area, it is brown and quite unattractive; these are pictures of the better views.

Dinner is at the Buffalo Bistro: Barcelona Bruschetta and Wild Boar Ribs with Polygamy Porter and Evolution Amber Ale. We watch the many hummingbirds flitting around.

Look very carefully for the little guys.

We stay at the Buffalo Bungalow, very cute.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

August 22: Ketchum, Sun Valley and Hailey, Idaho

August 21

Today we are spending a day with a friend here in Ketchum. First off, we learn how to play "pickleball" which is a cross between tennis and ping pong and a lot of fun!

Our second venture is to hike the 3.8 miles up Bald Mountain to the Roundhouse Restaurant with an elevation increase of 1800 feet. Plus there were 66 steps up to the restaurant!

Ketchum from about half way up

There is a nice lodge as this is the Sun Valley Ski Resort, the first ski resort in the country.

After lunch and a ride down on the gondola, we rest and regroup before heading over to the Sun Valley Resort...beautiful! The flowers are vivid and abundant; this is the main lodge complete with pool with birds, ducks and swans and two doormen. There are photos on the walls of famous people who have stayed here: Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Marilyn Monroe, and many more. There are beautiful fireplaces with stunning marble, a gorgeous spa, even an ice skating rink and an outdoor open air symphony hall! Truly a resort...