Canyons, Canyons, more Canyons and a Lake.

Today Friday August 16 we hit the road heading South to our final destination of Lake Powell, AZ. We headed South on I-15 to Nephi, UT where we picked up Utah 28 South. We followed that until we hit I-70 West and followed it a short way to where we picked up U.S. Highway 89 South. That led us through some of the most fantastic scenery we've seen. About 4:30 we arrived at Paradise RV Park in Panguitch, UT where we are spending the night.

The Internet connection is fantastic here so instead of watching TV I decided to blog.

Here are some photos Bev took with her I-Pad as we drove down the road.

Some of the best scenery was driving down through the Canyons on Highway 89 but those pictures didn't come out. Of course it was the best scenery we have ever seen in our life - and you will never see it. Oh well, next time Bev will use the camera instead of her I-Pad.

As I mentioned in the last blog we saw a lot this past week that I wanted to blog about, canyon trips and Mormon Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Again I need to make a decision, what to show? I like canyons better than Temples so this blog will be about canyons and I will save Temple Square for another time. (Sorry Bev)

Thursday August 8th we drove through Logan Canyon to Bear Lake. As we drove through the town of Logan we saw this pig having fun.

On through the canyon.

As we crossed the final summit we saw Bear Lake ahead of us.

As we came down the mountain we overlooked the town of Garden City, UT on the shore of the lake.

We drove along the shore to get a close look at the lake. There were storms off in the distance causing the water to be a little rough but they didn't hit us.

This family looks like they are having fun. It is very sunny but the clouds in the distance make it look grey.

Would you believe that the gray rock found throughout Logan canyon makes Bear Lake blue, green, or aquamarine? Much of the rock in the area is limestone that has calcium in it. As rain water travels over the limestone it removes the calcium and transports it into the lake. Like millions of microscopic mirrors, calcium reflects light from the sky. Bear Lake changes color depending on the weather, wind, and the time of day. The dark spots in the lake are cloud shadows.

As we left Bear Lake heading back through Logan Canyon we stopped at the Visitor Center on top of the mountain. This is a view of the lake from there.

Bear Lake is on the border of Utah/Idaho and was discovered in 1812 by trappers returning home from Astoria, Oregon. This valley and its large lake soon became an important fur trade center.

Oregon Trail-Bear Lake Scenic Byway. Emigrants by the thousands entered present day eastern Idaho at this location traveling along the Oregon-California Trail. Wheel ruts are still visible today from the wagon wheels.

On the way back through Logan Canyon we stopped at Rick's Spring.

Thomas E. Ricks arrived in Cache Valley with his family in 1859. Between chores such as building a school and a cabin for his family, he explored Logan Canyon in search of timber. During one trek he discovered this spring which was later named for him.

Saturday August 10th we were out gallivanting again. This time we headed up Rock Creek Canyon in the Cache National Forest.

I know - I know one canyon looks like the next but the scenery is fantastic. The camera just doesn't do it justice. What we saw is so much more spectacular than what the photos show.

At the end of the road we came to Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

This is the Visitor Center and although it was closed for the season there was someone inside restoring the place so we did get in.

The only thing in the Visitor Center was this Elk.

This is the view from the Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center is only open in the winter because this is a snowmobile haven. There are over 180 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in the heart of the Cache National Forest. This is also an Elk & Deer Winter Refuge as you can see from the sign.

Now with so many trails the summer months bring out the ATVs. As you can see the parking lot is full of trucks with their ATV trailers.

Hardware Ranch was purchased in 1945 by the State of Utah from the Box Elder Hardware Company. The original ranch covered 7,500 acres, but subsequent acquisitions expanded the ranch to about 19,000 acres. The state established the Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area as a location to operate a winter feeding program for Rocky Mountain Elk. Today, the ranch operates as part of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

In addition to elk herd management, Hardware Ranch provides habitat for many species of wildlife, promotes wildlife research and provides visitors with an up-close opportunity to learn about wildlife.

After we left this canyon we decided to drive to Brigham City which was in the area. This is the road to Brigham City.

This guy is not having a good day. In my "Thought for the Day" on Facebook I did say "You never run out of things that can go wrong."

Brigham City is a nice clean city.

OK - OK for you people that want to see Temples here are a couple of them in Brigham City.

This is the Historic Box Elder Tabernacle and the sign said "visitors welcome" but we didn't go in. It was late in the day so we didn't even check (I was glad).

This is the Brigham City, Utah Temple and non-members are not able to enter the Temple.

Well, that's it for today. The next blog will cover Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Oh yes, and another canyon. After we left Temple Square we went to the Timpanogos Cave & Canyon. And you thought you were through with canyons. Remember, I rather see the scenery outdoors than any building or Temple.