Trip to Salt Lake City, Sept 2013

Sept 25, 2013 - Day 1

Life is beautiful, if we can spare our time to visit wonderful places such as the Salt Lake City. It is surrounded by huge blue mountain ranges, big water lakes and waterfalls. We have to make use of such opportunities to enjoy the beauty of nature and the world.

FLY

My Son (-in-law) had planned the trip for 4 days. My niece dropped us at the airport by 8 am. It was a 30 miles drive to airport from home. We both started our trip from Midway airport at Chicago. 

The Southwest plane filled with about 200 passengers, took off at 9 am to Denver City. The travel took two and half hours time to reach there. It was noon time. I could see the natural scenes from plane while going over the great city lands, streets, lanes and farms. We arrived Denver and waited at the airport for an hour.

We got into another Southwest connected flight. It took two hours to reach our destination, The Salt Lake City. It was hill area between the two cities Denver and Salt Lake City. The roads over those hills, lakes and the thick clouds on the way around our plane. I could not understand how plane goes through such a huge blocks of clouds for hours together at a height of 50000 feet.


City of Mountains

By the time we reach at Salt Lake City, it was raining and weather got very cold 45*F. We took a wonderful Hyundai rental car from the airport then drove it to a big restaurant in downtown city which was booked well in advance. We were given an apartment like portion in the 9th floor of that hotel. At 4 pm we arrived the hotel and took rest for an hour, took bath and had tea. We left for sightseeing at 5 pm, it was raining then.

Entire city is in a valley and huge mountain ranges in series are found around the city without any gap. One has to cross this city by going to peaks of these hills by car on the wide and beautiful four lane roads built among highest mountain ranges. The time zones are different, if it is 7 pm here then the Chicago time would be 8 pm.

Temple Square

At first, we  drove our car  into the downtown to see the Temple square which is in middle of the town. The temple is made of white marble belongs to Mormons. It is very wide and tower is about 80 feet height, located in 10 acres with a statue of Joseph Smith of 4 feet made with gold standing and blowing a long pipe. A newly married couple were coming out of the temple with their relatives and friends taking photographs and gone into the big hall arranged for such parties.

We  wanted to enter into the temple, temple prototype is seen by the entrance. As we move towards entrance, two young ladies dressed in white clothes stopped us. They inquired if we believe in their religion. They said -" No !- You cannot go inside. It is only permitted for those who trust our religion, not to visitors."

There are big statues of the persons who went to top of the mountains to see the god then returned with the order to establish a religion and thus became MORMONS. This temple is built on their name. This was a 400 years history. 

We had an interaction with a 20 year young Japanese girl at the Christian prayer hall. She had come from Japan for a 18 month strict training with no choice to have sightseeing tours. 

Ensign Peak

Next we drove our car to the Ensign Peak, highest peak in the area. We could not go further by walk due to rain as it would take at least an hour for the hike in the cold weather. This is the peak where the Mormon with his followers saw the GOD and started preaching and dressing as Mormons then built the Temple Square. They spread the Christianity all over the world into the nooks and corners of continents. We thought to climb up in next 3 days if weather permits.

State Capitol

Next visit is to the State Capitol Building, one mile away from the peak. This building is built on a wide hill at high altitude. The State Capital Building is constructed with white stone. It looked like good old Osmania University of Hyderabad in India where I studied my Masters in Physics. There are big halls, chambers, rooms, with colorful glass roof and beautiful architecture carved on pillars.

The building is fit to be seen by the tourists, many people are visiting and capturing photos of each corner. There is fine ventilation even at the evening hours. We met an Indian born, came on job and settled in this city. He usually comes here in the evening hours for walking or jogging to this this monument which is at a highest place than any other building in the city. We found some houses, cottages in its surroundings and smooth roads leading through the hills covering this area.

People from China, India and other countries were seen roaming around the chambers allotted for People representatives and so on. The furniture, chairs, tables, balconies, stages and rooms are beautifully decorated in colors and permission for visitors to see inside chambers is prohibited .

At around 7pm, many young men and women had assembled in a big Hall in the first floor. It was a wide plane area where sound system and stage was arranged. Within 30 minutes, about 200 youth gathered there to do Yoga followed by Governor ordinance speech explaining the significance of the programme. YOGA class with the music in the background started and all the youth involved in performing asanas one after other in a decent disciplined manner. Music was going on along with their limb movement too. We enjoyed the actions of spirit of the youth mob, their yoga practice combined with a constant, non stop speed was great feast to eyes. There were instructors correcting their gestures and postures and the view was so thrilling. The area inside the hall was so wide that it can easily accommodate more than 600 people at a time.

Outside the building, there was wide area with the green grass in about 10 acres of open area. It was a great sight to see entire salt lake city from this view. Then the time was 8pm, sun was setting behind the west side hills in midst of colorful sky. It was an excellent natural scenery to be experienced can't express enough. Really,  it was so fascinating to see such a  beautiful mountains, trees and the greenery every where. Gods creation is so amusing, amazing. It is an unwritten registry with full of glories, secrets and conveying hidden messages. His creation made nature beautiful, giving happiness to the creatures animals and human beings on the planet. Till night, We wandered in front of the court yard of the great State Capital  building by capturing its beauty on our cameras as many as we can. 

Night stay at Hotel:

We stopped by a grocery shop on our return to Hotel. He purchased grapes, bananas, apples, water  for me and snacks for him. At the restaurant in the hotel, he had taken the trouble to help me on arranging and making the food. I ate cereals, fruit pieces and coffee. There were two lifts and 9 floors. Each floor consists of 30 rooms with double bed and triple beds.

Our room had a wonderful view facing the east side where state capitol building and Ensign Peak are seen from our room window. Down town was beautiful in glittering lights during the night. I never saw such a beautifully decorated fully furnished room. Any ways, it was tiring due to the journey, rain and hiking on ensign peaks.

My Son-in-law made many tours across United States. He has passion to hike highest points in every state along with friends, siblings and wife. He feels over joyed with such adventures. He spares much of his weekend times for the research and observation in finding new things, places and secrets of ancient historical monuments. He exchanges his views with co-tourists, acquires new experiences and skills. He never waste his time. He allots few hours or days for out door activities with his own well prepared kit box meant for such trips.   

Sept 26, 2013 - Day 2


We woke up at 8am, sun rise is clearly seen from the room. But the temperature is bit cold at 50F*. We planned to visit Arches National Park which is 4 hours drive from here.We started at 10am after finishing our breakfast. Our car was moving through huge mountain ranges towards south west of this city. Outside, severe cold breezes were pressuring our car moving at a speed of 90 mph by force. The blue sky is filled with misty clouds. At 12 pm, temperature increased to 70F*. On the way,  there were no trees, no greenery, no crops and no living beings at all. But, small white colored hills covered with white sand powder were found at a distance. Three lane wide roads on either sides leading to the Utah cities and Denver and so on. During this journey, I had written a song in English for grand parents day event and it was recorded on the phone to be shared with my grandson in Bangalore.

Utah"s five spectacular national parks ( 1. Arches  2 Canyon 3 Zion  4 Bryce Canyon 5 Capitol reef ) stretch across the southern half of the state, each park offers the travelers a unique experience. In fact, Utah"s national parks feature some of the most astonishing landmarks, offer breathtaking views, brilliant red rock sunsets and adventure filled hiking trials plus the opportunity for relaxation.These parks are located in close proximity. So, it is easy to see them all in one trip. Each park makes a great destination in its own right. Tourists spend several days setting up camps to explore these parks.

We were geared up with water, shoes, cameras and phone. We had to go about one mile on foot to reach National delicate Arch by 3 pm. Sun is accompanying with us., it was hot out there.  We had to cross small rocky paths, small bushes and got down into the depth of the valley. Soon, found a wide flat  red rock mountain. We hiked carefully on that smooth surfaced big hill. 10 to 15 hiking men and women came behind us.  Finally, arrived to the spot after 30 minutes of hike.  We crossed 3 feet path beside a big stone then found the Great National Arch in the front.

The glamour of the thrilling scenery was a treat to watch. The Arch is a part of a red (salmon colored) hill. It was cut and shaped like an arch by the heavy blowing air from the great valley behind it. It is totally red stone might be 60 feet or above . This is most dangerous arch to move further as the plane is smooth and slippery, powerful winds was pushing us down. No one dared to stand there.People crawl on that plane smooth surface  to move from one place to the other place.  Fortunately, there was no rain or thunder storms. Authorities would not permit park visit if weather forecast is bad.  There was no shelter as there were no trees or caves except giant like huge big red mountains,rocks and deep valleys to withstand to the fierce wind or thundering rains. 

We could take photos and videos without much difficulty. Weather favored our attempts under enough sun light. The arch looked like a big long red rock put on two other big red rocks of the same size such as an inverted U shape. My son (in-law)' s hat was  blown away by the powerful fierce wind, disappeared and fell into the valley. Depth of these valleys and the mountains are so huge. Anyone's lives are also like that fallen hat, lost forever if missed once. The history of these red rocky parks are still remains a mystery to unleash. 

I found many hiking men and women rushing behind us in groups with big lenses and cameras carrying heavy  loads of bags on their shoulders. We could hardly spent 2 hours there and our return journey was easy as we had to get down from the top to the bottom of the red rock hill ranges. There were thorn bushes on the way with a peculiar shape. The arch we saw is known by the name "DELICATE ROCK" as one cannot either stand  or move.  By 4 pm,  We started to see other red rocks called "BALANCED ROCKS". It is a vertical red big stone balancing another round red big stone upon it. It appears as of it can fell down any time. But, environmental conditions made them to stay balanced.

THE WINDOWS arches were carved by the powerful winds inside the great rocky mountains they were so wide that a small elephant can easily pass through big round openings made at about 50 feet above the ground level in midst of red hill ranges. We can see many such windows at various places. These rocks have million years of history. 

SAND DUNE ARCH, where heaps of red big sheet rocks piled one on the other. DOUBLE ARCH where two windows are seen in one big red rock. 

DEVIL GARDEN ROCKS are found in various cylindrical round cone shapes inside which big caves are carved. We found many heaps of rocks in hundreds in various sizes with 30 to 40 feet height on the mountain ranges. 

The other type of shaped red rocks is  FIERY FURNACE. They look like a furnace of fire as those mountain burning forms are fierce with long necked peaks. When sunlight falls on them, they look like red flame. They look like a forest of dreadful rocks with long deep dark caves like wide opening mouths of a wild beast threatening the viewers.

 All these red mountain ranges look like a red fort sculptured  and carved symmetrically in various designs by great ancient eminent artists. We find different shapes of ancient men and women in giant size of about 80 feet height above the ground. We feel Statues of Dancers Lord Krishna playing flute, Lord Ganesha sitting, standing style with elephant heads and structures of many animals.

It was night 8 pm, sun is set on the west hill banks   We went all alone  in to the depth of these mountain  foot ranges  along the narrow-long upside down path -waved by the winds- through those huge red stones  and took our photos standing in its front side. We were still disappointed for not covering the entire area in sunshine. We must have started a few hours earlier.

 These structures are formed due to environmental changes taking place  since millions of years- red hills are converted into different shapes and sizes -contrary to  the normal mountain ranges-  they have peculiar type of shapes because of the strong winds blowing from thousands of acres of wide open plane  lands  and severe  hot sun weather- It is totally a different land -having no creature-no greenery -no water sources - no trees - no cold breezes -except the red rock stones alone in the open space away from civilization- looks like  giant devils standing - gazing and threatening  the viewers.

We returned at 8.30 pm night towards our destination Salt Lake City.  We talked about the glories of the past and the movie Oh My God discussed on present bhakthi attitude, trends in temples and priests.  The way in which Brigham Young could build the temple, could not convince the people that he saw the God. His followers fled away here, gone to the top of hill then came down and started preaching  in the valley of salt lake city. They settled and started MORMON movement. They built this temple Square, collected huge amounts, made a trust with a mission to convert young men and women to become Mormon. It was raining heavily in middle of journey. We were very much tired of this tedious, long journey and all of our energies were almost exhausted then had sound sleep at that night in the hotel.

Sept 27, 2013 - Day 3

Weather was very cold even today. At 8 am, it was beautiful morning over the blue mountain ranges 50F*. At 10 am, weather was changed and rain started. We had our breakfast at our hotel restaurant and moved towards southwest road at 11am to salt lake.  We were on the great path through the lake and big salt lake is seen on either sides of the road. It took an hour to cross this lake at 70  mph speed drive. It was like an ocean and its water is 6 times salty than the ocean water. 

Islands

Salt lake consists 10 islands. Bison and Friary islands have big mountains with 5500 ft  altitude or above than the sea level. We started our hiking on Bison mountain which is 4260 ft. It took 30 minutes to climb up the hill in hot weather. It was wonderful to see the salt water around this high peak of  island. We have taken many pictures standing on the top of the rocks on this mountain. Each scenery was like a paint on a big panorama canvas.

At 4pm, visited a museum. It preserved samples of extracts of salt taken from salt lake. Photos and a movie on the living beings on all kinds of birds and animals like bison deer and color changes for every season along with the information about the lake which is 25 miles width and 16 miles breadth are illustrated in the museum. Later,  we visited a big Ranch House where training classes are conducted for feeding horses, cattle shed for sheep, bison deer ,they preserved the tools used in ancient days for making furniture and construction of houses.We wanted to go hiking over the Friary peak mountain. But, it takes at least 2 hours time round trip.  We returned to the salt lake city with a great satisfaction, it took one and half hour. It was raining there. 

We went to an Indian restaurant Taste of India in the downtown. It was too cold and hailing so we had to wear jackets. The restaurant was small but beautifully decorated in Indian style. We had ordered for Samosa, Onion bajji, Alu chat, Sambar, naan and tea. There were 10 punjabee paintings hung on the walls . I had inquired with the restaurant owner about the migration from India. She answered in Hindi  with a smile She and her husband came here 10 years ago.They appointed Americans to work in the restaurant. I also appreciated melodious Hindi songs while having the dinner. 

At 7pm,  we went to western mountain ranges called TIMPANOSE ranges. It is the highest mountain among all the other mountains. After an hour drive, we reached to water fall sight. It looks like a long snake like water fall sliding from the the height of about 40 feet. There were other water falls formed with ice melted on top of the mountains. Though the salt lake is not useful for basic necessity, All these waterfalls and water  reservoirs  can easily  meet the demands of water to the entire big salt lake city. Moreover hundreds of huge mountain ranges stood as natural protecting compound walls around the city providing cool weather, enough rains and pleasant atmosphere keeping the people healthy and wealthy. Salt lake city has an International airport, it is state capital  and a center for beautiful historical ancient  monuments. 

At 9 pm we returned to the hotel in the city, had dinner.  Hotel is 9 floors with each floor consisting 30 apartments. There were beautiful paintings on the glass doors around the hotel. We asked for their permission then took photographs of those paintings.


Sept 28, 2013 - Day 4

Weather was good on last day of the trip, checked out hotel as our return tickets were booked for 3.45 pm direct to Chicago. We were ready with our food packages water bottles, carry-on and suit cases.We had the break-fast at the dining hall and tea too. But I wished to draw the glass paintings on my notebook with the the black crayon as those designs were so attractive and excellent . I took 45  minutes time for making sketches of the art work. We wanted to see the colorful valleys and the color changing fall leaves over the huge mountain ranges standing-nearby in the bright day sunlight.

 At 10 -o-clock in the morning we drove our car through  the hill ranges.  At 11.30 am,  we were close to the  mountain areas. All of them are close to one another and their upper rocky areas covered with snow and lower parts are colored with the grass and bushes and trees.  It was in  full sun light and deposited snow from the tall trees is melting down like falling white flowers  and the all wide faces of the mountains are found in several colors such as green yellow red pink blue purple violet and combination of all these colors gave a bright wonderful sight to see from our car. 

There is a beautiful location called DEER VALLEY. Our car has entered into that valley path being 10 feet wide and we found huge mountain ranges and tall trees on either sides. We forgot ourselves  in experiencing, enjoying and capturing the beauties and glories of the  curved valley. We move slowly at 25 mph speed all the way is filled with these natural colored atmosphere. The location was so extraordinary, superb, and amazing that no words can describe the beauty of  the wonderful deer valley. Our car went on for 30 minutes into the colorful valley getting up and up to a height of 5000 ft. We found  tallest trees over the huge hill sides  and every inch of  nature in our front is turned into white  and green leaves branches and at its foot .

There was no ending to these glories. The valley is long, colorful, so attractive that we tried to capture the beauty in about 300 photos. It was so beautiful even while getting down , every corner, turns, inside the valley is giving a new bright colorful scene, different scene to feel in the heart. Mind blowing trip is in this great Grand deer valley, a treasure of pleasure, wealth of beauties are preserved in this valley. We stopped our car at various spots and beauty locations, took photos then filled in our heart with the essence of natural beauty.

We drove to a great water reservoir.  Americans know the art of marketing, how to cash every event and locations of the city spots. There is boating, beach, fishing, picnic spots are available at $10.  We were at 8000 ft, parking city was built here. We find ghat roads similar to tirumala hills with many turns. It has brilliant sceneries with astonishing beauty in the deep valleys. Mainly,  this September month is a land mark among all the other because trees change their colors in this fall month. Due to cold winds, all green leaves fall off  then trunk and its branches remain to receive ice blocks, snow flowers. We drove down to ground level through many ghat roads, taking rounds around huge colorful mountains and deep valleys. We felt very happy, satisfied and delighted. 

The woods are lovely  dark and deep  and miles to go before we reap and snow on peaks of mountains are more exciting to see the wonderful nature here at a greater heights. The golden sun shine is making these locations more and more colorful decent even at 1:00 pm. The weather was cool, pleasant enthusiastic, admirable and excellent.

 Actually  no tree had any flower any where either on the mountain or in green bushes or in the valleys. But colorful scene is seen every corner at every location as all leaves turned different colors look like  many kinds of colored blossomed flowers shining in the bright sun shine light giving an impression that goddess with garlands round her neck dressed in designed dresses with many flowers in many colors white snowy flowers twinkling light as if decorated and painted in various colors by a perfect artist like god must have made the scene grand, great, wonderful. 
We reached airport at 2pm. The trip has ended with the memories of beautiful Salt Lake City. I felt this divine experience is a chance given to experience the existence of the god.

We find godliness wherever beauty is found. It becomes divine beauty, gives happiness to our souls. Experiencing these beauties around us by self attains more happiness. It is eternal and unforgettable, nonperishable, real enjoyment, happiness lies in finding and searching beauties everywhere. Where there is a mind to perceive there is a way for beauty to achieve. We will be happy if everything around us look beauty.

 But problem is with the feeling for the real beauty Unless we feel and strive  and pay attention  with heart aiming at what is true happy  we cannot be gain what we need  There is a need to invest our energy  time and money and our full attention towards the target and search and strive  and struggle for attaining it  We need physical basic things for our existence At the same time we are badly in need of  happiness to the mind and peace to our soul   They are not purchased any where at any cost  provided you wish to have not caring anything  any comments. It is the treasure and wealth and health which can give permanent eternal  everlasting happiness to the body mind and soul  this is the real achievement to every human being.

 Whatever we retain to our satisfaction must be preserved as an asset. Thanks to the almighty for inspiring my son (in-law) to take me to the beautiful world. Beauty is like a spring well and happiness is taking bath in it. Beauty is a sight related to body a physical world where as happiness is the experience. i.e, self realization by the mind and soul.

Happiness is some thing divine which connect us directly to almighty God.We forget the body and surroundings and belongings as long as we enjoy the beauty with heart. Mind is filled with the unlimited joy and becomes as pure as a flower and remains peaceful, free from worries. Our visit to the wonderful and delightful city is the world of real happiness. We have experienced the real beauty and its different forms of existence of godliness.