Ogden

Thursday, April 25, 2013

 

We have been looking forward to our annual trip to Ogden -- because they have a Five Guys.  We take the Trax to Salt Lake Central and then buy tickets for the FrontRunner, a brand new double-decker train that runs north to Ogden and now south to Provo.  There are several stops along the way.  Bicycles are welcome.

 

But we go by foot.  We first head to historic 25th Street and stop at a few of our favorite stores.  Then lunch at Five Guys. (fyi: the potatoes were from Rexburg, Idaho that day)  Just down the street is the Ogden Temple, which is being renovated.  Always a stop at the Great Harvest Bread Co. before heading back to the train station.     

 

 

Ogden Temple from 22nd Street

 

 

the steeple?

 

 

the Ogden Tabernacle, which sits next to the

Temple is also under renovation

 

 

Ogden Temple under renovation 

 

the original Ogden Temple

 

 

Ogden Temple

artist rendering

around town

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

 

Greenbikes come to Salt Lake City

 

Almost overnight more than 100 bikes appeared at 10 kiosks as the city's non-profit Bike Share program.  It gets you from point A to point B and you can take any bike at any location as many times as you like for a small fee, 30 minutes at time.

 

 

"Greenbikes are designed for one purpose; short trips in the city by people wearing regular clothes and carrying ordinary stuff.  They don't take you up the canyon and they don't take you down the mountain.  The bikes are one-size-fits-all and the only thing you adjust is the seat."  No maintenance for you and no reason for a lock.  If you want, you can check how many calories you have burned, how far you rode and how many lbs. of toxic pollutants you did not put in the air. 

 

Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21, 2013

 

This is probably only exciting to us.  Maybe its been a slow week.  They closed the street in front of our condo (South Temple) and a whole lot of very large trucks appeared with parts to a crane.  The crane was assembled, the work was done on top of one of the nearby buildings overnight and then they dismantled the crane, loaded it back on the trucks and off they went.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

We had a wonderful evening with our good friends, Carol and Doug LeMon from Alpine, Utah.  We previously lived "around the corner" from them in Lee's Summit, Missouri.  Doug was the Stake Patriarch in the Independence Missouri Stake.  And Carol was, well, talented in everything.  Our kids were just the right ages so that there was always one who could drive another to early-morning Seminary.       

 

Carol and Doug LeMon

 

We enjoyed ice cream and catching up at the newly opened Farr's and then attended the spring program at the Tabernacle with the Mormon Tabernacle Chorale and Orchestra on Temple Square.  After, Doug gave me a 'private' lesson, showing me the new features on FamilySearch Family Tree.

Assembly Hall

Sunday, April 14, 2013

 

Assembly Hall - 166th Annual Stake Conference of the Salt Lake Stake

 

Apparently "we" do not fit in the Stake Center for Stake Conference, so the morning session is held at the nearby Assembly Hall.  I did not count the steps, but it is just across the street from our condo. 

 

The Assembly Hall sits on the southwest corner of Temple Square.  It is a Victorian Gothic-style building with stained glass windows constructed between 1878-1882.  It is made of granite that was discarded from the temple building process.  Historically, it has been used for musical and artistic performances and religious meetings.  Presently there are free weekend concerts featuring local and international artists. 

 

It seats 1,400 people.  There are 24 spires.  It has a 3,489 pipe organ.  The total cost in 1882 was $90,000.  The Seagull Monument sits directly in front.  

 

 

The Assembly Hall on Temple Square

 

Assembly Hall - interior

 

Assembly Hall organ

risers were set up for a Primary children's choir

 

Yea!  Spring is finally here!

 

***

 

 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

all flags on Temple Square are at half staff

due to the bombings on Monday at the Boston Marathon 

Provo City Center Temple

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

 

Day Trip - last stop

 

The car automatically took two detours.  First we checked out the Zion's Mercantile at the River Woods shops and then a stop at the BYU Bookstore.  Two favorites.

 

We have heard so much about the reconstruction project of the future Provo City Center Temple.  It has now become a tourist attraction.  This picture is a "wow" moment.  The entire building is resting on 40-foot steel and concrete piles.  The 112-year old building weighs almost 7 million pounds.  The dirt was dug out from underneath and the space will accommodate two basements.  The Church acquired a street and some property, then razed a few buildings and a tiered parking lot in order to accommodate the future substructure and the above ground fountains and landscaping.

 

The Provo Tabernacle was engulfed in flames and the interior was destroyed in an early-morning fire in December 2010.  It was announced in October 2011 that it would be rebuilt and serve as a second temple in Provo.  The project will be complete in 2015.

 

You must take the time to visit the website:  http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/provocitycenter

 

The site shows a picture of the former Provo Tabernacle, a site plan, aerial views, 3D model, photo gallery, construction photographs, etc. 

 

You can also see a recently posted article and video at:

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/provo-city-center-temple-stilts

"Engineering Feat Puts Future Provo Temple on Stilts" 

 

 

former Provo Tabernacle (completed in 1898)

and future Provo City Center Temple

 

poster of future Provo City Center Temple and grounds

 

the cupolas were removed and now sit on the ground

Heber City

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

 

Day Trip - 2nd stop - Lunch at Dairy Keen

 

You can reach the "very famous" Dairy Keen in Heber City by taking Hwy 40, south, out of Park City.  They are known for their hamburgers, thick milk shakes and their 'train' theme.  They recently installed self-serve soda machines that are NOT for those who are technically challenged!  You can get over 101 different combinations by mixing flavors.  On Kent's first attempt, he did not get what he thought he had.  And Carol noticed a line forming behind her as she studied it, trying to figure out which buttons to push.  Actually, it is quite fun and you eventually figure it out -- if you want to quench your thirst. 

 

 

Dairy Keen in Heber City

 

Dairy Keen's overhead choo choo train

 

 

Day Trip - next stop - Heber City Train Station

 

During the 1800's the Provo Canyon Toll Road was the only way to ship to market the hay, sheep, cattle and dairy products produced by area ranchers.  Likewise, it was the only way for citizens to travel to Provo or Salt Lake City to shop and purchase goods.  In good weather the trip took three days.  In the winter it would be longer and sometimes the snow blocked the route.  The citizens of Heber City pushed to have a railroad built into their community.  The Rio Grand Western began surveying in 1896 and the first rail service began in 1899.  Shipments of lumber and building products, bulk fuel oil, milk and coal as well as agricultural products were common.  Now, passenger trains are not needed and supplies are transported by trucks.  The Heber Valley Railroad is now used for historic excursions and scenic train rides.

 

 

Heber City Depot

 

The Heber Creeper

a steam locomotive

 

a diesel locomotive

 

www.hebervalleyrailroad.org

Park City

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

 

Day Trip - 1st Stop

 

Driving east out of Salt Lake City on I-80, in just 25 minutes you can be in Park City.  It was a pretty cold day.  (Yes, we brought our winter coats!)  They had received a snowfall a few days earlier.  But you can find warmth in a cozy bookstore called Dolly's.  They have lots of travel books, children's books, cards and one dog to greet you and one cat to eye-ball you.  Park City has lots of shops, art galleries and restaurants.  The ski slopes were open.  When is spring?

 

 

downtown Park City

Himalayan Kitchen

Monday, April 8, 2013

 

First the temple, then we eat!

 

Our friends from India had one last day before flying home.  In the morning, we joined the Kusumas and the Nielsens for a session in the Salt Lake Temple.  You get a lot of smiles and looks when you are with a woman in a bright-colored sari!  And sometimes someone will pass her and say, "Namaste", which is a greeting.  

 

The Salt Lake Temple was completed in 1893.  The granite walls are 9 feet thick at the bottom and 6 feet thick at the top.  The Temple has 253,000 square feet of interior space.  Very often we found our guests standing in awe and studying the interior architecture, the colors, the craftsmanship, the furnishings, the light fixtures, the murals and paintings -- all from another century.  We are so glad that they could experience this.  We had a memorable time together.

 

Because we had worked up an appetite, we then headed to the Himalayan Kitchen.  It is located in downtown Salt Lake City. They serve traditional Nepali and Indian cuisine.  Our guests from India had 'put up' with American food long enough.  It was now time for a treat.  We all chose the buffet, which had lots of veg and non-veg items.  Fortunately, the food was not very hot and spicy.  I have to admit that I had been very apprehensive.  In India, they have no clue what 'mild' is.  They will always convince you that it is mild, but it is not.    

 

 

 

entrance to Himalayan Kitchen

360 South State Street 

 

a great place for large or small groups

 

a delicious plate of food from the buffet

Conference Center

Saturday and Sunday, April 6-7, 2013

 

The 183rd Annual General Conference

 

 

The Conference Center was completed in 2000 and seats 21,000.  There are five sessions of Conference, which are interpreted into more than 90 languages and are broadcast by internet, satellite and radio.  The 360 members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or other Church choirs perform during Conference.  Throughout the two days, there were 33 talks given by Church leaders on a variety of spiritual topics.

 

 

Our seats for the Saturday morning session were directly behind this technical crew, which can be very entertaining.  They control the lights, camera shots, sound and monitors.  The Choir, in the background, is practicing.  The doors open one and a half hours before the meetings begin, so you become a people-watcher.  If you want to use the restroom you need to have your ticket with you so that you can get back in. 

 

 

"Everybody" takes a picture of themselves.

 

 

"Somebody" took this picture of us and put it on Facebook.

 

 

Look who we found!

Billy and Mary Ann Duke from Sarasota, Florida

Waterloo Chapel

Friday evening, April 5, 2013

 

Missionary Reunion

 

The India Bangalore and India Delhi combined Missionary Reunion was held at the McKay/Waterloo Chapel at 1623 So. 500 East in Salt Lake City, Utah.  All former Mission Presidents, senior couples, missionaries and their spouses and families are invited.  During the meeting, reports from both Mission Presidents presently serving are shared.  We hear about the growth in India, number of missionaries serving, where they have bought property and are building chapels and other structures...and the status of visas.  Afterwards, a dinner or dessert is served and there is time for socializing and taking pictures.     

 

 

L. to R. - Nick and Carol Nielsen from Paradise, Utah who served in Visakhapatnam

(an unidentified woman)

Prasad and Gayatri Kusuma from Normal, Illinois who served in the India Bangalore Mission

Kent and Carol Wood from Osprey, Florida who served in Visakhapatnam

 

Temple Square



Friday afternoon, April 5, 2013

 

After our big lunch we all took a tour of Temple Square.

 

 

Carol, Carol Nielsen and Gayatri Kusuma

with the Church Administration Building behind us

 

 

Sugunadevi and Gangadharam Kusuma

from Visakhapatnam, India

They are Prasad Kusuma's parents.

 

Gangadharam means "running water"

Sugunadevi means "one with good qualities"

 

 

 

Gayatri and Prasad Kusuma

at the Observation Deck, Church Office Building

 

 

Carol Nielsen and Sugundadevi Kusuma

enjoying the sunshine and flowers

 

Sugundadevi did not wear her sari just

to dress up!  She wears one every day.

 

 

 

Sugundadevi and Gangadharam Kusuma

at Temple Square

 

 

Gayatri and Prasad Kusuma

 

This is where brides and grooms pose

to have their pictures taken. 

 

 

Gangadharam and Sugunadevi Kusuma

East doors of the Salt Lake Temple

 

 

Gangadharam and Sugunadevi Kusuma,

Nick and Carol Nielsen, Carol and Kent Wood

 

 

Gayatri and Prasad Kusuma

East doors of the Salt Lake Temple

 

 

Then we went to the South Visitors Center

and viewed the Salt Lake Temple from inside.

 

 

Then to the Salt Lake Tabernacle. 

It had been set up for the Relief Society Training Meeting. 

Someone was practicing at the organ.

 

 

Our last stop was at the North Visitors Center.

Gangadharam and Sugunadevi Kusuma

standing in front of 'The Christos'

 

 

Prasad and Gayatri Kusuma

 

 

The Garden

Friday, April 5, 2013

 

The Garden Restaurant - 10th floor, Joseph Smith Building

 

Our India Bangalore missionary reunion is always held on the Friday night before General Conference.  Traditionally, we get together for lunch with two other couples that we served with and spend the afternoon together before we attend the reunion.  This year the Kaspers, who served in Hyderabad and presently live in Driggs, Idaho could not "hang out" with us.  But the Nielsens joined us, as well as some good friends that we got to know in India.  It was a long lunch -- we must have asked a hundred questions; who got married, who has had a baby and who is on a mission.     

 

 

This is Prasad Kusuma and his wife Gayatri.  They are from Visakhapatnam, India.  He was a Branch President in Visak at the age of 23 after he returned from his mission.  Gayatri also served a mission in India and then earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology and was working for a group of doctors in Visak when we first met them. (On the right is President Kusuma's mother, Sugunadevi, in her sari.)  They came to Virginia a couple of years ago so that he could continue his education and are now living in Illinois where he is working for State Farm.  They travel three hours to attend the Nauvoo Illinois temple and serve there on Saturdays.  Prasad's parents flew from India to spend some time with them in Illinois and then they all flew to Salt Lake City for a few days to see the sights and attend General Conference.     

 

Nick and Carol Nielsen presently live in Paradise, Utah.  They also served a mission in Visakhapatnam, India and we "worked in the trenches" together.  Fortunately, Elder Nielsen knew how to lead music, play the piano and he formed a choir.  He took "thousands" of beautiful pictures while in India.  Carol loved working with the Primary age children, teachers and leaders.  They arrived about three months after we did.  It was our job to find them an apartment, furnish it (including AC's) and "show them the ropes".