What would a trip to Salt Lake City be without seeing the Great Salt Lake? It would be a trip to Salt Lake City without seeing the Great Salt Lake! This trip, however, is a trip to Salt Lake City and we saw the lake!
After a brunch to another Diners, Dives, and Drive-Ins establishment, The Blue Plate Diner, we headed out to see the lake. This diner by the way did not live up to the hype, in our dining review opinions! Thom had a simple omelet with a side of biscuits and gravy, which was dry and to me looked "ugly", like the gravy had sat there overnight! My eggs with ham with home fried potatoes was warm if that and the ham was tough. We did not finish our meal and we did not bring it home with us.
Anyway, back to the lake ... Thom and I visited the lake briefly years ago and actually walked the shore with bison! We were hoping to do the same but the bison were nowhere to be seen. We waded in the lake a while and found the water to be very black considering the views of it being crystal blue! We are glad we made the trip. It is amazing nonetheless to see the beauty of it all.
Since today was our "tourist day", we decided to venture to downtown Salt Lake City but not until finding the nearest Dairy Queen. We almost drove by the it, as this must be one of the oldest Dairy Queen Brazier restaurants, at least that we have seen. We split a banana split without the banana! A great way to cool off after being in the hot sun, on the lake.
We then drove downtown to tour Historic Temple Square. We learned quite a bit today about the Temple and the Tabernacle. The larger castle like building is the "Temple" and it is closed to the public, used only for members' weddings or the passing of a church member. We were told we could see a model of it in the visitor center, which we did. The Tabernacle is actually where an organ and the choir perform. The organ has 11,623 pipes. We were there in time to listen to an organ recital, which was absolutely lovely.
After the Tabernacle organ recital, we walked the grounds within the gates and found the most beautiful gardens. There are also some religious monuments that are so lovely. On the grounds, where they no longer hold services, is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) which also houses a beautiful organ. We found it interesting in speaking with the missionaries that these lovely houses of worship are not specifically used for that purpose and that the members of the church attend chapels or temples outside the gates in their communities. We were also surprised that none of the missionaries tried to influence upon us their religious beliefs. It was truly a peaceful and tranquil tour.
We ventured outside the gates into downtown to perhaps go shopping, but as it was Sunday all the stores were closed. We thought that might be the case but we went there anyway. Without all the crowds, the city is actually quite pretty and not so horrible, and an easy walk.
We were able to speak to a woman at the Visitor's Center and she gave us some information on the liquor laws here in Utah. Yes, liquor is available in an establishment only if it offers food. You can order a drink and if you want a second they will not serve it to you until the first one is off the table. I asked about the baseball game. Well, because they want tourists to go there, the laws are lifted there, and 2 drinks at a time are permitted. This sounded kind of hypocritical to me but that's just me. It's their laws.
There is also a panhandling advisory. We were quite confused on this as well since every time we have been at a paying machine for the trolley or for parking someone pops up and asks for change! I guess this is illegal on state roads but the panhandlers haven't gotten that memo! Instead, the City asks that you put money in a special red metered machine and 100% goes towards the homeless. A pretty neat concept I must say!
We took a quick drive to see the Utah Capitol Building and then headed back to the motorhome. It is such a lovely night here, around 9:30 p.m., and we are sitting outside with our laptops. Dinner was a grilled pork tenderloin, potatoes, and a salad. A perfect ending to a perfect day.
As seen on Diners, Dives, and Drive-Ins
So much food I needed another plate and food was warm if that. I left most of the bread, 3/4 of the ham, and most of the hash browned potatoes and eggs. It made for a good picture though!
One thing that is strange here is everyone has a dog, which isn't a bad thing; however, they all want to bring their dogs inside the stores, including this restaurant. I was surprised, however, that one customer with her dog was told to take it out! She did not appear too happy when she returned without the dog!
Antelope Island across the lake. We visited there our last trip here and it is a really cool place.
The Great Salt Lake!
Before we entered the park, along the highway, we found a stone like this and others just sitting on the wall. I have shared it on Facebook.
Our black feet after our wade in the lake.
A yellow-headed blackbird, an interesting fellow.
The Dairy Queen we nearly passed!
This is the Temple Square Conference Center.
The Temple
This fountain is so lovely, and so is the guy sitting there!
Angel Moroni, 4000 pounds
There is so much information on this Angel, that you can click on the link to read them all:
The Temple
LDS Church, 1847
Inside the LDS Church - what an impressive organ.
Stained glass windows in the LDS Church.
The Tabernacle! 11,623 pipes. What a joy to be there to listen to the organist play.
The gates surrounding a portion of the Temple Square.
A monument of a downhill skier from the Winter Olympics (2002)
(See Below)
What a cool idea - bike rentals; this is a green city. Had we known, we might have rented a bike!
Art hanging outside the Museum of Art.
Utah Capitol Building
It was interesting to see a bison with the artwork on it like the horse artwork in Ocala!
We may never put Nebraska on the map!
Just a few of the beautiful flowers in the many gardens in Temple Square.
Until next blog ...
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