I M Perfect lady

After Zion, we headed north to the Great Salt Lake. It was nothing like I expected.

The day we were there, many small birds (maybe ducks) were dead on the beach.

The smell alone made it a less than desirable lake. 

There was an open pit mine near by – we were a week early – for the three hour tour. 

Again, IF you plan – these things you would know. Next time. I will have to do some research before we leave home.

Also by the beach we were at was a Music Venue.

These mountains were in our windshield for miles.

It got a bit crazy around Salt Lake City.  We drove through and went to the Salt Lake First

It was a bit hazy – but we got the idea of the lake.

At an average water level of 4,200 feet, the lake is approximately 75 miles long and 30 miles wide, with 335 miles of shoreline.

 

Rugged Beaches here – there is an Island called Antelope Island, where they have better beaches. We choose not to go drive up there. 

This is another section, you can get to the water easily; but the smell of rotting birds made it less desirable.  We take for granted the pristine beauty and clarity of Lake Superior. I can't imagine swimming here – but the gentleman who took our Park Fee – said he does. And, that you can tell where you have a little cut, the salt gets into the wound.

 

 

This was the music venue.  There was a gentleman there watching the gate – expecting crowds of young folk.

 

We then drove to the mine – to discover we were a week early – so we decided to explore the Mormon Church. We didn't find the mega church; but found the city block where an older church was and their business offices and conference buildings.  They take up at least a whole city block.

 

It was weird to have the church surrounded by a fence – not real welcoming.

Yet inside there were young folk willing and ready to talk about their religion.

I was intrigued enough to enter and see what was behind the fence.  The flowers were the most welcome sight. They smelled so delicious.  

They are a little beaten down – they were recovering from the latest snowfall.

 

Nature is my religion – and the church felt like a dismal place after the garden – let alone all the wonderful landscapes in the national parks.  

This is the church on Temple Street.  There were young girls – so innocent looking – doing their duty of sharing the message. 

 

One of their church's business offices/conference center. The religion is a big business - 

 

 "Citing some former employees of the fund, the WSJ report at the time said that the Mormon Church's investment fund, Ensign Peak Advisors, had assets worth about $80 billion to $100 billion as of 2019, which easily surpass some of the biggest funds in the world such as Harvard University's endowment…"

This was in a dome shaped building next to the church. More young girls ready and willing to talk.  A man was playing an organ.  The stage and lights seemed out of place.  

I am glad I saw it.     It was Easter weekend, so perhaps they were getting ready for a show/service.

 

I know I am so jaded when it comes to religion. But the contrast between nature and religion and what parts of it stirred my soul.  I felt breathless and inspired by nature – and the Mormon church and city block of buildings that supported it – left me feeling its pretense.

 

They say that less than 50% of the folks who live in and around Salt Lake are Mormons and the numbers are decreasing. 

 

Knowing how a child can be made to follow any cult they are born into – and its costs.  I was relieved to have the city in our rearview.

It was refreshing to see city spaces – of art.

 

For some reason these expressions stir my soul more.