A Lake, Iceland, a Temple, a Tree & a Bridal Veil

So what do the items in the title have in common? Considering we were in the area of Provo UT I am guessing you can connect the dots to several of the items, but I think you are in for a surprise.

A Lake

Utah Lake is a shallow freshwater lake. These and others were fishing on Easter Sunday. There was also  an assortment of water fowl. The snow-capped mountains make a beautiful backdrop. We decided this was one of the most scenic places for our geocaching adventure. 

We geocached along the lake shore. It was a successful geocaching trip as we had some specific caches in mind. We also cached in the numerous communities in the Provo area. It is all the other interesting things we saw (and see) that turn the trips into adventures.

We were surprised at the number of apple orchards in the area. I don't think of Utah as producing apples. (#19th in the nation) They also are a leading producer of sweet and sour cherries. Who knew?

Why did the chicken cross the road? To follow its friends who crossed before. Lots of free range chickens of assorted colors and sizes were seen as we drove through the countryside and in town. Also lots of horses and small herds of cattle...all in towns and some in the countryside.

Iceland

In 1855-60, 16 pioneers from Iceland established a settlement in Spanish Fork, the first permanent Icelandic settlement in the US.

this memorial honors those 16 and their descendants

a striking memorial in a residential neighborhood

in Spanish Fork

a lighthouse in the desert

A Temple

This is NOT the temple you were expecting, is it? As we drove into this area a huge billboard along Interstate marketed Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple. I had no idea where it was until we were driving in one of the communities and I saw the temple off in the distance. No geocache, but Hubby willingly drove the couple of miles so I could get photos.

several llamas on the grounds

well, in the pasture on the grounds

 llama rides are offered to children under 60 pounds in weight

for a fee

construction began in 1998

it attracts thousands of visitors each year for tours and festivals

interesting story behind this temple, check it out

Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple

after the huge billboard, this sign is rather inconspicuous 

but I guess the temple itself is good advertising

lots of tulips and flowering trees in the area

A Tree

we stopped here because of a geocache

an American bonzai tree?

actually, it is a Weeping American Elm

its horizontal branches are supported with metal supports

it was transplanted in 1927 from Ogden UT

I have seen these trees in other parts of the US. Now I know what type of tree they are. Unique and stunning compared to the trees growing in my front yard!

Bridal Veil

not a lot of rushing water, but stunning all the same

607' double cataract waterfall

lower falls

upper falls

As we were leaving the Provo area on Highway 189 on Wednesday morning I was surprised to realize this icon was next to the road.  There used to be a tram running to the top to a restaurant and lodge. Is it still there? You can read about it here. Bridal Veil Falls, Utah

This area of red mountains at a rest stop along I 80 was a nice change to the WY landscape.

I am not expecting to post anything else about this trip. We are two days from home. There is nothing exciting on the agenda until we host a geocaching event and help Miss W celebrate her 7th birthday, all later in the month.