Let it Snow!

Well, after getting into the 60's for the last couple of days, it is snowing today! I just wish it would cool a bit more - then the snow would stay instead of melting. But, it is still beautiful to see the snowflakes. I just love looking at them falling down windy or not - they just look graceful and has a calming effect on me.

Hope the snow will stay and continue for tomorrow - my hubby is craving to shovel some snow.

Bear Lake - Day 4 - journey back home

Well, we checked out way too early (at 9:30 a.m.) - of course after enjoying Keith's yummy breakfast special. We drove through the backroads to get home. Figured we would enjoy the scenery and a leisurely drive home.

We got more than what we bargained for. The UT-39 was closed (the road is seasonal) and thus, we kept on UT-16 and ended up in Wyoming - town of Evanston just outside Utah off of I-80. So, we went through the sleepy town where speed limit is 20 and people do actually follow it. Then, through I-80 and I-84.

Unpacking, nap and getting a bit of a rest for me. Then, we had a late lunch or early dinner at Cheesecake Factory - one of our favorite places. There is only one Cheesecake Factory in Utah - about 40 miles from where we live. So, it was good to get there early and beat the rush hour traffic.

So, now we are home enjoying the last few hours of our anniversary and getting ready for busy day tomorrow.

Again, I am a lucky woman who found a wonderful husband who loves me, takes care of me, and spoils me and have been married to him for seven amazing years and many more to come.

Bear Lake - Day 3

Sunday - the whole town of Garden City was closed for business. So, we stayed in and relaxed and enjoyed each other's company. He cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner with late evening dessert. Even on vacation, he is always busy in the kitchen, what can I say. I love his cooking so I am doubly lucky.

Bear Lake - Day 2

Saturday morning - since we have a whole day today, we decided to drive around the lake and sightsee and find if there is any trails we could hike.

After nice breakfast of blueberry pancakes, we set out on our journey.

Bear Lake sits in Utah and in Idaho - so we would be getting to Idaho.
Heading North on US-89, this was the last house int he State of Utah.

Then, Welcome to Idaho.

So, this is the first time Keith is making it to Idaho.

Bear Lake from the west shore. With the sun up and clear sky, the lake looks almost blue.

Here with the snow capped mountains as a backdrop.

From the east shore. With the sun reflection, the lake looks emerald.

Shoe house - Jack in the Bean stock painted on the side. Nice work.

We found a place to walk to the shore - where it was rocky.

Keith skipped a few stones - I collected flat ones for him.

It took faster than we planned to go around the lake. We were back at the resort soon. So, while I took a nap, Keith checked his email, watched some TV. Then, we went to see if we could make it to any historical sites in Southern Idaho.

First stop - Paris, Idaho:

The tabernacle that was erected in 1888 is perhaps the biggest building in Town of Paris.

Of course, it was closed for the winter - free tours available from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Then, we just kept going on US-89, passed Montpellier, Geneva and ended up at the border of Idaho and Wyoming.

Here we are at Welcome to Wyoming.

And Back again Welcome to Idaho.

On the way, backtracking we had a little detour to see a reservoir. It was frozen.

I got on it - ice is still solid.

Even Keith did - no cracking sound. We even threw some big rocks onto it - pretty solid for now.

And, after our backroads trip, we are Bbck to Utah - and toour apartment for dinner and get some rest for tomorrow's fun!

Bear Lake - Day 1

We have been married for seven years - well, our anniversary is on Monday, 29 March. So, we decided to have a little get away this weekend. Bear Lake here we come.

With a little trouble, we found our resort and got the top floor apartment with a loft. So, we ended up with three bedroom, two bathroom and full kitchen unit. Of course, the view was the best part.

Partial kitchen view with the loft.

Living and dining area from the loft.
Hallway to the two bedrooms.

Looking out the window - well we have a panoramic view of the Bear Lake and the mountains surrounding it.

Kitchen - we had brought a lot of food and even some utensils like Keith's favorite frying pan so he could make me breakfast.

Living area and a hallway to the two bedrooms.

We unpacked some and had a dinner at local pizza place where they make 26 inch "Old Ephraim" pizzas - no we didn't get that one - we got a normal sized pizza. :-) - We walked to the lake - it was a overcast windy evening - but we enjoyed our liitle walk.

Here we are with the lake behind us.

The lake looks pretty scary - gray and mysterious.

Here I am freezing myself. ":-)
Keeping warm by digging a little canal - didn't really work - but we had fun, got dirty, and enjoyed ourselves along the way.

Trying to take our pic on a beach - no rock big enough to put the camera on. Our first day at Bear Lake was cold, fun, and crazy but I am very sure we will have more fun for the next few days we are here.

Pictures from girls' re-union

Thank you Sainaa - for the pictures. I had forgotten my camera - unbelievable. But, Sainaa took pictures and generously sent hers to me.

So, here are some pics of us:

(sitting): Chanar, Sainaa, (standing): Nara & myself

(sitting): Sainaa, Nara, (standing): Khaliuna, Chanar & myself

(sitting): Melissa, Khaliuna, Oyuna, her daughter, (standing): Nara, Chanar, myself and Sainaa

Oyuna, I do apologize for forgetting your daughter's name. But, isn't she a cutie with curlie locks.

The tsuivan was very yummy Chanar. So, you will have to hang out with me more and make some Mongolian food for me. :-) It was good seeing everyone. Hope the next get together wouldn't be over a decade away.

Drive to Wolf Creek

Since we had a long swim today after work, we both were rather tired and sitting there quietly at home: reading and surfing the net. Somehow it was too ordinary. So, we decided to go for a drive. I know it got dark before we realized but we drove through Ogden to UT-39 - Ogden Canyon Drive, I believe - and went to Wolf Creek. We passed the Pineview Reservoir and drove by some resorts. All looked quiet - I am sure place would have been bustling if there was snow. It is getting rather warm here and not much of a winter left. I am glad it is getting warm but also I wish we had some more snow. I enjoyed watching my husband shoveling snow for the neighborhood. We will come back to Eden during the daylight and explore some more soon.

Trip to Salt Lake City and Family Union!

This weekend we decided to take a little trip to Salt lake City and see some things we haven't seen. First stop was at the State Capitol. It is an amazing architecture as many of the governmental buildings are.
Before we got inside though we decided to explore what was on the east of it.

Here is a trail going down to the "hidden" park.

This is a very interesting park with monuments, memorials and just a quiet serenity to it.

Korean War Memorial.

Other half of the Korean War Memorial.

Honoring the State of Utah Medal of Honor recipients.

The sound of flowing water adds to the serenity.

Inside the State Capitol Building

Where the House of Representatives meet.

Isn't this view gorgeous one? Hope those who work in this building appreciate it and make a decision to keep the State the beautiful place it is.

Then, we went to Ft. Douglas a few blocks away. There is a federal cemetery for military personnel from long ago. It is an inactive cemetery now and fairly small and well hidden - no signs indicating where it is.

Here is the original gate and it sits in the middle of the cemetery now - evidently it had been extended at one point.

Up close of the sign on the gate.

Memorial erected for the German prisoners of war who was sent to Utah and died here at Ft. Douglas.

Whether they were enemies to this Nation or not, they had faith in their country and fought a fight they believed was needed. So, I am glad there is a memorial where they lay.

Then, we went a few blocks down the hill to Mount Olivet cemetery and met the permanent residents there.

Seems these animals are quite at home here and not scared of drivers, visitors coming in to take their pictures.

Makes it we are not the only ones who like to visit cemeteries.

Then, back down the hill to stop by the City and County Offices.

This is another architertural miracle - the masons who built this building didn't have the laser precise technology then and yet every column look exact replica of the one before it.

Then, we had a dinner invite to go to in South Salt Lake. One of Keith's cousins live there and neither of us met him.

This is the view from his house.

Cousins: Keith and Mark - first time meeting. So that is why it wasn't a re-union but a family union.

Kathy, Mark, Keith and myself.