More Utah

A windy story

Spring has been stirring up some wind and storms this April. We switched directions from Capitol Reef since we would have no hookups, the temps were going to be in the 20s with limited sun for our solar panel. Also, we would have to drive a couple of miles on the Grand Staircase's winding road with very steep drop-offs on each side. The thought of towing our trailer over it without wind left me leery. Driving over it with wind gusts in the 40-50s wasn't going to happen as far as I was concerned. Fortunately, Mike felt the same way. We headed west to Panguitch, think sandwich with a "P", just outside of Bryce National Park.

Once in Panguitch, we drove to Bryce Canyon just to enjoy views from the truck due to snow and high winds with  gusts at the highest point of 77.8 mph.

 

 It had been 9 years since our last visit and hike and didn't disappoint.

 

Natural Arch

 We wanted to be able to get out and do a little hiking in the area. We saw a geocache was a short hike on the Cassidy Trail once we returned to Red Canyon. The views were nice with much less wind.
While geocaching in town the next day, we kept running into a son and dad out doing the same at several locations.

I have never seen a sign tell you what is not the name of the highway.

 

Provo, Utah

 

Another change in plans were made as the weather forecast was calling for heavy winds on the day we had planned to drive north from Panguitch. There is no reason to drive in blustery winds. We headed out a day early for an easy 200 mile drive to a campground near Utah Lake.

 

The Provo River Trail runs from Utah Lake across town into Provo Canyon. The croaking frogs and birds enjoying the sunshine were a big change in the sounds we were used to hearing in the desert.  We were ready for the cool spring air.

 

Our rides usually involve a snack. We found a crepery along the trail that brewed a mean coffee to go along with the great crepe.

 

After our snack, the clouds were starting to roll in. Fortunately, we made it back to Utah Lake just before the heavy winds hit.

What a beautiful morning or so it seemed.  The snow storm seemed to be clearing until we entered Provo Canyon. The snowfall became heavier with blowing winds blocking the view of the waterfalls and almost everything else causing us to turn around before reaching Sundance.

We mad a stop in Spanish Fork at the Krishna's Lotus Temple that was recommended on Roadside America. Religions have always been interesting to me. In college, I took a course on religions so maybe I could understand a little better.

 

 

 

 

 

We had to take off our shoes before walking up into the temple.

 

 

 

 

After touring the temple and visiting the animals, we had a tasty Indian vegetarian lunch and visited with a lady that lived and worked at the temple. We didn't make it down to see the sacred cows. I thinks she was disappointed that we missed them.

 

 

The llamas are rented out as pack animals in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado by the Temple  as a source of income.

 

Heading northwest and hoping for sunny days.