Moab (beautiful land) and Grandma Broken Leg

May 25
Drove to Capital Reef and Moab today. Moab has had a lot of TV commercials lately. Once we checked in we went to Arches National park. All of these formations were part of the Colorado plateau that got pushed up from the earth over 100 million years ago. A combination of erosion, wind, freeze thaw cycles, and underground salt dissolving caused these formations.



Someone climbed to the top of this rock





I hiked up 1.5 miles. Thunderstorms started part way up. I'm drenched and cold.


Once I got near the top and took this picture I turned around.





This one was a lot shorter hike.

May 26
Grandma broke her leg this morning coming down the stairs. We were on our way to the balloon ride. They did not have the expertise to fix it in Moab so they transported her to Salt Lake City. Not sue when surgery is yet.



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Bryce Canyon

May 24
Bryce Canyon is two hours NE of Zion. To get there you drive over Zion. There is a one mile tunnel along the way that was the longest when it was built.



The rock towers are called Hoodoos.





We are taking short hikes. Some crazy people would get real close to the edge to take pictures. Grandma met us at the lodge.





We had a nice dinner with Crete brûlée for dessert.
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Book of Mormons

May 21 Happy Birthday Emily
Had lunch in Pendleton and made it to Twin Falls by dinner. Stayed in Twin Falls.
May 22
Had lunch in Salt Lake City and spent the rest of the day touring Temple Square. Joseph Smith founded the Mormon religion after he had a vision from God. He also discovered a gold tablet that was left by an angel. He translated this into the book of Mormons.


Joseph Smith and one of his 33 wives. Mormons believe that you are married for eternity. (lucky Ruth)

Only Mormons can enter the temple.

Getting a religion lecture in the Tabernacle.

Choir practice



The Beehive house where Brigham Young lived. He was the second prophet who moved the Mormons to Utah and also the first governor.
May 23
We are now in Zion, which is a mountain in Israel. The colored mountains are compressed layers of sand formed millions of years ago and eroded by water. The color is from iron.