Memorial Weekend: Camping at Bear Lake

27-30 May 1983

As the weekend that traditionally signals the beginning of summer approached, the wide open expanses of the state begged to be explored.  We decided to try our hand at camping, but we didn’t want to rough it in a tent.  So, we rented a trailer from the MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) facility on base and headed to Bear Lake.

Driving through Logan Canyon, we made just a few stops, one of which was at Ricks Spring, a popular wayside where early travelers filled their jugs with the cold spring water that gushes forth from the rock — not recommended in this day of Giardia, a microorganism that causes severe intestinal problems.

From the nearby signage:

This spring was first discovered by Colonel Thomas E. Ricks in 1865 while he was searching for a route from Cache Valley to Bear Lake Valley.

The maximum spring flow is 32,000 gallons [121,600 liters] per minute.  The source of the water is the melting snow from the high mountain watersheds surrounding this area.  The water flows underground along the Ordovician strata of rock, then bubbles forth at this spot.  Because the source of water is melting snow, the spring is completely dry during the winter months.

Believe me when I say that “Bare” would have been a more appropriate name for the lake than “Bear” turned out to be.  I couldn’t tell you which of the campgrounds we ended up at (it was way too long ago), but there was absolutely nothing there.  And I mean nothing; not even a tree to provide shade.

Oh well … we enjoyed our first RV travel experience nonetheless …

… and the canoeing was lots of fun — especially since Mui did all the paddling!

Perhaps we’ll give Bear Lake another camping chance when we eventually find our way to Utah in our “condo on wheels.”

The Capitol of the Beehive State

21 May 1983

As noted in a previous post, Utah was founded in 1847 by a company of Mormons who were forced to leave their homes in Illinois due to religious persecution.  When they arrived in the region, they named it Deseret, meaning honeybee in the Book of Mormon, and standing for industry and hard work.  Hence the nickname of the state.

And on that note … welcome to the Utah State Capitol.  The building was designed by Utah architect Richard K.A. Kletting in 1912 and completed in 1916.  Rather than write extensively about the building, I’ll refer you to this site for more information.

The neoclassical dome is an element of architecture
that has become a common symbol of democracy in America.

Left: Statue of Massassoit, the Great Indian Chief of
the Massachusetts, friend of the pilgrim fathers.
Right: The beehive is the symbol of industry and the motto
of the citizens of Utah.  It was presented to the
state by the Kennecott Copper Corporation.

The mural in the west atrium vault is named
“The Passing of the Wagons.”

Though frequently referred to as the
“Madonna of the Covered Wagon,” this mural’s
official name is “The Arrival of the Pioneers in the
Great Salt Lake Valley in 1847.”

This replica of the Liberty Bell is one of 55 cast in France;
one was presented to each state and territory.

Exploring SLC

May 1983

The month found as taking trips into Salt Lake City on weekends to explore some of what the city had to offer.  The warm spring days were perfect for sightseeing.

On one occasion, we went to the Pioneer Trail State Park (now the This is the Place Heritage Park).  At the time, there wasn’t much at the park — or maybe that was just our impression because most of the buildings were locked and we didn’t have an opportunity to go inside them.

This is the Place Monument
It marks the spot from which Brigham Young and the company
of pioneers first saw the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
[scanned from postcard]

Old Deseret — a restored pioneer village.

Another day found us visiting Hogle Zoo

The African Elephant, more so than its Asian cousin,
is one of my favorites.

On yet another day, we mixed urban sightseeing with a trip into City Creek Canyon.

The Old City Hall (now Council Hall) was built in 1864-65;
it served as the seat of government for 29 years.
It was reassembled at its present location in 1963.

Exploring SLCMemory Grove - City Creek CanyonMay 1983

Memory Grove, at the mouth of City Creek Canyon,
is a living memorial dedicated to Utah’s war dead.