Perfect!

 It isn't often that you go on a trip, even a short trip, and come home saying that it was just perfect but that is exactly how I would describe our short trip to Salt Lake City to celebrate our 45th Anniversary!  Perfect!.  The weather was sunny and warm with cool evenings.  Every meal we ate was delicious.  The hotel was right in downtown Salt Lake.  We had short visits with Tammy and with Eric & Joanne Monson.  I marked another one off my bucket list by hiking to Ensign Peak. We also drove the Alpine Loop which was all new territory for me. And we got to see the renovations to the Salt Lake Temple in progress. 

Of course in 2020, a mask photo is mandatory.  I'm not sure why as no one is likely to forget this crazy year.

A major renovation is happening at the Salt Lake Temple where we were married 45 years ago.  Part of the plans are to modernize the foundation with the latest in earthquake proofing.  The original foundation is visible behind the two workmen.  It dates from 1862.

The original cornerstones were made of firestone from Red Butte Canyon and were placed in 1853. In 1857, ten years after the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley, news broke that a potential hostile United States army was coming to Utah. Brigham Young had the temple foundation covered with dirt to hide the construction of temple. The army set camp near Utah Lake, about thirty miles south from the site and only left when the American Civil War started in 1861. When the foundation was uncovered, Brigham Young noticed that the cornerstones were flawed and concluded they wouldn’t be able to support the weight of the temple. He then decided that the foundation should be made entirely of granite, with sixteen feet thick footings.

 After spending time at the temple, we drove up to go on our hike. Ensign Peak is a small mountain peak at the north end of the Salt Lake Valley.

The trail is less than a mile and has some great views back across the valley.

Hiking it has been on my bucket list for several years. Although today was a bit hazy, it was still fun to look out over Salt Lake City.

  

On July 26, 1847, two days after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young and seven other pioneer leaders climbed the hill to survey the valley. From its summit they laid out in their minds the city they intended to build.

Next was a great dinner at an Irish Pub in Park City.  We hadn't been to Park City in more than 20 years.

Don't worry as we were diligent about wearing our masks

And about social distancing....even if I got too close to this bear!

On Friday we drove the  Alpine Loop  which took us to the back side of Mt. Timpanogos.  It is even prettier than the front side!

The fall colors would have been better a few weeks ago but it was still a delightful drive.

After a quick lunch, we visited with our friends, the Monsons. Eric was George's friend from high school in Chicago and they were roommates at BYU when we were dating.  We spent a lot of time with Eric and his wife Joanne when we lived in California from 1977-1978.  It has been 20 years since we saw them but we just picked our friendship right up.  It was so good to visit with them.  We wore masks and socially distanced except for during the photo and none of us spoke when the masks were off.

Last stop before heading to Salt Lake for dinner with Tammy was the cemetery where George's parents are buried.  It is a beautiful spot.

Since it happened to be George's Dad's birthday, we left a small pumpkin on his grave.  Deer come down and eat the pumpkins.  What a lovely tradition started by Tammy!

Yes it was a perfect little get away!