Utah, Idaho, & Oregon | Weekend Vacation

This past weekend Justin, Benaiah, and I went to a friend's wedding in Oregon.  We flew into Salt Lake City, Utah late Friday night and then Saturday we drove the 5 hours to Oregon.

The rugged mountains surrounding Salt Lake City are just breath taking!

*     *     *     *     *

Our first stop along the drive was Antelope Island State Park in the Salt Lake.

The Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River.  

On average the lake is 75 miles long and 28 miles wide!  

Because the lake's only outlet is through evaporation, high concentrates of minerals are left behind making the salt content in the lake is 4 to 6 times higher than that of the ocean!  

There was a frigid wind blowing while we were on the island.  Our little bear cub didn't seem to mind though!

Some of the animals inhabiting the island are bison, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope.

We walked down to the lake and tasted the water, it was very bitter!

We drove up to the Buffalo Point trailhead, which has a magnificent view of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Family selfie! :)

 As we were driving out of the park there was a huge bison scratching his shoulder on a sign beside the road!

We rolled our windows down for a picture as we slowly drove by.

 

*     *     *     *     *

We saw some men on horseback rounding up cattle along the highway.

 Our next stop was Cauldron Linn along the Snake River in Idaho.  We drove past this field of sugar beets being harvested on our way to the river.  To the left of the green patch is a pass where the defoliator machine has already been.  The defoliator removes the green leaves while slicing a slab from the top of the sugar beet.  The pinch wheel harvester then goes over the pass.  The harvester pinches the root and lifts it from the soil. The beet roots are then taken up a conveyer belt and emptied into a truck driving alongside the harvester.

We passed by lots of farm land on the route to the river.  Some farmers use pivots for irrigation like the ones here in Arizona, while some others use a system called Wheel Line Irrigation like the one pictured above.

There is a little sign pointing down a dirt road directing you to Cauldron Linn.  We did not see this sign the first time we passed through but it turned out to be sort of a blessing in disguise...

If we hadn't missed the sign then we wouldn't have gotten to drive through this beautiful ravine down to the river!  The land was just rolling hills with grassland and then the road just dropped off and down into this canyon!  

A little water fall flowing out of the side of the cliff...

At the bottom of the ravine we drove over a bridge with the Snake River flowing by underneath.

Once we arrived at the place in the river where Cauldron Linn is located, we parked our car and hiked down to the falls.  Notice how calm the water is flowing in this picture...

Our little guy added so much joy to the travels!!

Here the river is still flowing relatively calm...

...before it rounds the bend and crashes over the rocks below!  

For size reference, notice Justin and Benaiah on the rocks to the left of the falls.

The water at the bottom of the falls is just a boiling churning mass of white water.  It is truly amazing to watch and pictures don't do justice to the thundering sound of rushing water.

 The river wasn't as high as it would be in the spring with all the snowmelt but it was still flowing pretty good.
 

*     *     *     *     *

 Our last stop on the drive was Shoshone Falls.

Sometimes called, "Niagara of the West," these falls are 212 feet taller than Niagara Falls.

Another view of the river as we drove...

*     *     *     *     *

On Sunday we went to the wedding of our friend Tom!  Tom used to work with Justin back before we got married and then he worked with Jaylon for two years before he moved to Idaho.

There was a wooden plaque for guests to sign as well as the guestbook.

Programs were placed on the pews in the church.

After the choir sang a few songs, a sermon was preached and then Tom and Mikayla said their vows.

The reception was held in the church basement.  

Tom and Mikayla sat at the head table with their attendants and both sets of parents.

The centerpieces were elegantly placed on wood slices and accented by candles.

 Cutting the cake...

It was a lovely celebration honoring two wonderful people.
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Doberstien!

 

*     *     *     *     *

We drove the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway Sunday afternoon on our way back to Salt Lake City. 

 We flew to Phoenix early Monday morning and arrived home by the afternoon.  It was a whirlwind of a weekend but we are so thankful we were able to go and celebrate with Tom and Mikayla.