How does one recover from a long drive? Well, step one: A NAP! (check!), and then, step two: a nice meal. 🙂
Having done my research rather thoroughly, I found a lovely place with a buffet, called “The Roof”, in Temple Square.
Determined NOT to drive another FOOT that day, I called for an Uber. Problem: The driver was not very proficient with the English language. I called for the car, and the app said it would arrive in 5 minutes. While in the elevator, I received a text from the driver: “Hi whe are you please”
I replied: Coming from room … on elevator
To which HE replied: “OK, I’m out”
I was fairly dumbfounded at that one. I’m out, as in, I’m outta here??? , or I’m out, as in, I’m outside?? Ugh. FORTUNATELY, before I had time to call for a new car, he pulled into the parking lot where we stood like dopes. He didn’t understand a word I said in the car, but managed to pull up to the address of the restaurant. It looks like a hotel from the outside, and he doubted that he had arrived at a restaurant, and asked me, “Is this it?” I wasn’t sure, but said, “Yes.” Then, he began to PULL AWAY FROM THE CURB! “YES!” I yelled, “YES!!!” Couldn’t get outta that car fast enough …
The Roof, as it turns out, was INDEED lovely, and the food was plentiful and delicious. The view of the Mormon Temple was amazing, and as we were there at sunset, the photo ops were spectacular!
Our waiter, Ryland, was sweet and very accommodating, and took our photo.
(not really easy to balance the light in the photo, but you get the gist.) Forgetting that I was in a Mormon building, I asked for coffee after the meal. D’oh!! Ryland couldn’t have been sweeter when he very gently reminded us that they don’t serve any coffee. (against the Mormon way of life, dontcha know) [Me: “Oh, oooops. Duh.”] He was equally sweet when I inquired about touring around Temple Square the following day, and he actually said, sweet as pie, “Well, you’re not allowed to enter the Temple … only those worthy are allowed.” Afterward I found myself wondering what my Mum would have said to that. LOL
Just as we were leaving, the lights of the Temple (in which I am not worthy to enter) came on. Beautiful!
Next day, up, free hotel breakfast, check out, and on to exploring Temple Square. As we planned to stay in Salt Lake City for such a short time, I limited our exploring to that area only. Of course, it was 100 degrees in the shade outside that day, so no one was arguing about ONLY Temple Square. 🙂 First stop, North Visitor’s Center:
This was the last in a series of 10′ x 20′ paintings … “The Ascension”
Up a ramp, with New Age calming music in the background, was this 15 foot statue. Awe-inspiring …
Next, we proceeded to the world famous Mormon Tabernacle!
Impressive! However, we did learn that the LDS Church has outgrown this wonderful building, and often turn to the Convention Center across the street (which holds 21,000 people) for larger events.
We moved on to the Assembly Church … the former & original Temple, where even the lowly Catholics such as myself are allowed to cross the threshold 🙂
The organist in his glory! 🙂
This statue is in between the Assembly church and the South Visitor’s Center. Quite a depiction of the early Mormons.
(but … ummmmmm … don’t ask me who they are … :-/ )
Last stop in Temple Square was the South Visitor’s Center. Here you can find a scale model of inside the Temple, if you’re curious about what exactly is on the inside. (The slogan is “Sacred, not Secret”. Whatevs … )
(Why do I imagine the young missionaries who greeted us getting out their Donny & Marie Barbie dolls and playing with this scale model after hours?? LOL)
While most of this experience needed to remain “Lulu Free”, we snuck Lulu into one of the scenes …
(Lulu: pssst! C’mon, Lolo, it says “LITTLE Cottonwood Canyon”! May I please get into the shot??)
Our time in Temple Square was coming to an end … Gerry went over to the Convention Center to see the organ there (I decided to stay in the car, and avoid the then 103 degrees), and we were off to our final stop in the Salt Lake City area, the Great Salt Lake!
I couldn’t fathom (sorry, bad pun!) being here and NOT seeing the Great Salt Lake! About a 20 minute detour on our exit out of town, we were there quickly. Only problem … in recent months there has been a severe drought at the lake (!!!) There now is about a quarter mile beach / salt flat BEFORE the lake begins. The briny smell in the area is nearly unbearable. I quickly got my photo, and we were on the road again.
Next time … we end Day Four in our next state: Idaho!
AWESOME! …..except for not being worthy! Xo