Dinosaurs,Largest in the World

Museum at Thanksgiving Point

Millions of years ago, dinosaur’s rumbled across the landscape of what is now the state of Utah.
Thousands of remnants of the prehistoric era are carefully preserved and interpreted in sites, museums and quarries across the state.
Thanksgiving Point is a dinosaur museum with the largest dinosaur display in the world.
With over 60 mounted dinosaur skeletons, full hands on experience, beautiful fossils and much, much more.
This is so much more than an other museum, with flower gardens, concert barn, stores and café. It even has one of the most renounced golf courses.
The world’s largest dinosaur museum with its mammoth 3-D screens theater for all the popular movies and more.
This is a hub of activity at all times. Schools, from sounding states, bus children in to take part, in this great display.
Bring the children and plan on being here all day.
Visit the museum and get ready for the ultimate dinosaur museum adventure ever.
Located: exit 287 off I-15 at Lehi, Utah
20 minutes south of Salt Lake City.
www.thanksgivingpoint.com
www.utah.com/dinnosour/

Temple Square

Temple Square

A Heavenly Place

Downtown Salt Lake City is just like most big cities.
Companies are leaving and moving out, into the malls.
Salt Lake City has one advantage; people come from all over the world to see the LDS (Mormon) Temple, and Temple Grounds.
The LDS Temple was started in 1853 and done all by hand.  It was not finished until 1892.
With in their area it is called Temple Square. The beautiful flowers and grounds are tended all of the time.
At Christmas, each tree and shrub is covered with tiny lights that twinkle in the snowy dark of night. Over one million of them twinkling. Taking several months of preparation for this one event. They come on at Thanksgiving and off after New Years.
The Temple Square takes a lot of time to explore, any time of the year.
With free guides, or self-guided tours each day. Listen to live performances by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the old Tabernacle. This wonderful old building, with its giant organ. (Not the same one as on TV)
Tour the new 21,000 seat Conference Center and its giant organ that you do see on TV.
Search for your ancestors at the family search center or their library, one of the largest history libraries in the USA.
Have lunch or dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
www.mormon.org
www.visitsaltlake.com
    

Salt Lake City, Utah

The History

Salt Lake City was founded on July 24, 1847 by a group of Mormons pioneers. The pioneers led by Brigham Young, were the first non-Indian to permanently settle here.
The Mormons came to the valley in search of a home where they could practice their religion free of persecution. When Brigham Young first saw the valley he said ”this is the place.”
The California gold rush brought more emigrants; also soldiers were stationed here in the 1850’s.
By 1869 the transcontinental railroad was completed. Many people traveled the rails to see “the city of Saint’s.”
From 1860 to 1920’s hundreds of copper, silver, gold, and lead mines were opened, bringing more and more people with each passing year.
Salt Lake City began to assume its present character in the early 1900’s.
The State Capital building and many other historic buildings were constructed.
Eagle Gate, which had served to mark the entrance to Brigham Young’s estate, was reconstructed to allow traffic to flow. City parks, sewer systems and streets were made and paved.
From 1900 to 1930 the population of the city nearly tripled. It has never stopped growing.
Today it has the look of all modern large cities, old areas redeveloped and new office buildings, and downtown shopping centers.
The Salt lake International Airport is always expanding. A Trax light-rail system was added. The freeway was recently expanded to make more room.
Ranked one of the best environments for business, high technology and software firms is among the highest in the nation.
The 2002 Olympic Winter Games sparked robust growth.
The world is welcome here to enjoy the past, present and promising future.
www.utah.com

Bryce Canyon National Park

One of the Wonders of the World

Bryce Canyon, in Southern Utah, is more than the awesome badlands for which it is best known.
With 50 miles of trails to hike on, horseback trails, cross country skiing, it is a place of happenings.
This canyon where there are thousands of red, white, purple, and vermillion colored rocks of all sizes and shapes. There are deep caverns, spires, and steeples, presenting the wildest and most wonderful scene that you will ever see.
It is one of the Wonders of the World.
Words and photographs will not prepare you for what you will see. It has to be experienced first hand.
A magnificent art form of erosion.
Color contrasted by the blue sky, green pine trees, show case the massive vertical cliffs.
You will look down on miles of exquisitely carved pinnacles and spires, the Indians call them “hoodoos”, an evil animal like creature that was turned to stone.
The National Park is open year round.
We have been there summer and winter. Winter was our favorite. The snow adds contrast to the red rock.
With crisp, clear blue sky and green pine trees, this is the most colorful time of the year. It is quite and peaceful, a time too reflects on good times.
It is a place like no other.
In Southern Utah near Kanab.

www.utah.com
www.nps.gov/brca
www.brycecanyoncountry.com

Coral Pink Sand-dunes

A Statte park

The Pink Sand Dunes covers 3700 acres, 2000 of which are covered with rare pink sand, which comes from Navajo sandstone, from the period of middle Jurassic.
Sand dunes are caused by high winds pushing and swirling sand as high as 200 feet, a product of erosion from surrounding cliffs.
Rippling acres of pink colored sand invite you.
CoralPink Sand-dunes, State Park, is a magnet for ATV riders.
ATV enthusiasts, campers and folks who just like to dip their toes in the sand have ample opportunities for enjoyment.
The pink sand, blue sky, green vegetation and yellow wild flowers are a photographers dream.

This is the only major sand dune field with pink sand. It has unique geologic features.
This natural wonder is not to be missed. Put it on your things to see when traveling Southern Utah.
If you go, the sand dunes are located 7miles north of Kanab on US 89.
http://www.statepark.utah.gov/
http://www.utah.com/

This is the Place

This is the Place

Salt Lake City, Utah

Located on the east bench of the Salt Lake City, the park marks the end, of the 1300 mile trip on the Mormon trail.
Here Brigham Young stopped his carriage in July 1847 and declared “this is the place.’
To commemorate that event, a monument was erected.
The Old Desert Village is collection of more than 40 historic homes and buildings. The village is brought to life by historical interpreters, in pioneer dress, recreating life in the mid-1800’s, in Salt lake City, Utah.
This Is The Place, also features early Spanish explorers, mountain men and Native Americans.
The monument and visitors center is open year round. Old Desert village is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
This is a beautiful place to come. It has many statutes that tell the stories.
You can spend a lot of time just looking and reading about the history, past.
Bring your family and your camera.
Located at 2106 Sunnyside Ave. (across the street from the zoo)

Kennecott Copper Mine

Kennecott Copper MineThe Worlds LargestThere is something fascinating about heavy equipment moving tons of rock and ore around.  You can experience it yourself when you take a tour of the working mine.The Kennecott Copper Mine visitor’s center gives you the most spectacular view possible of the largest open pit, man-made copper mine, excavation on earth.You can peer 2000 feet below into the open mine pit, and watch the world’s largest earth moving equipment go about their jobs. If you could get in one of the trucks it would be like a two story building, on wheels, with you in the driver’s seat.This is one of the top rated visitor centers with a lot of educational things to see and do.Inside is a museum where you and your family can take part in interactive displays and exhibits on mining.Displays of how copper is used in your everyday life.There is also an 80 seat theater, featuring the up-dated 14 minute video tour of the mine and its history.Bring your camera and take your picture in front of the giant tire that came off of one the big trucks.Open 7 days a week for April-OctoberThere is a small fee, but all proceeds go to charities.
http://www.visitsaltlake.com/
http://www.utah.com/    

The Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake

Only the Dead Sea is saltier.

The Great Salt Lake is 17 miles west of Salt Lake City on I-80.
The largest natural lake, west of the Mississippi.  Only the Dead Sea has a higher salt content than The Great Salt Lake.  The lakes salt content varies but percents have been as high as 27%, compared to the ocean at 3%.
This lake is a remnant of prehistoric Lake Bonneville which was 20,000 square miles during the ice age.
Current day Great Salt Lake is 1700 square miles.  Measuring 75 miles long and 28 miles wide.  With a depth of 34 feet, where it is the deepest.
The salt content is so high fish can not live in it.
The mineral industry extracts 2 million tons of salt from the lake each year.
Morton Salt Company is one of them.  Now you know where your table salt and water softener salt comes from.
Utah wetlands surround The Great Salt Lake, making its ecosystem one of the most important resources for migratory and nesting birds.
Currently the only people enjoying the lake are those with sail boats.  The salt content is too high for motor boats.
With drought conditions for a number of years, the shore line is about 2 miles out to the water. So no facilities are set up for swimming.  You can really float in the Great Salt Lake.  

The Platters

The Platters

Sonny Turner the REAL DEAL

In 1960 lead singer for The Platters left to pursue a solo career.  Sonny Turner took over as lead singer.  He was chosen out of 100 prospects.
Sonny Turner blended in and could get that unique sound that Tony Williams sang with.
Sonny was copying Tony Williams on all of the old platter hits. For the next four years the group toured and sang the hits from the 50’s.
After years with out a hit and the popularity of their music changing directions, a new record company and new producer sent them in the right direction.
Combing their smoothness with a more contemporary style of rhythm and beat. They recorded “I love You a Thousand Times” it was a hit with Sonny Turner’s strong voice and The Platters smooth harmony The Platters were back on top.
Sonny Turner did material that was suited for him and expressed him self with out trying to copy anyone. Sonny Turner was now the sound of The platters. Two more songs “With This Ring and “Washed Ashore” followed the others to the top of the charts.
By 1965 The Platters went through more changes, more members leaving and others coming in as replacements. By 1969 the last of the originals, Herb Reed quit, and by 1970 Sonny Turner decided to leave for a solo career.
Unfortunately the history of The Platters over the past several decades has been in turmoil it has been infiltrated with many groups, or “Copy Cat”, groups that use the original names but included no original members. These “copy cat” groups are making millions off the platters name, telling people they are The Platters.
We caught up with Sonny Turner in Wendover, Nevada this month.
When I ask him where his home was now, I was surprised to learn it was Las Vegas, Nevada.
We started talking about the “copy cat” groups and how us as unsuspecting public do not know, these groups, are not the real Platters.  We have been to Branson, Mo and Las Vegas to see what we thought was the real deal, just to find out we saw the “copy cats.
Sonny told me the original members were too young to know about the music business and never copy writed their name. Now everyone in cashing in on the famous name.
Makes you feel really ripped off. Sonny is trying to get laws past to protect them and protect others.
Sonny Turner puts on a great show.  He sings and dances like he was still a teen. Singing all of the old hits, as well as the later ones. You will not be disappointed with his performance.
Brings you back to the days of poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and pony tails when the Platters were at the top of the charts. We could dance the night away and never tire.
Be sure and catch the show when Sonny Turner comes your way. You can be assured he is,
THE REAL DEAL
www.SonnyTurner.com
e-mail sonnyturner@webtv.net

The Original Platters

The Original Platters

The Worlds Greatest Vocal Group

The history of this most famous group since 1950’s has undergone many many changes. This has made the group difficult to keep track of.
Formed in 1953 The Platters magic got its chance to happen when Mercury Record signed the group. Their first recording was “Only You”.
In 1956 Billboard magazine voted The Platters, the number one group of R & B.
The Platters had seven top 10 records, nine back to back hits. They are surpassed only by Elvis and The Beatles.
In 1960 the lead singer Tony Williams decided to pursue a solo career. This put the group into a tail spin. People so strongly identified Tony Williams voice and style to The Platters, with out him, The Platters would be just another vocal group. Anyone could be singing background and it would pass as The Platters. But with out Tony that would be a problem.
As we know The Platters did go on. There were more changes to be made along the way.
There was to be more lead singers to come.
The Platters recorded 400 songs and sold over 80 million records. They were in 27 movies.
The recordings are still popular today. There are only two of the original members still alive. Zola Taylor, recovering from an illness and Herb Reed. Herb is still performing today and you can view his schedule at, http://www.herbreedandtheplatters.com/
The Platters were introduced into the hall of fame in 1990
Doo Wop: that distinctly American style of harmony singing, that comes to life on the big city street corner. These were the 50’s when the groups were only teenagers. Not even enough money to buy instruments for their bands. We were all teenagers then, listening to The Platters, the greatest vocal group ever.
The one and only Platters.

Cabelas

Cabela’s

Lehi, Utah

World foremost outfitter since 1961.
From a simple beginnings to becoming the largest mail-order, retail, internet, outdoor outfitter in the world.
In typical direct-mail style, Dick and Mary Cablea ran the business from the kitchen table in their home in Nebraska.
The company now produces over 76 different catalogs pre year and many other specialty books. Catalogs are shipped to all 50 states and 120 countries.
Lehi store just opened August 25, 2005. Just South of Salt Lake City, Utah. At I-15 and Lehi exit.  
We waited for the rush to get over. We went today, to see what everyone was talking about.  This being the first one in Utah, it was the only one we have been to.
It is a huge building with two floors. Beautifully designed like a hunting lodge.
The 150,000 Sq. Ft. showroom has a little of everything for the outdoors man.
The large aquarium’s feature Utah native fish.  Museum-quality African animal displays like Lion, Zebra, Gazelle, Cape buffalo, and more.
There are big Mountains of rocks, from floor to ceiling, with ledges from which mountain sheep, cougar, goat, deer and etc. sit.  All as if frozen in motion.
In the hunting section there are magneficent displays of moose, elk, and black bear. All of these animals are full sized taxidermy mounts.  Some in fighting stances.  There are over 400 mounted animals in all. It is a site to see.
If you would like to improve your skills there are two different hunting ranges for archery and shooting.  Banquet and meeting rooms and a restaurant.
The restaurant has the all-American menu plus and exotic menu you just don’t see any where. With exotic sandwiches like ostrich, wild boar, elk, and buffalo.
With a parking lot for horse trailers, RV’s and semi trucks. But this parking lot has a twist. Horse carols, and a dog kennel to keep your pets protected and comfortable while you shop.
They do say, the average shopper stays up to 4 hours in Cabela’s shopping.
www.cabela’s.com
www.utah.com


Rand McNally Folded Map: Utah

Mesa Verde Colorado

Mesa Verde, Colorado

National Park

The area has changed very little inn 700 to 800 years.
To the prehistoric inhabitants called the Anasizie, these canyons provided food and shelter.
The 600 hundred cliff dwellings within the park, was constructed between 1200 and 1276 AD. By the Anasizie people.
One of them, called the Spruce Tree House has 114 rooms and 8 kivas or ceremonial chambers.
Due to the protection of the overhanging cliff, the house deteriorated very little.
Mesa Verde National Park was founded in 1888 by local ranchers.
No attempt has been made to reconstruct areas which were in ruins.
These first settlers I the time of Christ, were hunters and farmers.  For more than 700 years their decedents lived and flourished here.
Then in the late 1200’s with in a span of two generations they left their homes and moved away.
Every since local ranchers first saw the cliff dwellings a century ago, archeologists have been trying to understand the Anasizie lifestyle. Despite decades of digging our scientific knowledge of these people are sketchy.
The Mesa Verde national Park covers 52000 acres. Tucked into sandstone alcoves in the canyons are more than 600 dwellings, these stone masonry dwellings stood inhabited for over 700 years.
This is a very interesting place to go. It is unbelievable the dwellings could have lasted all these years.
Located inn the Southwest part of Colorado, near Cortez.
Being a large park there is a loop drive, with about 10 pull out stopping spots. There is an information and museum, also a café and restrooms.
Plan an all day trip. There are tours you can take with the rangers. You can go inside of the dwellings. This is a lot of walking and climbing.
Viewing them from the road we had no trouble seeing all we wanted to see.
It is an experience you and the children will remember for a lifetime.
www.mesaverdecountry.com
www.npca.orrg
www.mesaverderesort.com
www.colorado.com

Four Corners Monument

Four Corners Monument

The Navajo Nation

The Four Corners Monument is the only place in the United States where four states intersect at one point.
The Navajo Nations welcomes you to this most unique landmark.
Being on Indian land it has an entrance fee of $3.00 for each person.
Founded in 1912, the original marker was made of a simple concrete pad. It showed the connected states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.
Today the monument has been replaced and is in granite and brass. The flags of the four states and the Ute and Navajo Nations fly over the monument.
Native American vendors sell hand-made jewelry, pottery, and traditional Navajo food at the Monument.
Open year round, it is near Cortez, Colorado and Shiprock, Arizona.
To find out more about this area, go to these sites.
http://www.discovernavajo.com/
http://www.explorenavajo.com/
http://www.navajonationalparks.org/
www.visitortip.com/tig/swcolorado

Underground Tour

Underground Tour

The Colorful Past

World Famous Historic Underground Tours of Pendleton, Oregon.

This is where the past becomes real.  You will learn everything there is to know about the best kept secrets of Eastern Oregon.
Your guide will take you on a 90 minute tour of the tunnels, under Pendleton’s Historic District.  Telling you of the city’s colorful past.
Tunnels that were built and occupied by, Chinese workers, around the turn of the last century.
A tour to the underground few people know about.  See the Empire Card Room, Hop Sings Laundry, 1930’s Prohibition card room and Chinese jails.  
See the Cozy Room bordello at the Working Girls Hotel.  
The rooms are as they were with all of the furnishings, even the clothes in the closets.
The tour guides are the best.  They can really tell a vivid story of the secret past.
This is not to be missed.
Not for real young children, no younger than teenagers.
Located in Pendleton, in the Old Town area.
Open year round.
Call for more information; 1-800-226-6398

Phone Scam

Phone Scam

Be careful when you answer

Just when you thought it was safe to answer the phone -------it is not.
If someone calls you and tells you they are an AT&T service technician who is conducting a test on your phone line.----Hang up
He will tell you to complete the test you need to push in 90 #. DO NOT DO THIS
By pushing the 90# you give the requesting individual full access to your phone line.
They can now make long distant calls and have them charged to your home phone number.
It will be hard to defend because you said inadvertently it was ok...
DO NOT PRESS IN 90# FOR ANYONE.
It does not matter what phone company you have or if it is a cell phone.
Be safe.