Utah State Capitol

On the hill above Salt Lake City resides the Utah State Capitol Building. It is surrounded by history, city, and the beauties of the Salt Lake Valley and the Wasatch Mountain Range. Being elevated above the valley floor one can see for miles. From the state capitol building you can also see Salt Lake City's namesake, the Great Salt Lake. another notable structure is the Salt Lake Temple of the LDS church.

4 photo panorama - Utah State Capitol Building

Beehive - Brass on Door.You will see the symbol of the beehive throughout the Utah State Capitol Building and throughout the state. It is a symbol of Industry like the industrious honeybee. the symbol is also less well known for perseverance, thrift, stability, and self-reliance. However, industry is the state motto.

18 photo panorama - Utah State Capitol Building

7 photo panorama - Rotunda - Utah State Capitol Building

16 photo panorama - Rotunda ceiling - Utah State Capitol Building

Stone work in archway around the rotunda - Utah State Capitol Building

2 photo panorama - Rotunda looking West to the House Chambers - Utah State Capitol Building

Stone stair railing pillars - Utah State Capitol Building

Rotunda looking West towards the House Chambers - Utah State Capitol Building

Stone ceiling and arch work - Utah State Capitol Building

Stone pillar, ceiling, and arch work - Utah State Capitol Building

East entrance of Utah State Capitol Building

Utah State Capitol Building

Draper Utah Temple

Tucked away up near a canyon in Draper, Utah, is a beautiful temple. It is the Draper Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS the members of the church are also known as Mormons). During the day the temple is a dominant edifice on the hillside. From the freeway in the morning you might be able to catch the sunrise complementing the building and the area round about. At night the radiant glow of the building shines like a beacon through the valley. 

There temples of the LDS throughout the world. Utah is unique because it has temple fairly close to each other. From the Draper temple you can see the Oquirrh Mountain Temple and the Jordan River Temple. Both of them are also lit up at night and are beautiful day or night. The Salt Lake Temple is also in the valley but hidden in Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. The temples are beautiful inside and out. When a temple is built or renovated the public is invited to tour the temple as see throughout it. 

Following are some photos I took in the fall of 2013.

Heceta Head Trail, Hobbit Trail, Beach near Washburne State Park

As the day was coming to a close after visiting Heceta Head Lighthouse. We headed back along the trail towards the Hobbit Trail To be at the beach to watch the son set. As we were heading back I had decided to not take any more photos until we got to the beach. There was one scene that we walked across that I knew was one of those shots that you just had to take. The sun was shining through the trees horizontally and had an appearance of a lighthouse light. It was so beautiful! It was amazing! I looked at my wife and I must have done it with a piteous look. I had said that I would not take any more photos till we got to the beach. When I looked at her she said, "Take a picture." It was not granting me permission but rather a command. We both knew that what we were seeing was not easily replicated It was just one of those things you have to be in the right place at the right time.

Because of the delay we missed the sun setting while we were at the beach but we both thought it was worth it. Instead of going down the Hobbit Trail we went to the beach entrance at Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park. We enjoyed the beach as well and I got some lovely dusk photos. Some of the photos has a longer exposure so it made the waves nice and smooth. It was a great day for photos. It was a relaxing enjoyable day. Superb!

Light Though Trees Like a Lightouse

Shadow of the woods

My wife posing/waiting for me

Trail heading back from Heceta Head Lighthouse

2 photo panorama - Light Through Trees

Beach at Dusk

Beach at Dusk

Beach at Dusk

Beach at Dusk

Beach and Footprints at Dusk

Beach at Dusk

Heceta Head Lighthouse

Heceta Head Lighthouse is in a picturesque area. All of the coast is beautiful but there is just something to like about Heceta Head. It sits out on a point above the water. The trees come right up to the lighthouse. There are interesting things nearby such as the Seal Caves, the beach, forest trails, a bed and breakfast, and some state parks. Heceta Head resides north of Florence, Oregon.

Heceta Head Lighthouse from Heceta Head Trail

Below you will see photos of Heceta Head Lighthouse from Highway 101, The Heceta Head Trail, the trail from the beach and parking lot to the lighthouse, and at the lighthouse itself. There are two trails to the lighthouse. The most commonly used one starts at the parking lot at Heceta Head - Devil's Elbow State Park and beach. THe other starts from Highway 101 north of the lighthouse. The second one is the harder one to find but the parking is free. It also requires more hiking but in my opinion it is worth it. The scenery is excellent and refreshing. This is the route we took but we ended going down the other trail to visit the beach. We did not get to visit the Sea Lion Caves but I highly suggest going.

9 photo panorama - Heceta Head Lighthouse from Highway 101

Heceta Head Lighthouse. Seen from Highway 101

Heceta Head Lighthouse. Seen from Highway 101

Heceta Head Lighthouse. Seen from Highway 101

Heceta Head Lighthouse. Seen from Highway 101

Sun Rays and Tree Shadows on Heceta Head Trail

Sun Rays and Tree Shadows on Heceta Head Trail

Ocean, Mist, Trees, and Greenery - Heceta Head Trail

14 photo panorama - Vegetation along trail to Heceta Head Lighthouse

Trail to Heceta Head Lighthouse

Trail to Heceta Head Lighthouse

Trail to Heceta Head Lighthouse

My wife and I at Heceta Head Lighthouse. Behind us you can see where I took the photos of the lighthouse from Highway 101

16 photo panorama - Heceta Head Lighthouse

2 photo panorama - Heceta Head Lighthouse Through Trees