May 28th:
We packed up this morning and drove back to Arches National Park so that the kids could get their Junior Ranger badges. The lady went over everything in detail and was especially detailed about the millions of years. The kids asked her all kinds of questions about the millions of years in relation to the Bible and the flood of Noah, but she didn’t clue in at all and kept rambling on about all the rock formations “millions of years ago." The kids were frustrated that she didn't listen but I told them that they planted a seed of thought in her heart and who knows what God will do with it. It's hard to impact many of the people who don't know anything else except evolution, and they have no desire to listen or read anything. They are stubborn and their hearts are hard.
Onward to Salt Lake City, again through the land of nothingness! I’m telling you that the southern end of Colorado and Utah are ugly!!
We drove for 3 hours of plain terrain, and then suddenly there were mountains . . . even mountains with snow. I was strange that the terrain changed so quickly. It actually became beautiful, with mountains, streams, and a cliff-side train track. Although, I knew we were still in barren land when we drove past the biggest wind powered generators that I have ever seen.
Finally we arrived in Salt Lake City and drove downtown. We were curious to see the Mormon temple and square. I had no idea that it was actually the whole downtown. We drove down the main street and pulled over to the sidewalk. All around us were “Latter Day Saints” buildings and the main tabernacle. I actually felt chills go up my spine and thought, “should I really be here?” Then I decided that we needed to pray for the Lords protection and wisdom as we walked around the area.
The Salt Lake Temple is the centerpiece of the 10-acre Temple Square in the downtown Salt Lake City. The temple grounds are open to the public but the temple is considered sacred and a “temple recommend” is required to enter, so there is no public tours. 
But there was a visitors center that we decided to go into . . . it was a large building full of displays about the building of the temple, the traditions, a model of the temple, and a computer display about the levels of the temple and what they are used for. We started reading about the baptismal bottom level of the temple and we decided that we needed to leave . . . we all felt a little strange about being there and ran out to the center square. We took some pictures and then we left. It was good for all of us the see the area and educate the kids a little on Mormonism, but glad it was short.
Next we drove to the nearest Starbucks to collect our “Utah” mug and it was in a beautiful outdoor mall. They named the mall the “Olympic Plaza” and was built for the 2002 winter Olympics. We found our mugs, shopped a little, and then we were off to Promontory Point, Utah, about an hour and 20 minutes away, to spend the night. On the way we drove under several overpasses that had different Olympic athletic emblems on the sides . . . it was very exciting to see! We tried to get pictures of them all but most came too fast and we missed them!
Finally we arrived at our State park camp ground, made dinner and went to bed. It’s hard to believe that we are almost home! Three more days!
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