~Midway, Wasatch Mountain State Park, and Provo Canyon, UT
The Tate Barn
This barn was erected in 1902 when Francis Tate, an English emigrant, established a dairy farm in the location below Soldier Hollow. Tate used local red pine on a foundation of “pot rock” which was commonly used on structures in the area.
The barn became part of Wasatch Mountain State Park in 1961. It was used for agricultural purposes but during the winter of 1996, the barn fell into disrepair as a result of heavy snow.
The Tate Barn was restructured to stand as an iconic representation of the Heber Valley’s agricultural history as it was introduced to the world during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
A group of local citizens, public agencies, civic organizations, contractors, suppliers, and philanthropists was formed and led by Friends of Wasatch Mountain State Park to reconstruct a barn similar to the original structure.
~The moon was full last night (10/24/18). Didn’t capture a good photo, but I like the leaves in front of the moon in the photo.
oOo-Wasatch Mountain State Park
We took a ride from Jordanelle State Park to Wasatch Mountain State Park one day. It is a beautiful, older state park, established in 1961, and it even has a golf course. It is located in the northern part of the state within the Wasatch Range on the north and west edges of the Heber Valley in Wasatch County near the city of Midway. The Wasatch Rangeis a mountain range that stretches approximately 160 miles from the Utah-Idaho border, south through central Utah in the western United States. It is on the western edge of the greater Rocky Mountains. (some info was taken from the Web)
Didn’t see any RV sites in Wasatch Mountain State Park that would accommodate big rigs, so plan carefully if you want to visit this area. I would highly recommend Jordanelle State Park, but not in the busy summer months.
oOo-Midway, UT
The town of Midway was settled by Swiss Mormons and its Swiss architecture is prominent today. More information on the history of the town here – Midway, UT
There are several Bed and Breakfast places to stay in Midway all portraying the Swiss influence.
Blue Boar InnMidway Town HallMidway Post OfficeAppeared to be a private home in Midway.Wasatch Mountain State Park
However, we did find some Toms hanging out with a few ladies on the golf course in the state park.
Showing off its beautiful tail feathers.
I am so glad the birds finally found the feeders I hung out. There are Western Scrub Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, Mountain Chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers, American Gold Finches, House Sparrows, Black-billed Magpies, and a wonderful surprise, several Cassin’s Finches. I don’t ever remember seeing so many at one time before.
American Gold FinchDowny WoodpeckerBlack-capped Chickadee
I have seen lots of hawks in the area, some probably migrating through, but haven’t been able to identify them with certainty. I saw a flash of a white-ban on a hawk today and I think it was a Northern Harrier.
Why do people love to fly fish? I don’t know the answer to the question, but I understand it is a very popular sport.
While on a walk at Jordanelle State Park we came upon this young man fly fishing. He was totally focused on his task.
Being outside surrounded by mountains, standing alongside a stream or wading out into the middle of a river, seems like a peaceful way to spend the day.
The rhythm in the motion of casting, the rhythm of the water as it flows downstream, and the rhythm of sounds, which might go unnoticed, must all add to the state of mind that brings joy to the sportsmen.
I have never tried to flyfish, but it looks intriguing.
Jordanelle Reservoir.Jordanelle Reservoir looking down from an overlook.Looking across the Jordanelle Reservoir at the campground.Jordannelle Dam
Today was mostly sunny and cool. A walk, bike ride, and a geocaching excursion filled the day. The geocaching was a fun experience and a first of this type.
The geocache “course” is made up of ten total finds. You write down the coordinates at each station and it leads you to the next one. You probably guessed you find the sun, the eights planets, and Pluto. For more information, you can visit this link – Solar System.
In the end, you retrieve a coupon from the ammo box, bring it up to the ranger station and get a prize. I believe this Solar Geocache Course is a great learning and fun experience for kids. And, perhaps for adults as well.
Here are a few photos from around the park today.
Beautiful autumn colors just after sunrise.
Picnic pad, table and fire ring at each site.Driftwood.Rocky shoreline.Pretty autumn colors.Coots, I believe swimming away from the shoreline.Jordanelle State Park Nestled in the rolling mountains north of Heber City, Utah sits the beautiful Jordanelle Reservoir, fed by the Provo River and impounded by the Jordanelle Dam. (from their web-site)~~
I hung a bird feeder out yesterday, but didn’t have any visitors. Today, two Western Scrub Jays and a Black-capped Chick-a-dee finally found the feeder. There are lots of Magpies here and I am hoping to capture a nice photo of one.
Late this afternoon we received a brief thunderstorm, which included small hail. As I type this post, the wind is blowing and it is starting to rain again. Low tonight – 36F.
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