In and around Salt Lake City

Thursday 6/30 dawned sunny, windy and hot-high 90's. Hank decided that it was time to have our trusty vehicle serviced and checked over and the staff at the KOA there were very helpful and suggested a reputable GMC dealer and arrangements were made quickly to take the car there (with good directions!) While he did that, I took care of a laundry for a week! Before I had finished, Hank was back-dealer had brought him back to the campground and we were told we would receive a phone call when it was ready. We still hadn't received the call in a couple of hours so we took the free shuttle (provided by LDS) to Temple Square. Our driver seemed to be very knowledgeable-gave us a great deal of info. on SL and Temple Square. Then we were met by two delightful young ladies (doing their 18 month mission duty) one from the South of France and one from Mexico. They gave us a tour of the Tabernacle, grounds, the North Visitor Ctr. and the South Visitor Ctr. all the while politely trying to convert us. All the while we were being toured I kept thinking "this is BIG business". They also showed us the Center devoted to families-didn't have time to see the museum or the genealogy building because Hank got the call that the car was ready and they'd send a courtesy car for us. The girls told us that the Morman Tabernacle Choir would be rehersing at 8PM that evening and the public is invited. So off we went to the GMC dealer to pick up the car. There was nothing wrong the car, but it did need an oil change and items checked over. Once that bill was settled we found our way back to the KOA got some dinner and headed back to Temple Square - this time on our own steam. The Utah capitol bldg. was right on our route so we drove there 1st and at least got a couple of photos. Then we headed to the LDS Conference Ctr. where we were told we could watch the orchestra reherse before the choir came in. Someone misunderstood and the public is not invited to the orchestra rehersal and we had an hour to kill. We wandered around Temple Sq. then wandered some of the surrounding streets. For a large bustling city, there was surprisingly little to do or see at 7PM. We finally found a souvenir shop where we killed a few minutes chatting with the proprietors who were helpful in giving us suggestions of how to use up more time before we could get in to hear the choir. We went into the Joseph Smith building and took the elevator to the top floor where there are observation windows on the east and west sides of the building-quite a view from there. Eventually it was time to head back to the Conf. Ctr. and there were already a great number of people waiting to get in. At last the doors opened and we were ushered into a huge performance hall which seats 21,000 people and it is constructed in such a manner that microphones aren't needed-except when they are recording. The orchestra was accompanying the choir in America the Beautiful as we sat down. Eventually, the conductor turned to the people in attendance and explained that they were preparing for their patriotic program which would be broadcast Sun. 7/4 . I had goose bumps just being in the presence of the Morman Tabernacle Choir, and even though it was a rehersal and the conductor kept stopping and starting, it was still quite wonderful! They sang 76 Trombones, I Pledge Allegiance, and God Bless America which made the tears fall! It was an incredible 1.5 hours and we were both so glad we'd gone in to listen. When we came out onto the street the sun had just set and the sky was gorgeous! Got a little misplaced on our way back to the KOA, but only a couple of streets out of our way. Now to see if we can share some photos of the day...