Utah Heat

'Tis Hot in the West!

After several days of over 100 degrees, we finally had one day in Provo, Utah in the 90's!  Paula and I tubed the Provo River (canyon) in the mountains and took a dip in a mountain lake as an afternoon thunderstorm loomed.  At this time of year, the very highest mountain ranges are the only places you can find refreshing air in the Great Basin of the West.

SERMON ON THE ROCK?!

Whenever we have a chance, Paula takes her Harley off the trailer and we head for a high mountain stream or lake.  Most of the streams come to an abrupt halt further down the valleys, as the valuable water is used for drinking, and watering cattle and lawns (and golf courses!)

UTAH  MEN'S ROOM

While we see many different races of people wherever we go (and perhaps surprisingly a fairly large number of foreign tourists), the American cowboy still reigns in the smaller communities.  Paula and I had an excellent meatloaf at the "Cowboy Cafe".

We have enjoyed our Sunday morning visits to a number of United Methodist Churches along the way.  At a small UMC Fellowship in Elko, Nevada, we were pleasantly surprised by a visiting Tongan pastor and a potluck immediately after the service (in a former mortuary).  They were hoping their newly appointed minister (from the Philippines) would be granted a visa soon so that he and his family could join them.

Recently, we cruised into Reno, Nevada to visit a high school friend of mine for a few weeks, and to experience the local Hot August Nights! (lots of old beautiful cars and rock & roll music).  Paula and I listened to Bill Medley/The Righteous Brothers at a free outdoors venue on Saturday night. {Remember "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"?  I must have danced/steered at least a dozen girls around the junior high school gymnasium floor to that wonderful slow song!}

At 8:30 AM this past Sunday morning (yes, we do crawl out of the motorhome early on some days :-) ), we visited the First United Methodist Church in downtown Reno and heard their pastor discussing the book of Revelations and shared communion with 12-15 members at their early service. During the service, a couple of street people wandered through the sanctuary to look for coffee and snacks, which did not appear to surprise anyone.  I think the church's ministry was focused primarily on the homeless and the needs of the inner-city.  This UMC has a grant which helps them conduct a "Drop in the Bucket" Food Program.  Hopefully,  a visit next Sunday morning at their later traditional service will help me learn more about this church and perhaps about the opportunities or difficulties of living in a "gaming/casino" city.

More soon!  Stay tuned...