DOES THE GREAT SALT LAKE FREEZE?

ANTELOPE ISLAND STATE PARK

ICE ON THE GREAT SALT LAKE

EVEN THOUGH THE GREAT SALT LAKE HAS A HIGHER SALINITY THAN THE OCEAN; WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS IN JANUARY, SHEETS OF ICE FORMS ON THE SHORES.

  

Exploring Antelope Island State Park is fun in the cold of winter.   Come and see ice along the shoreline.  Take pictures of wildlife.  Go to the Visitor Center and gift shop.  Antelope Island is a great place to enjoy a day with God.

SEE MORE PHOTOS from JANUARY 2019 

ICE ON THE GREAT SALT LAKE?

ADVENTURE ON CYPRUS

STRANGEST THINGS OF THE BIBLE

Paul, Barnabas, and Mark begin an adventure of a lifetime, hiking the Island of Cyprus.  This story begins on the main-land, in the town of Antioch.

"Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul." 

Acts 13:1 NKJV

Barnabas means 'son of encouragement'.  And Simeon could have been an African, who carried the cross for Jesus.

"While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul fr the work to which I have called them."          Acts 13:2 NASB

The Holy Spirit is God, and he speaks!

"Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away."  

Acts 13:3 NKJV

The church laid hands on Paul, and Barnabas, praying for their first missionary journey.  Barnabas and his cousin John Mark, and Paul, sent out by God the Spirit, started to hike to Seleucia, so they could board a ship to Cyprus.   Barnabas was from Cyprus.

"So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus."  Acts 13:4 NASB

"And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews.  They also had John as their assistant."   Acts 13:5 NKJV

Not only did they preached the good news of Jesus Christ, but they enjoyed hiking the beautiful Island of Cyprus, from the eastern shores to the capitol town of Paphos.

"When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence.  The man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God."  Acts 13:6-7 NASB

A false prophet, and sorcerer called himself the Son of Jesus, was hanging around the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus; a man of high IQ, seeking to speak to Paul.

"But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith."  

Acts 13:8 NASB

Paul gets in his face!

"Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?
And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time."   And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand."  Acts 13:9-11 NKJV

The Holy Spirited puts temporary blindness on the false prophet and the man had to led away.  Don't mess with God!

"Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord."  Acts 13:12 NASB

LEGACY NATURE PRESERVE TRAIL LOOP

LEGACY NATURE PRESERVE 

is a 2,225 acre wildlife preserve.

If you are looking for exercise during the off-season month, the Legacy Nature Preserve might be a fun place to explore.   This is a great place to watch birds, jog and walk your dog.

LEGACY NATURE TRAIL 

is a gravel road that runs on the west side of the Legacy Highway, from 500 South to Center Street.  There are a few benches on the trail to sit and relax by.

After walking 1 mile, cross the pedestrian bridge over the Legacy highway.  You'll find picnic tables and a park on the other side to take a break.  

LEGACY PARKWAY TRAIL

Make a loop by taking the Parkway trail back to the 500 South trailhead.

RATINGS: NEWBIES 
KIDS 
MILEAGE: 3.3 miles
HIKE TIME: 1 1/2 hours

ELEVATION GAIN: 11'

DOG FRIENDLY
RESTROOMS 2.4 miles away at Legacy Park
GPS: 40°53'01.8"N 111°56'20.8"W

West side of Legacy Highway exit 4, and 500 South, Woods Cross, Utah

WHITE ROCK LOOP

ANTELOPE ISLAND STATE PARK

Escape to Antelope Island and enjoy a ride around the White Rock loop.   Most riders go counterclockwise, following a jeep road up and ride the singletrack back.   From the saddle, there is a new trail that shortcuts around the mountain too.   Bikers need to yield to horse riders, hikers and bison on the trail.  There are benches on the trail for those wishing to take breaks.  

RATINGS: Intermediate technical, jeep road and singletrack.
There are some rocky and sandy sections.
MILEAGE: 7 1/2 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: 700'
BIKE TIME: 2 hours
GEAR: Extra tube, pump, patch kit, plenty of water, snacks, camera, etc.
Goat head thorns will give you a flat.   It is highly recommended to put thorn liners between your tubes and tires; and maybe even use slime tubes.
RESTROOM available at the trailhead.
TRAILHEAD:  East of White Rock group camping area.

UPDATE: There is a new shorter WHITE ROCK LOOP if you don't want to bike up the jeep road.

CANDY MOUNTAIN EXPRESS

BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN

Enjoy a bicycle ride on a paved parkway in Marysvale Canyon, following the Seiver River to the Big Rock Canyon.   You'll find this trail beside US 89, between mile marker 183 to 191.
MILEAGE: 6 1/2 miles each way.
RATINGS: Newbies
KID FRIENDLY: No motorized traffic on the trail.
TRAILHEADS:   
North entrance to Marysvale Canyon, is a parking lot and restroom. On the east side of Highway 89, and Sevier Hwy 250 South.   Just south of the I-70 and US 89 exit.  
South entrance is across the street from the Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort.   Look for the trail sign.
RESTROOM available at the northern trailhead parking lot.

BEAR RIVER CAMP

Interdenominational Christian Camp near the Wyoming/Utah border, on SR 150, Mirror Lake HWY  

A great place for church camp, kids camp, youth groups, singles ministry, and men's retreats etc.

Bear River Camp is in Wyoming 22 miles south of Evanston just off the Mirror Lake Scenic Highway at 7800' elevation. The camp is 100 plus acres of beautiful land with the Bear River Running through it. There are 5 dorm cabins with capacity of about 10 to 12 persons each, a large tent area, a bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets, a full service kitchen and dinning hall. Our recreation features vary from playing in the river and fishing to hiking, biking, group games, crafts, campfires and much more!

UPDATE:  BEAR RIVER CAMP has closed and been sold to private owners.

MIRACLE AT TRAIL LAKE

YOUTH PASTOR BOB PERRY

Do miracles happen today? 

Is Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever? Or did miracles only happen during the time the Bible was written? 

Do you believe in miracles?

On the seventh day of the seventh month of 1982, Salt Lake Christian Center, Youth Pastor Bob Perry and wife Sharon, drove the youth group in the church van to Heber City, to go evangelizing. After praying, each person passed out tracts and Bibles.

Pastor Bob rewarded the youth group afterwards, taking them up the Mirror Lake highway. He drove to Mirror Lake, but found the road gated. Going back down the mountain, we ended up at Trail Lake...the place were God wanted us to be. At Trail Lake, some of the group wanted to hang by the lake and go fishing, while others wished to hike the shoreline. A young man, Eng brought his fishing pole and wanted to catch a trout. Looking at the other fishermen, seated on the rocks; no body was catching anything. So we prayed that Eng would catch a fish and went hiking.

MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES

"Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Phillip, "Where shall we buy bread that these may eat? But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. 

Phillip answered Him, "Two hundred denari worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little." 

One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" 

Then Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. 

So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost." Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten." John 6:5-13 NKJV

After the hiking, we returned seeing Eng jumping in the water with excitement. We asked, what had happened? 

He said, after we prayed, a fish hatchery truck pulled up right beside him and dumped in thousands of fish. 

Eng caught his limit of trout in no time. He was amazed that God answers prayer and miracles do happen today!

Moab Brand Trails

Tired of driving all over Moab to mountain bike? You'll find one easy place to park and enjoy all the single/double track you want. There's even access to a paved parkway trail that will take you from highway 313 to Moab. Each trail is well marked with a map showing where you are on the trail.

PARKING LOT AT BAR M CHUCKWAGON - North of Moab, but a few miles south of the Canyonlands 313, on US 191.

PARKING FEE: $5, make sure you have bills. After you pay and use the restroom, drive down the gravel road, turn left, and park in the lower lot.

RESTROOM: port-a-potty in upper parking lot.

BAR M LOOP
7.9 miles! The lower section is a gravel road, but in the backcountry is a Jeep road that reminds you of the White Rim trail. This is the best trail for Newbies. From the lower parking lot is a short cut that takes you up the hill to the back. If you want to do the entire loop, you need to pedal back the gravel road, turn left and go south. Once you reach the paved parkway, turn left and follow the Jeep road.



EASY/LAZY LOOP
3 mile loop! Moderate technical singletrack. Ride counterclockwise. "Easy" is the first half and has some technical rocky areas you might have to walk over. As you loop back on the "Lazy," you find some smooth, fast single track sections. You should be able to bike this loop under 1 hour.



CIRCLE O:
Longest 3 miles you'll ever go! Intermediate technical ~ follow the painted line on Entrada Sandstone. Either way you start, you'll have to climb uphill on the other end. You'll swear to either never ride slickrock again or be hopelessly addicted to it.

There are more trails at MOAB BRAND TRAILS

BAR M CHUCKWAGON.com 

 Live Western show and cowboy supper!

INTREPID TRAIL SYSTEM

Dead Horse Point State Park

Enjoy scenic views overlooking the Colorado River 

INTREPID LOOP ~ 1.1 mile hiking trail for families.

GREAT PYRAMID LOOP ~ 4.2 mile hike or a short mountain biking loop.

BIG CHIEF LOOP 
9 mile trail great for mountain biking or a long hike. Ride counterclockwise to Big Chief Overlook. Stop at the Colorado River Overlook and the Great Pyramid Overlook on the way.

BIKE TIME: 1 1/2 hours technical ride to Big Chief and 1/2 hour easy ride down a hill to the visitor center.

RATINGS: Mountain biking Moderate Technical.

GEAR: Helmet, first aid, you're in a desert bring plenty of water, jacket, energy snacks, and flat tire repair etc.

CORONA ARCH

Want to have fun in the desert? You'll enjoy the hike climbing to Corona Arch 

Enjoy climbing up 21 steps carved out of sandstone. Have fun climbing up a metal ladder and walking on slickrock. And there's a safety wire, railing to hold onto.

RATINGS: Newbies, with a few challenges.  Kids need to be supervised because of steep exposure.              

MILEAGE: 1 1/2 miles to the arch.                  ELEVATION GAIN: 440'

HIKE TIME: 1 1/2 hours total.

DIRECTIONS: Near Arches National Park, take SR 279, 10 miles west. On the east side of the road, near the Gold Bar Campground you'll find the trailhead.

GRAND VIEW POINT OVERLOOK

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK  

Island in the Sky

DESCRIPTION: Inspiring views of Canyonlands, Island in the Sky. You can see White Crack, the Colorado, the Needles and the Maze below. The trail has sandstone stairs.MILEAGE: 1 mile each way

HIKE TIME: 1 hour total

RATINGS: Newbies

KIDS may enjoy this trail if they are supervised.

Steep exposure

CANYON RIMS RECREATION AREA

NEEDLES OVERLOOK
Enjoy outstanding views overlooking Canyonlands Needles. The drive is 22 miles on pavement, from US 191. Picnic area, benches, vault restroom, no water, limited parking and a short hiking trail.

ANTECLINE OVERLOOK

Another great overlook of Canyonlands. Drive 17 miles on an improved gravel road. This is a great place to escape all the crowds. Vault restroom, lots of parking, and a short hiking trail.

BLM CAMPGROUNDS: Windwhistle & Hatchpoint, vault restrooms and water.

DIRECTIONS to CANYON RIMS AREA: South of Moab on US 191, look for Needles Overlook road, near mile marker 93.

AVENUES TWIN PEAKS

PERRY HOLLOW TRAILHEAD

Enjoy a wonderful hike above the Avenues, in the foothills by the U. Looking like a pyramid from Salt Lake Valley, this is an energetic hike to reach both summits. From the gate, follow the jeep road as it winds around the first hill where the trail splits.  (The main trail to the left is the Bob Sled, used by downhill mountain bikers.)  Take the narrow trail to the right and follow the jeep road up the ridge, you'll cross over the junction to the Bonneville Shoreline trail, keep an eye on the twin peaks on your right, the trail will take you up the back side to the summits. Enjoy great views of the valley!

• RATINGS: INTERMEDIATE
• NO RESTROOMS: There's a few scrub oaks on the trail.
• MILEAGE: 1.6 miles to the summit.
• ELEVATION GAIN: 1150' e.g.
• HIKE TIME: Allow 2 3/4 hours
• NO RESTROOMS available
• TRAIL HEAD: Perry's Hollow Road, you'll find a gated jeep road.   
• DOGS are allow if they are leashed.
• GOOGLE MAP: "N. Bonneville Drive, Perrys Hollow Road, SLC, UT"
• GEAR: Hiking pole, water, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, energy snack, jacket, camera, etc.

WEDDING IN CANA

MIRACLES OF THE BIBLE

OLIVE TREES IN ISRAEL

JESUS FIRST MIRACLE WAS AT A JEWISH WEDDING IN CANA.

One of the best possible locations for Cana today, is Khirbet Kana; meaning ruins of Cana.  About 5 1/2 miles from Nazareth.

WHO WAS MARRIED AT THIS WEDDING?

This is one of the greatest mysteries of the Bible.  Skeptics have made claims that Jesus got married.  But this is pure speculation without any historical evidence.  In fact, have you ever heard of a groom being INVITED to their own wedding?

ON THE THIRD DAY IT HAPPENED!

Wedding feasts usually lasted 7 days.

 "On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding." John 2:1-2 NASB

WHO'S WEDDING IT COULD HAVE BEEN?   

Jesus had an aunt, Mary's sister; who could be Mary the wife of Cleopas...the two that talked to Jesus on the road to Emmaus. We don't know if any of her children got married.  And it would be her sister and Cleopas in charge of the wedding; and not mother Mary.

Jesus first cousin removed is Elizabeth. Liz and Zechariah had one son John the Baptist, who was a loner and never got married.

COULD ONE OF JOSEPH AND MARY'S SONS OR DAUGHTER GOT MARRIED?

We know that Jesus has half brothers and half sisters and Mary had a big family.  It is most likely that one of Jesus' siblings got married.  Everyone in the family attended except Joseph.

“He’s no better than we are,” they said. “He’s just a carpenter, Mary’s boy, and a brother of James and Joseph, Judas and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” And they were offended!  MARK 6:3 TLB  The Living Bible
 

IF JESUS WAS 30 YEARS OLD: 

Mother Mary could be 44 to 48,

James 28, who wrote the book of JAMES,

Joseph could be 26,

Jude 24, who wrote the book of JUDE,

Simon could be 22,

And his sisters possibly 18 to 20.

JOSEPH WAS NOT AT THE WEDDING TO HELP MARY.  SHE CALLED ON JESUS WHEN THEY RAN OUT OF WINE.  

"When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." John 2:3 NASB

TO MARY THIS WAS AN EXTREMLEY IMPORTANT CEREMONY; BECAUSE PROBABLY ONE OF HER KIDS GOT MARRIED.  OTHERWISE THE BRIDE AND GROOM'S FAMILY WOULD BE IN CHARGE.

MOM'S GO CRAZY FOR DAUGHTERS WEDDINGS.

"When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."

And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come."

MARY IS IN CHARGE OF THE TABLE WAITERS AND ORDERS THE SERVANTS TO FOLLOW JESUS' INSTRUCTIONS.

"His mother said to the servant, "Whatever He says to you, do it."

ONLY JEWS USED STONE WATERPOTS.

Clay waterpots oftened cracked and had to be discarded according to Leveticus 11:33.

"Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each.

THEY FILLED THE WATERPOTS WITH LIVING WATER.

Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." So they filled them up to the brim."

GOD WORKS FIRST WITH HIS SERVANTS.

"And He said to them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it to him.

THE HEADWAITER TASTED THE WINE.

He was puzzled where it came from, because he knew where the first wine came from.

"When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serve the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." John 2:3-10 NASB

"This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory,and His disciples believed in Him." John 2:11 NASB

AFTER THE WEDDING THEY WENT TO 

CAPERNAUM.  Where did his sisters go?  Was the youngest sister just married, and returned to the groom's home in Cana?

If one of Mary's boys got married, would not the wedding be in Nazareth and not Cana?

 "After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother, and His brothers and His disciples; and they stayed there a few days."  John 2:12 NASB

PASSOVER WAS NEAR, and Capernaum was a good place to get supplies and rest before they made the journey to Jerusalem.

GOD WORKS WITH THE HUMBLE.  He didn't reveal the miracle to all the wedding guests first, only his servants.

HISTORIC BLACK ROCK BEACH

GREAT SALT LAKE STATE PARK

BLACK ROCK

GREAT SALT LAKE STATE PARK

MARINA, SCENIC OVERLOOKS,

VISITOR CENTER, RESTROOMS, 

BOAT TOURS, AND CAMPING  

DAY USE:  $5 VEHICLE, $3 SENIORS

SALT AIR 3 

HAS A GIFT SHOP AND IS A CONCERT VENUE, OUTSIDE THE STATE PARK

BIKE, HIKE OR DRIVE DOWN THE DIRT ROAD. YOU'LL PASS BY HISTORIC SUNSET BEACH, ON THE WAY TO THE BLACK ROCK.

ENJOY WADING OR CLIMBING

WESTERN VIEW OF 

THE GREAT SALT LAKE

VIEW FROM BLACK ROCK

Historic Black Rock Beach and Sunset Beach were wonderful places to have fun in the 1960's.  Bring an umbrella, beach towel and float in the Great Salt Lake.  Outdoor showers were available to wash the salt and sand off.  People from all over the country loved to visit.

These businesses are gone; but memories still live on.

Current Conditions

Due to construction along I-80 working on replacing a bridge, it was decided the best solution to protect people and construction equipment was to block vehicle access to Black Rock.

Pedestrian traffic is still allowed.  

If you wish to visit Black Rock, please park on

the side of  the frontage road as to not block 

construction traffic and then walk into Black

 Rock.

STAGES OF FROSTBITE

DO YOU KNOW THE 

STAGES OF FROSTBITE? 

SNOW DEVIL

Frostnip: Surface skin freezes, is yellow/white, soft and cold to the touch.

Partial Thickness: Skin is white, hard; but deep tissues are not affected. Blisters may appear black and may heal in a month.

Full Thickness: Area is pale white, numb, and feels wooden. Nerves, blood vessles, muscles and tendons freeze, causing serious damage.

WHY DO PEOPLE GET FROSTBITE?

Dehydration: Not drinking enough water. Hydrate yourself before going out.

Tight clothing/boots: Reduces blood circulation.

Wet clothing: Wool will keep you warm when it is wet.

Hunger: Eat breakfast and carry snacks.
Medications, alcohol, & smoking reduce blood circulation.

Extreme cold and wind chill: Make sure you dress properly for the weather.

TREATING MILD FROSTBITE

Remove wet clothing, putting on something dry.

Warm your hands on your belly.

Soaking in 99 to 105 degree warm water for 15 minutes.

Do not use hot water.

Shaking, rubbing, or massaging may increase damage to area.

If you have extreme frostbite, see a doctor immediately.

Thawling and refreezing may cause more damage.