Days 6,7 and 8, were spent in Provo, UT.  Today is Day 9, Monday, June 3rd. So let me get you caught up.  On May 30th we arrived in Provo. Dennis has family living there, his son Jeff and wife Karen and new born Olive. Karen's family lives there as well, and we got to meet her Dad, Roger and his wife Helen.  All of this was for Jeff and Karen's baby's christening. Joining us in Provo, were Dennis' wife Linnea and my wife Elaine.  They both drove out from NW Arkansas in 2 days, while Dennis and I took 5 days riding our Harleys.  It was nice to have a few days off from riding and our stay at the local Hampton Inn, whose hospitality was second to none made it so enjoyable.  Here is the view from our room. 

 

 

The weather in Provo at this time of year was very nice.  Though yesterday, Sunday it began to get a bit hot.  I understand in the summer temperatures rise above 100 and smog can be present.  Just in the 3 days we were there we were able to witness the snow melt from the summit of  the mountain, along the Wasatch Range, outside the room. Provo is also home to Brigham Young University, BYU. BYU can be seen in the photo below and to the lower right is the stadium.  Took this picture on our way out of town this morning, the 3rd of June.

We also saw the renovation taking place from the fire which  gutted the Provo Tabernacle Building. Karen's dad, Roger Gourley, was the Fire Battalion Chief, who responded to the call.  http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/provo-city-center-temple-stilts

I found Provo to be very interesting. As I understand the city is 80% Mormon.  I was very impressed with how clean it was and fresh.  Driving through the northern part of the city there is a lot of new development.  Going out to eat I learned Mormons really like water. Everyone drank a glass of water, although I did see a good bit of what I was told was pink lemon-aid.  It was served in large bottles left at the table, I think this is Mormon wine.  Also in our hotel, towards the afternoon hours I would see a container of water, and pink lemon-aid.  At dinner I ordered a Mexican beer, which was all they served in the lager variety.

When the beer came to our table I noticed in the entire restaurant I was the only one not drinking water or pink lemon-aid.  When I spoke to Dennis about how I felt about being the only one having a beer, and maybe a scarlet letter about me... he said it reminded him of a conversation he had with our mutual friend  and high school buddy Jerry Feldman, that I would be considered a Philstine.  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/philistine  The next day when I brought this to the attention of our friend Jerry, he wrote me back and said, he would have ordered an Arnold Palmer...which he said is very refreshing. He then advised me not to touch
any metal while alcohol passed through my lips.  From that point on I stuck to water, or ice tea.





Here is where Dennis took me for dinner.  Was he trying to make point?

 

Dennis seems to ordered the strangest foods... I couldn't tell you what this is.

 

 

As I said above we left Provo today, June 3 for Fruita, Colorado and arrived this evening after a great ride on CO Hwy 139. Along the way we stopped at Dinosaur National Park.  Since it is late, 11:30 p.m.  mountain time...I will finish for the night and write tomorrow evening from Telluride, CO, if  I can.