Can you believe it's July already?!  Today is Independence Day and, although summer does not officially begin in the PNW until July 5th, today promises to be free of precipitation and the sun is burning through the early morning marine layer of clouds that greet us each day. The good news is that we are to have a week of sunny days and warm temperatures. Perhaps it's safe to pry those crossed fingers apart and say, 'Summer has arrived'!
 

 A fruit pizza heading to our 4th of July bbq at sister Kim's house.

Sister Debbie and I took a little road trip last week to Salt Lake City to attend the Young Living Essential Oils convention. We were greeted by very warm temperatures, 97 to 104, little humidity, blue skies, lovely mountains, plenty of haze from nearby forest fires, and 5,000 fellow convention attendees. I gleaned mountains of knowledge about therapeutic essential oils which have been used since ancient times to aid in the physical and emotional health of the human body.

We had a choice of buying a lunch ticket for the 3 days at the convention vs. leaving the convention center & eating elsewhere. Deb and I opted to purchase the lunch ticket and I was a bit concerned about the quality of the food since I'm doing my best to stay sugar, grain and dairy free.  We were delighted to be fed gluten free, whole foods! Vegetarian choices were available as well as a few desserts and bread products for those who wanted them.  This trip was a good lesson for me in learning that eating well is possible even when away from home. 

 Yum!

After 3 intense days of sessions and workshops, Gary Young, the founder of the company who owns a farm and distillery 1.5 hours from Salt Lake City, treated us to a day on the farm (also a visitor's center). I expected tours of the distillery, a walk through his lavender fields, a couple of classes, entertainment and food.  I was delighted instead to experience a relaxing day filled with music, demonstrations, a wild west town with  a mock old time western shootout.  A pond with paddle boats, a creek in which to hydrate our hot feet, a medieval jousting tournament plus more. The company went over and above in providing us with a relaxing day.

Who can visit Salt Lake City and NOT tour Temple Square, headquarters to the Mormon church? This 10 acre plot houses many impressive structures: The Mormon temple, tabernacle, 21,000 seat convention center, visitor center, family search center, etc. etc. The grounds are lush with manicured lawns and overflowing planters of colorful flowers. Mormons, name tags on and Book of Mormon in hand, can be seen strolling throughout the grounds, perhaps to answer questions.

We entered the Tabernacle hoping to watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice only to find it empty except for the organist who was practicing with 11,633 pipes! This organ is one of the largest pipe organs in the world. The Tabernacle is said to be the most acoustically perfect structure in the world. If a pin is dropped on stage, one can hear it land while standing in the back of the Tabernacle.

photo courtesy of Wikipedia

We did find the choir practicing in the Mormon's convention center. Rough estimate - 200+ choir members in addition to a full orchestra.

How fun is it that random, funky painted, upright pianos are placed in the downtown area for anyone to play?

We did not have opportunity nor time to visit the great Salt Lake itself.  Perhaps next year as Salt Lake City will host the Young Living convention again.

The highlight of  my trip was spending time with my older sis. Only 15 months apart, we fought 'tooth and nail' (whatever that means) growing up. But, as it should be, once we grew into the strong, independent, beautiful women that we are, we love and appreciate one another today.

Although we were tempted to keep driving east, we both returned home, happily, and my skin is again becoming hydrated with our clean, fresh air! If only we could send some of our moisture to the arid, hot, burning (literally) interior of our country....