Lavender Fields and a Few More Summertime Photo Finds

Hello, hello!

Want to share a few more finds for Rinda's 2015 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt as well as photos taken this last Sunday on a day trip we took to Young Living Farms in Mona.  I have had a desire to see the lavender in bloom at the Young Living Farm for a few years now and, as it turns out, the trip we took was perfect timing as the majority of the fields had already been harvested and the last one to go - set aside especially for late summer tourists - was still standing.

The gardens and grounds at the Mona farm (Whispering Springs) are beautifully lush right now and there is so much else to see besides the lavender.

The last lavender field - Mount Nebo (11,928 feet elevation) in the background.

The Farm covers 1,400 acres of lavender and other fragrant herbs fields. The buildings around the Visitor's Center and main farm are styled after 'ye Olde English' farms (minus the thatched roofs) and, in fact, there is a 'castle' and jousting arena where, until 2009, the founder of Young Living, Gary Young, held live jousting tournaments during Lavender Days, late June. Gary Young, incidentally is an authentic cowboy kind of character besides being a very successful entrepreneur; see his story here. 

Field of harvested and bundled hay - looking northeast towards Provo

The castle

The jousting arena behind the castle walls

Oh look! My knight in shining jeans!

Lavender fields forever!

It was truly a delightful experience and the smell! Oh my! 

After leaving the farm and discovering that the A/C in our car was kapoot - leaving us to 4/75 (4 windows down, 75 miles per hour) air - we zipped north to Provo Canyon where Clare knew there was Number Six on the Photo Scavenger Hunt, a metal (iron) bridge. And sure enough, he took us right to the private bridge crossing the Provo River. Of course, it being summertime, the river was over-populated with tubers (as in innertubes), rafters, and canoers having the time of their lives.

#6 - A metal bridge

Splashing happy people on a Summer afternoon. 

Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon - a double cataract waterfall near Sundance Resort

I had to take a photo of this famous spot while driving the canyon. I was amazed at the crowds hiking to the falls and AT the falls! I suppose it is something I would have attempted when I was young. Provo Canyon is gorgeous at most any time of year; love going up in the autumn when the colors come on.

We drove back from Provo to Lehi and then the back way home through Cedar Valley where I spotted and photographed:

#12 - A public restroom, bathroom or toilet

Unisex restroom out in the middle of the desert - literally!

Since I rather doubt that I will find #4 - people playing a board game or card game, I've gotten two of the alternates to cover.

Alt A - People eating outside

In this case, road construction workers eating from their box lunches on a bench outside the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Tooele Chapter, Museum downtown Tooele. 

I didn't want to be too obvious and pull up in front of them to take their picture so I pulled across the street and took the snap from the side like I was photographing the building. Felt a bit stalkerish!

Alt C - A rocking chair

I just love this whole small town America scene with not one, but two rocking chairs on the front porch!

So, that's it for me for now. See you soon!