Bear Lake, Utah and Idaho

 

 

 

 

 

Bear Lake is a natural freshwater lake on the Utah-Idaho border. It is the second largest natural freshwater lake in Utah and has been called the "Caribbean of the Rockies" for its unique turquoise-blue color. Its water properties have led to the evolution of several unique species that live naturally only within the lake. It was formed by fault subsidence that continues today, slowly deepening the lake along the eastern side. It doesn't have much for public beaches, but it is a wonderful place. The water is surprizingly warmer than expected, at least in the shallow parts. We were hoping, but had no sightings of the Bear Lake Monster. Oh well, maybe next time!

Fossil Butte National Monument

 

Some of the world's best preserved fossils are found in the flat-topped ridges of southwestern Wyoming's cold sagebrush desert. Fossilized fish, insects, plants, reptiles, birds, and mammals are exceptional for their abundance, variety, and detail of preservation. It is a small monument, but very interesting, and the kids loved it!

St. Helena Cathedral, Helena, Montana

Mr. A. O. Von Herbulis of Washington, D.C. was commissioned to be the architect. Von Herbuliswas trained abroad and was chosen for his knowledge of the Cathedrals of Europe. Rough sketches were prepared in two styles, Romanesque and Gothic. When the drawings were presented the Gothic form was chosen by the Building Committee and Advisory Board moved to use the Gothic style and that motion passed unanimously.

The Columbia Construction Company of New York began construction of the Cathedral in 1908, the cornerstone was laid on October 4 that year. The Cathedral was not completed for another 10 years. In June 1924 the Cathedral was consecrated.

The stained glass windows for the Cathedral were made and installed by the F.X. Zettler Firm of Munich, Bavaria. At the time of the dedication of the Cathedral forty six of the fifty nine windows had been installed. The Zettler Firm claimed that the thirty seven windows of the set telling the story from the fall of Adam and Eve to the Church in the early years of the 20th Century, surpassed any windows made by the firm in the first 50 years of its existence. The remaining windows in the clerestory level were installed by 1926.